'RIP William Rivers Pitt. Author, Husband, Father, and Friend. Flights of Angels,

[elleng]

you magnificent bastid.'

(Posted by our SalmonChantedEvening.)

[Nevilledog]

1. Really????? He was young.

[dweller]

14. He was 50

RIP



✌🏻

[Renew Deal]

85. Check out what appears to be his last tweet.

It's a response to a Trump post.

Link to tweet

[NH Ethylene]

95. Ouch. A cutting response, in retrospect. n/t

[regnaD kciN]

149. His last FB post was a day later...

…and was merely part of the lyrics to “Landslide,” concluding with “…I’m getting older too.”

[PatSeg]

307. And someone responded with this comment:

"The hard reality!
It is still a long way away for you, William Rivers Pitt! You have many years to continue enjoying time with your loved ones while you continue to be a voice for those of us who are anxious for the changes needed for a just society!"

That was only sixteen hours ago. Someone posted right afterward that he'd died of a heart attack. He was only 50 years old.

[G2theD]

288. That just set me off again

I’ve been crying for a half hour now and haven’t been able to stop for more than a few seconds. I think it’s the 4 year old daughter.
I had one once. I remember how sweet she was and couldn’t imagine what would have happened if I’d died then.

I hope she didn’t have to witness anything. I’m sure he was a great father. I know how much their daddy’s mean to young daughters.

This is just too tragic. And the prophetic last tweet just shocked me. RIP William and love to his family and friends.

[tavalon]

327. Lola is nine

I was eight when my mother died. I hope she has many more memories of her father than I do of my mother.

I found out a few hours ago and haven't really stopped crying. I'm heading into a period of shock, now.

He quit smoking many years ago because he didn't want to leave his daughter fatherless.

He's been writing scathing articles about the abysmal job the US has been doing with COVID because he was afraid he would get it and leave his daughter fatherless.

If force of will were enough, he would be alive right now.

[G2theD]

445. Oh, someone said she was 4, but 9 is just as bad I guess

Sorry about your mom. Do you remember at the time being very traumatized?
Probably a dumb question, but now that you are older can you remember what that little girl went through? I’ve always wondered how kids deal with losing their mother or father.

And I agree. If strength of character was enough, Will would have lived forever.

[librechik]

297. No. Fucking. Way.

No.Breathe.

RIP, Motorhead! One time I gave him a ride in my old Mustang. It's a lot older now!Great memory!

Horrible loss. So young!

I bought his book "The Greatest Sedition is Silence" Great read. There are more. Let's buy out the stock and force another printing.

God bless you Raven!

[tavalon]

328. It's awful when a parent outlives a child

but it is also awful when a parent dies before a child has grown. Lola is only nine years old.

[Evolve Dammit]

392. Damn. So sorry. I'm in shock and I never knew him.

[honest.abe]

2. Oh my. He was one of my favorites.

What happened?

[elleng]

4. His heart gave out.

[honest.abe]

10. What a shame. He was one of our finest.

Thank you for the letting us know.

RIP William

[PlutosHeart]

19. Stout heart..

F U Will. Hearts are shattered into pieces.

[tavalon]

330. He always said that

Maybe tomorrow Will. Today, I can hardly write through the tears.

[mahina]

168. Damn it

💧

[Maru Kitteh]

102. Sadly if we're honest it was probably the booze. Nt

[Rob H.]

190. So tell me

What’s it like to see people commiserating over the death of someone they care about, asking yourself, “Is this the time to post something for which I can’t offer up any proof but should know is mind-bogglingly crass?” and deciding the answer to that question is, “Yes”?

[BWdem4life]

192. That may be true

(or may not be true) but now is not the time for such speculation.

[babylonsister]

252. He quit drinking awhile ago.

That was uncalled for, you have NO idea.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

421. Thank you.

nt

[gratuitous]

3. I'll go all Harold Ross

God bless you, William, god damn you.

[FalloutShelter]

5. So sad.

We have lost a champion wordsmith.

[Quixote1818]

6. Didn't he used to post here? Or am I thinking of someone else who was a regular about 10 years ago

who was a journalist?

[elleng]

11. Yes, he did post here. Not sure why he stopped doing so.

[H2O Man]

18. Right.

That's not important now. Will was a good man, and a mighty proud father of a young daughter. Those are the important thing. And memories of knowing him.

[elleng]

29. Thought I remembered his daughter.

[likesmountains 52]

40. Exactly.

[ms liberty]

45. This. RiP, Will. n/t

[Orrex]

123. :thumbsup:

[madinmaryland]

169. I followed him on Facebook. Hadn't seen a post in a couple days.

[PlutosHeart]

206. Some know why.

William was a great person. A brilliant person. Deserving of respect.

[demmiblue]

231. Indeed, but the vultures can't resist.

The fact that his mom is a DUer and may stumble upon their comments at this time disgusts me. Ghouls.

[G_j]

274. yes, thank you

he was a good man and father. RIP

[tavalon]

334. Lola is nine now.

On his FB page, he posted about her a lot.

[hlthe2b]

344. Do you know anything about his wife? I've not even heard her mentioned...

I know she had MS and had had periods of severe flare-ups but that mention was many years ago.

Welcome back to DU, btw. Even for such a sad occasion.

[tavalon]

345. She is still alive but Will didn't speak of her for many years

So I don't know if they broke up. I'm assuming that Lola will be going with Kaitlyn,

There is a GoFundMe that will go into a trust for Lola.

[H2O Man]

370. Right.

Will and I have discussed the joys of having daughters over those nine years!

[MustLoveBeagles]

406. +1000

Rest in Peace Will

[malaise]

25. The Fitzmas mess

He was hounded for that.

[ProfessorGAC]

27. That Wasn't It

But, I'll not go into details.
Shame that he died so young.

[NewJeffCT]

88. yes

and he leaves behind a young daughter

[Orrex]

130. This

[boston bean]

32. Definitely not that.

Something he said about Obama.

[Coventina]

91. I remember that. It's too bad when frustration gets the better of you.

I have friends who have similar attitudes about Obama.

They don't understand the art of the possible in the face of their ideals.

[Hortensis]

202. That last. Well said. The ideals are real. If only.

[treestar]

263. Yes. We still see cracks about "business days"

on DU. It was when I first joined DU. Karl Rove was going to be indicted. That not happening led to a great deal more cynicism on DU about when someone bad is finally about to go down.

[Arazi]

54. He was banned like so many. He had a thriving Facebook group

RIP Will … 😢

[tavalon]

335. I left here of my own volition because the place became too DLC and too intolerant

of the more ideal among us. He was very idealistic. I was so grateful when I found Will's FB because I missed the camaraderie of DU, even if it's political leanings began to feel too centrist for me.

[brush]

96. Isn't he the one who was banned from here for calling...

President Obama a pos...his child was gravely ill of something and he took it out on O for some reason.

If it's the same person, he was widely criticized for his blasphemy, and was appropriatedly banned from DU for a blatant TOS violation.

[Violet_Crumble]

194. He wasn't banned. He was flagged for review...

Also, he didn't call Obama a pos. Unlike you, if William Pitt has passed away, I feel really sad for him and his family. Unlike you, Will Pitt was one of the people who stood out when I arrived at DU and I'll always remember him for his opposition to the invasion of Iraq and his opposition to Bushco....

RIP Will

[brush]

195. You're wrong. He did call Pres. Obama a pos. I was here.

It was huge dust up on DU.

[Violet_Crumble]

197. No, I'm not. I was here too...

He called him a used car salesman. It was to do with the cut down version of the ACA that went through. I understand from a distance that Obama was hobbled in what could be done at that point, but Mr Pitt had a gravely ill child. That you could see his perspective as 'for some reason' makes me wonder if you've ever had children that have had major medical issues. Because I have, and much as I think Obama was an awesome US president, I had sympathy for Mr Pitt's position. I don't have sympathy for yours...

[brush]

198. You're absolutely wrong. Create a post and ask that question.

It'll be confirmed that he did.

[tavalon]

338. Because that's the most important thing

on the day his daughter lost her father and his mother lost her child.

[brush]

343. Why lie about history? What happened happened.

[brush]

350. Pls stop with the insults. My familiarity with the guy...

was him calling the nation's first Black president a piece of shit used car salesman.

I'm a Black man and I'm supposed to be a fan? No, which is why I asked "isn't he the guy who called Pres. Obama a pos? And also why I responded to that poster trying go gaslight me by denying what the guy said about Pres. Obama.

[tavalon]

355. You don't need to be a fan

You also don't need to litigate his life on the day he died. Just go find another subject to play around with.

[brush]

359. Let's cut this short. I alerted on you as I don't appreciate the insults.

[tavalon]

364. Whatever

I'm only here for a day. I needed to be around people who knew him. You didn't know him.

