Remembering Reeder

[debiannj]

I am a friend of Reeder's. I wanted to tell you that he is in critical condition due to illness in a hospital near his home and is not expected to live. I know to many of you, Reeder was a pain in the ass, but he is really a wonderful person. If he does make it, he will have debilitating brain damage.

Those of you who pray, please send up a prayer for him and his family, and those of you who do not, please at least keep them in your thoughts.

I contacted Tubadiva earlier, and will keep her informed, but if it happens, it will probably be sometime this week.

He and his family need all the thoughts and prayers they can get to help them through whatever happens this week.

[Squink]

Well that sucks.

[Bob Ducca]

I don't know Reeder, but my thoughts go out to his family and friends in this time. I hope for the best but if the worst comes, I wish him peace and comfort.

[Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor]

Luck to you, Reeder.

[The Second Stone]

I don't know or remember him, although I've seen his name mentioned. I love people who are pains in the ass. Particularly at a distance. He and his family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[wring]

My thoughts to him as well.

[Miller]

That's sad to hear. Best wishes to his friends and family.

[Typo Negative]

Best wishes, Reeder.

[Khadaji]

May whatever gods there be, be with him and his family.

[MoodIndigo1]

Best wishes to Reeder and his family. This is so sad.

[faithfool]

Keeping him in my thoughts. {{{Reeder}}}

[Revtim]

Man, I'm sorry to hear this. My best wishes to him and his friends and family.

[BrainGlutton]

Whom or what are we Pitting here?

[Biggirl]

Whom or what are we Pitting here?
Perhaps this person knows the Pit was Reeder's second home.

[Captain Amazing]

Well, that's certainly unfortunate. My hopes and prayers to him, his family, and his friends.

[Giraffe]

I think this is more appropriate for MPSIMS.

[lavenderviolet]

I'm sorry to hear about this. All my best wishes to him and those of you who love him.

[Chimera]

I remember Reeder. My thoughts are with him.

[eleanorigby]

I am sorry to hear this. I didn't agree with Reeder on a lot of things, but I wish him well.

[wisernow]

My best wishes to him and his family, though seriously I am not sure what I should wish for him when you say that even if he survives it will be with some serious brain damage.

What exactly is the nature of the illness? Just curious.

[Tuckerfan]

So, Reeder, who was probably one of the most vocal of all of us who are upset with Bush, will quite possibly live long enough to see the end of the Bush Administration, or if he does, will be incapable of comprehending it. I'm just going to have to say that Sarte was wrong about Hell being other people, then. I can't think of too many things worse than what Reeder and his friends and family are going through right now. I hope that he makes a full recovery, or is at least able to hang on to enough of his faculties to be able to see and understand Obama being sworn in.

[Dangerosa]

On the internet, its easy to have fun being a pain in the ass - and that does not mean you aren't a wonderful person. In fact, some of my favorite people are both wonderful and pains in the ass. Best wishes to Reeder and his family and friends.

[Shodan]

Vaya con Dios, Reeder, and I will pray for your family.

You know what might make a nice memorial, if it were possible? Resurrect his first Bush-bashing thread, and let it be the last one before Bush leaves office. Let old Reeder have the last word.

I think he would have liked that better than flowers.

Regards,
Shodan

[twickster]

Sad news. He and those who love him are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Maeglin]

Safe travels, Reeder.

[Shagnasty]

I remember him well and I wish for the best of all possible outcomes for both him and his family.

[ivylass]

What horrible news. This libertarian/conservative is sending get better quick thoughts like mad.

[silenus]

We're keeping the flame alive, Reeder. God be between you and harm in all the empty places where you must walk.

[NurseCarmen]

If he lives with debilitating brain damage, would he become a Republican?

I'm hoping to get away with that one in honor of Reeder.

[Shayna]

Sending my best wishes to Reeder and his friends and family.

[Guinastasia]

Oh man...that's awful. I don't know what else to say, other than my thoughts and prayers are with Reeder and his family.

(And Reeder, if you can see this-YES WE DID!!! :D)

[magellan01]

Reader was before my time, but he seems to have pissed a lot of people around her off, so he must be a good guy. Could someone, in a sentence or two, share what his outlook was? For some reason I thought he was a staunch Republican, but Shodan's response doesn't jive with that. So I must be mistaken.

Whatever it is, I like Shodan's idea of a tribute. Does anyone know if he was elderly? Or did he have an accident.

Regardless, my best wishes are with him and his family.

