A number of readers emailed me about this story on the passing Sunday of Fred Thompson. I agree, it’s worth a read.
But for me, his passing is a personal blow. I had the privilege of working for Fred Thompson back in 2009-2010 when he had a nationally syndicated radio show on Westwood One. They paid me money to listen to his show every day and keep the show’s website updated.
Best job I ever had.
I never talked to Fred on the phone, but I did exchange emails with him from time to time. And there were even a few precious occasions when, during a show, I’d email him something that I hoped was funny, and he’d read it on the air and actually laugh out loud.
Yeah, I made Fred Thompson laugh. And that thought makes me flush with joy.
I will miss him. He was a good man.
Anyway, I’m taking this a little harder than I thought I would, so I’m gonna sit out posting for the rest of the day.
Meanwhile, these four things:
1) Frank J’s Fred Thompson Facts (which Fred both knew about and loved)
2) Some videos I made from the Lightning Round segment of Fred’s radio show
3) Fred leaves behind a widow and two young children. If you’ve ever considered buying Fred’s memoir, “Teaching the Pig to Dance“, now would be a good time.
4) Fred used to refuse to criticize the recently dead, saying “when God puts his hand on a man, I take my hand off”. Go ahead & say something nice about Fred in the comments.
“When God puts his hand on a man, I take my hand off”
Remembering that will make me a better person. Thanks, Fred.
So sad to hear about this yesterday. He really had a great sense of humor, which was just cool. I’m definitely keeping Jeri and her children in my prayers.
His passing does feel sudden. Wasn’t he just making his characteristically wry and on-target comments on current events?
What surprised me was how often he was cast in movies as a bad guy. He had such a wonderful, oiled-leather voice and screen presence that I’d have always cast him as the one-up-on-everyone-else sage type.
His death is a loss, to a nation with dwindling public resources of sagacity.
My dad met him in Carthage, TN one day. Dad told Fred he didn’t like Fred’s opponent for one reason or another, and Fred said, “I don’t either. That’s why i’m running against him!”
As a Tennessean, Fred Thompson really embodied the Southern Gentleman stereotype. He is a politician that will be missed.
I know most of what Jackie and Dunlap (Red State Update) is a put-on and they’re not as conservative as they act but they did a great job making Fred Thompson a positive part of their act.
I liked his radio show and it seemed to to well in my town, I liked his movies, he was so good in Law and Order that even the leftists there had to keep him on. I don’t know as much about his political career as I would like so maybe I’ll find out.
Maybe they’ll have a Law and Order marathon in his honor. On multiple channels. For all eternity.
RIP Fred….but now I cant get he Law & Order doink out of my head. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP3MuUTmXNk
Ted Nugent wears Fred Thompson pajamas. I want a pair too. God bless, & thanks, Harvey.
I could be wrong, but I don’t think Senator Thompson ever carried any malice in his heart toward anyone. When combined with his singular wit and deep understanding of our Constitution, I always wanted him in the oval office – just to bring his spirit there for everyone to appreciate and follow. He would have made a really fine President – old school.
@8 – The only thing Fred Thompson really hated was the fact that Hillary was never held accountable for Benghazi. He never stopped slamming her on that. For example, this Tweet from 9-18:
Undercover vid shows Hillary staffers violating voter registration laws.Well looky there…trouble Hillary really CAN blame on a video #tcot
Hard to express how certain peoples passing leaves you feeling, having never met them you feel you knew them, will never forget them. Fred seemed to be someone who gave so much but never gave in, humbled only by love and faith. A life singularly lived life if ever there was one, with many who mourn in different ways, miss him for different reasons. Goodbye, Fred.
Found this amongst the list of Fred Thompson facts. Thank goodness scientists were wrong!
“* Scientists predict that when Fred Thompson dies he’ll explode taking out the five nearest planets before collapsing into a black hole.”
Fred Thompson is the only politician to ever get a campaign contribution from me.
Of course, he grabbed me by the ankles through the internet and shook the gold from my fillings.
That’s just Fred being Fred, though.
RIP
I remember the criticism many Conservatives had of him regarding “no fire in the belly” during the 2008 campaign.
Well, turns out he wasn’t well the whole time and had cancer in the belly (so to speak). 🙁
Fred Thompson isn’t really dead, he’s just hunting hippies in stealth mode.
/He’ll be missed
Fred Thompson didn’t die; he just realized how unworthy we are as a species to have him among us.
I too was sadden to learn of his passing. And now I’m sorry for your loss too Harvey.
A great loss. I loved his performance in the debate when he refused to
raise his hand like a child. It always made me sad for the nation
watching those reverse mortgage commercials he did knowing that he
should be the man in the White House and that Big Ears should be the one
doing the commercials. The Nation will surely pay for that.
In the meantime, the punching of hippies must go on….
Only politician I ever gave money to.
And will remain the only, because after he stopped playing a presidential candidate on TV, John McCain called back asking for more money, said I already gave to him.
We’re all poorer with out his urbane, genteel wit.
Charlie Mike.