[GCP]

420. Well said! Here for the day also/ n/t

[obamanut2012]

199. He called him a POS used car salesman

But I think he was banned aka ffred for threatenibg the life of a DUer. I saw alllll of that happen in real time, and I was one of the posters whom he attacked for telling him to stop.

[Treefrog]

239. Yes. He was before my time here, but I remember a thread with screenshots of those.

I remember reading the posts and the threat.

[MrsCoffee]

214. Omg.

Nice rewrite.

[BumRushDaShow]

216. Here is the Wayback machine archive version of the post

before it was self-deleted - https://web.archive.org/web/20140323203117/https://www.democraticunderground.com/10024685964

[betsuni]

219. +1

[Maeve]

236. That was full of pain and understandable anger

Rest in peace, Will; all battles over.

[BumRushDaShow]

244. I do get that

but when one is so overwhelmed and in that state of mind, then maybe one needs to step away from the computer and reevaluate.

We have had all manner of vitriol hurled at former President Barack Obama, which continues to this day. Most of us have experienced similar horrors (or worse) in life, whether with ourselves or our loved ones but choose not to take it out on the first black President in the midst of DU's horrid mocking of the man for the entire 8 years he was in office.

I wish no ill will on Will's family or him. As a daughter of man who almost 50 years ago, also died at age 50 of a sudden (and what would be his 4th and last) heart attack when I was in junior high, I feel for Will's daughter because her father will not be coming home again. She'll just have to covet what little memories she has and took for granted, and grow stronger with the fact that he will always be with her in spirit.

I hope that all of us can make peace with the world before our time comes.

[Sympthsical]

255. Time and place, man

How do people decide to rehash something eight years old and choose this moment to go, "Yeah, let's do this!" (and with such seeming enthusiasm from some).

One would think basic humanity would entail reading the room.

Show and tell posterior edition can be next week.

[BumRushDaShow]

258. Try reading the rest of my post that you just replied to

(and it's "woman" )

[Sympthsical]

259. Just stop

C'mon now.

[BumRushDaShow]

260. How about moving on to someone else?

[Autumn]

275. Take your advice and move on to someone else. He's gone.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

289. I'm surprised it took the bingo brigade this long.

Like sand people, they are easily startled but they’ll soon be back - in greater numbers.

[Nixie]

293. Is this joining in the grieving?

[tavalon]

341. Yeah, I came back to be with people who knew him

I don't think this is going to stick.

[Maeve]

295. We all say things in the heat of the moment we wish we hadn't

Especially when we are in pain (and Will was obviously in pain at that point).

Losing a dad suddenly is so painful (I was married, but still mourn 42 years later that Dad never got to see his grandkids ).
Peace, mo chara

[Hekate]

298. As well said as could be, BumRushDaShow

In the face of outright denial, sometimes dragging out the papers from Wayback may be necessary.

I remember the POSUCS war very well. We didn’t part on good terms. It was ultimately sad and pointless all the way around — the way family fights can be. Things were said in heat that could not be forgotten later by either side.

And now, some are resuming the battle at the graveside, which is unseemly. You did not start that — imo you simply refuted bad info. Others brought cudgels.

I’m sorry Will is gone — he was one of DU’s bright lights in our early days. I didn’t follow his career after he left, since DU is my only online community, but it looks like he did well and I’m glad.

Now he has gone where all wounds are healed, all petty squabbles forgotten, the great battles of our time laid down. RIP, Will Pitt, may your family be comforted.
🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

[tavalon]

339. God, I didn't think I had any more tears left

[salin]

438. Word.

Peace to Will's spirit, to his family in their rocky journey that is mourning/grief.

And to you Maeve - always a wise and gentle soul.

[Beetwasher.]

442. Thank You Maeve

Good to see you.

[betsuni]

237. +2

[JustAnotherGen]

291. Ahh

That's right.

[867-5309.]

292. "Fuck you, Mr. President, you piece of shit used-car salesman."

Yikes.

[Tarheel_Dem]

367. +1. I think that's what is commonly referred to as an Inconvenient Truth.☝🏽

[Demsrule86]

407. That is sad. I never knew the details of what happened. The post was just gone...

[betsuni]

227. +1

[tavalon]

337. It was a huge dust up on DU

While I think his calling Obama a POS was done in a fit of pique, it pleases me that he left with such flair. William Rivers Pitt took the big swings and he wanted others (like Obama) to as well. He was an idealist. I'm an idealist. But when I left, I left quietly. I'm glad Will did not.

[W_HAMILTON]

405. He didn't leave then.

He stuck around a couple more years to shit on Hillary in the lead-up to the 2016 election, which I'm sure also pleases you (and the Russian and Republican trolls that we now know were intermingled in, and amplifying, that sentiment).

[Demsrule86]

385. Is he the one that called Obama a used car salesman?

[W_HAMILTON]

395. Yes. A "piece of shit used-car salesman" to be exact.

[Demsrule86]

408. I never saw the post, it was gone pretty quickly. I just heard about it...so I wasn't sure.

[W_HAMILTON]

201. I mean, it's all archived...

You can go back and search his posts and see what he was saying at the time...

Spoiler alert: it wasn't pretty. I believe this was his last thread here: https://www.democraticunderground.com/10028086007

I mean, I lived through it, but it's still harrowing today, knowing all that we do now -- and what EVERYONE should have known in real time, even back then -- basically watching a train right before it is about to crash.

They say if you don't have anything nice to say about the dead, you should say nothing at all, so, all I will say is that my sympathies are with his family, for his (apparent) death and for the bleak future they and the rest of us are left to live through due to those fateful actions back in 2016.

[betsuni]

203. +1

[MrsCoffee]

217. +1

[BumRushDaShow]

213. Here is the thread

that was up for several weeks and accumulate over 700 replies before finally being self-deleted. It was a fucking disgrace.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10024685964

Here is a Wayback version of the original post before it was self-deleted - https://web.archive.org/web/20140323203117/https://www.democraticunderground.com/10024685964

I eventually put all these people on ignore back then and when the whole dumpster full of them were FFR'd, PPR'd, or fled, my ignore list was completely cleared and DU was a better place to post on.

[betsuni]

218. +1

[treestar]

261. wife, not child

it was about a medication his wife needed. And it turned out that it was covered under the ACA after all.

[questionseverything]

433. No it wasn't

It was medicine she needed and was denied

She had to apply to the company that made the medicine, so apply ( beg) is not being covered

[Diraven]

262. It doesn't take much

My original account got banned just for calling a certain unnamed candidate a "safe choice", so it doesn't take much around here sometimes.

RIP Will, I really did enjoy your posts here, especially the controversial ones that got people talking.

[tavalon]

336. Will was the kind to go loudly where many of us just left quietly

I'm only back today to be with people who remember Will. Will liked Obama, he just felt like Obama should have taken bigger swings. Rahm Emmanuel and the DLC attitude were not to either of our liking.

[Bo Zarts]

224. Will and I both joined DU in May of 2001.

We became friends on DU, and continued on Facebook. We both had roots in Alabama, which surprised some people. Will’s father was from Alabama, and had fought in Vietnam.

Will’s mother was here on DU, and still is, I presume. To her, to his wife, and to his daughter, I extend the deepest sympathy I can through my shock. I’ll try to muster proper sympathy later.

At one point, Will was going to visit me at the wilderness fire lookout tower in Oregon, but got married instead. They moved to a rural area of the Northeast, where - IIRC - his beloved daughter was born.

But this morning, on reading this, my mind has gone numb. This is a great shock, and I need to sort it out.

As William Rivers Pitt would most likely say, FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUCCCCCKKKK!

[BComplex]

306. Thank you for this post.

You said it all better than I could. I, too, am in total shock.

[tavalon]

349. I've cried so many tears today

Now, I'm in the numbness state.

I came over here to DU after being gone for years, to be around people who knew him.

I remember you guys talking about the wilderness fire lookout towers. Do you still do that?

Will's mother is named Raven over here, if she's still here.

I keep having dumb thoughts like who am I going to watch the Jan 6th hearings with now? And then I get mad because he isn't going to be here to watch Trump go down. And then I think about Lola and I start crying again. Oh damn it.

[RobinA]

240. He Vented

here once about a close personal issue and suggested that Obama was not the second coming. For this, hate was piled on and he decided he didn't need the grief.

[betsuni]

241. No one said Obama was the second coming. That was right-wing propaganda.

[tavalon]

333. Because this place became to DLC for his taste

or for mine. We formed a community with him as the leader, over on FB. It was like early DU before it got so structured.

[Demsrule86]

412. I only knew him briefly. And I have to say the stuff about Clinton which was parroted here by more

then a few during the 2016 General is why we have now lost Roe and our Republic teeters on the verge of collapse. I am in favor of voting for anyone with a "D" after their name when a primary ends. As we have learned courts matter. It looks like Trump judges will make it harder to vote if we get to vote at all and end clean water in the next month or so. I am sorry for his family-particularly his daughter. However, I still believe we need to support all Democrats and the Party as well. I am sorry also for your loss of a friend.