[The Batman]

Magellan01: From what I remember, he was basically Anti-Bush Administration during a time when even this board was giving hm the benefit of the doubt about the impending (at the time) Iraq War. His posting style was also somewhat annoying to some. His OPs consisted of little more than a sentence bashing Bush plus a link.

I liked the guy. I didn't exactly agree with some stuff he posted but I still think his banning was very unnecessary. If he registered for the first time today but still posted the same stuff he would mostly be lost in the chatter.

[Tuckerfan]

Reader was before my time, but he seems to have pissed a lot of people around her off, so he must be a good guy. Could someone, in a sentence or two, share what his outlook was? For some reason I thought he was a staunch Republican, but Shodan's response doesn't jive with that. So I must be mistaken.

Whatever it is, I like Shodan's idea of a tribute. Does anyone know if he was elderly? Or did he have an accident.

Regardless, my best wishes are with him and his family.He once started a Pit thread about one of Bush's daughters sticking her tongue out. (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=267476) His pittings generally consisted of a link, and one line about how horrible Bush was, with little else.

[Derleth]

His posting style was also somewhat annoying to some. His OPs consisted of little more than a sentence bashing Bush plus a link.That, and he'd get an ungodly number of threads going at once. Before he was banned there were limits on how many Bush-bashing threads he could start at any one time, mainly to convince him to consolidate his one-liners into a single, more substantial OP.

So he was annoying here. He was still interesting enough to get worked up over and intelligent enough to be worth debating. It's better to be annoying but interesting than inoffensive and dull. I'll miss Reeder.

[Miller]

Reader was before my time, but he seems to have pissed a lot of people around her off, so he must be a good guy. Could someone, in a sentence or two, share what his outlook was? For some reason I thought he was a staunch Republican, but Shodan's response doesn't jive with that. So I must be mistaken.

Reeder was so rabidly anti-Bush that he couldn't get along with people on the Straight Dope. Think about that one for a minute.

[Hunter Hawk]

I'll admit that his multitude of one-line OPs were a bit over the top, but I still miss him. My best wishes to him and his family.

[magellan01]

Thanks for the info, all. Here's an idea. Why not, as tribute to him (maybe along with Shodan's), unban him immediately? Seems like it would be a nice gesture that wouldn't cost the SDMB anything.

I hereby propose this. Seconded, anyone?

[norinew]

Though I may have disagreed with him much of the time, this still sucks. This isn't a situation I'd wish on anyone.

Best wishes to Reeder and all his friends and family!

[Larry Mudd]

Aw, hell.

I'm really sorry to hear this. :(

[elelle]

Vaya con Dios, Reeder, and I will pray for your family.

You know what might make a nice memorial, if it were possible? Resurrect his first Bush-bashing thread, and let it be the last one before Bush leaves office. Let old Reeder have the last word.

I think he would have liked that better than flowers.

Regards,
Shodan

This is quite good Regards, Shodan, beautiful.

Peace to you, Reeder, and all prayers for you and family.

[Rhythmdvl]

Reeder hated Bush
Sharing his views with The Dope
So many Pit threads



:(

I hope there is peace.

[Ruby]

:(

link (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=501650)

Where's that wry smiley when you need one?

[leander]

So sorry to hear this Reeder.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[dogbutler]

MY prayers go out to Reeder and his family.

[Archergal]

Best wishes, Reeder.

[Happy Lendervedder]

Godspeed.

[faithfool]

debiannj, I realize it's not much, but is there anyway we could get information to send him a card or something? And thanks for letting us know.

[janis_and_c0]

My thoughts and prayers are with reeder and his loved ones.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Reeder is also a Vietnam vet. Something he didn't talk about much, but which should probably be remembered now.

Peace, Reeder. You left a mark here. Your papering of the Pit with multiple Bush-bashing threads had its own, strange, satirical value.

[Banquet Bear]

...best wishes to Reeder and his family.

[Marley23]

I'm sorry to hear about this, for him and his family. Nobody who read the boards regularly while Reeder was here is going to forget about him, that's for sure.

[FriarTed]

Glad to see this thread is active in both forums:

Prayers & best wishes to Reeder from this unreformed C'tian Righty.

[phouka]

I'm so sorry. I hope Reeder recovers. I remember thinking he set the standard for me for just how bad the Bush presidency had become when I realized that nearly all of his dire predictions from just after the 2000 election came true.

[chorpler]

Well, this is just plain awful. Here's hoping for the best, and that his family is able to get through this.

:(

[Sunspace]

Oh man.

Whatever happens, Reeder, may you find peace and rest. Recovery, too, if possible.

