It seems I'm specializing in non-political blogs lately...  TPM has a feature called 'most followed users', and through some quirk I actually made it onto the list of top 20 most followed users recently.  The feature itself seems a bit contrived IMO.  Most readers, commentators, and posters here, know, or have an opinion, who has something of value to say, sans such an obvious yardstick as, 'most followed'.  Most of us, ('most followed' or not), have screwed the pooch somewhere along the line when we demonstrated some stunning lack of insight, and most of the commentators with no followers to speak of, have written literary/intellectual gems in the form of comments or posts at some time or another.   I know the most followed poster at TPM has decried this crude measure of the 'worthiness' of TPM posters as well, (hey Thera, que pasa?).  But that's not what I'm writing about today. 

The handwriting has been on the wall for some time now, as I watched Lux Umbra Dei's position on the 'most followed' feature drop.  Shortly after my username appeared on the board, his username dropped to the position just above mine.  Today, Lux, one of my first 'friends' here at this blog, slipped below me in the 'most followed' list.  I didn't surpass his popularity because I am more erudite, or funny, or interesting.  It only happened through attrition.  I'm fairly certain that his position at or near the top of this list would have been assured were he still posting here.  You see, my friend, (and I know he was many of yours as well), simply 'disappeared' on or about Dec. 20, 2008.  Ominously, he mentioned in his last comment on the site that he had recently blacked out, and anticipated posting less frequently after the holidays.  So, we who knew Lux Umbra Dei/Mr. Beebers here in our virtual community, were left with a big hole... a gap in our understanding of what ever became of one of our most valued contributors.  It's the nature, I suppose, of such virtual communities as ours, that we are left without closure, when one of our mates disappears.  I find myself thinking, in this case at least, that Lux, may just be taking a sabbatical, a break in the action, and will return when and if his distinct spiritual proclivities dictate that he do so.  I hope that's the case, but in the end I may never know.  Most of us have no real knowledge, who the others here at TPM are.  Most of us value our anonymity, and there are distinct advantages to that, esp. when the trolls come calling, or when we're applying for jobs with companies whose corporate philosophies may be at odds with the intellectual constructs we present here.  ;-)  The price we pay for our anonymity, is that lack of knowledge and if need be, closure, when one of us goes missing.  So, I guess what this post is about, for me at least, is to say, "Lux... if you're out there, know that you are missed", and if he is not there, I send my thanks to the world, the universe, to life, that I knew you to the extent one can know anyone here in cyberworld.  You are/were one of the best it has been my pleasure to have known in this, my first, and only online community.  I wish I had known you better.  In this sentiment, I know I'm not alone. 

If anyone else is reading my words here, who hasn't had the pleasure of 'meeting' Lux, I highly recommend you follow the link above, and introduce yourself to him and his writings.  It will not be a wasted effort. 

I sing the body electric, these are not the parts and poems of the Body only, but of the Soul.   Lux is/was of a higher voltage.  

Concurrent with our 'sluggish' economy, the evaporation of over $15 Trillion in personal wealth, a unemployment rate higher than any we've seen in over a quarter of a century, and mortgage default rates in some netherworld between 'really bad' and 'horrible', many Americans are understandably worried about the future.  Add to this the bloviations of the investor class regarding the sustainability of the Social Security program, (read:  We need fresh meat in the system), and believe me, there are valid reasons for concern.  Some of us who had the foresight to plan our future successfully in light of the economy, can now offer some words and wisdom to those less fortunate, without fear of reprisal by the economic and legal forces of the state.  With this in mind, I share some advice for achieving an ultimately fool-proof retirement plan.  A planned retirement which won't be at risk from the vicissitudes of the market that have become the hallmark of modern day investing.  No 401K, Roth IRA, or 403B for me.  Just a carefully planned larceny, designed to fail.  With pride, pleasure, and in relative comfort, I write these words of advice from the warmth and security of cell block C, at the US Federal Correctional Institution, Big Spring Texas. 

Read more »