The DU Lounge

As a 3rd grader in NJ, I would often stare out of the classroom windows, my mind traveling to whatever thought I fancied for the moment, whether it be fast cars, jet aircraft or baseball or rockets

Being a catholic school, there were teacher nuns who saw my drifting eyes ... I was a sitting duck

"Trajan? ... Can you tell the class how you arrived at your answer to the last question?"

"Um, what?"

WHACK!

So yeah, that was me as a child ...

Thankfully, I figured out how to focus better as a working adult, and went on to a successful career in aerospace: On the rockets I used to daydream about, staring out of those windows

In 2001, during the first Bush Inauguration, there were many democratic protesters on the parade path .. I felt allied with them as they displayed their disappointment with the new administration.

Then, there on my TV screen, I saw the banner, "democraticunderground.com", flown alongside of those many protesters

I wanted to join those people who protested that Inauguration... I visited the DU website, and immediately felt at home, amongst my own brethren and political kin and with a voice to share .. to break bread with

Somewhere along the way, I pissed you off with my stridency for progressive policies and against centrist control of the party

You made a choice and I was FFR'd in 2016 ... I figured I would be banned, but that never happened: The original Trajan is still in FFR status, ten years later

I figured you wanted to keep open the possibility of lifting the FFR some time later. Eventually, after a reasonable time frame, I rejoined this happy throng as "New" Trajan, thinking I would be recognized by admins, and either allowed or tossed, accordingly ...

In any case, I had not ever realized you sold DU until this message.

I've always had a deep and abiding respect for you, Dave and Elan, and for the many other strong leaders that inhabited this safe corner of the universe ... and I do regret raising your dander so completely

For that, I apologize ... We were brethren and on the same team, and I should have dialed back the rhetoric at that moment: I didn't ... I paid the price in the loss of community with my team, and it kinda hurt, but hey, this is the real world and this is what happens in that real world

FAFO

When I arrived here, the personalities were so vivid and alive ... Matcom... NostamJ ... Will, of course (Rest in peace, Mr Pitt) ... This was a whole world unto itself before Twitter ever raised it's cachet as a viable political comm channel.

You started a great thing, David ... and it continues still ... Take pride in that

I heeded your call, and communed with DUers for a decent spell ... I thank you for that opportunity

I don't know where our American life is headed... We seem to be on the cusp of a great disaster, or an incredible recovery ... literally on the knife's edge

I hope you find your way through this mess AND to restore your health, and to find the peace and serenity we all deserve ... I wish only the best for you and your family.

I regret what led to the FFR, but I never regretted joining DU, or breaking bread with all of you here

Good luck, sir.

Peace ...