It's Saturday evening, all is quiet, and I can't stop thinking about BartCop.

[WilliamPitt]

I don't have a lot of words for this. His passing hit me in the heart.

All these years of slogging, many of them with voices of the online Left considered irrelevant...until we got a little more notice, and then a little more, and somewhere along the way, we started to throw some weight.

BartCop was the real beginning of that, I believe. He was the pioneer. Every day, day after day. He published me 16 years ago, before anyone had ever heard of me (or had any reason to). A lot of the leading lights of the online liberal community can say the same, as well as the folks who sent him an email which he posted and highlighted. BartCop made me feel like I wasn't crazy, and gave me a megaphone I never would have had otherwise.

He helped me learn to think.

I missed the Beatles craze, but in some odd way, I feel tonight the way Beatles fans felt when they heard that John Lennon had died. Maybe that doesn't make sense, and I apologize if that ruffles any Boomer feathers...but this is what I do, and this is who I am, and BartCop was the first of us. We are because he was.

And he will always be.

[Loudly]

1. If Hillary is elected President, I will definitely be thinking about Bart on election night. n/t

[Loudly]

9. I didn't say I wanted her.

I just know that Bart was a loyal and long-time admirer.

By the way, who's your choice for 2016?

The bench does not seem very deep.

[msanthrope]

11. Bartcop was always a Hilary supporter. nt

[Sheldon Cooper]

14. "get the fuck off this thread"?

Who died and made you king?

[dionysus]

17. if you ever read Bartcop you'd know he was a huge Clinton fan.

[roguevalley]

38. I loved his guts. When everyone else was toning down or hiding, he was blazing

he was brave and good. he spoke truth to power and that cannot be honored enough. I loved him. He was a good, good man. Those are hard to lose.

[LaydeeBug]

57. ^^^this^^^ nt

[progressoid]

2. ...

[shenmue]

3. I liked Bartcop

I didn't always agree with everything he said, but much of the time yes. He was funny and he never gave up.

Rest in peace.

[LeftofObama]

4. I'm sure going to miss him.

This has hit me pretty hard. I remember the first time I read his website and I sent him an email telling him how much I liked it. He posted my email on his site, left my name off of it, and put at the bottom of the post that he needed to stop sending love notes to himself.

Bart is the reason I've become even more liberal over the years. RIP, Bart. I love ya, buddy!

[senseandsensibility]

5. I am kind of a traditionalist at heart

and it took the * "selection" to shake me out of my addiction to the corporate media. When I realized after 2000 that I couldn't trust CNN or any of the other networks anymore it was life altering. At the time, I still read the newspaper everyday and only used a computer if I needed to. But I was desperate for real news. I didn't find it immediately, since I was not into the web. I think I read a book by a guy with a liberal website first, went there, and was directed by a link to Bartcop. He in turn linked to DU. All of this was around 2001-2002. I haven't been the same since, nor will I ever be. Thanks, Bart. Here's to you, man. You will be remembered by many, and you made a difference.

[bigwillq]

6. RIP, BartCop.

Good post, Will.

[KoKo]

8. Understand where you are coming from...and know he was one

One of the FIRST VOICES to SPEAK OUT! (sorry for the shout) and I realize what a loss this is even though folks moved on after Netroots Internet took off ....He is one even this DU'er (who only caught him when I first got onto the internet) does remember.

Those EARLY AGITATORS against the SYSTEM....will always be with us.

Thanks for the personal post on this...and again...sorry for the Full Caps Shout Out...but then...I'm known for that.

(I was a kid that had to shout to be heard...so its some kind of psych thing.)

's And...I hope that your wife's meds got straightened out. You are NOT alone on that with phone trees and bait and switch and being re-directed back and forth. But, with life threatening problems ...this is dreadful and doesn't speak well of our Health Care Industry.

[chemp]

10. BartCop brought me to DU over a decade ago.

I was searching for either rush = asshole, or atheism rants and I stumbled onto Bart.
Bart offered a link to one of the first "top Ten Conservative idiots", and I lurked for a while and stayed.

I do not post often, but I am here every day.

Bart led me to Media Whores (horse), Buzzflash, Mediamatters, and Move on.

I was disgusted with politics during the Clinton Administration. He re-inspired me to my political roots.
He helped me through the Bush Years, as did all of you.

He will be cherished. He will be missed.

[awoke_in_2003]

29. Top Ten Conservative Idiots...

is what brought me here. I think I googled "idiot republicans"

[wickerwoman]

30. Me too.

Right after 9/11 when I felt like I was the only person in the US not taking crazy pills, I started searching for some way to get my news fix without a whopping side of pro-war, American exceptionalism and there was BartCop.