It's all too easy to forget that behind the words we read here are actual living breathing human beings...

[Ellen Cherry]

I'm very sorry to hear about Reeder. Prayers for him and his family.

[Anaamika]

He and his family are in my thoughts. Poor Reeder. I remember him well.

[Ceejaytee]

I'm so very sorry to hear about this. I wish him and his family well.

[Equipoise]

Too bad I missed this thread before it got out of the Pit. I'm so angry right now. Why does this kind of thing happen to good people, when people who are composed mainly of slime live and prosper?

Reeder was my favorite poster before he got banned. He was unfairly vilified WHEN HE WAS RIGHT ALL ALONG regarding just about everything he bitched about. I can't think of anything he wasn't dead on right about, though I didn't read all of his posts.

Thank you for letting us know debiannj.

[Hanna]

So sorry. :(

[GingerOfTheNorth]

Good luck, Reeder. Thank you for your service to your country.

[Quartz]

That name rings a big bell. Agree with him or disagree with him, I would not wish his condition on anyone. Thanks for letting us know. Fingers crossed that he survives and that the mental incapacity is slight.

[dalej42]

I remember him. I'm going to also keep him in my prayers.

[Really Not All That Bright]

Best of luck, Reeder. Everyone else finally came to understand what you knew all along.

[artemis]

I also remember Reeder, and am very sad to hear this news. Best of luck to him, and to his family.

[Squink]

Everyone else finally came to understand what you knew all along.Well, except for the 75% of Republicans who still think that Bush is the Bees Knees, but who's counting?

[koeeoaddi]

I'm so sorry to hear this. Best wishes to Reeder and his family.

[Zebra]

Peace man.

[Contrapuntal]

:(

link (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=501650)
???

[fluiddruid]

Best wishes to you and Reeder, and your family.

[TubaDiva]

Debiann just IMed me to say that Reeder passed away last night.

If his family publishes a public obituary I'll post a link here.

God's blessings on Reeder, his family, his friends, and all those who loved him.

Jenny

[Jack Batty]

Damn. What a bummer.

[Sunspace]

Awwwww. :(

[lieu]

How sad. Farewell, Reeder, and God bless.

[Cisco]

Goddamn I really hate to hear that :(. I liked Reeder and think about him while reading a lot of threads. In fact I made a comparison of myself to him in a thread not too long ago.

[debiannj]

Reeder passed away last night around 8 PM with his wife and children by his side. He had been dealing with complications of liver disease, Central Pontaine Mylenosis, and his last illness of Endocarditis. In the end, the infection was too strong and it shut down his body.

He would have liked reading that some of you that disagreed with him now say he was right all along, and he wanted to see Obama sworn in. One of the few things he did respond to while hospitalized was when he was asked about Bush, he said he didn't like him.

Reeder was proud to say he was a Nam vet, but he didn't talk much about it. But I saw the tears in his eyes when he walked through the Vietnam Memorial. His biggest fear was that Iraq would become another Vietnam. As much as he disagreed with the war, he supported the men and women who served their country.

I don't come here very often, and when I did before he was banned, I mostly read and posted very few times. I know that Reeder was happy here, especially when he got people riled up. He said it made them think.

At this point, I don't know what his family is planning to do. I know someone said they wanted to send a card to his family. I don't know if I can post an email address - but you can email me at i_told_u_so at comcast.net and I can give you more information that way if that's what you wish.

The best tribute to him that I can think of is to keep an eye on your government and question anything you don't agree with. He firmly believed that we had a duty to tell the government what we wanted, and at times, where to go. :D

Pardon anything not spelled right. He told me once that if I posted here, to make sure I spelled things right, even though he always got to and too mixed up. I gave him hell about that. :D

I will miss my best friend.

[Shark Sandwich]

Thanks for the update debiannj.

Cheers Reeder, and safe travels.

[GingerOfTheNorth]

My condolences.

[The Composer]

My condolences.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

[Marley23]

Sorry to hear about this, debiannj. Agree or disagree, stylistic objections or no, Reeder was an unforgettable part of this board and it's a shame his friends and family won't have him around.

I'm going to combine this thread with your first one and make up a new title, just to everybody can stay up to date.

[Ferret Herder]

Thank you for the update; I think even our most alert grammar and spelling mavens will give you a pass on any errors. (Today, at least. ;) )

I am very sorry for your loss, and hope that healing will come in time to you, his family, and the others who he touched in his life.

[Annie-Xmas]

Very very sad :(

[Happy Lendervedder]

My condolences. Too bad he couldn't have witnessed the transfer of power next Tuesday.

