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
So very sad. Prayers for his family and all FReepers who are in mourning. His wisdom will be sorely missed.
Rest In Peace, Brother. God Bless You.
May his family be comforted. Farewell, FRiend....
Very sad news. Prayers for him & his family.
John Armor, author & Republican activist, passed away this morning
John Armor (aka: Congressman BillyBob) died this morning of colon cancer at St Joesph’s hospital in Asheville, NC. He was 67.
http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/08/20/john-armor-died-this-morning/
My condolences to his family. Prayers up!
Godspeed. One of the very best.
Wow, I’m very sorry to hear this, I didn’t know he was ill. I used to search out his posts now and then. I’ll surely miss him, rest in peace John
Sad Ping.
Oh NO! Prayers raised for John and family. He was definitely one of the good guys. What a shame.
A friend from the Old Days. As staunch a patriot as any who ever saluted the flag. The stars in the heavens may shine a little brighter for his being there, but here on earth, our night just got a little darker.
Oh no! I had no idea that he was even fighting cancer.
I will miss him a lot. We spoke on many occasions, and I thought of him as something of a senior Freeper. I always respected his views, and learned much from him.
Godspeed, Congressman BillyBob.
He’s home.
We’ll miss him.
I met him on several occasions, and he IS one of he good guys! :(
WOW. A freeper whose posts were always worth the read. Sadness and condolences to his family.
This is very sad news. He was one of the really good guys posing here. He will be missed.
Condolences to the family and friends.
Dave
I enjoyed reading his posts- he was a star Freeper.
My prayers to his family.
Prayers going out. May The Almighty’s boundless love and enduring strength surround his family and friends after this heart-wrenching loss. God Bless.
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