Posted on 12/08/2004 1:34:49 PM PST by Conservomax
WBZ'S David Brudnoy is saying good-bye to his friends. After living with AIDS for years, David’s cancer, merckle cell carcinoma has spread to his liver and kidneys and his prognosis at Mass General Hospital is not good.
All too often in the news business, its not good news we have to report and this is one of those stories. WBZ's Gary LaPierre had an extended conversation today with a very prominent member of our family here at WBZ, Dr. David Brudnoy.
David Brudnoy asked to have this conversation so that he, a nationally prominent radio talk show host, could say farewell to you... his listening public, his family.
Simply put and to the point, David Brudnoy is looking death straight in the eye today and is saying to his family... his listeners, I’m ready. It was very apparent when I stepped into David’s room at the Mass General today that one of the giant survivors of this sometimes very unforgiving business is talking to his family that’s you... for the last time.
10-years ago I talked to David, a mere skeleton of a man, fighting back from death by full-blown AIDS. This tough guy won.
A little more than a year ago, a deathbed struggle ensues again for David Brudnoy, merkel-cell carcinoma. He launched another 15 round battle with a rare deadly disease and won... until now. David told us today, he's losing this one. I asked him how its different this time.
David "it's gone below the waist. It’s in the liver and kidneys."
While at times, struggling a bit for the breath to speak, David Brudnoy is always, the open book and I couldn't help by ask why, while standing at deaths door he wants to share it all.
David “You go through a couple of days of that… more pain… pointless. No end.”
Gary: “What you are saying to continue would be just to continue your being for a few more days?”
David: “With morphine and a little oxygen and food. I am not starving myself. I am not asking my doctors to do anything illegal. I wish I could but they won't. I will make it through. My head is completely excepting of this. I am absolutely ready.”
David Brudnoy, as only David could do it, gets the chance to say his final farewells to the world.
David: “I think we in the media often times want everybody else to be frank about themselves but want to be covert about ourselves. My life is truly an open book.”
Gary: “It always has been.”
David: “It has been but more so as I contend with these diseases.”
So tonight, he'll be heard in a bed-side interview with WBZ's Gary LaPierre in what will be his final farewell.
All of us here at WBZ have David Brudnoy in our thoughts and prayers today.
Don't be sad. You can celebrate your diversity and tolerance in a caring community of like-minded brethren while you attack me with hypocrisy.
The only thing we ask is that you profess a Love for Jesus Christ.
We confess that we -- each one of us -- is a sinner in need of redemption.
Where we have been is no so important to us.
It's the direction we are headed (towards the Living God and His Only Son) that matters.
It doesn't take much to be a hero these days. Just be good at your particular profession, especially if you're involved in the entertainment industry.
Maybe Brudnoy was an exceptional talk show host, but to me, terms like "hero" apply to those who are able to do what they do AND keep the other areas of their life in check--a rarity these days, as it takes a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. Temperance should be valued and emulated above all else.
There was no more a decent and honorable person than David. He died this evening at 6:11 PM. WBZ is doing a memorial now. I will miss him, as will many others. God bless you David.
well stated!!
David Brudnoy passed away at 6:11pm. He was 64. David Brudnoy grew up in Minneapolis in the 1940s and 50s -- the only child of Harry and Doris Brudnoy. Harry was a dentist; Doris, a homemaker.
The info at your article link has been updated.
I say this in righteous, defensive anger!!!!!
David was gay but was almost completely against the political agenda AND tactics of the gay lobby.
He, like I, believe(d) that freedom is the right to be one's own oppressor. It is one thing to disagree with a political agenda and/or lifestyle but it is another thing to have such a cold heart that doesn't, even for a moment, have the compassion for a fellow human being that is experiencing tremendous pain to the end without much (I didn't hear any) complaint.
I am confident that you did not know David and his solid conservative credentials, his courteous yet blunt confrontational style, or his principled stand that one can be gay and yet be against the political agenda of the gay lobby.
THAT was David. Intellectually honest to the end.
(Just for your info, I'm straight)
I thought myself to be a libertarian (in part because of Brudnoy)up until I first entered freerepublic and debated with the libertarian clowns around 1998.
Brudnoy had always said on the radio back then that he personally answered every non-crank letter sent to him. I had taken him up on that offer and sent a letter to him trying to convert him (I am sure he had more of those letters than he could count). But his reply came as he had said. Of course, my great persuasive powers had not had the intended effect, but he gave a fun , albiet slightly frustrating reply to me. I recently had come across the letter and tossed it while I was cleaning out my files.
If I recall correctly, he was an exchange student to Japan in the 1950's , and was an expert on Japanese culture. He had commented that when he was there as a teen that he was really tall. I also believe he was/is Jewish.
I was always impressed with his honesty about the founding of the nation. He would say basically that it was founed by white English protestants whose faith was very important to them. He was very honest about calling things as he saw them.
Because he was an open book (as the article says)and humble in his search for the truth, people were always calling and trying to convert him. I recall how he would often marvell about the fundamentalist Christians that would call him and basically say that he could not understand how they (of which I would identify with) could be so certain in what they say and condemn everyone to hell (bear in mind I am reflecting on what I remember him saying in the mid 80's).
If I recall corectly, after he contracted AIDS he made a statement to the effect that he was led to believe that oral-only sex would not cause AIDS, but he got it anyhow, basically saying that was how he thought he contracted AIDS.
Well, We can pray for his soul during these last hours of his life. I will always remember him fondly.
Fantastic point. thanks!
Ho, ho, ho, another lie shot down.
Your an asshole. This whole thread has been about you. My brother died of AIDS ten years ago. I loved him. I miss him. That is all the posters have been trying to say. We loved you David. We will miss you. Merry Christmas to you. I hope you don't have children. Because you could always have the possibility of having you child reveal to you someday that they are gay. I suggest you watch Passion of the Christ. Better yet, just be decent.
The language in your comments reflects who you truly are. I suggest you watch the movie and see if it changes you.
So, you're a Glick-Nic. Me too! LOL
Whenever I'd call in (I was "Andrew from Milton") he'd sing: "How many cookies did Andrew eat? Andrew ate eight thosand."
Ok. I was cute when I was a little boy. Larry Glick was the reason i wanted to get into radio. That's why I'm studying to be a finanical advisor.
Yes, but Avi was the most effective.
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