[Shayna]

Damn. Yet another person who should've lived to see Obama sworn in (and bush escorted out [wishful thinking: on his ass]).

My condolences to you and his family.

[lavenderviolet]

My condolences on his passing. Even though I didn't agree with him, I respect the fact he wanted to speak up about his strong convictions and make people think. He seems like he would have been quite a character to know in real life. :) I noticed that he kept visiting this board even after being banned (according to his profile), so it seems like it must have meant something to him. He'll certainly be remembered around here.

[Cajun Man]

My sincere condolences.

[ivylass]

Reeder passed away last night around 8 PM with his wife and children by his side.

That's all any of us can hope for...that we live a life such that there will be people who will miss us when we're gone.

Reeder's loved ones are in my thoughts.

[Really Not All That Bright]

How bittersweet. Godspeed, Reeder, and thank you, debianj.

[Khadaji]

debiannj, my sincere condolences to you for the loss of your friend - and to his family as well. Nothing that I say here will lessen the pain, but you are in my thoughts.

[yojimbo]

That's very bad news.

I so sorry you lost your mate. Best mates can't be replaced.

He fought the good fight. A lot of the time he did it stupidly but by god did he fight.

What a pity he couldn't see Bush go :(

This one's you him.

Fuck Bush!

[Revtim]

I'll lift a drink to you tonight, friend Reeder. Peace to you and your loved ones.

[gigi]

I will miss my best friend.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm glad you had this "wonderful person" in your life.

[Mr. Moto]

The anonymity of this place brings out the worst in people a lot of times.

Reeder's offline friends are saying what a great guy he was, but because of our ideological differences, I wasn't able to see this side of him. To him I was just a Bush supporter to attack - and his over the top behavior here just led be to blow off his arguments most times and not engage him very much.

I'm sure if I had met him offline I would have liked him better - I get along with just about everyone. I regret the fact that this wasn't possible, and send my condolences to those he did love and who loved him back.

I'm not going to post here how much I liked Reeder or how right he was - nobody would believe that coming from me. I am sorry he's gone, and maybe this should remind a lot of us, especially those of us who disagree, to look past the political positions and try to learn about the people posting them.

[kittenlm]

:( Bye Reeder

[faithfool]

Damn. My thoughts are with you and the rest of his loved ones. :(

[Hal Briston]

Oh geez...I just noticed this thread. Godspeed, Reeder, and sincere condolences to your friends and loved ones.

[Kyla]

My sincere condolences to Reeder's family and friends.

I'll be thinking of him next Tuesday.

[rocking chair]

may his memory be eternal.

[chorpler]

Thanks for the update, debiannj. My condolences to you and to Reeder's family. We'll make sure to keep an eye on things for him.

ETA: Forgot to say, I think that was a very nice post, Mr. Moto.

[ivylass]

Is there a link to a funeral home where we can post our condolences for the family?

[Larry Borgia]

R.I.P. Reeder. Sorry you didn't make it to 1/20/2009. My condolences to friends and family.

That was a nice post Mr. Moto. Sometimes I think the internet brings out our most obnoxious sides.

[Left Hand of Dorkness]

My condolences.
Daniel

[pseudotriton ruber ruber]

A damned shame. Now he can post about Bush all he wants...

[runner pat]

A damned shame. Now he can post about Bush all he wants...

I like to think he's preparing a special welcome for Bush when he meets him next.

My condolences to Reeder's family and friends.

[overlyverbose]

Rest in peace, Reeder. You were a hell of a lot of fun to disagree with and even though you were over the top sometimes (or even most of the time), the world is a sadder place without knowing you're there somewhere.

[eleanorigby]

debiannj, you wrote a nice tribute to a good friend. I feel I know Reeder a bit better now (I didn't realize he had served in Vietnam). Linking to those threads gave me a clearer picture of him--I had actually confused him in my memory with another Doper--and I tend to agree with him in essentials. I will do my part to keep my government accountable to me and mine, as we all should.


How old are his kids? :(

[Absolute]

I am so sorry to hear this.

[gardentraveler]

Condolences to you debbianj and to Reeder's family.

May he rest in peace.

GT

[Guinastasia]

Oh man-that's awful.

I don't know what else to say that doesn't sound trite or routine, other than no one should have to go so young. :(

[dogbutler]

My condolences.

[The Second Stone]

Reeder passed away last night around 8 PM with his wife and children by his side. He had been dealing with complications of liver disease, Central Pontaine Mylenosis, and his last illness of Endocarditis. In the end, the infection was too strong and it shut down his body.


