In Memoriam Cathy Seipp
It is with great sadness that I learned a few moments ago that blogger Cathy Seipp passed away earlier today. I had met her at several gatherings of L.A. bloggers as well as at a number of events, including a tribute to her last September. She has been on our blogroll soon after I discovered her blog, ironically in a listing of “must-read” blogs in the Advocate in 2005.
I liked her from the moment first met her in April 2005. I recall how she laughed when I told her I her how I had discovered her blog and learned that despite her listing in the gay & lesbian biweekly, she herself was not a lesbian. I believe it was the night after I met her that I first listed her on our blogroll.
She maintained her good spirits even as she became increasingly aware of her approaching death. Diagnosed five years ago with lung cancer, she remained upbeat until the end, writing when she could, ever attentive the needs of her friends and family, particularly her daughter Maia.
And she was a pioneer in the blogosphere.
Others have offered better tributes than I ever could. Pajamas offers a list of those paying tribute. The LA Times‘ obituary is here. Perhaps because of her political differences with Cathy, Susan Estrich’s tribute is among the most touching. She described the late blogress exactly as I experienced her, “Smart, funny, tough, loving.” Cathy, as Estrich put it, “was a conservative by choice, not by upbringing, and she delighted in exposing liberals for their elitism and insensitivity.“
She was a truly independent voice on the right, slave to no ideology, calling things as she saw them, always speaking her mind, always with insight and frequently with passion. While I am fortunate to have met her, I regret that I didn’t have much time to get to know her.
As we mourn her death and pray for her and her family, I, a man of faith, ask the question so many believers have long asked, the question Rabbi Harold Kushner addresses in his book, When Bad Things Happen to Good People. It is so sad when such a powerful voice is silenced at such a young age, when a good woman dies, denying her family and friends her companionship and her ideas, her wit and her wisdom and above all, the comfort of her presence.
Cathy Seipp will be sorely missed.
As a tribute to this late, great lady, please join me in making a contribution in her name to the Lung Cancer Alliance.
- B. Daniel Blatt (GayPatriotWest@aol.com)
UPDATE: In her touching tribute to Cathy, neo-neocon writes:
There’s an ancient Talmudic saying that when anyone saves a single life it is as though he saves a world. The reverse seems true as well: that whenever anyone departs from this life, it is as though we lose a world.
That about sums it up.
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Rest in Peace, Young Lady.
Comment by markie — March 21, 2007 @ 10:38 pm - March 21, 2007
The power of the blogosphere, although I never met Cathy in person, I feel as if I have lost a close friend.
Comment by Leah — March 21, 2007 @ 10:59 pm - March 21, 2007
As I grow older more and more relatives and friends are being diagnosed or worrying about cancer. I have a cousin fighting colon cancer, and ex’s father fighting recurrent prostate cancer, another ex’s mother recuperating from colon cancer surgery, a best friend who just lost his mother to brain cancer and that same best friend just told me his father has esophageal cancer. Tonight, we learn that John Edwards and his wife have a press conference tomorrow to discuss her health following a doctor’s visit today. Elizabeth Edwards is of course a breast cancer survivor. Fortunately, cancer doesn’t appear in my immediate family; instead we tend to drop dead from heart attacks. I will say this: take care of your health and get checked regularly for cancer when it’s recommended. And guys, remember, when you turn 50, get a colonoscopy and a psa test.
Comment by Ian — March 21, 2007 @ 11:53 pm - March 21, 2007
[...] Original post by GayPatriotWest [...]
Pingback by Politics: 2008 HQ » Blog Archive » In Memoriam Cathy Seipp — March 22, 2007 @ 12:02 am - March 22, 2007
I never read Cathy’s blog, but now I wish I did when she was alive. She sounds truly extraordinary.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — March 22, 2007 @ 10:44 am - March 22, 2007
This just in – Politico.com is reporting that John Edwards will be suspending his campaign because Elizabeth has suffered a recurrence of cancer.
Pray for her and her family to have the strength to undergo this crisis.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — March 22, 2007 @ 12:28 pm - March 22, 2007
RE my last posting – Edwards news conference has confirmed Politico.com’s findings. Worst news is that the cancer is inoperable but treatable. The campaign is suspended but not cancelled.
