I guess I feel the need to go against the grain here.

I am truly thankful for this spot on the web.

I have been visiting the DBIS for a couple of years now, first and foremost because I am a fan of David and his music. But in the past year my awareness of things political has been awakened. Maybe my first child on the way is responsible, or maybe I just can’t take the way things seem to be. Either way I am glad to have this outlet to speak and be heard.

This board has been many things to me. There are a few people whom I’ve never met but feel I know just a bit better. There are views that are similar to mine and there are ones I can’t quite understand. Not that they are bad or wrong, I just can’t figure how they arrived at their position. But that has never mattered in the larger picture to me. What has kept me coming back has been the open discussions and often insightful and heartfelt conviction of the members here.

Obviously, of late, there has been struggle and strife. The “customize” button and Kent.

I have no problem with either. The button is optional and therefore a moot point when it comes to censorship. Kent on the other hand, God bless him, holds firm beliefs in things many of us are unaware of. Kent, the sheer volume of your posts can be overwhelming and seemingly omnipresent at times. But every once in a while, something in what you write about, seems plausible to me, in my understanding of how things work. I welcome your contributions here, though they are too numerous for me to read them all, but again that’s my choice.

To Dan & Pat (Keepers of the board from what I can gather) –

Thank you for providing such a place. There is nowhere else I go for these kinds of topics. I hope that I don’t have to lose the opposing viewpoints that are presented here. There should always be room for dissent. I hate to see personal attacks, but as there are many passionate people here it’s bound to happen.

This past year it meant a great deal to me to be able to secure the Chicago show from WXRT radio here and to be able to share it with everyone. It also meant a great deal to me, to be able to finally step up and be able to make my contributions to the board about what I feel is happening to us and our country.

I believe David & Dan especially have had some very balanced and insightful things to add to the discussion here (and no I’m not trying to kiss anyone’s butt.

I hope this lull is just everyone taking a break from politics to spend time with their loved ones. I look forward to seeing the return of many after the New Year is rung in.

In closing, thank you all for your varied contributions. I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday. Thank you for letting me be a part of all of this.

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes to all.

Rogertick