I'm afraid I have to be the bearer of some very bad news about The Magistrate

[Lithos]

100. Rest well my friend.

I worked closely with The Magistrate when I joined him in moderating the Israeli/Palestinian Forum at Jack Rabbit's retirement. The I/P forum at the time was unlike any other forum and prone to intense and personal flame wars between the various members. The topics and nuances of the situation required not only expertise but also the patience of Job. James was all of that and more. He was always fair, and no matter how heated the thread was, even if it was personally directed, he maintained a high standard and a sense of decorum.

Like me, he was a long-time student of military history and was very familiar with the many conflicts in the world over time. His passion for aircraft modeling was well-regarded by those in the hobby industry. We had many wonderful conversations about history and living in the 1970s. We talked about our personal lives and grew as friends. He always was a gentleman and a scholar. I am sad I never had the opportunity to meet him in person.

He and I used to quote an old military expression from the Philippine-American wars around 1900 about officers who served on the island of Samar during the fiercest of the campaigns. The allusion refers to the I/P forum.

Please stand for my friend James, "He served on Samar." Pass the bottle saved as a tontine and drink slowly and deeply to a gentleman, scholar, and true bohemian in life. May his memory serve as a blessing.

Rest well, my friend.