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 great Patriot, one of the best Freepers, and a ‘colorful’ character. I will mis him and will try to be more like him. Prayers for Congressman BillyBob!
Unsung hero. We thank you, the children will thank you.
From a very long-time lurker who always read what Congressman BillyBob wrote: I will miss your wisdom and the way you could articulate exactly the point that needed to be made. God Speed Sir. I salute you.
I am so sorry to hear this, prayers for the family.
RIP Congressman BillyBob
You will be missed.
A true loss to FreeRepublic.
Prayers out to the family.
Just reading this today. So sorry to learn this news. His posts were always spot on informative. Prayers for his loved ones. :*(
I’m very sorry to hear this. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.
Oh no, I’m really sorry to hear that. Prayers for the repose of his soul and his family and friends.
Sorry to hear about this.
....since both he and I live in the NC mountains, he invited me to drop by for coffee some time...I told him that the next time I was down his way I would...I’m sorry that I didn’t get to do it...it would have been nice to have met him...he was a very interesting fellow, and he will be missed.
“
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.
“
The loss of John Armor, Esq. diminishes our country and FR.
RIP Mr. Armor.
(Let us pray the next John Armor comes along sooner rather than later!)
RIP
RIP...prayers lifted for God’s grace and peace to be bestowed upon all that mourn....
I appreciated his insight and commentary on Constitutional and other legal issues.
How incredibly sad. His expertise and thought-provoking commentryi will be sorely missed.
My prayers go out to his family, friends, and associates.
RIP, Congressman BillyBob. We sure will miss you...
I’m so sorry to hear this. His last article seemed so upbeat. I will miss his participation here and will say a prayer for his soul. I see I’m not alone in my sorrow.
His wisdom will be sorely missed.
I knew about the cancer but I thought things were getting better. Very sad, he will be missed.
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