Former Spokane mayor James E. West dies (recalled)

[flamingyouth]

Former Mayor James E. West, recalled from office over an Internet sex scandal, died at a Seattle hospital Saturday. He was 55.

The former Republican state senate majority leader died of complications from recent cancer surgery at the University of Washington Medical Center. The longtime legislator was diagnosed with colon cancer in early 2003 that later spread to his liver.

A statement released by the hospital Saturday morning said his family and pastor were at his side. "As a family we wish to thank the caregivers at University of Washington Medical Center, and the many friends of Jim for their support and prayers," the family said in their statement.

West became the first Spokane city official to be recalled from office on Dec. 6, 2005, ending a 27-year career in city and state politics.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420AP_WA_Obit_West.html

[stevedeshazer]

1. That's sad, in a weird way

The anti-gay gay mayor of Spokane dies of colon cancer.

[EST]

2. I'm sure there's some poetic justice in here somewhere but

I fail to see it. My bad.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

3. He asked tp be viewed as a person/.,

As he claimed to be struggling to come out of the closet.

He said he would be cleared of all charges, allegations pending.

And he had his day in court.

He left office of a moderate tone of voice, being interviewed," In the process of cleaning house", he said.

He had his hour on national televison, good morning America.
He went on to Florida to the national republican convention.

Which is where the internet predator /sex offender Brian Doyel- press secertary Homeland security was caught durning an internet sting operation.

He involved himself in religion or immersed himself within, in his last two years.

Perhaps his ways were more than he could bear.

Perhaps he changed.

[gratuitous]

4. One more hidden cost of homophobia

Whatever demons were chasing James West, and whatever he put on himself because of the culture around him, it all seems to come back around to an unrealistic societal "norm" of what a man is supposed to be. Why do we continue to let the sickest individuals make the rules for the rest of us?

[stevedeshazer]

6. Okay. I'm just trying to figure out the point you're making

That he apologized and that makes it OK?

He was involved in religion. So?

How are you suggesting that he changed?

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

17. Indeed , I am suggesting that,

It may be possible that his disliking of his own urges , in that he was a guy that wished he had no personal life, (Seattle PI Times Sunday paper front page) ,- And so,- he may have placed befor himself the greatest challenge there was to face. He may have made himself believe that a political come back was possible.

In so believing that,- his own very self, he may have inturn convinced himself that he would be willing to do what ever it takes to (change himself).

And so,- even though a political come back may have been impossible, even seeming so to he himself , by placing his highest goal out front ,combined with total commitment there of, and having asked for God,s help , if he truely did ,as I don,t really know, than ,

It just may be that what he really wanted to do is Change.
And it just may be that placing the highest possible goal out in front, even though the odds were impossible , he took those odds.

And in his death I say all things are possible.

He simply asked to be viewd as a person.

And simply he is viewd as a person.

And judgment day is not my call to make.

And Rossi is still a flaming arrogant woosey
Who would not even speak to a man who was no longer of power.
But once.
And so it says in the paper ,rossi woke his family up to say rosary for his deceased friend?

A wossey he is indeed. Thats Rossi.

In clusion to the death of James West.
Now at this point my hypocrisy only goes so far.

[FredScuttle]

7. "his ways were more than he could bear"? Cry me a fucking river

He wasn't so torn up that he couldn't get behind legislation to deny Americans basic civil rights.

I hope he's getting a fireball enema right now, the rat bastard.

[davidinalameda]

16. it's not poetic justice

comments about a gay man dying of colon cancer are childish attempts at humor at best; homophobia at worse

shall we start making jokes about lesbians with breast cancer

[Liberal Veteran]

5. I still can't forgive him. He was my mayor, but...

...he sponsored, voted, and co-sponsored some of the most offensive anti-gay legislation that ever came to the floor. I still despise him.

[Sapphocrat]

8. Former Spokane mayor Jim West dies

Former Mayor James E. West, who opposed gay-rights bills but was recalled from office over an Internet gay sex scandal, died Saturday of complications from recent cancer surgery. He was 55.

The conservative former Republican state senate majority leader was diagnosed in early 2003 with colon cancer that later spread to his liver. A statement issued by University of Washington Medical Center said his family and pastor were at his side at the Seattle hospital. ...

More:
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060722/NEWS/60722003

[kestrel91316]

9. Words simply fail me.

"..............opposed gay-rights bills but was recalled from office over an Internet gay sex scandal."

[Skittles]

12. pretty typical for conservatives

hypocritical bastards

[ashling]

10. To quote W (yech!):

I hope he had his heart right with the Lord :sarcasm:

.... then again, maybe the Lord is just getting fed up with hypocrites.

[Auntie Bush]

11. I guess God didn't like what he was doing down here

and brought him up there so we didn't have him down here...or something like that. If george can screw things up...so can I!

[FredScuttle]

13. "his family and pastor were at his side at the Seattle hospital..."

but where was Johnny?



Good riddance to bad rubbish. My time to act like a Christian in the face of so much hatred on the other side has long passed. I'd piss on his grave if I only had directions.

[oasis]

14. Kick 'cause we all gotta go sometimes. (eom)

[dghll]

15. Dead Hypocrite - good riddance nt