Freeper Congressman BillyBob has died

20 August 2010 | Dolly Howard/DollyCali

[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

[MHGinTN]

We are trying to get the particulars. Michelle has communicated that there will be a memorial service in September. I took that to mean she really doesn’t want John’s funeral to become ‘an event’.

[leilani]

Oh darn, what sad news, Dolly. John Armor was a veritable institution on this forum. It must be especially painful to his family to have lost him right after he made it over the biggest hurdle.

But gosh! His was certainly a life well-lived, wasn't it? After reading the snippets of his bio on this thread just now, it's clear he was a go-getter who had passion for life and for his country and wasn't inclined to just sit on the sidelines and let others called all the shots for either one.

My heartfelt condolences to you & all the other people on this forum who grew to love & respect their 'representative' Congressman BillyBob (R-Free Republic) and who will surely miss his contribution to the give & take here. He was irreplaceable.

And thanks so much for making such a lovely thread so that all CBB's friends here could pay tribute & say goodbye, Dolly.

[Family Guy]

To the family of Congressman BillyBob,

I'm very sorry for your loss.

I'm so happy to have been able to read his very wise posts. I'm smarter because of it. I'm sure that's true for many Freepers. I believe that he was one of the best of us and we are weaker without him.

My prayers are up for Congressman BillyBob.

FG

[ScottinVA]

Sad to hear.. may God give strength and comfort to his family in this difficult time.

He had some fairly recent posts here in FR, didn’t he?

[DollyCali]

John's wife Michelle posted this on wall where an article on his death was posted:

Michelle Mead-Armor
August 21st, 2010 at 11:35 pm

John’s family and I are so moved to read all of your loving tributes and kind words. I have been asked to go to DC to help with the launching of his last book, but when I get back, we’ll be having a memorial service at the end of September. It’s going to be a real celebration, with patriotic readings, Monty Python, and the Muppets. John would have loved it! You’re all invited, and I’ll be posting the date soon. Once again, thank you so much for your thoughtfulness. No one will miss him more than me. He really was the love of my life.

[Snoopers-868th]

This was posted at the link you posted.

Michelle Mead-Armor
August 21st, 2010 at 11:35 pm

John’s family and I are so moved to read all of your loving tributes and kind words. I have been asked to go to DC to help with the launching of his last book, but when I get back, we’ll be having a memorial service at the end of September. It’s going to be a real celebration, with patriotic readings, Monty Python, and the Muppets. John would have loved it! You’re all invited, and I’ll be posting the date soon. Once again, thank you so much for your thoughtfulness. No one will miss him more than me. He really was the love of my life.

[DollyCali]

yes, just a few days ago. Check the links at the beginning of the thread. He spoke about his great recovery etc. So very sad as in reality it was his goodbye to us all. I did NOT see the posting when he did it originally.

[DollyCali]

:-)

[ProfoundBabe]

I now understand why my better half suggested I stay away from the boards for “a couple of days”. Congressman BillyBob was a must listen for me when he was a regular guest on Jerry Agar’s radio show in NC several years ago. Once I was introduced to FR, his posts were most sought after.

John, you will be greatly missed. RIP my dear FRiend.

Prayers for your bride and children in this most difficult of times.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Thank you.

If you learn of an online Guestbook, please give me a ping so I might pay my respects..

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Apparently the recent operation went well, but his heart just gave out. John had suffered through too many heart attacks and bypass operations in his past. =(

Thanks for that info. Onyx...did you see this?

[goodnesswins]

Oh...NOOOOOO....what a shock....Prayers for his family! He will be SOOOO missed!

[OCCASparky]

God speed, Congressman BillyBob. FR and the world is a sadder place with your loss.

[SwinneySwitch]

Prayers up.

[onyx]

I’ve read it now. Thanks for pinging me and thank you, Experiment 6-2-6. God rest his soul.

[BelegStrongbow]

Definitely true!

[onyx]

Thank you for your posting!

From the one friend's link: I visited John in the hospital less than 48 hours ago. He was in high-spirits after his latest surgery, and doctors had given him an optimistic prognosis. His wife Michelle by his bedside, he joked that regardless of the outcome the doctors work on his colon had made him “A Perfect Asshole.”

((((( Congressman BillyBob )))))

[SuperLuminal]

This is truly sad...R.I.P. BB...

[Tenniel2]

Oh, no........ Been away for the last few days, and this was the last piece of news I expected to see. Out of nowhere, the gathering darkness claims another point of light...

Given that Counselor Armor practiced in the cesspit for more than three decades and yet preserved his patriotism, his sound political thinking, and his common-sense view of the Constitution, it’s a damned shame that the people of North Carolina didn’t elect him to the House for real. Congressman John, along with his alter ego, might have made an even bigger difference for our country. Even so, our cause is far the richer for his presence.

Rest well, thou good and faithful servant of the Republic. We will miss you deeply.

[Semper Mark]

He was one of those FReepers that when I would see his name on a post, I wouldn't pass it up.

RIP, Congressman BillyBob...

You'll be missed.