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
John was a masterful writer who always constructed clear, intelligent, logical, clever, well-argued, deeply informed, & persuasive essays. I enjoyed reading his articulate thoughts immensely.
Thank you, Congressman BillyBob, for fighting tirelessly for freedom & the sane application of legal principles, with a wonderful sense of humor.
May you rest in eternal peace, John. May G-d comfort your family and all who mourn for you on this forum and across America.
Rest in peace.
I was hoping to meet John on 9/12 in DC. We’ll certainly miss him down here.
Prayers up for his family. His contributions will be sorely missed.
Fervent Prayers lifted..
Mr B has this same affliction..
I love MrB beyond measure
R.I.P. Billybob, FR’s loss is heaven’s gain.
Anyone notice? the flags came back today.
My condolences and prayers.
Rest in Peace.
He was a very special and insightful poster.
He will be missed here.
Prayers for his family.
Shocking and sad- prayers to his family!
Oh no! I am shocked and very saddened. I did not know he had been ill. I always looked forward to Congressman BillyBob’s comments, since I knew I would find wit, common sense and scholarship rolled up in one package. RIP, FRiend.
Aw, I’m so sorry to hear this. Indeed a shock.
Farewell John.
I met him in person a couple of times...charming and engaging. I had no idea.
Congressman BillyBob...may God accept you, rest in peace.
This must be absolutely devastating to his family. I was reading his last post and he issued a strong warning about cancer and was planning for the future. I read somewhere else that complications from surgery arose. So sad. I didn’t know him but knew he was a patriot.
God please comfort his family during this time.
Just horrible news.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Not on my system
Dang! Prayers up. See you on the other side.
Prayers up for the whole family!
G’bye, Congressman Billybob. I’m still struggling with whether it’s true or not... Either way, it makes me sad.
RIP, John, and prayers for your family. Congressman BillyBob was a great man, and will be sorely missed by us all.
Thank you, DollyCali for the very sad news of Congressman
Billy Bob’s passing. Prayers will be said for his family. We have lost a true FRiend and a great American. Heaven’s gain!
Thank you for the ping. I appreciate it
You’re welcome.
Prayers for his family and friends!
Shock doesn’t cover it, after just recently reading his article on his recovery.
Rest in peace, sir; and may you rejoice in hearing the words, “well done, good and faithful servant!”
Prayers for his family.
May John “Congressman BillyBob” Armor rest in God’s peace.
Prayers for and condolences to his family and friends.
One of the truly great FReepers, and a genuine role model to each and every new member, in turn (as he certainly was to me). RIP, Congressman.
This was indeed a surprise and not a good one. RIP Congressman BillyBob. To his family condolences; he was a great patriot.
Prayers to Congressman Billy Bob. I hope the family can find peace in knowing that he is with our Heavenly Father. I also did not realize how distinguished our FREEPERS are here.
I am deeply saddened by this good old time Freeper’s passing. I’ve known him well over a decade. What a damned shame.
I enjoyed reading his posts. He will be missed.
:(
There are no words.
Came home from a wonderful outing tonight to find this... Shock, Prayers, and yes, tears for this wonderful Man.
RIP, Sir. Prayers for his family.
R.I.P.
Prayers for Congressman Billybob, John Armor.
R.I.P.
I forgot to add that he’s one of the few people I have ever met in my life who after conversing with him, left you wanting more of his time. He was that interesting. Prayers to his family and friends.
Oh no, so sad. I loved reading his posts and he was a true patriot. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
I’m so terribly saddened by this completely unexpected news. Not only were his posts sometimes entertaining and always extremely informative, he spoke to me kindly and graciously on a number of occasions over the years. His friendliness and congeniality will also be missed, very very much.
A feel a great emptiness.
Thank you so much DollyCali for posting this and to Slings and Arrows for pinging it out.
OMG, I thought he was going to be okay!! :*( :*(
Prayers going up for his family and friends, I’m in shock, I can’t believe this news! :*(
< weeps in sorrow >
Prayers lifted for MrB, MS.BEHAVIN. May God Guide the Doctors and medical staff in charge of MrB’s care. Prayers and good thoughts for you as well.
OMG, I thought he was going to be okay!! :*( :*(
Prayers going up for his family and friends, I’m in shock, I can’t believe this news! :*(
< weeps in sorrow >
We will miss you, Billybob! This is a very sad loss for all of us. Prayers for Billy bob and his family.
Did you hear about this? I didn’t know that he had cancer.
Omigosh...he’s going to be greatly missed!
RIP Congressman BillyBob...
Wow! I am in shock. We have lost one brilliant mind and devoted conservative thinker. Not to mention we have lost a true friend.
RIP Congressman Billybob and my prayers to your family.
Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One. Blessed be His holy name forever and ever...
“Sh’ma Yisroel, Adonai Elohainu, Adonai Eh’chad.”
I like yours better, but both speak the truth.
Thank you SaA...we are sad tonight...
What an absolutely romantic, wonderful love story! :*)
I’m so sorry they only got to spend such a short time together as a married couple, but I know his widow will cherish that time for the rest of her life. :*)
Thank you for sharing!
My condolences to his family and his extended Freeper family.
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.