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
RIP, Congressman BillyBob — a generous soul.
OMG. RIP, Congressman.
Prayer for his family & friends.
Yes I saw it—I’m very saddened by the news of his passing. I have some very fond memories of him. America has lost a great patriot.
RIP CBB. This part of your FR family will miss you very much.
I will miss BillyBob’s thoughtful commentary. My thoughts and prayers to his family.
RIP.
He authored some of the most informative and entertaining posts. His love for and dedication to his country, and especially liberty, shone through.
Prayers up.
A sad day for the Republic.
Prayers for the family.
I’ll say a prayer for his soul and his family tonite.
I am shocked. I just read a post from him, last night, telling everyone to get tested for cancer, and about early detection saving his life.
Oh dear God, may he be safe in the palm of Your Hand.
This is such sad, sad news. The country has lost a great man and a great patriot. I liked reading CCB’s posts. They were always spot on. My condolences to his family and FRiends. May God give them comfort and peace.
My prayers to BillyBob, to his family, and his friends.
My prayers for comfort and faith for his family and close friends.
A terrible loss for all of us. I am actually sitting with my mouth agape. I am truly stunned. This news is like a punch in the gut.
Sorry to hear this! Prayers to the family.
Very sad. I will miss reading his posts here.
He was a great American and a truly insightful thinker.
This is so sad and unexpected. RIP Billybob.
He was a freeper so willing to respond to questions from all of us. He’ll be sorely missed.
Prayers for his family and friends.
I’ll miss you, Congressman BillyBob!
May the Lord bless our FRiend’s family. He certainly blessed us.
RIP.
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