[Gore1FL]

81. He joined DU the day after I did in 2001. nt

[Hekate]

154. Was here from the beginning. Activist, history teacher, journalist, author, devoted father & husband

Here’s what remains of his Profile:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=profile&uid=115040

All quarrels are forgiven — go in peace, Will Pitt. You are gone much, much too soon. May your family be comforted.

[tavalon]

332. He used to post here and yes, he was a journalist and has a number of books.

I used to post here, too, but eventually, our aims were not the same. We formed a lovely community over at Will Pitt's FB.

I only came here today because where else would I go, in my grief? There were so many people here who knew him well.

[Docreed2003]

7. ...

[BigDemVoter]

8. Goddamnit.

[Mira]

161. Seconded

I am truly bereft. I loved him.

[cate94]

12. RIP

I’m in shock, really. Young and talented. So sorry to hear this.

[H2O Man]

13. I'm still in shock.

[OneGrassRoot]

230. Same. What a tragic loss for our community. n/t

[Beetwasher.]

447. Heartbreak and Shock

Indeed, friend.

[PlutosHeart]

15. Part of my life just ended.

He was a friend. Did not know why he had not posted the last few days. I am beyond grief. I am absolutely upset.

His writing was unparalleled. His poor daughter.

Cannot take take this news.

[vanlassie]

112. ...

So sorry. Too young.

[tavalon]

347. Same. He was a part of my life, peripherally,

for the last 20 years. I loved him like the amazingly talented writer/brother I never had.

[babylonsister]

16. Oh noooooo!!

[leftstreet]

17. wtf?

Is this serious? He's pretty young isn't he?

[honest.abe]

42. He was 51.

Heart attack I think.

[tavalon]

353. Yeah, it was a heart attack

[tavalon]

352. I'm afraid it is

I really wanted it to be not true.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

20. DAAAAAMN! I read him often here back in the day and at Truthout

Gone too soon, Godspeed Mr. Pitt, and thanks for your work

[sakabatou]

21. RIP

[Mike Nelson]

22. Sad...

[Bernardo de La Paz]

23. Unconfirmed at Wikipedia, mobile phone edit by anonymous. No link here or there. . . . nt

[Sky Jewels]

51. His friends on Facebook seem to be confirming it.

[tavalon]

354. God, I wish it weren't true.

People who knew him and his family personally have confirmed it. I think Truthout has confirmed it. There is a GoFundMe to create a trust for Lola, in memorium.

It's true. Fuck, I hate even typing that.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

357. It's a shame, especially with half an adult lifetime ahead of him. . . .nt

[malaise]

24. How sad

I liked him

[tavernier]

26. A true force of nature when the spirit moved him

and you will be greatly missed, my friend.

[G_j]

277. as sharp as they come

[kimbutgar]

28. How awful

He was such a insightful writer. I used to read his essays in Truthout.org.

[Kingofalldems]

30. RIP.

I remember that trolls hated him and hounded him about Fitzmas.

[Demovictory9]

31. So sad!!! I remember when he was a regular

[dweller]

33. I read a Truthout article about DU

and followed his link here … thanks Will !

That was over 20 years ago … man time flies
✌🏻

[SergeStorms]

34. He was a pain in the ass....

but he was our pain in the ass, at least for awhile.

RIP in Single Malt heaven, Mr. Pitt.

[CousinIT]

35. If true, this is horrendously bad news. I feel for his family.

What a terrible thing to happen!

[Geechie]

36. He was the reason I discovered Truthout.

[WiVoter]

37. Very Sad News

The world is a better place because he was in it. 😢 💔

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

38. Only 50?

Goes to show you never know when your number is going to be called.

[hlthe2b]

39. PLEASE! HAS THIS BEEN CONFIRMED? His wiki page and truthout.com say NOTHING about this

ARE YOU SURE? His mother (Raven) posts here and Will still has a lot of friends (among them, me). Please be sure if you are going to report this.

[leftstreet]

43. It's not confirmed

Not seeing anything about it but a death date inserted at wiki, with no reference.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

44. It's all over his Facebook page, which is public, so anyone can see it.

[hlthe2b]

47. I am not on FB and trust it no more than the wrapper my fish comes in.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

50. I mean, it's his page, where his friends are all confirming to each other that the news is true, and

because the page is public, you can see it whether you're "on" Facebook or not.

[hlthe2b]

56. https://www.facebook.com/william.r.pitt.1/about

I SEE NOTHING ABOUT IT ON HIS PAGE. NOTHING

Just a picture of him with his daughter when she was a baby.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

59. That's his "about" page.

If you go on what they used to call his "wall," you'll see people commenting on his last post, the lyrics from "Landslide."

https://www.facebook.com/william.r.pitt.1

[senseandsensibility]

71. I can't see that unless I log in

and I don't use facebook.

[CousinIT]

60. And one can't see that if they have no account. Facebutt demands a login.

And no way in hell I'm going there.

[boston bean]

76. The only place I see it on his fb page is within comments

To a post he made 3 days ago, where he was alive and responding.

Ironically, it is a Fleetwood Mac song, very meaningful if one were to die that was his last fb post.

But the post is not about his death, some of the comments to his last post are.

[dsc]

83. I don't know him well enough to know if those posters were close friends of his or not

I am a bit surprised that Truthout hasn't addressed this at all.

[boston bean]

87. Me neither. So I am not sure. Seemed to all start over there around same time as here.

[tavalon]

369. I''m sorry

I wish with all of my broken heart that it weren't true.

[WiVoter]

48. I Saw That

😢

[Gore1FL]

99. Wikipedia lists September 26, 2022 as his death date.

I don't know the veracity of the update.

[hlthe2b]

107. The date has been entered with no sourcing and no comment in the text.

Still nothing from his twitter feed or on Truthout.com.

[Hamlette]

122. this wiki pages shows no date of death

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Rivers_Pitt

[dsc]

125. It was removed by a professor from Slovenia

due to not having a source.

[Celerity]

319. Dr Melanoma Knauss, dual PhD in Goldiggery and Backworkology

professor from Slovenia

[dsc]

323. I didn't see that

my main point was intended to be that since this wasn't a US citizen or resident, I figured they were unlikely to be someone who personally knew him. It was the lack of anything from Truthout which made me wonder if this was false, but sadly it appears not to have been.

[Celerity]

324. It was a joke. 'Dr Knauss' is, of course, the ex FLOT, and also a VPN can make you appear to be from

wherever you set it, so no way to confirm if that Wiki edit was actually done by a non American.

[Rhiannon12866]

111. I immediately thought of his mother as well. She is still an active member here.

[Wicked Blue]

127. Me too. Deepest condolences to Raven

[Rhiannon12866]

131. I just can't imagine.

And I remember that Will hired Khephra - and I was here when his mother posted to let DU know what had happened.

[tavalon]

358. It's been confirmed by a person who knows his family

He actually died last night. It was a massive heart attack.

[tavalon]

362. I'm sorry

https://www.gofundme.com/f/william-rivers-pitt-memorial-fundraiser-for-lola?qid=93043a31ccef654dd48fca8e6c610229

Lola is his nine year old daughter.

[Sky Jewels]

41. His little girl is only in fourth grade.

[NH Ethylene]

93. That's so sad.

My heart goes out to his family.

[NewHendoLib]

46. very sad. very young.

just another reminder - live every day to its fullest.

Be at peace, Will and thanks for all of your contributions here and elsewhere over the years.

[Grasswire2]

49. Oh Lola. My heart.

He loved his daughter more dearly than any father I have seen love a daughter.

He was my friend.

So talented.

[Autumn]

57. My heart hurts.

[PlutosHeart]

207. He did.

His love for Lola was a shining light in a dark world. This is a very sad day for many.

[Ellipsis]

52. Sad day...

RIP William.

[ms liberty]

53. So sad. RIP,. n/t

[Samrob]

55. RIP Condolences to the family. So sad. He was an awesome man.

[Grasswire2]

62. yes

He was.

[Aristus]

58. I'll miss him.

One of the happiest days during GWB’s horrible tenure in the White House was when Pitt was interviewed on a local radio station about Truthout, and our own late, beloved God_Bush&Cheney, Andy Stephenson, called in to the show to say ‘hi’. I had my ear glued to the radio, and was nearly crying from happiness during those dark days.

[LisaM]

69. I met him at Andy's funeral.

For what it's worth, Will and I had a small spat on DU and he was responsible for the only post I ever had deleted, but he apologized in person and we patched it up. Will had come to speak at Andy's service. It seems like forever ago.

[tavalon]

371. That is the second time I met him.

He stayed on my barge when he came here for the memorial/celebration, which ended, appropriately, at a bar.