Even though I am no fan of John Edwards or his politics, it is times like these which transcend earthly things. My prayers are with Elizabeth and her family at this time.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — March 22, 2007 @ 12:46 pm - March 22, 2007
#7: The Edwards campaign is going on. Good on him and his wife.
Comment by Ian — March 22, 2007 @ 12:50 pm - March 22, 2007
Leave it to a liberal to show exactly how they view the suffering of others. Whereas conservatives will offer prayers and words of guidance, all the libs care about is the politics.
Reminds me of Sen. Tim Johnson’s condition. Conservatives offered compassion; liberals were hoping it wouldn’t alter the balance of power in the US Senate to the GOP’s advantage.
You ought to be ashamed of yourself. But because you are a liberal, you don’t know the meaning of the word shame. I pity you.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — March 22, 2007 @ 1:09 pm - March 22, 2007
#9: I was correcting your erroneous claim, you dolt. I never mentioned the Edwards campaign until you brought it up and misrepresented its status.
Comment by Ian — March 22, 2007 @ 1:16 pm - March 22, 2007
Look, Ignorant And Nauseating, you are WAY off base criticizing me because Politico’s blogger got it wrong from an EDWARDS source close to the candidate. I merely passed on what the virtual media was saying.
Politico has corrected itself and apologized. But how many times have we caught you telling half-truths, talking points and just flat-out barefaced lies without even the barest hint of YOUR apology?
Libs like you and the NYT get away with lying all the time. But when Drudge, myself or any of the others on this board pass on information that is not quite accurate, are we supposed to be dressed in sackcloth and ashes from that moment onward?
You are one sick individual. The proof of that is in your posting of “good on him.” No mention at all of what his wife is going through.
Go rot.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — March 22, 2007 @ 1:32 pm - March 22, 2007
And BTW – reread my post (or get someone to do it for you since your reading comprehension is below TAAS levels). I said the Edwards campaign was NOT cancelled, but merely suspended. He is still campaigning, okay?
Get over yourself and your holier-than-thou attitude, libtard.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — March 22, 2007 @ 1:34 pm - March 22, 2007
peter you need to grow up. where is your sense?? you take a thread devoted to honoring a person’s life and turn it into something else.
Comment by markie — March 22, 2007 @ 1:44 pm - March 22, 2007
Back to the consolations (if I may):
Cathy Seipp’s name (and bright, optimistic face) popped up from time to time during my many online researches last year, but I never got around to reading her. The outpouring of tributes is astounding. She seems like a good mind and heart, who really did make a difference.
As for Mrs. Edwards, since she chose to write a book that is part campaign memoir as well as part cancer surivor testimony, I certainly think it’s fair game to parse it. (My initial take last year when her book appeared.)
Comment by Jeremayakovka — March 22, 2007 @ 2:15 pm - March 22, 2007
“you take a thread devoted to honoring a person’s life and turn it into something else.”
Pot, meet kettle.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — March 22, 2007 @ 2:19 pm - March 22, 2007
#11: Here is what you claimed:
The time stamp on your comment proves the news conference had already confirmed that the campaign was not being suspended when you made your erroneous claim. By the way, a suspended campaign would mean that he was no longer campaigning.
Conveniently, you leave off the part of my statement “and his wife.” You are pathetic. The Edwards, in stark contrast, are classy people. You could learn from them but I’m not holding my breath.
Your unwarranted attacks on me defile this thread. That’s the last I will say to you on this thread.
Comment by Ian — March 22, 2007 @ 2:28 pm - March 22, 2007
The Useless Idiot speaks again!
Comment by Vince P — March 22, 2007 @ 2:42 pm - March 22, 2007
Good on Susan Estrich for her article. (That’s what’s so good about living in a republic and not an empire or dictatorship.) Reminds me of Maggie Gallagher’s appreciation of Andrea Dworkin.
Comment by Jeremayakovka — March 22, 2007 @ 2:43 pm - March 22, 2007
I’d never heard of Ms. Seipp until Dan mentioned her the other day.
My mom’s brother (she never had) found out the other day that he has spots on his lungs and two tumors on his brain.
