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
Paryers for his family. He was a great man, and I so enjoyed meeting him and visiting with him, and the other FReepers that gathered ‘round to talk.
GEEEEZZ! Although I read this thread almost the minute it was posted the other day, everytime I look at the sidebar, and see the headline again, I cannot believe it.
Still in shock. We at the ranch really enjoyed John Armor’s specials, and commentaries at FRee Republic. We always looked for his posts.
As with many others here at FR we say he will be sorely missed.
Thanks for posting this. Congressman Billy Bob will be greatly missed here on FreeRepublic. I didn’t even know that he was sick, though I did notice that he wasn’t posting as actively as he had been.
My prayers are with his family.
This is terrible news. He was one of the most interesting and knowledgeable FReepers, an honorable patriot who deserved to be in office. He will be missed, and as is usually the case, will be even more appreciated as people explore his writings.
Our loss is heaven’s gain. We will miss you here, John.
Oh Jeff, such sad news. he will certainly be
missed.
tet.
Rest in peace, dear Billy Bob. You will be greatly missed by your FR companions.
I’ve been away for a week and so I missed this sad item. BillyBob, we’ll miss you. RIP.
How very sad. Mr. Armor's contribution to FR was a big one, IMO.
He will be missed.
RIP
Thank you for the post. I had no idea he had even been in the hospital.
His words were always salient, even if they didn’t quite match what I would have liked to have heard. He came from how he knew the law would be applied, which wasn’t always what I wanted to hear.
Easily, he was one of Free Republic’s finest commentators, and, perhaps, the finest. He didn’t let emotions or the moment get his comments caught up.
My wife and I donated to his last campaign, which didn’t turn out as he had expected. I would have loved for him to have another opportunity, but I will rest in the hope he is with God now.
Jeff, we’ll all miss Billybob, he was a font of knowledge here on FR. I am heartened to hear you are doing better, my prayers are for his family, that they find comfort, and for you, that the Lord lets you hang around with us here a while longer.
Jeff, —I haven’t posted on your threads, but follow them very closely -— and you have been in my nightly prayers since the beginning of your ordeal. I am in awe of what you have gone thru, and how you are coming along. You and Gail have strength I can’t even imagine.
I also, as with DollyCali, thought of you when this sad news broke. So sudden — especially after BillyBob’s positive thread. It gives meaning to the phrase that begins — “Ours is not to reason why -——”
But, I too, along with you, want to thank Dolly for her active work on these threads. She is remarkable! Always there when she is needed, and saying just the right things.
Thanks, Dolly!
Such a tragic turn of events.
All the best and God Bless the congressman.
ping
Prayers for his family.
I truly enjoyed his posts here.
I will miss his wise input.
God bless and keep Congressman BillyBob. I am shocked by the news and more aware of how precious life is and how we have a responsibility to leave this world fighting for the blessings of liberty for our prodigy the way our forefathers did.
Jeff, words can’t assuage the pain of losing a friend, especially one who has fought in the trenches with you. You are in my prayers with the news of BillyBob’s passing, as you have been in my prayers over the recent months.
Me neither.
Our mutual ignorance on this matter probably says something good about him. That he wasn't the sort to complain a lot or broadcast his suffering. Kudo Congressman BillyBob, and rest in peace.
Oh my goodness! :(
FR and America have lost a fine man.
RIP, FRiend. You will be sorely missed. :(
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