[LisaM]

388. Yes, I was sorry I didn't go to that.

I should have.

[MuseRider]

80. Oh Andy!

Thanks for this. It is always good to remember. Those were heady days and losing Andy was just tragic.

[Grasswire2]

61. No one has posted the news on his twitter feed.

He has almost 3,000 followers there.

[Autumn]

72. I checked there after I went to his FB page and saw the posts. No posts on Twitter

since the 22nd.

[Grasswire2]

94. right

Someone (the right person) will post the news there, I hope. He has almost 6,000 followers.

[Autumn]

133. Dahr Jamail and Wills friend James say it's true.

[mountain grammy]

63. Such a good writer

So sorry to see this. RIP Will

[BluesRunTheGame]

64. Wow!

RIP William Rivers Pitt.

[ancianita]

65. Oh no! Such a light. So ahead of everyone in calling out the corrupt playbook of politics.

[Grasswire2]

135. fearless, too

Took no nonsense.

[wnylib]

66. Sorry to hear this. I read him often at Truthout

[tishaLA]

67. May his memory be a blessing

U always loved reading his stuff here and on TruthOut back in the day. It seems so long ago now.

Condolences to his family and many friends.

[senseandsensibility]

68. Very sad if true

He was a great force on DU back in the day. Not for the faint of heart and not perfect, but we need people like that.

[auntAgonist]

74. It's true. Very Sad. Such a loss for his young family. R.I.P Will Pitt n/t

[AmBlue]

70. Oh noooo!!

He was such an eloquent writer. I so enjoyed his commentary here on DU. This is just so sad.

RIP Will... we won't forget you.

[Greybnk48]

73. William Rivers Pitt was a prolific poster here when I joined in 2004.

The whole Kerry election mess, and hanky panky in Florida with ballots and machines.

[Autumn]

75. I found this place because of Will.

[mahina]

188. Me too

I’m hoping for his family that he’s ok.

[peacefreak2.0]

77. Oh man. Way back in the day of Matcom

And the purple hippo. Thinking of his mom and family.

[hlthe2b]

92. Yes... I think about Matcom from time to time and he was close (at least for a time) w Will...

I've wondered if they stayed in touch...

[suegeo]

305. What ever became of Mat Com?

I tuned out of DU, sort of, after that asshole GW was out of office. Had to.

[hlthe2b]

308. He never came over from DU2--so I think he's been missing since at least 2007..

[tavalon]

372. It got weird here.

I don't know how long ago I left. It became DLC and oppressive. I missed the days when we could slug it out and then be friends after.

[Elessar Zappa]

340. Matcom was hilarious.

I miss him. So many DUers gone.

[hay rick]

78. R.I.P.

[Renew Deal]

79. That's terrible. His last tweet was 4 days ago

Link to tweet

What happened?

[AllyCat]

82. Nooooooo!

[Tommy Carcetti]

84. He had his issues towards the end of his DU tenure

But during the early Bush years he provided some good insights.

[Grasswire2]

97. "his" issues?

I won't say any more.

He was admired by thousands of people aside from here, too.

[Tommy Carcetti]

253. I remember him going off on President Obama towards the end.

And that didn’t earn him many friends here.

He was a gifted writer and contributor here though so I’ll remember him like that.

[Grasswire2]

311. maybe the issues were with the way many people attacked him for a rather benign comment.

But best not to talk about those days.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

422. My thoughts precisely.

I still think it’s most important not to become the monster we seek to tame.

[Coventina]

86. I am so saddened. For me, this is like when Kephra died.

I have no words for my devastation at this news.

[hlthe2b]

98. Yes, Kephra is still very fondly remembered here. I am still hopeful Will's report is wrong.

[Raine]

184. I remember Keph

I posted back and forth with him some, he's another poster I'll never forget 💔

[Greybnk48]

103. I remember Kephra too. So sad.

Didn't he have pancreatic cancer, very young?

[Coventina]

108. Keph was taken by a blood clot IIRC. It was very sudden.

And shocking, since he was on here almost 24/7.

I cried all day.

Still miss him.

[UpInArms]

139. Same

I still weep for him …

and now … Will

… I hate the losses

[mahina]

189. Kephra was an amazing DUer.

He was so widely read. He was posting news from sources worldwide, always interesting and really important.

Peace to him and his Mom.

Will, please be safe and we’ll.

[LisaM]

141. It was Andy who had pancreatic cancer.

He fought, but it was too much.

[likesmountains 52]

242. The same lump in gut feeling..

[JanMichael]

89. So sorry to hear that.

[Sky Jewels]

90. He posted this quote on Facebook when one of his good friends passed away:

"Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened."

[senseandsensibility]

100. good advice, but hard to follow

in this case as in so many.

[Sky Jewels]

106. Very true.

[Lucinda]

155. ❤️ ✿❧🌿❧✿ ❤️

[Solly Mack]

101. I'm in shock.

Last edited Mon Sep 26, 2022, 10:25 PM - Edit history (1)

[hlthe2b]

265. Nice choice of music. The Irish know how to memorialize. I too am in shock, Solly Mack.

[Solly Mack]

280. I've checked and rechecked this thread, half expecting to find out this is some cruel

twisted, sick rumor started by some asshole.

Dreading a confirmation from Raven.

Hoping she, Lola, and Lola's mom are together right now. Traveling to your loved ones at such a time can cause a nerve-racking flood of emotions but coming together with those you love can help ease it some - and I wish them all that comfort.




Solly, still stunned, still in shock.

[tavalon]

373. I wanted that so badly, too.

I've cried so much today. My heart breaks for his mother, his wife and his daughter.

[Solly Mack]

379. So many people from the early days now gone.

It has become a measure. A very sad one.

50 is still so young.

[Chautauquas]

105. It saddens me to hear this

RIP

[panader0]

109. RIP Mr. Pitt. I missed you when you left DU.

Way too young.
I hope he makes it to the DU In Memorium.

[Hekate]

159. Recommend that to the Admins. I'm sure they'll say yes.

[Bluethroughu]

285. Agree 100%

I missed him here. RIP

[AngryOldDem]

290. He should.

He was one of the cornerstones of DU, and made DU what it is. Whatever grievance that resulted in his leaving should be set aside to acknowledge his contributions — here and elsewhere.

[Texasgal]

110. Very Sad news.

Only 50? Too Young.

[CanonRay]

113. Oh no

I loved his writing, and he was so devoted to hid daughter.

[liberal N proud]

114. I remember him being one of the more active DUers

RIP

[FreeState]

115. :( n/t

[vanlassie]

117. Apparently Dahr Jamail confirmed it.

[Yorkie Mom]

118. RIP William Rivers Pitt

DU was a better place because of you.

[MissB]

119. RIP, Mr. Pitt.

I used to enjoy his posts here. Too young. Condolences to his family. I think his mom still posts here.

[Kid Berwyn]

120. Oh, no!

What a mind! A true and unique friend of Justice, Democracy and the Democratic Party. A fearless seeker and speaker of truth. A good man who loved his family and his country. A great friend of many on DU, too.

This is when the universe doesn’t make sense. And we doubt our good fortune for having crossed paths with the likes of William Rivers Pitt.

[Grasswire2]

426. well said nt

[chriscan64]

121. If I saw his name on something, I read it.

I remember him from Truthout, always an entertaining read, even when he was warning you about something.

[crickets]

124. So many names from years ago mentioned in this thread.

I miss them all, and it's nice to be reminded of them.

I didn't know Will Pitt well, but I admired his amazing ability to write, both here and at Truthout. My heart goes out to his family and friends. He will be missed.

[donheld]

126. The most horrendous news of the day.

My thoughts are with his family.

[mvd]

128. So sad. I was hoping it wasn't true, but looks like it is

Such a DU icon and a good writer after DU also.

[mahina]

129. Nooooo please no

[Elwood P Dowd]

132. Wikipedia?

William Rivers Pitt (born November 9, 1971) is an author, editor, and political activist.

Background

William Rivers Pitt was born in Washington, D.C.; his father, Charles Redding Pitt, became chair of the Alabama State Democratic Party. He was educated in English literature at Holy Cross College, a Catholic college in Massachusetts. He taught English literature, journalism, grammar, and history at a small private school before joining the staff of the non-profit news organization Truthout.[1]


My Note: Also, a few paragraphs about his writing history. There was no mention of his passing

[BootinUp]

134. Dang. Rip.

[doublethink]

136. Was really sad when William Rivers Pitt left DU ...

years back. But this, what a loss and a voice for what really matters on things in this world. RIP sir, you were respected and then missed on DU by so many back then. And I am sure you will be missed by so many more in what coming days, months or years the rest of us have left on this planet. Thank you for so much. Blessings and prayers to the family. Peace.

[tavalon]

374. So was I

until I found him on FB and by then, I had given up on DU.

