Just waded, slightly belatedly, through Meteor Blades' Farewell Diary.
It is hard when someone important and respected leaves, whatever that leaving means. But with someone like Meteor Blades, it is something of a tectonic shift for our community. The entire structure of our virtual DK world has changed.
But if there is one thing that Meteor Blades stood for in my mind it is determination, and I know his leaving does nothing but make me more determined than ever to fight the good fight. We will carry on and do so all the stronger for his influence.
This diary is for Meteor Blades.
[Updated the title to meet some comments half way]
First off, we all wish him well. All snark aside (as much as I ever am able to put aside snark), I hope he, his family and whatever he is doing fares well. Life can be tough...I hope he is tougher than what ever is thrown at him. At best he is leaving for excellent, positive reasons. It didn't sound that way, but sometimes it is hard to tell what people mean when you are reading their words without the benefit of body language to add nuance.
Second, we all know it isn't our business what is up in his life. We shouldn't speculate and should respect his privacy. But we're human...which means we WILL speculate and poke a stick or two through the fence around his privacy because that is what people do.
It is something of a real tribute to Meteor Blades that a good deal of the speculation around his departure seemed to envision some kind of heroic involvement in Libya, perhaps ending with his becoming President of Libya. Well, I don't think anyone would speculate about my departure with such a romantic and kick ass scenario...I think in my case people might envision me winding up court jester in the Duchy of Grand Fenwick or something. But Meteor Blades, in our minds, just could swoop in to North Africa and single handedly bring peace, prosperity and stability to Libya. Well, it COULD happen. And if it does he'd better fly us all out to his inauguration.
Or maybe a more sinister fate befell him...somewhere Number 6 is in "The Village"
Me, I think his fate is greater than that. Perhaps he had to return to Gallifrey. Or perhaps he has a message for the cybermen:
Or perhaps he has gone to once again confront the Daleks:
Meteor Blades has a personality that makes us believe he could be there saying "No!" to the Daleks.
But truth is I have no idea why he left or why he chose to phrase his farewell the way he did. Whatever he is doing we all know he will be doing precisely what he should be doing and doing it right. And I do know he expects us to keep up the fight in our own ways. And I sure intend to do that.
And wherever he has gone (and it could just be around the corner for a pack of cigarettes and be back in a moment...) he is still with us...like Joe Hill, whatever happens he will always be where workers organize and where people stand up to bullies and say, "No!"
So if you're reading this Meteor Blades, you may say you're gone, but you aren't. You helped make this community and you left your mark. We aren't letting you go that easily. If INDN List still existed, I'd make a donation in his honor. Sadly we lost INDN List as well...besides, Meteor Blades still owes me a dinner from my last INDN List donation.
I don't know what the most appropriate honor I can offer to Meteor Blades. But I think one he will appreciate is a donation to Trees, Water, People. This organization, among other very cool projects, works to provide solar heating systems to residents of South Dakota's Pine Ridge Reservation by Native-owned and operated Lakota Solar Enterprises. I can't think of a better tribute than one that combines helping people with helping the environment in such a grassroots way. So Meteor Blades, where ever you are (Los Angeles, Libya, The Village, Gallifrey...), this solar heater is for you. (And yes...I did make it in honor of Meteor Blades on their form):
On behalf of Trees, Water and People, we thank you for your generous support!...
Program Area:
Tribal Lands Renewable Energy Program
Tribute Information:
In Honor Of: Meteor Blades
Occasion: Leaving Daily Kos
And yes, Meteor Blades, we will keep the soul of dKos going. You go do what you have to do, we got you covered here.
[UPDATED: Onomastic has a great diary urging donations to The Native American Rights Fund in honor of Meteor Blades. Another worthy cause!]