Miss the Horse like hell too

[rickyhall]

12. You're right

I does feel like the morning in 1980 I woke up to all Beatles songs on the U of Ark radio station and wondering why only to find out about John's slaying when I turned on the tv. John had become such a big part of my life for so long as did Bart. I started following BartCop I guess late in 1999, thru that bizarre campaign, stolen election and too long Bush years into Hillary and Obama and on into the Tea Party up to now. I always looked forward to his next post but no more. Sad

[msanthrope]

13. He was very brave, very courageous, and a wonderful person. nt

[Riverman100]

15. exactly

Could not have expressed it better

[dionysus]

16. he was a good dude.

[Puglover]

18. I am hardly a published

anything.

But the day Paul Wellstone died I was devastated and I wrote Bart a note with a remembrance of Paul and Sheila and sent him a pic of Paul and I at the Minnesota State Fair. And damned if he didn't put it in his Wellstone remembrance edition.

He really was a pioneer and a kind man.

[Cleita]

19. It's upsetting that gasbags like Rush Limbaugh make millions

through their racist, misogynist hate speech and a guy like BartCop who spoke the truth through humor couldn't make enough for his efforts to protect his widow from poverty. It shows what side doesn't control the wealth in this country.

[jsr]

54. Lies sell.

Lies always sell better than the truth. Outrageous lies sell the best.

[OKNancy]

20. I read your stuff at Bartcop. I wondered who that writer was.

I did a search... it was primitive back then, and I looked for everything you wrote. Finally I saw your name here.
So I joined in 2001. You were so young! I guess you were still teaching.

Remember those days Will. Don't get jaded and DO NOT get mean. You are a gifted writer but I have noticed an edge lately that bothers me. I can't put my finger on it.

To Bartcop: my fellow Okie/neighbor/and resident of knuckledrag USA.

[Warpy]

21. He seemed to go off the rails for a while during and after the 2008 Hillary War.

and I had tapered off reading him because of it, although I still checked in now and then to get his and other people's take on some of the issues.

But yes, it's like losing a family member. This one hurts.

I missed the Beatles craze, too, only liked their music when they dumped the monkey suits and silly haircuts and started playing their own stuff instead of what their manager thought would sell best. I especially followed Lennon's post Beatles career, which was fantastic, so I was one of the people stunned by his death.

And yes, this one feels much the same, even though a lot of us suspected it was coming sooner rather than later.

[WilliamPitt]

24. Everyone goes off the rails

once in a while.

[Warpy]

26. Oh, please, if I don't go off the rails at least once before noon

it means I've slept in again.

[Sky Masterson]

22. I totally get it.

[edbermac]

23. A blast from the past: Bart's page from Nov 5, 2008.

He had a few shots of chinaco for Obama's election and then took some shots at Bush/Cheney/McCain/Palin.



http://www.bartcop.com/2243.htm

[peace13]

48. Thanks for posting the link.

Brings back old memories. How fun it was to have someone to celebrate with. There was hope right there!

[Hekate]

25. KnR, Will

[beachbum bob]

27. I found bartcop soon after he started his blogging

too bad he couldn't have his own TV show....he, by himself, would have easily destroyed foxnews and the bushco admin

[enough]

28. Funny you mentioning boomers. I'm a pre-boomer (1944), and for me the Beatles

weren't a craze, they were the music. (Though not the only music.)

I can't even remember how I found Bartcop but for me it was his voice. He had a way of writing that was so close to how people actually talked (if they were fantastically smart and funny). This is what I still love about the net at its best, but Bartcop was the first I remember.

In fact, there is some of similarity between hearing about the death of John Lennon and of Bartcop. Except for the element of violence, and relative youth, and no need to compare spirits. I'm not at all offended by your comparison.

PS, There's one other blogger I haven't heard mentioned, but I was also reading BUSHWATCH daily at the same time, though I don't know whether one came before the other.

[elfin]

31. His site was the early portal for so many of us to other sites like DU

Bartcop collated info, links, rants, cartoons and graphics, all enhanced by the founder's PERSONALITY, oh so early in the "www" days.

A pioneer, and this fan is forever grateful and glad I could send a few $ to support.

Whatta guy.

[ReRe]

32. I AM of the Beatle's age...

... and it did feel just like the day John passed. The world stood still. Only way I can describe it is I felt a big hole, a great big space where all the air has been punched out of me. "Shock." Something like this stuns the psyche. I didn't even know he was sick.