[mike_c]

137. OMG! I'm so sorry to hear that!

[Liberal In Texas]

138. Aww Gee. RIP Will. I used to love catching his observations here

before he disappeared. I tried to follow elsewhere for a bit, but it wasn't the same.

He has left us way too young. What a shame.

[Renew Deal]

140. Here's a speech and Q&A from Will Pitt in 2003. It's on CSPAN

https://www.c-span.org/video/?177745-1/defeating-militarism-politics-fear

[salin]

142. My heart is heavy. Haven't been in touch for yrs, but in the era of the drumbeats 4 the Iraq war,

a local peace group brought him to speak at Indiana U. (ya, I played a role in that). It was a great talk, and we sold some of his books. During his time in Indiana we visited the site that would was being developed for an urban ed project (we both spent time as hs teachers) that I devoted years of my life to. A year or so earlier I had done a lot of research on the unfolding Enron case and the connection of its implosion to multiple schemes related to efforts to deregulate the Calif energy market and efforts to then exploit the then opened markets that led to a huge energy crisis in California (around 2001). Don't know that I could find it now, but he wrote an article on TruthOut that drew on that work (with appropriate attribution to my contribution.) That said, its been years since we were in direct contact. All of that was through the early years of DU. And I remember that work fondly. And following his writing on TruthOut.

Per his DU postings, he could be insightful, and he could be an impulsive hot head. That said, I remember him fondly, and am shocked by this news. RIP Will. May those grieving find spaces of solace and peace through the memories and record of insightful writings published and the ripples left from those ideas and memories.

[H2O Man]

160. Very well said.

[Beetwasher.]

434. Well Said, Old Friend

This is heartbreaking and shocking, I too hadn’t been in touch with him in years, but was fortunate enough to enjoy a couple of (drunken) sojourns with him back in those days, when he was down in NYC. He leaves a rich written and philosophical legacy. Quite the slap in the face with a sober dose of mortality, for me.

[salin]

437. For me, too.

From time to time when I am perusing DU, I think of you. I don't think we have crossed paths in a very long time. What a nice surprise, arising out of such of a somber moment. In a way, that is so DU (esp in the era for the individual when one isn't active and thus in regular conversation with current regulars.) Peace to you and your family.

When Will visited/spoke at IU, a number of midwestern (mostly Indiana) folks met up and had an enjoyable evening with losts of toasts. I believe one relationship was sparked at that event that led to a marriage. So we can capture circles of life as we think back on those memories/times.

For the written legacy, the impassioned (and sometimes combattive) legacy, and the friendships (and more) that were sparked from some of those gatherings that happened as he visited various areas - and that happened here when the community was relatively small (I think there were around 10K when I joined in Jan of 2002) - may we raise a glass and

[Beetwasher.]

439. Yes, a Toast

Indeed, we were there at the beginning, a determined, younger, impassioned lot of caring, compassionate individuals. A toast to that passion that our friend Will embodied with the essence of his being.

It’s good to see you as well!

[blm]

143. William - A Parting Glass

Last edited Mon Sep 26, 2022, 11:11 PM - Edit history (1)

Of all the money that e'er I had
I spent it in good company
And all the harm I've ever done
Alas it was to none but me
And all I've done for want of wit
To mem'ry now I can't recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be to you all

So fill to me the parting glass
And drink a health whate’er befalls
And gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be to you all

Of all the comrades that e'er I had
They're sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e'er I had
They'd wish me one more day to stay
But since it fell unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be to you all

Fill to me the parting glass
And drink a health whate’er befalls
And gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be to you all

La La

But since it fell unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be to you all

So fill to me the parting glass
And drink a health whate’er befalls
And gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be to you all

Good night and joy be to you all.

[salin]

150. Beautifully said.

May we share a toast. But perhaps with more somber faces than the emojis represent.

[Tetrachloride]

248. Mopinko says she sang the song for him.

Also, sending an email message to you.

[Demsrule86]

387. I sent Mopinko some mail...when she/he didn't reply, I checked the profile...was worried... FFR.

[Kali]

418. oh no

damn it

[G_j]

279. thank you

[mia]

326. A beautiful song.

[Beetwasher.]

440. Thanks BLM

[SYFROYH]

144. He spoke on my campus about 10 years ago

Im glad I got the chance to see him.

[bluesbassman]

145. Profoundly sad news.

RIP Pitt.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

146. I hope this is false news, Elleng. Nothing found on any news or progressive sites I searched.

Nothing on his or Truthout's web or Twitter sites, or on two New Hampshire newspaper sites, nor in a New Yawk or Boston paper. A general search turned up nothing. Let's hope it's just a bad rumor.

Regardless, I'll still pay him a complement. Mr. Pitt's writings are some of the most witty and enjoyable I've ever read, with never a boring sentence for me. I love his clarity and the ease of reading his dialog.


KY........

[tavalon]

376. I am so sorry. I wish it weren't true

But it is.

[blogslug]

147. Goodbye, Will

May you rest in peace. May your memory be a comfort to your loved ones. ❤️

[IronLionZion]

148. RIP

[Owl]

151. Very sad news. I hope this isn't true.

[Mr. Scorpio]

152. Rest in power, Will

[yonder]

153. Sad news. RIP Mr. Pitt. Condolences to your daughter, family and friends.

I remember reading and enjoying his posts here and just like that, he was gone....never being too clear as to why.

[hlthe2b]

156. I don't want to believe this true and still hope I'll wake tomorrow to find it all an error.

But, if it is, an appreciation... For those of us who started with DU that very first year, Will's eloquence in his writings and political observations--during that difficult time and those to follow-- were a big part of why. Will had his ups and downs here--life and its struggles can be like that. But many of us continued to read his articles at Truth Out and managed to keep up with him, albeit less closely than before.

For those of us who shared some difficult times together in the past 20-plus years, losing even one DU member from that time feels so very difficult and we've lost quite a few--including several mentioned in this thread. If William Rivers Pitt is now among those we have now lost, I send thanks to the ethers and hope that he knew he was very much valued, both before and after he ceased posting here. Likewise, I hope his mother, Raven will find peace during this unexpected and very sad loss and know that we are here for her.



Edited to add one of my favorite of his writings (poignant and uplifting):

William Rivers Pitt: The Lost, Lingering Legacy of Robert F. Kennedy

https://truthout.org/articles/william-rivers-pitt-%7C-the-lost-lingering-legacy-of-robert-f-kennedy/

[Liberty Belle]

157. Tragic. Here are his last posts on Truthout, where he was a frequent contributor:

https://truthout.org/authors/william-rivers-pitt/

I met him years ago; his death is a terrible loss for the progressive community.

[Backseat Driver]

158. RIP William Rivers Pitt

Memories like blessings pour down upon family and friends...rule together with the light and voice of angels.

[Hekate]

162. I remember when he went to Camp Casey. Damn, I am sorry he's gone so young....

He should have still had years to go to cause good trouble.

All quarrels are forgiven — go in peace, Will Pitt. You are gone much, much too soon. May your family be comforted.



Here’s what remains of his Profile:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=profile&uid=115040

[hlthe2b]

165. His 2013-2016 profile below (no longer comes up on search results but old links work)

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=profile&uid=102890

[Hekate]

171. Thank you. It provides the link to his last post, which judging from the replies must have been ...

…a doozy. Good times, good times. Ah, Will.

[senseandsensibility]

390. I remember Camp Casey. I remember

how close DUers were back then. WRP was actually very approachable in the old days. He may have been a "star" but he was always willing to engage, even with a newcomer like me. My memories are foggy but during those days when we would all commiserate with one another about the war and shrub, he really seemed like one of us. After one upsetting situation in those days, he said that he was at home in his basement if anyone wanted to come by and talk. I think he was living in Boston at the time, and I guess there were enough DUers near him who knew where he lived to take him up on it.

[Hekate]

419. I was working with the Veterans for Peace in those years, & Casey's mom Cindy Sheehan came by...

One of our members, a carpenter and activist, had whacked together a pile of crosses one week and thus Arlington West was born on the Santa Barbara beach by the wharf. Very shortly, other volunteers started putting names of the fallen on the crosses, and by that time our visitors included friends and family who sometimes traveled a great distance to pay their respects. Thus it was that Cindy came on Mother’s Day, where we were holding a memorial based on the original antiwar meaning of the holiday.

When Dubya took his 5 week summer vacay in Crawford TX, protestors (including VFP and Cindy) showed up outside his “ranch,” and ultimately Camp Casey was born.

Will Pitt traveled there to bear witness to the protest and to write about it.

[dalton99a]

163. R.I.P. to a good man.

[kskiska]

164. Oh, so sorry.

He was a mainstay here for years.

[johnnie]

166. Sorry to hear this

I came to Du over 20 years ago and he was one of the main voices. People loved him or hated him, but there was no doubt that he was a strong voice. I’m sorry to hear about his passing.

