A note for those asking after commenter Rufus T. Firefly
Several people noticed that commenter “Rufus T. Firefly” hasn’t been commenting for about two months and wondered whether he’s okay. I sent him an email and he replied that he’s very much okay. He said he’d try to get back to doing some commenting soon; my impression is that he’s been very very busy.
So you can rest easy about that.
For the benefit of those who don’t recognize that moniker, “Rufus T. Firefly” is Groucho’s character in the Marx Brothers’ movie “Duck Soup.”
At least here Neo you have the capability to check up on a person.
There are very long commenter on blog who do seem to disappear after many years of daily response.
Some do up ang drop it, others have other life problems or just have to move on. It’s the ones who get very ill and so can’t or worse.
Good to know, and thanks for checking on him.
It was good a few days ago to see a post from “J.J.” He’s having vision problems, but it was nice to know he’s still there.
The disappearance of regular contributors is disconcerting.
I appreciated when Shirehome told us that he was going to Europe and wouldn’t be around for a while. Speaking about him, I want to invite him for dinner; we are neighbors and I know we would agree on basic issues etc. How do I contact him?
I’m always around I just don’t comment.
Thank you neo for the update, best wishes to RTF and to J.J. !
Neo, I’m very grateful that you made contact with Rufus, and that he’s “okay”.
Life certainly has a say in steering what we spend time doing, week to week, month to month, …
I hope he’s back soon.
.
And Kate, yes ditto for J.J.!
Michelle:
Not everyone posts a working email address. But if they do, I can email them. I suggest you email me with the request and I’ll attempt to pass it on to him.
”Several people noticed that commenter ‘Rufus T. Firefly’ hasn’t been commenting for about two months and wondered whether he’s okay.”
Has it really been two months? It seems like it’s just been a couple of days. I’m glad to hear he and J.J. are OK.
Via RealClearPolitics, Retired US Air Force General John Teichert says the only way to reopen Hormuz to tanker traffic is by bombing energy production.
Iran is led by ideological zealots, Shia Ayatollahs and their praetorian IRGC. But it also runs on money. Cut off energy and the oil resources cannot be extracted and moved for sale https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44IsX7DO_Hg
No more economic sanctuary for the enemy rogue regime!
The only other way is fraught with risk by occupying large swaths of Iranian terrain on the ground.
RCP published the General’s though piece a day earlier. https://realclearwire.com/articles/2026/04/01/president_should_follow_his_instincts_not_the_energy_markets_153998.html
Thanks, neo, for keeping tabs on our mutual friends.
Be well, Rufus and J.J. . . . (and everyone else) . . .
I saw Marlene’s comments while I was catching up on the news, and am very glad to hear that Rufus is okay, although I confess I hadn’t noticed he was “missing” as his disappearance appears to have coincided with my own and I haven’t read all the comment threads for February and March.
@ Michelle > “The disappearance of regular contributors is disconcerting.
I appreciated when Shirehome told us that he was going to Europe and wouldn’t be around for a while.”
Over the years that I’ve been reading Neo, many people have mentioned that they had become concerned about regulars who “went missing,” which is why I chose to post a notice of my forthcoming AWOL period, and am glad Shirehome did as well, although I wish my reason had been the same as his!
No one owes us explanations, of course, but I think we all look on each other as friends, and we worry about each other, just like we would if someone suddenly stopped coming to work or to church, or knitting club, or whatever.
We can’t do much over the internet, not even bring a casserole when you get sick, but it’s nice to know when your friends are okay.
Have a blessed Easter!
Nice to hear.
Will celebrate with some Duck soup…if I can find a recipe…
Duck Soup: Take a duck. Put it in water. Watch it swim away!
Thanks!
(Actually shoulda’ written “Mock Duck soup”…for the vegetarian in the fambly….)
I am late to the party but glad to hear Rufus is doing well, and I hope the rest of the Firefly clan is as well.