But like you, I also got to know him so long ago. Listened to Mike Malloy, checked Bartcop, Buzzflash, WhatReallyHappened, CommonDreams, etc. etc., then came DU. Though I didn't sign up to DU till a year or so ago, I read it every day of my life from 2001 on. Mike Malloy and BartCop was the start of everything for me, online. I had been reading books for years, but finally there was BartCop online.

You're right, BartCop was a trailblazer.

For anyone who hasn't done so, check his website. He left a last note with an important request. Check it out:

http://www.bartcop.com

Also, Mike Malloy took the night off and says he'll be back on Monday. He left a message yesterday at:

http://www.mikemalloy.com

[navarth]

58. Mike Malloy is how I found out about Bartcop.

I'll have to check Mike out, I'm sure this saddens him.

[ReRe]

60. Apparently the death of BartCop...

... was a real punch in the gut, as he already had lost another friend or family member in the past few days. It wouldn't surprise me if he showed up at BartCop's Memorial (today?). I will definitely be listening tomorrow night.

[MuseRider]

33. BartCop was where

I heard of you and then heard of DU. I was not any more than an occasional reader there but feel pretty horrible about this.

[Generic Other]

34. He published my artwork too

I was nobody.





I recall this one caused a stir with some dude from one of those dark sites who turned me in to Disney for copyright infringement. I believed they had put mistakenly put Clinton's face on the poster at ABC, so I just corrected the error. Disney never did get back to me. Guess they appreciated my pointing out the truth.

[hlthe2b]

35. I'm with you, there, William... I'd never gotten through the Bush* years without

Bartcop, MWO, Smirkingchimp, buzzflash, and of course DU--but especially the first and the last.

Time seems to be passing by so quickly and we are loosing so many who made life "bearable" for those of us who fought the regressive policies of the RW.

I only have a bottle of "cheap" tequila, but in honor of BartCop, I just may have to invest in a bottle of his favorite and toast him tomorrow, during the time when his memorial is scheduled.

He was truly a political internet pioneer (and a lifeline to so many). Bless you, Bartcop...

[Journeyman]

36. I didn't miss the Beatles craze, I wept for Lennon, & I am deeply affected by BartCop's passing. . .

so I understand what you're saying.

I found BartCop in those chaotic, open-wound days of the SCOTUS betrayal. I was looking for satire, something to take the edge off and provide ammunition for what I knew would be a disastrous administration.

BartCop was a welcome respite, a chance to catch my breath and begin to measure how much the SCOTUS betrayal had impacted that Nation. He made me laugh. But beyond that, he provided a glimmer of hope, and links to find other kindred souls. He directed me here, to DU. We were all too soon to be reduced to the 10 Percenters, but it was good to be among like-minded friends. And there was always BartCop to return to, a Tree House refuge from the chaos, a fueling station against the madness, and a place where the world continued to make a little sense even in the bleakest moments.

My forays to the Tree House were more sporadic as time passed, and there were months when I didn't go, but it was always reassuring to know he was there, ever agitating against injustices, ever vigilant against hypocrisies, and always loving the good and decent things in life. In a sense, he was a Tom Bombadil in a world that seemed to be descending into madness.

I'm going to miss him. Very much. I just wish he'd had the opportunity to have his debate with Rush.

[Galileo126]

37. A shot of Chinaco is in order

I went for a walk after hearing the news, the news which I dreaded since 20 Feb. Terry's last post was on 18 Feb, and I started to think... "uh oh".

So I walked to a local bar, asked for a shot of Chinaco tequila. The bartender said "huh?". I pointed to the black bottle on the shelf. "Chinaco Negro, por favor."

"Oh." the bartender said. "I'm not Mexican, I'm Cubano."

"Good Mexican Tequila, but same language, no?"

"Si."

"Here's to our old friend Bart, who died recently." I bought 2 shots, with one I offered to the bartender.

"Who's Bart?"

"An old friend I have never met."

He looked at me, puzzled.

We drank the shot.

"Gracias." I said.

I started to walk out...

"Vaya con Dios, mi amigo." he said.

------

Vaya con (non) Dios, Terry Coppage.


RIP Bartcop.

[mountain grammy]

39. A huge loss of a true voice.

[AAO]

40. I will miss Bartcop very much. Unbelievably sad. Hope he's in a better place.

[liberalmuse]

41. Bartcop was a damn good guy.

And a true American and patriot. I started reading him when the Republicans were trying to impeach Clinton. After the 2000 election fiasco, his humor and no-nonsense style was a godsend. I knew that the Republicans were going to steal the election from Al Gore because I read his site and followed his links. I was raised a fundie and totally understood why he was the way he was. I really wish there were a god just so I could say, "God Bless Him". He touched so many lives and I hope angels who look like Shirley Manson are feeding him bixby corn and refilling his shot glass with Chinaco Anejo.

