A tribute to those DUers who have contributed greatly and are no longer with us

[radfringe]

the Prometheus Award



In Greek mythology, Prometheus is a Titan known for his wily intelligence, who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mortals for their use.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear radfringe...

Do you have in mind those who have died, or been TS'd?

I miss a number of people in both groups...

Nostamj...

Andy Stephenson

And in the TS'd group:

Progmom

NSMA

Misunderestimator

CorpGovActivist

And there's a couple of posters who aren't in either group, but are just plain missing:

Miss Marmelstein

newyawker99

I miss all of them... :cry:

[radfringe]

2. me too

too many gone or just plain "disappeared" DU is all the poorer without them

[radfringe]

3. check your PM

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. Got it, and replied...nt

[quip]

39. I like the pink torch!

And thanks for the tip! ;) :hi:

[fight4my3sons]

5. yes

:cry:

I don't know all of them, but the ones I do recognize I do miss. Thank you for posting this.

[GreenPartyVoter]

9. I'll add Khephra to the first group *hugs*

[jpak]

45. I was thinking about Kef this afternoon and wondering what he would make of GDP

:patriot:

[Myrina]

60. What ever happened to Hippiechick?

She was Kephera's sister, right? Is she still here?
And I remember their mom posting on DU a coupld times too - is she around anymore?

[Redstone]

10. "Nostamj" was close to being a friend of mine, dammit.

We had been conversing about the business he wanted to start, and I was happily giving him whatever advice I could, and looking forward to providing him whatever further help I was able to give, because it would have been fun and good for him, and society in general...

And then he went and died on us, God damn it.

That hurt, as selfish as it is for me to say so.

I've lost too many people too soon.

Redstone

[zanne]

20. CorpGovActivist...

I used to enjoy his posts.

[mtnester]

21. That had to be recently wasn't it?

?

[TZ]

23. Just 2 days ago.....n/t

[mtnester]

24. I found it

I have seen some ugly in GD-Poison recently, but that was simply beyond the pale.

[EFerrari]

51. Oh, no.

Stinkin primaries. :grr:

[radfringe]

6. I've been with the DU since 2001

racked up over 27,000 posts

seen good times, and bad. bought the t-shirt wore it out, so I bought another one.

I've met a few DUers in person, have made good internet friends with others. I've rejoiced with you, cried with you. Donated, to the DU and private appeals when I've been able.

Have had some good discussions, and bad.

but through it all, the DU has stuck together as a group.

but lately DUers have been dropping like flies hit with napalm. Why this sudden increase in animosity, why the choking bile and vitriolic posts? What's so different about now, than it was in 2002, or 2004 or 2006?

So much is at stake, that fear has crept in and taken root. When people are afraid, they hate, and when they hate, they lash out, destroying everything they fear. In a way, bush has scored a victory, he has us so afraid we destroy what we hold dear.

and that, my fellow DUers, is very very sad.

I hope in the coming days, that we all take a few moments to remember what it is that drew us to the DU, what made us join, and what has made us stay. We are only strong if we are united, and that unity we must find once again.

[Redstone]

11. I wish that "I feel your pain" wasn't a cliche. I can only imagine how you must feel,

being here for THAT long and seeing all those changes and losses.

Redstone

[radfringe]

14. hurts to see it ripped apart

by fear

there is alot at stake in the general election, and that's all the more reason for unity

and to quote a great man ""A house divided against itself cannot stand."

it was appropriate then under those circumstances, and it's appropriate today, here on the DU and the United States of America
http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/house.htm

that's the ticket, ya know UNITED states of america

[northzax]

62. it's because of the stakes

we actually feel a chance at the white house this year, and that makes the primaries, which have never gone on this long, more important. people have run out of things to say, so now it is just bile and vitriol.

you do remember what happened to Prometheus, do you not?

[mtnester]

22. Here

GD-Poison

[SacredCow]

28. If I could nominate a reply...

this would be an easy choice!

:hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

31. Well, I'm sticking it out. And I'm not even an official Democrat. :^)

[racaulk]

59. Thank you, radfringe. You said that very well.

Excellent post! :thumbsup:

[radfringe]

7. for your listening pleasure... Mercury: The Winged Messenger

http://www.aquarianage.org/lore/holst.html

Mercury: The Winged Messenger (72kb): Fleet-footed Mercury flits about through this piece sounding not unlike a cosmic butterfly. He belongs very much in the Garden of Venus that precedes him in the performance.
Our thanks go out to David Siu for this contribution!

http://www.aquarianage.org/lore/files/mercury.mid

[Jamastiene]

8. I miss Haruka still.

That was the one that broke my heart when she was TS'ed. RIP Haruka.

[Redstone]

13. As do many of us. This may be a "virtual" community, but it's a community nonetheless.

Redstone

[Political Heretic]

19. How do these beloved people end up getting TS'ed?

Is there any kind of amnesty or appeal process for it? It seems like if some - apparently - seriously good people are getting lost in some heat of the moment thing and getting banned, maybe that really isn't the best thing for the community?

[radfringe]

26. We've lost many over the years

Some have crossed over, leaving a little hole in our hearts

Other's have been cast out, and their unique, intelligent and witty contributions will no longer be seen here

Still others, for various reasons of their own, have decided to leave on their own accord, their additions to discussions are missed.

Whatever the reason, each time a member leaves, we become that much poorer for it.

I know, for myself, there have been times in the past where I've thought about just leaving the DU, no swan song post, just a few short PMs to DUers whom I've grown fond of and developed friendships. But, I don't, because for all the complaints about flaming, and other childish behavior - there are still enough good people to make it worthwhile.

I do confess, this primary season hate/flame fest has taken its toll on the quality and caliber of discussions and that has made me think about leaving the DU more than I can say. Discussions, if you want to call them that, are not about the issues, it's personal attacks. They've become something I would expect to see on sites like the free republic, or hear on the rush limbaugh show or read in an ann coulter column, or watch on the bill o'reilly show - definitely not on the DU I use to know.

and it's a real shame, real shame

maybe one day I will "pull the plug" as a DU member, haven't reached that point yet, but it has entered my realm of possibilities, mores the pity

[LeftyMom]

34. Nobody (including her) really knows on that one.

[LostinVA]

29. I'll make sure she sees this

I know she misses you, too... even if you like squirrels.

[KitchenWitch]

12. Add these names to the RIP group

Alacojon
oneighty

[joeybee12]

27. Yes, oneighty was very active in the writing forum...

...really nice guy and very prolific writer.

[radfringe]

15. sorry to get a bit maudlin

but these were among the best of us

:grouphug:

[radfringe]

16. kick

[The Magistrate]

17. My Old Friend Mr. Absynthe, Ma'am

Is the one I miss most of all among the exiled. You will remember him, doubtless: a helluva fellow, and an excellent writer with an eye for the telling detail.

[Shakespeare]

37. Well, my goodness. I was thinking about him, too.

Quite the irreverent scamp, he was. We modded together (back when I was under my old nick of Not_over_it), and was one of my favorite DUers.

I've always had a soft spot for the well-intentioned troublemaker, though. ;-)

[ulysses]

55. heartily agreed, Magistrate.

I miss absynthe as well.

[Political Heretic]

18. Before I ever decided to make an account to post with....

...back when I used to just read and read and read... one of my favorite posters of all time went by the name "Nothingshocksmeanymore"

Of course, I have a huge hole in my memory from a period where I did not read DU, or do anything on the internet...

Hey.... is "Az" still around? That guy was a friggen genius.

[rubberducky]

25. Still missing "monkeyman".

:cry:

[radfringe]

30. I had posted this OP out of the PRIME posting TIME.. so

can we keep it kicked for at least through the Saturday morning hours?