I gotta quit smoking. Javier is always bugging me to do so and of course I always ask him when he’s going to get a prostate exam (he hates going to the doctor).
Comment by ThatGayConservative — March 23, 2007 @ 3:08 am - March 23, 2007
#19 You can do it. I was a light smoker for a number of years, but was certainly hooked. My advice: Quit when you really want to, pick a day (perhaps the same day Javier has his exam), use medicine such as gum or a patch. You’ll feel incredible, smell incredible, and will think well of yourself. And you’ll save money.
Comment by HardHobbit — March 23, 2007 @ 10:08 am - March 23, 2007
***There’s an ancient Talmudic saying that when anyone saves a single life it is as though he saves a world. The reverse seems true as well: that whenever anyone departs from this life, it is as though we lose a world.***
That is beautiful.
Comment by LesbianNeoCon — March 23, 2007 @ 2:46 pm - March 23, 2007
LNC, too bad there are others out there who can’t find it in their hearts to be sympathetic to others.
So sad really.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — March 23, 2007 @ 5:28 pm - March 23, 2007
you are one sick individual peter.
Comment by markie — March 23, 2007 @ 6:55 pm - March 23, 2007
#23: Hey markie, you want sick? Here’s what prominent “compassionate conservative” Rush Limbaugh had to say about the Edwards press conference:
This is not some unknown blog commenter, this is the most popular and influential conservative talk show host in the country. This is the face of conservativism today.
Comment by Ian — March 23, 2007 @ 8:44 pm - March 23, 2007
Why does it seem like Lefties spend more time listening to Rush than conservatives?
Comment by Vince P — March 23, 2007 @ 9:25 pm - March 23, 2007
#24
What Ian and the left don’t want you to know is that their own Howard Fineman described the Edwards announcement thus:
Talk about sick??? After the drive-bys frame it as such, what else is should people think of it other than a political move?
Comment by ThatGayConservative — March 24, 2007 @ 2:13 am - March 24, 2007
Vince, I think more libtards listen to Rush than conservatives post at the Huffington blog.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — March 24, 2007 @ 12:30 pm - March 24, 2007
And of course, Ignorant And Nauseating didn’t disappoint with his “analysis” of Rush Limbaugh. Conveniently, he leaves out other commentators like Kelly O’Donnell and Matt Lauer who say the same thing.
Of course, these same libtards were caterwauling when Laura Bush had minor skin cancer treated and they didn’t get a chance to publicize the hell out of it.
Match, set, game. You lose.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — March 24, 2007 @ 12:38 pm - March 24, 2007
Peter: Oh that Laura Bush “coverup” was the silliest freakin thing I ever saw.
here’s a video of the most outrageous behavior of the press when trying to make Tony Snow admit the White House had an evil scheme supressing this news
http://hotair.com/archives/2006/12/20/video-tony-snow-battles-lbds-press-on-importance-of-first-ladys-surgery/
Comment by Vince P — March 24, 2007 @ 12:43 pm - March 24, 2007
Bruce,
You were lucky to have known Cathy.I envy you.Andf I will make a donation in her name.Thanks for the link.
Comment by corwin — March 24, 2007 @ 4:21 pm - March 24, 2007
#28 Now the Edwards’s are rushing to get on 60 Minutiae (sp?) with Couric.
Nope. There’s no cashing in on publicity goin’ on.
And what was the drive-by’s discussions after Johnson’s brain hemorrhage?
“What does this mean for the Democrat’s Senate control?”
Real compassion there. Talk about sick, Ian.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — March 25, 2007 @ 1:22 am - March 25, 2007
#26: Two points. First, Howard Fineman is not one of ours. He’s part of the problematic beltway punditry and MSM that has until recently groveled before Bushco. At best, regarding progressives and Democrats, he’s a concern troll. Second, the difference between what he said and what the drug-addled gasbag spewed is the following: Fineman was describing how some people might react to the Edwards’ announcement while Limbaugh was claiming that it was a cynical ploy on the Edwards’ part. How disgusting but I guess when you lie down with Rovian dogs, you get up with the fleas of political cynicism.
Comment by Ian — March 25, 2007 @ 10:57 pm - March 25, 2007
Ian: I’m beginning to really despise you.
