Posted on 08/20/2010 6:45:10 PM PDT by DollyCali
Thanks to FReeper libbylu
Congressman Billybob has died.
ACRU Mourns the Passing of John Armor
John Armor”John was a great American, a dear friend and a champion of liberty,” says Susan Carleson, CEO and Chairman of the American Civil Rights Union. “He will be sorely missed.”
On August 20, 2010, ACRU Senior Legal Counsel John Armor passed away in a North Carolina hospital, following cancer surgery. He had appeared to be in full recovery, so his death was a shock to family and friends.
Armor, a graduate of Yale University and the University of Maryland School of Law, had a long and distinguished career, practicing before the U.S. Supreme Court for 33 years and authoring eight books and hundreds of articles. His latest book, These Are the Times That Try Men’s Souls: America Then and Now in the Words of Tom Paine (ACRU 2010), is being released in early September.
“It was a blessing that he got to see it, hold it in his hands,” Carleson said.
These Are The Times That Try Men’s Souls A favorite at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) and Tea Party events, especially in North Carolina where he lived, Armor dressed in colonial garb and impersonated Benjamin Franklin, explaining the origins of American liberties to 21st Century audiences. Some of his performances can be seen on YouTube.
“John was one of the first people that my husband Bob [Carleson] brought on board at the ACRU when there was no money, just great spirit,” said Carleson, who met Armor when they worked together on the National Commission of the Bicentennial of the Constitution in 1986. “He has been a delight to work with and will be sorely missed. This is a deep loss to his wife Michelle, to his children, his friends and his colleagues at the ACRU.”
Armor, who was one of the few attorneys to write an amicus brief in the presidential election case in 2000, was a well known legal scholar of American politics, particularly third party movements. He represented Eugene McCarthy during the Minnesota Senator’s challenge of Lyndon Baines Johnson’s presidency in 1968.
“John was also the first to figure out the constitutional basis of recalling federal officials,” Carleson said. “That led to the ACRU’s current campaign, RecallCongressNow.org, to educate Americans about the laws in 11 states that allow for recall as a way to ensure greater accountability.”
For the past several years, Armor wrote the weekly “ACLU Outrages” feature for the ACRU’s Website. “John had his finger on the pulse of the ACLU, tracking their misdeeds and writing amusing and disturbing accounts,” Carleson said. “He said he never worried about finding material, because the ACLU’s absurd stances came as reliably as ‘the rain falling on the fields of Ireland.’”
Susan Carleson, Chairman, CEO
My sincerest condolences to his friends and family and everyone here on FR who knew him.
May he rest in peace.
Sad. I will miss his posts. A loss, in my opinion, for America.
So sorry to hear the news. I really enjoyed reading his articles and comments. He will be missed.
RIP, John.
May peace come to his family and extended friends.
One of the FReeper icons.
Dear Lord Jesus,
We pray for his family and friends, give them strength and comfort.
In Jesus Name
Amen
What denomination was he?
g_w
Oh no....”sigh”....he was one of the good ones. Prayers to his family...rest in peace.
Did not know he was battling cancer.
Thanks for letting us know...and please pass my condolences on to his family.
He was a very fine thinker and writer.
Prayers for John and his family.
I’ve deeply enjoyed Congressman BillyBob’s contributions since I discovered Free Republic back in the late ‘90’s.
May he rest in peace.
Very sad. He was one of the best.
Oh, dearest you! A blessing for you to be in touch with him so close to his passing, but also a double shock to find this posting, (((B4R)))). I had such high hopes for his recovery and I guess, expectations too, after reading his “cancer” thread. I’ll miss him too. So many of us will. He was so giving of his time and knowledge.
Truly sad news, and a FReeper who will be greatly missed. Prayers for his family in this, their sad hour. God is great. God is good. He is with Him now.
I Thessalonian 4:13,14
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have not hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. Amen.
Prays up for the family, learning to live without a loved one is very hard indeed.
Thunder pig said there were “complications”
Oh no. What a bad end to this week. He was great.
RIP
Very sad to hear this news. I remember his posts as being nice. Rest in peace, Congressman Billy Bob. Heartfelt condolences to his family.
According to his last post, his cancer treatment was successful. The surgery must’ve caused a problem. Very sad.
Prayers extended over the loss of one of our Nation's finest. Thank you John for being an inspiration to so many of us.
May God Bless and Surround you in His Eternal Love, John. May God Comfort your family and friends in the coming days.
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