Folks, I'll do my best to be compact. They're coming in from all over.
From a Seattle progressive:
My condolences to you and all the other DUers.
Ray Minchew of Democracy for WA just posted a diary on Daily Kos about Andy.
Would you please post the link on the DU threads and ask anyone who is signed up on dKos to 'recommend' it so it stays on the home page. Here's the link
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/7/8/211417/6127 Those of us in Seattle are planning to show up en masse at Andy's memorial service. We'll show those bastards at scamdy.com and Bev Harris what real progressives look and act like.
From Susan Truitt:
From: Susan Truitt <susan_truitt@...>
Date: Fri Jul 8, 2005 9:29 am
Subject: Our dear Andy Stephenson susan_truitt
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My dearest Andy:
We love you. We miss you. You will live forever in our
hearts and minds and in our devotion to the cause in
your life - verified elections. We will not let your
work go in vain. We will strive to uphold your ideas
and ideals and we will work to make your dream of
verified elections a reality.
You were brave in life and in death. You fought long
and hard to assure the use of paper ballots. You
fought long and hard lobbying in Washington D.C., in
talking to others about auditing elections, you worked
hard in Florida after the 2004 debacle farce election
and in Ohio, uncovering dreadful discrepancies that
corrupt our election system. You made a gallant effort
at running for Secretary of State in Washington. You
made friends every where you went, with your affable
personality, your impish demeanor, and your great
sense of humor. You gave up smoking recently to regain
your health. You underwent cancer surgery - that was
needlessly delayed when JohnsHopkins lost your check
for payment. You felt so much better when you kicked
the diabetes brought on by the cancer. Your lifelong
companion, Ted, gave you hope and support and
encouragement. Your new puppy made you smile. You were
so upbeat and positive and determined to live.
You suffered under the cruel and false aspersions cast
against you by Bev Harris, and a handful of others. Do
you believe that Andy was sick, now, Bev? Do you?! You
can call off the dogs now, Bev. Andy died. He is dead.
But you told everyone that he wasn't really sick.
People accused him of not being sick. Even some of
Andy's best "friends."
Andy - we will not be the same without you. You were a
kind and gentle soul. A dear and sweet and brilliant
and savvy man.
You were like a brother to me. I cannot believe that
you are gone. Please call me and tell me that it is
not true. Please come back and be with us.
We LOVE you, Andy. We will carry your spirit around
with us in our hearts and minds and in our actions,
fighting for verified elections, for voter-verified
paper ballots - for valid recounts, for counting every
vote, every time.
My dear sweet soul. My friend and companion and
champion and comrade. You did not go quietly into the
night, and neither will we.
With love we hold you in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Susan
Proud to be your friend