I am so sick of the hate-drumbeat Leftists. It’s distressing how much energy they put into being hateful about totally trivial things meanwhile the disasters in Congress are laying the groundwork for a massive WMD strike on America by Jihadis.
Comment by Vince P — March 25, 2007 @ 11:09 pm - March 25, 2007
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/23/60minutes/main2602308.shtml
In Full: Former jihadist Hassan Butt renounces violence in the name of Islam. He also reveals to Bob Simon recruiting and fundraising techniques he used in his native England.
Comment by Vince P — March 25, 2007 @ 11:13 pm - March 25, 2007
#33:
Like I care? You’re just frustrated that the country has turned decisively against this disastrous occupation and the Administration that got us into it for no good reason. Then there are the scandals like the latest in which it looks like Gonzales will either leave on his own or be impeached. Yet you and others continue blithely on completely detached from reality.
Comment by Ian — March 26, 2007 @ 1:02 am - March 26, 2007
I could care less about some abstract turn of society.
I do care about your immature infantilization of people you don’t like.
All of you on the left do it. I feel my IQ being sucked out of my head each time I have to read it. I’m sick of reading the baby words.
Can any of you write a criticism that doesn’t resort to acting like a spoiled baby?
Give the rest of us a break.
Comment by Vince P — March 26, 2007 @ 1:11 am - March 26, 2007
and what the drug-addled gasbag spewed
I wasn’t aware Al Franken had commented on it.
Fineman was describing how some people might react to the Edwards’ announcement
Fineman was all excited describing how they had politically scored a perfect 10. He was overjoyed at the prospect that Edwards had kick started his campaign. I’m sure he was even more ecstatic that in the 3 hours after their announcement, Edwards raked in $35,000. Face it, the left started the politicization of it just like they did when Johnson had a brain bleed. We see you for what you are and we’re not stupid enough to buy into your spin.
You’re just frustrated that the country has turned decisively against this disastrous occupation and the Administration that got us into it for no good reason.
So why don’t the libs have the guts to defund it? They, allegedly, have the popular support. They supposedly got a mandate in November. Why won’t Pelosi grab her balls and defund it????
Then there are the scandals like the latest in which it looks like Gonzales will either leave on his own or be impeached.
You know, when the libs who created the “scandal” have to admit that nothing illegal happened, it’s not a scandal. What we have are zealous liberals trashing the Constitution (as usual) in a power grab.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — March 26, 2007 @ 1:57 am - March 26, 2007
#37:
Bull. Even GOP Senators are saying Gonzales probably lied to Congress. That happens to be a crime.
Comment by Ian — March 26, 2007 @ 4:21 pm - March 26, 2007
#38 As a followup, it appears some Bushies have discovered the Bill of Rights :
What was that you were saying about “nothing illegal happened?” Folks don’t plead the fifth unless they’re afraid that they might have done something illegal.
Comment by Ian — March 26, 2007 @ 6:42 pm - March 26, 2007
Nothign illegal happened.. but that didn’t stop Scooty from getting prosecuted for lies about conduct during the investigation.
Now the same thing is happening again. The President can fire any of these lawyers for any reason PERIOD.
None of these idiot DOJ people should have responded to Congress in the first place.
I heard one of the “suspicions” is that one of the lawyers filed some paperwork the day before they fired her.
GEE.. IT’S HER JOB TO FILE PAPER (or whatever) EVERY DAY.. WHAT DAY WOULDN’T SHE HAVE BEEN DOING SORT OF HER LAWYERLY TYPE JOB.
Democrats make so illl .. and it gets worse everyday.
Comment by Vince P — March 26, 2007 @ 10:23 pm - March 26, 2007
#39 Folks don’t plead the fifth unless they’re afraid that they might have done something illegal.
BULL. Folks claim they can’t remember or “depends on what the meaning of jizz is” when they know they’ve done something illegal. You can plea the Fifth when you choose not to participate in a liberal game of violating the separation of powers.
And if lying to Congress is a crime, then we should expect to see Valerie Wilson frog-marched in handcuffs any day now, no?
Comment by ThatGayConservative — March 27, 2007 @ 2:27 am - March 27, 2007