Kaithnxbai

[ordinaryaveragegirl]

32. kick

So many great voices...Andy is still an inspiration to me, and always will be. As are so many others we've mentioned.

[Skittles]

33. my beloved oneighty

Ed, always in my heart

[radfringe]

35. kick

[bettyellen]

36. Progmom and of course, Andy S.

:cry:

[quip]

38. I meant to post here earlier--

I have only been on DU for a relatively short while, and I have "lost" my first friend on here. DU will definitely be the poorer without CGA (Dave). Your fire will be missed!

And my personal little tribute will be coming shortly (hopefully!)

[radfringe]

40. a little more music for your evening listening

The Firebird Suite
http://www.pittsburghsymphony.org/firebird/music/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Firebird
The Firebird (French: L'Oiseau de feu; Russian: Жар-птица, Žar-ptica) is a 1910 ballet by Igor Stravinsky. The ballet is based on Russian folk tales of the magical glowing bird of the same name that is both a blessing and a curse to its captor.

The music was premiered as a ballet by Diaghilev's Ballets Russes in Paris on 25 June 1910 conducted by Gabriel Pierné. It was the first of their productions with music specially composed for them. Originally the music was to have been written by Russian composer Anatol Liadov (1855-1914); but when he was slow in starting work, Diaghilev transferred the commission to the 28-year old Stravinsky. The ballet has historic significance not only as Stravinsky's 'breakthrough piece' ("Mark him well", said Diaghilev to Tamara Karsavina, who was dancing the title role: "He is a man on the eve of celebrity..."), but also as the beginning of the collaboration between Diaghilev and Stravinsky that would also produce Petrushka and The Rite of Spring.

The ballet was staged by George Balanchine for the New York City Ballet in 1949 with Maria Tallchief as the Firebird with Marc Chagall scenery and costumes and was performed in repertory until 1965. The ballet was restaged by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins in 1970 for the New York City Ballet with new scenery and Karinska costumes for the 1972 Stravinsky Festival that introduced Gelsey Kirkland as the Firebird.

Story
Stravinsky's ballet centers on the journey of its hero, Prince Ivan. Ivan enters the magical realm of Kashchei the Immortal; all of the magical objects and creatures of Kashchei are herein represented by a chromatic descending motif, usually in the strings. While wandering in the garden, he sees and chases the Firebird. The Firebird, once caught by Ivan, begs for its life and ultimately agrees to assist Ivan in exchange for eventual freedom.

Next, Prince Ivan sees thirteen princesses, with one of whom he falls in love. The next day, Ivan chooses to confront Kashchei to ask to marry one of the princesses; the two talk and eventually begin quarreling. When Kashchei sends his magical creatures after Ivan, the Firebird, true to its pledge, intervenes, bewitching the creatures and making them dance an elaborate, energetic dance (the "Infernal Dance"). The creatures and Kashchei then fall asleep; however, Kashchei awakens and is killed by the Firebird. With Kashchei gone and his magic broken, the magical creatures and the palace all disappear, and all of the "real" beings (including the princesses) awaken and, with one final fleeting appearance from the Firebird, celebrate their victory.

[Forkboy]

41. Anyone remember TheBigIdea?

He had my same odd sense of humor and sarcasm. So needless to say I liked him.

But I miss Khephra the most. :(

[NC_Nurse]

42. I always think of eggbeater. He was new when his cancer was diagnosed.

But he kept posting and was so brave and encouraging to all of us.
What a sweet guy. :cry:

[radfringe]

43. if anyone doubts where the real fight is

it's out there, not here

Most of you know I do toons, link to THE RADICAL FRINGE toons is in my sig line. With my old job, the work hours allowed me time to put out a toon a day. With my new job, the work hours and the commute time I don't have time, so the frequency of the new toons has dropped off.

well, this e-mail I received today from a "fan" pretty much illustrates where the fight should be.