[Pachamama]

167. Where is this coming from that Will has died?

Just curious….I haven’t heard an official announcement from the family.

For full disclosure Will is one of the few DUers (or former DU members) I have met in person. Haven’t been in touch for years but I have not heard yet other than on DU that he died.

If this is true - I can only say that Will is a good person and smart person and I send my love to his family who would be devastated.

Will brought me to DU. He had his differences with DU - but he was a big part of DU’s beginning and I appreciated him.

[tavalon]

375. Many of us old DUers who no longer fit in her

coalesced around him on FB and Twitter. He passed away last night from a heart attack. One of the FB peeps, with permission from the family, has created a GoFundMe for Lola, to be placed in a trust for her future.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/william-rivers-pitt-memorial-fundraiser-for-lola?qid=93043a31ccef654dd48fca8e6c610229

I wish like everything that this weren't true.

[oasis]

170. R.I.P. William Rivers Pitt. He was one of the first to welcome me to DU.

[spanone]

172. William Rivers Pitt

RIP

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

173. ...

[flvegan]

174. William Rivers Pitt, you will be missed.

By many, and definitely by me.

Godspeed, sir.

[shanti]

175. What a damn shame, and so young

I remember Will Pitt from the beginning here. He was an excellent writer and DU lost one of the best when he left. Definitely left a hole. RIP Will

[ZZenith]

176. We lost a fine wordsmith.

He had a fire in him, and I always appreciated that.

I wish his family strength and courage.

[Ohio Joe]

177. RIP - nt

[nolabear]

178. I'm just stunned. We fought like crazy.

I really liked him. He was a great ally and a great opponent in an argument. Mostly he was a FORCE, and we are so much poorer for his loss.

And Lola. Oh my. May she always know how very much her daddy loved her. 💔

[H2O Man]

185. I really like this.

[Sugarcoated]

179. Safe travels, Will

[Tree Lady]

180. Will came to SF in 2004 and a bunch

Of us from bay area DU met up at a bar. He was real nice.

That was the only time I have met people from here face to face. A bunch of us were working on the Kerry campaign.

He was way too young.

[Raine]

181. Such sad news 😥 ... R-I-P Will 🙏🕯️

one of the posters I'll never forget. 💔

[Kali]

182. stunned

he was such a big part of this place for a long time. he so loved his family, condolences to them.

[JCMach1]

183. RIP, Will

[progressoid]

186. RIP Will

[Crunchy Frog]

187. This is shocking news. I remember him so well.

RIP.

[CountAllVotes]

191. Very sad

Big loss.

William Rivers Pitt was just getting going here on the DU when I first arrived.

He was a talented writer and he wrote about what he thought, be it right or wrong, he wrote about it.

I am sorry to read about this.

He is gone too soon!

& recommend.

[ShazzieB]

193. Thus is the 3rd post about this that I've seen so far.

Never had the pleasure of knowing him, but please accept my condolences, everyone.

[Violet_Crumble]

196. Well, that sucks a lot...

I always connected him with the DU I first stumbled upon in the noughties, a DU that was more freethinking and very different than the more staid, boring and rigid thing it eventually evolved into.

[Elessar Zappa]

243. I've been on DU since the beginning

and I disagree with you that this place is rigid or boring. It’s the same as it’s always been which is a place for Democrats to find fellowship and refuge from Republican bullshit. Actually, it’s gotten better in some ways in that racism and especially homophobia have gone down significantly here over the decades.

[burrowowl]

200. RIP WRP!

[BlueMTexpat]

204. RIP!

[mia]

208. Farewell, my friend.

Last post on Facebook.

William Rivers Pitt
September 23 at 12:40 PM

Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
Well, I've been afraid of changing
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I'm getting older, too...
-- Fleetwood Mac

[herding cats]

209. My heart goes out to his mother and young daughter.

Last edited Tue Sep 27, 2022, 02:43 PM - Edit history (1)

It hurts to think of the pain, shock and deep loss they're experiencing. I know he loved them all very much. I hope that love, in time, helps ease their hearts.

I am deeply sorry for their loss.

[kcr]

210. How awful

Very sad to hear this news. He was too young.

[Rastapopoulos]

211. So sad to hear this

He, along with Bartcop and DU kept me sane during the Bush years.

[calimary]

312. Yeah, me too.

He was a voice early-on when we needed one. I started reading him on Truthout. Yes, some of his stuff was rather peppery. But he was a good read.

Too young to go.

[MiHale]

212. S'long Will...

First person to welcome me here.

[Tickle]

215. I'm sadden to hear this

I loved his writings.

[Auggie]

220. His reporting on the PNAC was first rate. A huge loss.

[callous taoboy]

221. I discovered DU through Truthout-

Both sites kept me sane during the reign of W, and for that I am forever in Will's debt. I discovered Truthout after seeing Will on the news speaking at a Veterans Against the Iraq War gathering. He was on fire. RIP, Will Pitt.

[Hortensis]

222. Our deepest regrets for his family and all they and he have lost.

[CaptainTruth]

223. Say it isn't so! His writing on Truthout (especially re PNAC) was unequalled.

He really inspired me as a writer.

Truly sad, if true...

[Ilsa]

225. A truly gifted soul. I've missed him here at DU over the years.

Rest in peace, Will. And peace to your loved ones.

[gademocrat7]

226. R.I.P. Will

[onethatcares]

228. n/t

[yardwork]

229. I'm very sorry to hear this news. My deepest condolences to his family.

[demmiblue]

232. ...

Condolences to his friends and family.

[Tom Rinaldo]

233. This saddens me deeply. Thank you for letting us know

Like all of us, he had flaws, some significant even, but he was most of all magnificent.

[Shellback Squid]

234. RIP, he was a great writer and DUer

I believe, should never have been tombstoned
I don't know what the infraction wa

[RobinA]

302. His Infraction

was that he didn't tow the party line.

I find all these accolades hilarious. The last time I saw his name mentioned here there was an avalanche of hate directed at his name.

[Horse with no Name]

320. Not from me

I have followed his FB page for some time.
I am so saddened at this.

[Tarheel_Dem]

329. "Didn't tow the party line"? How so? Is that how you remember it?

Didn't he actually threaten a fellow DUer with physical harm? There seems to be quite a bit of revisionist history being told here today.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

348. I hope at our death, those who grieve us are not beaten down by our worst moments.

I had differences with Will over a few things, but none matter now. The world is worse without him.

[Tarheel_Dem]

363. Why zoom in on me? Did you miss the many revisionist posts, and outright mistruths about...

WP before you got to me? I normally keep out of these types of threads, and I am sorry for all the people who loved him, but let's not make up stuff simply because he could turn a phrase. And if we're being totally honest, this isn't just about Pitt. Re-read this thread, and see who's trashing DU for having had standards. See who's doing the name calling. When you have the fortitude to chastise them as well, you get back to me. Until then.....

[Cuthbert Allgood]

365. Why not you? Why someone else? Does it not apply?

This isn't the place for it. How is that hard for anyone to understand?

[Tarheel_Dem]

366. Apparently, you got back to me before you got to others. Oh well. We could do this all day...

but I won't. Later.

[tavalon]

377. I left far more quietly

but for the same reason.

[Treefrog]

382. Toe, not tow. Sorry but that is irksome.

He was before my time, but there have been many threads about him, directly quoting his posts.

You can find them elsewhere in this thread. He continually bashed party leaders, and he threatened another Duer.

I would expect the same results if any of us did the same.

[Grasswire2]

427. Well, let's post a link to one old thread, picked at random.

[link:https://www.democraticunderground.com/10024697471|

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

235. Oh, hell no. No, no no no no.

Every morning I visited Truthout to see what Will wrote.

Does anyone here remember "We are all Will Pitt"?

RIP Will, you are already sorely missed by so many.


Profound condolences to the family.

[CatWoman]

238. I've read and watched this thread since last night

I am in a state of shock.

I just want to express my deepest condolences to Will's Mom, Wife and Daughter.

Lighting a candle for you Will. God Speed.

[Beetwasher.]

435. Heartbreaking

Hey old friend…

[Elessar Zappa]

245. RIP Will Pitt.

I disagreed with him sometimes but he was always a great voice for progressive thought. And he was an excellent writer. I’ll miss him.

[ewagner]

247. Very sad....

William Rivers Pitt was one of the early posters here on DU....

I knew there was some controversy over his posts but I never got involved with it.

It's sad to see another of the early "DUers" pass...

RIP William.

[likesmountains 52]

249. Condolences to Raven.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

250. Adios, amigo.

[Beetwasher.]

448. Via Con Dios

[A-Schwarzenegger]

452. Hey, Beet

[Beetwasher.]

453. Hey there old friend

[Raster]

251. Rest in peace, Mr. Pitt.

He was one of the first to welcome me to DU when I stumbled in almost 20 years ago.