I'm very sorry to hear this. These are three deadly diseases, any one of which could kill someone.


I'm not going to post here how much I liked Reeder or how right he was - nobody would believe that coming from me. I am sorry he's gone, and maybe this should remind a lot of us, especially those of us who disagree, to look past the political positions and try to learn about the people posting them.

Dude, I disagree with almost everything you post, but it doesn't make me think any less of you, I love disagreeing. People who get deeply into politics on message boards do it because they believe that talking will make the world a better place. And its always more fun to do it in person.

[susan]

Thanks for letting us all know, and condolences to his friends and family.

[NicePete]

RIP Reeder.

[Ruby]

:(

link (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=501650)

Where's that wry smiley when you need one?

???

Just a poor attempt at humor in a humorless situation. I was poking fun at Reeder's reputation of one-line OPs with a link.

RIP Reeder. You will be missed.

[Drain Bead]

I like to think he's preparing a special welcome for Bush when he meets him next.

My condolences to Reeder's family and friends.

I like to think that he and Bush won't end up in the same place, if you know what I mean.

[Miller]

I like to think that he and Bush won't end up in the same place, if you know what I mean.

I dunno. I kinda think Reeder's idea of heaven would include getting to tell Bush to his face what he thinks of him. And Bush's hell would be having to listen to him.

[runner pat]

I like to think that he and Bush won't end up in the same place, if you know what I mean.

For Reeder, Heaven would be to torment Bush for all eternity.

For Bush, Hell would be to be Reeder tormenting him for all eternity.

[runner pat]

Miller, how did you sneak in there?:D

[Miller]

Ninja training.

[Earl Snake-Hips Tucker]

So, I take it there's been no published obit yet. OooooK.

[OtakuLoki]

I just saw this today. I'm sorry to hear about Reeder.

My condolences to his family and friends.

[Earl Snake-Hips Tucker]

Obit (http://www.the-dispatch.com/article/20090119/OBITUARIES/901182984/1001). I think this is accurate.

[debiannj]

Here is Reeder's obit (http://www.the-dispatch.com/article/20090119/OBITUARIES/901182984/1001).

Debiannj

[Quartz]

For Reeder, Heaven would be to torment Bush for all eternity.

Despite his vitriol, I think he'd pass on that.

[Tamerlane]

RIP, Reeder.

[Baldwin]

I remember Reeder. Sometimes his posts simply baffled me, even though I agreed with his general outlook. He helped keep things interesting.

debiannj, thanks for letting us know. I wish peace and comfort for you and Reeder's family. I also hope you stick around the Dope, if you feel like it.

Next time I'm preparing to insult somebody on the SDMB, I'll stop and remember that behind that username there's a person with a face, with feelings, and with a life that they're living as well as they know how.

[Eliahna]

Reading the obit, I realise Reeder is the poster I just randomly wondered about just yesterday - "I wonder if that guy's daughter went ahead and named her daughter Echo?".

That's the only interaction I remember with him, though his name is very familiar to me. It's very sad to hear of his passing, especially at such a young age. My condolences to his family.

[neutron star]

Oh, God damn. :(

I'd been away from the boards for a few days up until yesterday, and hadn't seen this thread until now.

Damn. :(

I liked Reeder. Well, I mean, not always, but you know...

He had a powerful personality that wasn't always easy to disagree with, but you could tell that he was a great guy underneath.

I'm so sorry.

[Hunter Hawk]

Damn, I missed the update that he'd passed away :(

I've made a donation to the ACLU in his memory.

[NurseCarmen]

Crap. I did a search for Reeder just to see if he made it long enough to see Bush's helicopter taking off that one last time. No fair. I'm sure he would have loved it.

[ShibbOleth]

While he would have been happy to see the end of the Bush years, I think he would have been even more tickled at how the Obama era has kicked off.

[Count Blucher]

I'm sorry for the Boards (and this world's) loss. If there's an afterlife, I know that the cheers / jeers going through the crowd as that helicopter rose would have made him smile.

[Hostile Dialect]

I can't bear to read this thread. My own pain is still too raw. Suffice it to say that Reeder will always live on in my own political consciousness and in the hearts of those who knew and loved him IRL.

[jsgoddess]

I'm sorry to learn of Reeder's passing. So sorry.

[E-Sabbath]

I'm sorry. I've been avoiding this thread because it had too much of a chance to be a gotcha.


Reeder made a strong impact on a lot of lives. He may have been the person who made me change my opinion on the war. He will be remembered. May he find what he seeks.