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
Oh my. RIP BillyBob.
Thanks so much for posting this. I found out earlier but have been away from my computer for a while.
I met John at many Freeps, back in the day. He was a good man and one of a kind. Rest in peace sir!
Prayers for his family and friends.
Oh that is so sad. He announced his retirement just days ago, I don’t think anyone had any idea that his passing was expected.
My heartfelt prayers for his family and grieve with all of you at the passing of one of our own.
Peace be with him.
There are times in life when the shoes cannot be filled. This is one of those occasions.
That is terribly, terribly sad news. He had a wonderful mind and loved his country passionately. I will miss him. RIP, John.
I’ve come out of the lurker closet recently - after something like 10 years. I’ve always appreciated Congressmen BillyBob’s posts. Very insightful and to the point. So sad that he’s gone.
I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend Congressman BillyBob. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of his friends and family.
Blessing in Christ to his Freeper Family,
Tex
Rest in Peace. I will miss you.
Oh My, this is a complete shocker. Godspeed Congressman, you will be sorely missed.
Almighty God,
we remember before you today your faithful servant John;
and we pray that,
having opened to him the gates of larger life,
you will receive him more and more into your joyful service,
that,
with all who have faithfully served you in the past,
he may share in the eternal victory of Jesus Christ,
the Risen Lord,
AMEN
May his memory be eternal!
First Bahbah, and now Congressman Billybob...
This is turning out to be an awfully sad summer....
I am so sadden to hear this news. Will pray for his family. He was a stalwart and will be greatly missed at FR.
God bless and RIP.
This is terrible. I remember his posts to me in the past. I had no idea he was even sick.
Wow, that’s a shock. He had insights that no one else around here had. He was a patriot and will be missed. Prayers.
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So sorry to hear. Prayers for God’s peace to surround his family.
Ahhh jeez! I’m so sad to read this.
I’ve always enjoyed his posts.
Dangit. Another good soul has left us.
Prayers for his family & friends.
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