[msfiddlestix]

254. So sorry to read this sad news. I had the pleasure of meeting him during the Bush Reign of Terror

We organized a speaking event. I can't recall if he just finished a book or not, but we had a great turnout, and enjoyed engaging with him over dinner and spirits. He was a force of nature in my eye. Very passionate and articulate. I remember seeing his posts on DU, but I don't remember the dust up. I missed it apparently.

Regardless, Will's family has my deepest sympathies.

Condolences.

[Sympthsical]

256. 51 is far too young

I can only imagine what his friends and family are feeling. Sorry to hear this.

[Uncle Joe]

257. Rest in peace William

Thanks for the thread elleng

[haele]

264. Confirmation please?

Laz and I met Will several times and talked a lot with him before Will started to flame up (or out?) around 2008/'09; Laz was going to work as a part-time editor back when Truthout started before his (Laz's) disabilities got in the way.

We don't Facebook due to bandwidth and reliability issues, and Twitter is a mess for anything but weird news and memes; is there any reliable place that confirms this?

Haele

[betsuni]

266. Why don't Democrats get the benefit of doubt for being authors, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers,

friends, flights of angels? Why is it okay to call them POS used car salesmen, urge people not to vote for the Democratic nominee in 2016?

[demmiblue]

267. What the fuck is wrong with you?

Jesus, just go away... people are grieving for a lost friend.

[Nixie]

272. Looking at your posts alone, grieving a lost friend is not all that's

happening.

[hlthe2b]

271. Would you (and a few others) PLEASE read the room? It doesn't matter any more.

except to send an insensitive uncaring message to others on the thread who are grappling with an unexpected loss.

For all his faults and foibles that he did not get a chance to "make right in your view," it just doesn't matter anymore.

Please consider the feelings of others--just for today.

[betsuni]

276. I'm being authentic and holding feet to the fire.

Thought that was good.

[hlthe2b]

278. You are being insensitive as hell to the majority of fellow DUers, not to mention Raven, his mother

and a long-term DUer here, who will surely see your comments. Continue, if you desire to show everyone on this forum what you are REALLY all about. There is NOTHING admirable or honorable about your doing so. Nor can you hold the "feet to the fire" of a person who has passed. The time for that was six years ago when it occurred and was relevant--prior to his leaving DU.

[867-5309.]

294. On the day he's said to have died?

That's really strange.

[Rob H.]

314. You're being something, all right

"Authentic" isn't the word that springs to mind, though, especially in light of this basically being an obituary/in memoriam OP.

[JanMichael]

321. You are being a smug typical "centrist" who always thinks they are right regardless of anything else

Grow some manners or at least some sympathy. Holding a deceased person's one "bad" thing to the fire is just petty.

Or just keep on being you. Let everyone see what you really are.

[Autumn]

360. Wait. You are holding a deceased mans feet to the fire? A waste of time betsuni, but you be you.

[obamanut2012]

281. We are in the minority here

Or at least not afraid to speak up.

I was one of the ones he savagely attacked when he called Obama a POS that day, and he also attacked me and blocked me on social media when I called him out when he told folks on FB to not vote for Hillary in 2016. I also remember when he literally threatened to kill another DUer, and when he and his buddies were homophobic and misogynistic (he loled when one of his DU buddies threatened to rape a lesbian DUer). We are supposed to shut the fuck up while people laud our bully. Skinner let him get away with stuff for years because of Pitt's early writing success.

on edit: I am not responding to anyone saying I'm lying, to stfu, etc. And, it's hard to show you links where he did this stuff because Admins cleaned it up/posts were deleted. If you can say why you loved and admired Pitt, we have teh right to say why he made us feel like shit.

[betsuni]

283. +1 Thank you.

[JanMichael]

322. On a death thread? What does that say about the "minority" here?

And yes I do recall some of the things you mentioned and I was not besties with WRP. That said his passing impacts more people than the few naysayers on a death thread. He was on DU from the start and longer on it than not on it. There is a sense of lost youth and nostalgia for a good number of DU'ers including myself that really doesn't need shitting on.

But whatever. You be you.

[W_HAMILTON]

378. It's every bit a part of his legacy and it should be mentioned.

And you should not be shouted down by others for doing so.

[Rob H.]

383. Oh, she absolutely deserves to be shouted down

for doing it here. People who want to shit all over others' feelings of loss and sorrow should start an OP about it and go to town if they want, but this OP is neither the time nor the place.

[W_HAMILTON]

391. If accurately pointing out his past...

...is deemed "shitting on" him, that says more about his past than it does the person simply bringing it up.

This wasn't some "silent thread" in memoriam -- it was a death announcement, and as such, you can imagine that people will be discussing various aspects of his life -- ESPECIALLY here of all places, due to his controversial history here.

[W_HAMILTON]

400. No, I didn't.

Using your definition, I'm not sure how starting a new thread to point out his controversial past wouldn't also be considered "shitting on" those same people's feelings.

And I have no problem with my comments or else I wouldn't be making them in the first place. This was not a silent thread or the like -- it was a death announcement, and as such, you can expect that people will be talking about his life.

[Autumn]

393. He did have a way with words. Like it or not, a lot of people agreed with him.

[W_HAMILTON]

394. Yes, I see that.

Which makes it ail the more disappointing the words he chose to use in the lead-up to arguably the most consequential election of our lifetimes.

~80,000.

[Autumn]

396. I don't get where the few of you who keep insisting that so and so didn't clap hard enough

and that alone made so and so lose. It doesn't happen that way. Democrats form their own opinions on candidates and they vote for them. Or they sit it out. Politicians win the voters or they don't.

[W_HAMILTON]

398. "No single rain drop thinks it's responsible for the flood."

And, based on your comments as well as others that thought very highly of him, he was looked to as some sort of thought leader among certain segments of the left. You don't get to have it both ways. People like him and comments like his were what helped shape those opinions you refer to.

[Autumn]

399. I'm a Democrat and an intelligent woman. I don't need a fucking thought leader.

I can read, I can write and I can logically examine both sides of an issue. My opinions are all my own. You can bet I thought highly of him. He was a kind, compassionate, intelligent, talented human being with an awesome sense of humor. People like him are in short supply.

By the way. Rain doesn't think. Rain is precipitation falling from the sky. Google it.

[W_HAMILTON]

401. Good for you?

And some of what people were reading to form their opinions were that Obama was a "piece of shit used-car salesman" and reasons why Hillary didn't deserve your vote.

"No single rain drop..."

Might as well just drop it. There will be no agreement here.

[Autumn]

404. It mattered only on DU to a few posters. It never made the national news and Obama never

lost a night of sleep over it . Right. We will never agree.

[W_HAMILTON]

409. Trump won in 2016 and a lot of us lost sleep over it.

Still are, in fact.

[Autumn]

410. 2016 had nothing to do with Obama and what William had to say. Not one damn thing to do with it.

So don't lay that on him. Trump won because Hillary lost the EC vote. Fact.

[W_HAMILTON]

411. I'm referring to his final moments here on DU.

When he was leading the charge against Hillary. I linked his last thread here. He couldn't even bring himself to commit to voting for her against Trump. He got a bunch of his posts hidden and he left. Maybe you shouldn't criticize others if you don't even know the history?

~80,000.

[Autumn]

413. I hosted the Sanders group. Will supported Bernie during the primary so I know

enough. We had conversations about it. After it was over I hung out on his FB and started donating to Truthout so I know what was posted in both places.

You even linked where he said he was going to vote for Hillary so maybe you ought to try reading what you post.

WilliamPitt (58,179 posts)

10. Of course not.

She has my vote if she needs it = not good enough.

Sigh.

I think toxic Hillary supporters on Twitter were more of a problem than anything.

[W_HAMILTON]

414. "She has my vote if she needs it."

Such a ringing endorsement.

And you should use the Wayback Machine to see what he posted and what got hidden before he was dragged to even make that weak pledge...

[Autumn]

415. He was right. " She has my vote if she needs it not good enough"

:rofl

I'm not going to look up the posts that upset you. It's not fucking important to me. I don't care what Will said. It does not matter, everyone is entitled to their own thoughts and feelings.

But by all means you keep on caring. I'm like Obama, I'm not gonna lose a nights sleep over it.

[W_HAMILTON]

416. Of course it's not good enough. And it turns out, it wasn't good enough.

And, if you were the host of the Sanders group and Sanders had won the nomination, you would be the first person taking to task someone that claimed to be on the left but constantly shit on the Democratic nominee and the best endorsement you could pry out them was "he has my vote if he needs it" and you know it.

If it's not important to you, then drop it. You can't whitewash his history. It is there, archived, for everyone to see. If you want to focus on the positives of the man's life, you are free to do that. Unlike those who are criticizing people that have brought up his past and controversial end here at DU, no one is telling you that you aren't free to share your memories of him.

