Andrew Breitbart, the controversial conservative commentator and self-styled investigative journalist, has died of natural causes at the age of 43 according to media reports taken from his websites. We wish to extend our sincere condolences to his family and all who loved him.
Breitbart was behind the discredited Acorn Pimp'n'Ho sting, the Shirley Sherrod controversy, and "leaking" a photo of former Rep. Anthony Weiner's penis, among other things, and was a frequent guest on Fox News Channel. Updates and commenting guidelines after the jump.
Commenting guidelines: Facts are fine but nastiness will not be tolerated. Please remember that a family have lost their husband and father. We reserve the right to remove or edit any comment we feel crosses the line of common decency.
Update 1: According to this report, Breitbart was out walking after midnight Thursday morning when he suddenly collapsed. He had experienced heart problems last year, according to his father-in-law, Orson Bean.
Update 2: The coroner says no final cause of death has been established as he has yet to examine the body. An autopsy will be performed. (sourced at 1:52 PM EST).
I also find it a bit ironic that our comments must be tempered but there are other postings that talk about how Breitbart’s record is being “sanitized.” If Breitbart’s record needs to be “sanitized” (and that is worth not one, but two, posting, then it seems that there really shouldn’t have been anything considered beyond the pale.
And, given the right-wing hate-filled commentary following Ted Kennedy’s death, only allowing “nice” comments over Breitbart’s death simply furthers the notion that progressives and liberals are nothing but wimps. (And considering some of the right-wing’s attacks on Barack Obama and his family—and I mean the truly vile, hate-filled comments—I, for one, am tired of playing “Mr Nice Guy” when it comes to the right. If they can dish it out, they need to put on their big-boy pants and accept it when it comes back their way.)
Agree completely. I’m reminded of Lee Atwater, the political operative who destroyed Michael Dukakis in 1988 . . . like Breitbart, he died young (at 40 from a brain tumor); Atwater publicly acknowledged and apologized for his actions shortly before his death, I can only hope Brietbart found similar peace, at least privately.
Condolences to his family.
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This whole thing has gotten Ghoulish. I’m about to hand it over at work because I can’t stand to see any more of this behaviour. I’ll probably still read articles and threads that keep it clean, but seriously… a lot of people need to take a step back and look at where this has put them.
A LOT.
Andy is resting now. He’s at peace. Whatever demons that was fighting inside him are gone. RIP Andy. It was a good fight until the end.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/people-who-think-president-obama-killed-andrew-bre
I’ve also found people spreading the rumour on Fox News, Fox Nation, Facebook and RW blogs.
It’s beyond disgusting to see people try making lies about his death into a talking point. I mean, good GAWD people!
Following Fox News personalities is like watching the beatification of Breitbart in real time.
With all my love,
Aunty Em
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2012/03/01/huffington-drudge-and-beck-on-andrew-breitbarts-death/