[Stainless]

42. I Can't Get BartCop Out Of My Mind

Thoughts about Bart have been running through my mind for the last month. I started preparing myself for the worst after he published what turned out to be his last page on Feb. 18th. His own words on that day are the last we will ever hear from him. As I said in another thread, only death could silence the "Greatest Blogger Ever". I suspect I will get few arguments from anyone who read his page regularly.

[Javaman]

43. Rest in Peace, Bartcop...

I found Bartcop before I found DU. He helped me get through the 2000 election. I read his site often. I he will be missed dearly but his effect on the blogosphere will last forever.

[byronius]

44. Loved that site. Loved that man. He's an archetype.

Crusty curmudgeonly Human-lover. Not always right, but his heart was always in the right place.

[countryjake]

45. Kick for BartCop!

[Spitfire of ATJ]

46. I got him to reconsider the way he thought about the Travon Martin issue...

http://www.bartcop.com/2849.htm

Subject: Re: A murderer walks free

The cops acted like they were clearing a dead cat off the road.
Spitfire


Good point, and I'd like to say something else.

At first, I disagreed with Obama's saying that if he had a son,
he would've probably looked a lot like Trayvon.

I felt like the slightly-unhinged Left would, in their minds,
make this out to be, "They've killed Obama's son."

Then I thought about it again and it made more sense, that maybe
Obama was trying to say, "Where YOU might see a dark-skinned 'thug'
wearing a hoodie, he also could've been a president's son, so let's not
make assumptions based on the way a person looks."

I think that's what Zimmerman did.

And no matter how you slice it, Zimmerman got in his car that night and went
looking for trouble to "defend" himself against. That's not his job.

Zimmerman sent people out to tell us "He's sorry," but it doesn't matter.
He went LOOKING for trouble.

Remember the movie Death Wish with Charles Bronson?

That's what he did, He loaded up his gun and went walking thru the worst
parts of town in the middle of the night, HOPING some dumbass muggers
would show up up so he could empty his gun into them.

Zimmerman needs to sit inside a steel cage for several years to send the signal
to the rest of the eager-beaver gun squad that just because you "found" what you
think might-be-considered trouble, you can't just start shooting and then claim,
"I was only trying to stand my ground like the law says."

No, asshole, you went looking for someone to murder.


Sidebar:
That stupid "stand your ground" law needs to be amended to say,

"If you are standing on your own property or inside your home..."

We had a lot of back and forths in email. Occasionally he would ask if he could post them to his site.

[peace13]

47. I feel you pain.

This one hits hard. He had such a struggle over the last couple of years. Through it all he could still make us think....and laugh! Peace, kim

[MarianJack]

49. I'm a boomer, Mr. Pitt, and...

...please consider MY feathers to be NOT ruffled!

PEACE!

[Loki]

50. I remember those very early dark days.

Bartcop was a lifeline that became a support network that became a movement. They totally underestimated the force that would become the blogosphere and he was there at its conception. We all are in his debt.

[CherokeeDem]

51. I found Bartcop and Buzzflash....

after the Supreme Court decision and before the inauguration. At some point one of them led me to DU in late January. I lived in Miami at the time, very heavily involved in the Democratic Party there and in the aftermath of the election. I loved Bartcop and I fully understand your reference to Lennon, Will. Bartcop became an icon to our ideals... you didn't have to always agree with him to respect him.

He will be missed.

[PCIntern]

52. I know what you mean...

my vocal "radicalism" was rekindled by the presence of Bartcop and, of course, Media Whores Online. It was the first time in a long time that I had validation of many of my views. Although I hadn't read him for some time, it was the same for me when I had heard that Jean Shepherd had died and I realized that I had not listened to his work in the tail end of his radio days in the mid-70's. (Of course I went out and collected about 1100 of his radio shows to make up for that). I will take some time and read some of what I'd missed at Bartcop's site.

[librechik]

53. I remember years ago when he first got the frightening diagnosis--he shared it with everybody!

RIP, Bartcop!

I hope the page goes on under respectful editorship. What a goldmine of humor and insight!

I rarely visit nowadays (lost the habit during the 08 battle between Hillary and Barrack--Bartcop was a Hillary fanatic!) We'll miss him in 2016.

[WilliamPitt]

55. One last Up

for Terry.

[LaydeeBug]

56. Hopefully many more 'ups'. This has hit me kinda hard too. nt

[8 track mind]

59. I miss him terribly

It's all so strange. No more page updates, no more wit.