[bigtree]

269. oh, my friend

...this hurts.

[Baitball Blogger]

270. One of the first politically aware posts I read that would eventually

lead me to DU was written by him. Or, at least I think it was written by him. It was about the Bin Laden family members being flown out of the US. A plane had come to pick them all up in just days after 9/11, when no one else was allowed to fly.

We had lost a relative when the towers came down, so I went on the internet looking for answers, and that's how I came across the article. His was a very illuminating post, but it was early days and I remember the flack he got over it. Mostly, his credibility was in question because the article said it was a day or two after the attack, when it was closer to a week.

My condolences to the family.

[highplainsdem]

273. I remember reading a lot of his posts. I didn't always agree with him, but I admired his

writing and his commitment to what he believed in. He died much too young, and I'm sorry to hear he's gone.

RIP

[GoddessOfGuinness]

423. This world needs more people like you...

who understand that 100% agreement need not be a prerequisite for respect. Thank you for your civility.

[salin]

443. Belatedly I respond with a plus 10.

Side note - it is very good to see you, old friend.

[malthaussen]

282. I'm frankly surprised he didn't stroke out long ago...

... the current state of the Union is enough to give anyone a heart attack.

-- Mal

[G2theD]

284. I'm just sitting here blubbering

50 years old. And a 4 year old daughter?

This is too sad for words. Only the second time in my life I wished there really was a heaven.

Because William would be there right now.

I’m just crushed. I hope his wife and especially that 4 year old will be okay. I can’t imagine having to explain this to that sweet little girl.


William Rivers Pitt, you lived a short life, but a very good one. Rest in peace, my brother.

[ElementaryPenguin]

286. So sad. Will was the most well-known poster in the early days of DU!

One of the only posters to use his real name.

An excellent writer.

I respected him and read him often; debated with him occasionally - usually agreed with him.

A brave soul, very intense individual - sometimes could not contain his enthusiasm (which often expressed itself with fury)

Fought the good progressive fight and fought to reveal the truth - especially at a time when the truth was nowhere to be found in the mainstream media.

So sorry for his family.

So sad to see you depart, Will.

Thank you for your meaningful contributions.

[PatSeg]

304. Will was the first person to welcome me to DU

way back in 2004. I follow him on Facebook.

This is a real shock as he was young, at least from my perspective. So sad.

[uppityperson]

287. Oh Will. What shock. Rip

[Mz Pip]

296. Truthout

Odd that Truthout makes no mention of this in today’s issue.

Strange.

[Sympthsical]

301. It's on their Twitter

They're probably putting together a tribute article type thing. My reading of things is that his death was very sudden and unexpected and news of it spread late in the day. It'll take them some time. Probably still recovering from the shock.

[suegeo]

299. how do you like your blue-eyed boy

Mister Death

[bigtree]

303. our celebrity, perhaps

...but someone else's family.

[elleng]

310. Buffalo Bill's defunct who used to ride a watersmooth-silver

stallion
and break onetwothreefourfive pigeonsjustlikethat
Jesus
he was a handsome man
and what i want to know is
how do you like your blueeyed boy
Mister Death

E. E. Cummings

[Hekate]

300. Using an open grave to dig up old wars is unseemly at best. He was one of DU's bright lights....

I’m sorry Will is gone — he was one of DU’s bright lights in our early days. I didn’t follow his career after he left, since DU is my only online community, but it looks like he did well and I’m glad.

Now he has gone where all wounds are healed, all petty squabbles forgotten, the great battles of our time laid down. RIP, Will Pitt, may your family be comforted.

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

[calimary]

313. I like that, Hekate.

“ Now he has gone where all wounds are healed, all petty squabbles forgotten, the great battles of our time laid down.”

Good writers inspire good writing.

[Lucinda]

318. ❤️ ✿❧🌿❧✿ ❤️

[leftstreet]

331. +1

[H2O Man]

386. +1

[GoddessOfGuinness]

424. This

nt

[Pathwalker]

309. RIP,Will

nt

[hamsterjill]

315. Always sad to lose one of us.

My sympathies to his family and friends. I remember him but never had much interaction with him. Obviously he made an impact on many.

[d_b]

316. Damn

I always enjoyed his takes here, and was bummed to see him go.

RIP

[virgdem]

317. I've been here for 20+ years and I remember Will Pitt...

His writing was clear. concise and quite eloquent. He will be missed. RIP Will and deepest condolences to his family.

[Beringia]

325. Very sad, he was young

[NEOBuckeye]

342. Very saddened to hear this.

Will was one of my favorite progressive writers. He inspired me with though many challenging and difficult times, and always was determined to fight the good fight, through the Dubya years, followed by the hope that Obama brought to the world, and then the retrograde backlash of the mind-eaten fascist far-right spearheaded by TFG.

I got to meet him in person and hear him speak once. Meeting him felt like meeting a genuine brother and friend who had been all along. He easily could have been such in this lifetime, or in any lifetime.

Wish he could have seen the inevitable downfall of Trump and the undoing of fascist idiots like DeSantis. Surely these days will come. Thanks for paving the way forward in your own unique way.

Hats off to you, brother. Fly high with the angels.

[Marthe48]

356. Really sorry to hear this news

I read a lot of his essays 20 years ago, and he inspired me to defy the r's agenda, in motion even back then.

R.I.P. Mr. Pitt

[OldEurope]

361. How sad

I remember him well.

[dawg]

368. Will had a profoundly powerful way with words.

I think he cared passionately about this country, too.

He will be missed.

Love and condolences to Raven and all who loved Will.

[texasleo]

380. I'm glad that he was able to outlast the Trump presidency

(If that makes sense)

[suegeo]

381. This appears to be the funeral home taking care of WRP

[link:https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/keene-nh/diluzio-foley-and-fletcher-funeral-homes/6762|]

Not much information there yet.

[hlthe2b]

384. Truthout.org has just published their eulogy:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100217200589

[DinahMoeHum]

389. His essay here in 2002 brought me to DU. . .

. . .and it was then I thought of him as a 21st century Thomas Paine


https://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/02/02/02_ground.html

[GoddessOfGuinness]

425. +1

Still applicable.

[Tommymac]

402. Godspeed Will.

We will miss you, friend.

[yewberry]

403. Well, shit.

It's been years but I saw the news.

Rest in peace, Mr. Pitt.

[Owl]

417. RIP Will Pitt

You brought me here in 2001. You were my friend. You will be missed. It’s hard to believe you are gone. 😞

[Niagara]

428. ...

To all those who knew William Rivers Pitt, I wish you peace and comfort as you grieve.

[stonecutter357]

430. Post removed !

rip

[Hobo]

431. Mom taught me never

To say anything bad about the dead......


Thoughts to his loved ones

Hobo

[rbnyc]

432. I logged back in just to post in this thread...

...but I'm gonna keep it short.

I will miss you, Will. You made a difference in my life and I'm proud to have been among your many friends.

[Beetwasher.]

441. Nice to see you

[salin]

444. Short, and very sweet and poignent.

A small DU rainbow in this sadness is seeing others with similar sadness, who (along with Will) played a role in my space of life when I tried to make sense of the quickly shifting world after the... era of the new century - that in so many ways (tragic ways) kept throwing up warning signs of future (now past tense) political malfeasance.

Seeing you (and others), across the last few days, has put a small light of hope (continuity) to lighten the heavy heart. Peace.

[struggle4progress]

436. He was a fixture here in my younger days and often worth reading

I didn't always agree with him but I was sorry to see him go

[Hekate]

449. Beautiful rendition, as always from Mississippi John Hurt

His guitar work is especially fine — you can just hear the words in the picking. Thank you

[kentuck]

446. I think Will Pitt left a little early...

...we could use him right now.

[Hekate]

450. Yes, we could

[MandelaObama]

451. I am still trying to process this

I can't even quite find the words I want to say here. I am beyond heartbroken

Although this is a relatively new account (I lost my details for my old account here), Will has been part of my online world here, social media and elsewhere for almost twenty years and in my personal interactions with him, I always found him kind, encouraging, friendly solicitous and encouraging of me. He could evoke strong passions in people, and we sometimes disagreed on issues, although more often than not, I found myself on a similar or the exact same page. I was always blown away by his insights, his passion, his great writing and his commitment to the progressive cause, His writing both challenged and opened up new avenues in my train of thought

His deep love for his family -his mother, his wife and his daughter always came through passionately, eloquently and beautifully on every place I encountered him online. I especially remember his posts on FB about his daughter and his overwhelming love for her. My heart and my deepest, sincerest and most heartfelt thoughts, condolences and sympathies go out to his family and all who knew and loved him

Rest in peace, Will. You did well and your legacy is great. The world was infinitely better for having had you and is infinitely sadder and the worse for having lost you


Oeen
(Socialdemocrat1981)