Comic Date: 20080223

Comments: GLAD TO SEE YOU ARE STAYING AWAY AND
KEEPING YOUR PLACE! THIS IS TOO LARGE
FOR THE LIKES OF YOU.

it's fighting this kind of mind set, the kind that votes for the likes of bush and mccain and the rest of narrowminded, mean spirited people, whose only interest is in getting what they can for themselves and to hell with the rest of us.

This was the purpose of the DU, to bring together people who want to put people before profits, people before politics, and work in our own small way to make this country, hell - make the world a little better.

look at the list of those we have lost, there are plenty of others yet to be named on this thread. Each of them touched us in some way, each made a difference, their presence was known and their loss is felt.

and remember why you joined the DU and why you are still here.

[Tyler Durden]

46. The Democratic Party: FAMOUS for unity under pressure.

Not.

[Tyler Durden]

44. I find this poem to be very appropriate at this time.

If you are able,
case for them a place
inside of you
and save one backward glance
when you are leaving
for the places they can
no longer go.
Be not ashamed to say
you loved them,
though you may
or may not have always.
Take what they have left
and what they have taught you
with their dying
and keep it with your own.
And in that times
when men decided and feel safe
to call the war insane,
wake one moment to embrace
those gentle heroes
you left behind.

Major Michael Davis O'Donnell
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam

May we remember them all, not always with agreement, but with RESPECT, and with LOVE.

[radfringe]

47. Walt Starr, another name for the list

I believe Walt was roundly congradulated for coining the term ENRONOMICS...

[hellbound-liberal]

48. I have seen Walt Starr posted or quoted on another site. Not sure if it's the same person.

might have been Daily Kos or Bartcop.

[Awsi Dooger]

52. Walt Starr is also posting on MyDD

Huge Obama supporter, thrilled that he's finally backing the apparent winner. Today he ripped Hillary's campaign in a diary he posted, infuriating some of her supporters over there.

[Nye Bevan]

49. TruthIsAll....

I joined DU because of him (giving some math/Excel help with one of his studies).

He was singlemindedly devoted to his cause of proving that the 2004 election was stolen. Unfortunately this singlemindedness proved to be his undoing.

[EFerrari]

50. I miss Ben Burch.

He was a rock for so many of us.

[radfringe]

53. a little whimsical music for a sunday morning

http://www.mfiles.org.uk/downloads/sugar-plum-fairy.mp3


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nutcracker
Clara and the Prince arrive at the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Sugar Plum Fairy and the people of the Land of Sweets dance for Clara and the Prince in the dances of Dew Drop Fairy, the Spanish dancers (sometimes Chocolate), the Chinese dancers (sometimes Tea), the Arabian dancers (sometimes Coffee), the Russian dancers (sometimes Candy Canes--their dance is called the Trepak), Mother Ginger and her Polichinelles (sometimes Bonbons, Taffy Clowns, or Court Buffoons in Baryshnikov's production), the Reed Flutes (sometimes Marzipan shepherds or Mirlitons), the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the Waltz of the Flowers. The dances in the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy are not always performed in this order.

[Bzzzz]

54. Modem Butterfly n/t

[radfringe]

56. add my name to the list

it's been fun.. but now it's like watching a nuclear holocaust in painfully slow motion

I haven't pulled the plug on my DU membership - if you want to get ahold of me - info is in my profile - unless I'm TS'd or chose to formally withdraw

meanwhile - watch out for the rabid escaping hyenas from GD:p, they are on the prowl and hungry

[conscious evolution]

57. you will be missed

As are so many others.
Our country is well and truly fucked.
We have such a target rich enviroment and what do we do?A circular firing squad.
We are so fucked.

[Phillycat]

61. Take a break, see how you feel...

I've been here since 2001 also, and I've had to take LONG breaks (think a year at a time) and then come back. It will get better after primary season. I would miss you, just so you know. :hug:

Janesez (aka catpower2000)

[Wetzelbill]

58. I miss my good friend alarcojon and also my TS'd friend fresianrider

I have had several enemies TS'd too, although they all deserved it. :)