We have a problem. 'Congratulations.' But it's a tough problem. 'Then double congratulations.'
~W. Clement Stone
My Dear Dark Wraith,

Many thanks for taking my ability to learn and think to a level I never thought possible (even though you often make my head hurt -- it is a good hurt indeed).

Your [strike]diatribes[/strike] posts are always wonderful, and I'm so glad I found my way to your pages (even though I've taken to not commenting much any more, I'm still a loyal reader).

Well done, and looking forward to the next post (and etc.)

Congratulations, Dark Wraith! Your endeavor has continued even with my less than thoughtful comments. The other commenters here, though, have kept me coming for their valuable insights. And they wouldn't keep coming here themselves if the host was just run of the mill, so take a bow, Sir Wraith.

Now get back to work. It ain't Christmas yet.

Happy Blogiversary, {{Professor Friend}}!

And thank you. You've taught me so much, and helped me sort out so many things. You do make a difference, you know... even when you are wobbling brains.

I look forward to your wise guidance in the years to come.

Keep up the good work, Sir Wraith!

so many idiots, so little time to call them on it. . .

your perseverance, perception, and plain old common sense is a rare treat in this world of rampant and raging dumbasses.

hie rocinante! go ahead and tilt at the windmills, they might be giants.

one never knows do one?

Tilting at windmills carries the distinct possibility of getting one's sword tangled in a blade, in which case one will be taken for a ride only to be dropped off right where one started.

The good news is that, during the ride, one gets to see the world from a very high place., if only for a short time.

That lofty, if brief, perspective is, however, enough for many subsequent stories.

The Dark Wraith should probably take along a camera just to prove that he saw what the gods really do while sitting atop the clouds.

Mazel tov, Dark Wraith. I congratulate you your dignity and superb insight. You do not take the easy road, and challenge us to see things from the same precipice.

Thank you for abiding, for taking the time to explain, for caring about your fellow little shrews running about on this tattered planet. I have learned from you.

Good evening, Mr Wraith.

Happy Fourth.
Still think you deserved that award for Best Series for the PNAC 4-parter. The ballot box was stuffed, I say-- the results skewed.

I have a title for your verse on Kant:
A Critique of Pure Limerick
or,
Transcendental Limerick

I've been reading a critique of Kant, actually.
Although his writing style would lead one to believe that he suffered immensely from constipation, he wasn't really so bad.
This quote struck me:

Morality is not properly the doctrine of how we may make ourselves happy, but how we may make ourselves worthy of happiness.
---Critique of Practical Reason

Well, I won't be growing a goatee (thank gawd), but I do want to say happy anniversary - I find you to be very impressive. That's all, carry on!

P.S. I forgot to say that even when I don't always agree with your conclusions, I always value your insight and articulate perspective. I learn a lot from your writings, and usually find much to think about.

When too many people agree with me, I've gotten something wrong.

Congratulations, you quench the thirst of many.

DW- it is difficult to believe it has only been 4 years, though I still recall how immensely flattered I was when you e-mailed me to invite me here, you whose writing was so polished, erudite, and entertaining. I still wish I could write half as well, or at least half as much.

The blog's birthday falls between my two boy's birthdays, you would think I'd remember the date better!

May your acid wit and poison pen continue to skewer the deserving, and your teachings enrich us for many more years to come.

I still remember when you invited me to the new blog you were contemplating, shortly after abruptly being cut off from Americablog (for reasons that seemed to have little to do with Aravosis's penchant for banning all but the most pathetic of commenters - a trait he wasn't yet exhibiting).

Buddhist lore has a story about the moments that followed the Buddha's transcendence into enlightenment. When---after thirty-nine days of meditation the veil of illusion finally fell away and the true working of the universe were revealed to the great master, he was reported to have opened his eyes and said immediately, "This cannot be taught." But then he changed his mind, decide that he would go out into the the world, after all, and attempt to teach a small handful of students. He knew there would be only a meager percentage of people who would be served by (or interested in ) his teachings. Most of humanity, he said, have eyes that are so caked shut with the dust of deception they will never see the truth, no matter who tries to help them. A few others, like the commenter's here at the Dark Wraith Form are so naturally clear-eyed and wicked smart already that they need little instruction or assistance, and who might, with the help of the right master, be taught to see more clearly someday. The Buddha decide he would become a teacher for the benefit of that minority---"for those of little dust." And so it is with you, Darkest One. I clearly hope that I am one of these mid-level dust-caked people, but I don't know. I only know that reading your blog the last four years has driven me to look for the truth like a person with his head on fire looks for water.

Verity I say unto you, Darkest One. I will be with you, even until the end. Well, that, or until we're all rounded up and incarcerated in the internment camps.

Good morning, Missouri Mule.

The right sidebar has a series of panels for various thematic entries: "Quoth the Dark Wraith," "The Art of Grousing," "This and That," and "The Wraith Recommends." Last week, I began a new sidebar panel entitled, "Wraith Wisdom."

Your comment inspired my latest entry.