Alan Bock, a great freedom writer, went into a hospice yesterday after a long fight with cancer.
Alan has a jovial good nature that is rare in this biz. He can be a hardliner without being abrasive or bitter. In the waning days of the last century (12/27/2000), shortly after the Bush legal team had hustled a victory out of the Supreme Court, he sent me an email: “Dubya will make us free, right? — Alan.” This was typical of how he relied on irony instead of wrath.
The last time I saw Alan, he was visiting DC for a freedom-oriented conference – he and I caught up for dinner at a hamburger joint in Arlington. The beer was better than the burgers, so I put away a few. At one point, Alan casually tossed out the smartest quote I ever heard from a monarch – King Edward’s quip that “a man should never miss a chance to hit the loo.”
Alan did the best book on Ruby Ridge – his 1995 classic, Ambush at Ruby Ridge book – subtitled How Govt Agents Set Randy Weaver Up and Took his Family Down. His 1993 articles were far better than anything else I saw on the subject that year. Alan provided the philosophical and legal framework – as well as the damning facts. Alan never hemmed or hawed or made excuse for killer feds. His work and his courage helped Americans recognize the outrage that had occurred in the mountains of northern Idaho.
I hope things can go as well as possible for he and his wife and family in the time remaining.
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UPDATE: Alan passed away yesterday shortly after entering the hospice.
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Following is a note that Alan’s wife sent out that was reposted today by Lew Rockwell on his blog:
I am very sad to tell you that Alan has suddenly become very weak as a result
of the disease and not the treatment. Therefore, yesterday we had to enter
hospice.
When I explained to Alan what was happening, he was very sad for a moment and
then he instantly said a prayer and asked GOD to make it swift…
So I ask all of you to pray the same prayer for him.
He is not in any pain and is comfortable. Most importantly he is surrounded
and pampered by the family that loves him so dearly.
He is still the kindest, most considerate human being I have ever met…
Thank you all for your love, support, prayers and kind words throughout this
journey.
Aw crap. 🙁
Mr. Bock wrote some of the most consistently cogent things throughout the last two decade’s mad rush into the Unitary Executive and its sordid military consolidation. He was far too young to go and will be missed.