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
What a shock! Poor thing! I just read his email of a few days ago where he indicated that his prognosis was very good according to his doctors.
He was so looking forward to getting well as fast as he could so that he could be at the 9/12 rally in DC again this year.
Like you, I met and talked with him last year on 9/12 when we were there. He was a great man and I will miss him very much here on FR.
Sending my condolences and prayers for his family and friends.
RIP John.
RIP
May the Lord bless and keep you...
...and make His Face shine upon you...
...and bring you peace....
...Congressman Billy Bob IS at peace....he was a great man here on earth.
Prayers, prayers and more prayers.
He will be missed more than they ever know.
Prayer ping.
We have lost a giant.
Yep.
Since you’ve mentioned this FReeper positively before, I thought you would want to know.
Prayers going up to friends and family.
That’s a damn shame. R.I.P., John.
RIP...A true patriot and a great contributor to the board. He will be missed.
Sorry to hear of this.
RIP, and to all who loved him, may his death bring fond memories.
Condolences for his friends and family.
I loved his posts and insights.
A sad day for us and his family.
Just terrible. He was one of my favorite posters. Rest in peace, Mr. Armor.
I have a request. Is it possible to find a reading list from CBB re: founders/law and John’s writings on the same?
If possible, I would love for others here with expertise in these areas to educate and re-acquaint us with our roots.
Perhaps even CBB or John threads to learn and discuss for this purpose.
Any thoughts?
We have lost some great ones this year.
Very sad..one of the few times I regret going on FR..I so enjoyed my occasional email correspondence with him..God was merciful to John and his family. Cancer is is a vicious foe, and from following his thread...while he died far, far too young, it appears that he had some time to prepare, get ready, too say goodbye, yet did not have to suffer too long. RIP my friend..
I often wondered about him, who was he, why did he take that username, etc.
Does anyone have a narrative bio on Ol Billy Bob. He deserves one.
Maybe there ought to be a Freeper Hall of Fame for deserving members?
God Rest his soul.
Just wow.
Completely unexpected. We've all lost a great one.
Rest in peace, you will not be forgotten.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.