I just got off the phone with OMC.

[Midlodemocrat]

He asked me to tell everyone how much our thoughts, prayers and vibes meant to him, especially and this is a quote *since I think I've pissed everyone at DU off so much they hate me*.

We talked politics for a bit. He's grieving terribly, but sounds strong and is going to do the absolute best thing for his boys.

He's really a great guy and I'm just so very sorry he's going through this. He said his biggest regret is that the world has lost such a wonderful, innocent person in Stacey. :cry:

[Sweet Freedom]

Thanks for the update

(from someone OMC never pissed off). He shouldn't regret the world's loss of Stacey -- sounds like it was, and continues to be, a better place because of her.

:hug: to OMC

[MrCoffee]

1. thanks for the update. my thoughts, prayers and vibes are still with him and his kids

[Highway61]

2. Thank you for the update

I sent you an email...

[cobalt1999]

3. Glad he sounds strong.

As for pissing people off, never me. IMHO, he is one of the best posters here. I look forward to the day he is back at it.

[Frustratedlady]

4. OMC and the boys have been on my mind all morning...

Thanks for posting. This entire scenario has transfixed us all, and we need closure nearly as much as the family. We are his cyberspace family, of sorts, I guess.

I just want them all to get through this and feel the support is an important part. Bless their hearts.

[Le Taz Hot]

5. I JUST now read that thread.

I'm in tears. There's just nothing to say but I'm so, so sorry for his loss. :cry:

[SallyMander]

6. Thanks for letting us know

I've been thinking of him and his boys so much the last few days, even though i don't "know" them.

[driver8]

7. Thank you for the update. Why does he think that he has pissed

off DU? Nothing could be further from the truth, IMHO.

[Midlodemocrat]

8. LOL.

He's a fanatical debater, but a genuinely nice person. Anyone who could love another the way he loved Stacey is a truly good person.

[Tyler Durden]

11. So he can get a little pedantic. Who cares?

If it was a capital crime, I'd be hung years ago.

Give him my best, will you?

[driver8]

22. I have been thinking about him a lot lately.

I have two small children and cannot imagine what he is going through. Please let him know that our thoughts and prayers are with him.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

30. Because in the past, he has.

That's really neither here nor there right now, but he's undeniably controversial in GD, especially.

[PeaceNikki]

31. Thankfully most can put basic human compassion above silly differences of opinion.

MOST.

[Fran Kubelik]

79. like you said, it's neither here nor there right now

So why bother mentioning it?
Arguments about politics start to seem REALLY irrelevant when someone is going through what he is going through.
As you said on another thread - why bother posting if you don't have something good to say about someone? Use your ignore button.

Thanks!

[Midlodemocrat]

81. .

I think you are my new favoritist DUer. :hug:

[Fran Kubelik]

85. Awww

:blush:

Thanks! :hug:
I've been appreciating you too.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

95. All I did was tell him what had happened.

:shrug:

He wanted to know why OMC felt that way, so I explained that it's not really a fluke reaction on his part--undoubtedly there are some people who do not like him or are unable to get over that in talking about the situation with his wife. Doesn't the whole issue with a certain poster alleging OMC is an attention whore highlight that? I didn't mean for that to be a value statement on him; I simply wanted to answer the question. There's a difference between dragging it up for no good reason and dragging it up when someone needs to understand. To me, the fact that OMC is "controversial" and yet still receives much support from DU says more about the generosity of DU than it does about OMC and his positions. And who would I ignore in this situation? OMC? The poster who asked?

Sorry you took it as unnecessary; I only meant to answer the question. Perhaps my answer was not qualified enough and seemed like an attack. If so, I apologize.

ON Edit: Sorry driver8; for some reason I thought you were another, female poster. :crazy:

[Critters2]

82. It doesn't take much to be controversial in GD. nt

[againes654]

9. Sending an e-hug

:hug: :grouphug:

[lligrd]

10. Not Sure Why He Thinks He Has Upset So Many Here

I for one have always loved his posts and usually agree with him. He is a very gifted writer. His updates on Stacey's illness moved so many of us. My heart aches for him and the boys.

[JitterbugPerfume]

12. Tell him

that we are sorry for his great loss, and we miss him.

[Redstone]

13. OMC and I have had many, MANY fights on DU. But do I HATE him? Never.

If you talk to him again, please tell him that differences in political or other opinions can NEVER replace humanity.

Not at DU, at least. Not from what I've seen here.

All the arguments ended the SECOND his wife got sick.

And if he wants to bring his kids to Connecticut to spend some time taking them to the beach so they can walk around and talk about life, we have a place where they can stay, for as long as they need to.

Redstone

[LSK]

41. Well said

[redwitch]

55. Ya big sweetie!

:loveya:

[Robb]

56. Well put. nt

[Kajsa]

69. You are a genuine, great guy Redstone.

I wanted you to know that.

:hug:

[ProfessorGAC]

99. What Redstone Said

I agree with OMC on very little, but losing one's wife is just tragic. He deserves all the support wwe can muster. Disagreements on a message board should be easy to put aside under these circumstances.
The Professor

[Beetwasher]

107. Ditto

He and I have had some awesome brawls and I respect him as a debater and a human. His situation is tragic and I wish him only the best.

[BrklynLib at work]

14. Thanks so much for this update....

Please let us know if and what we can do...

[Shakespeare]

15. Midlo, I'm so glad you talked to him.

And thanks for the update. :hug:

[Lex]

16. My best to OMC and his family.

nt

[Fleshdancer]

17. I don't hate him

Truth be told, even his more abrasive posts in the past made me laugh a little. Say what you want about OMC, but there's no denying the man has a certain style that makes him impossible to ignore.

I've been quietly following the threads regarding Stacey and the first one still haunts me. This man is going through one of my biggest fears and every time I try to post something of significance, the words are swallowed by tears and heartbreak. May his pain someday be replaced by the loving memories of the beautiful woman who died too soon. May he find comfort in the faces of his children. May he someday smile again.

[deathdog]

18. Midlo, thanks for this.

I feel so bad for OMC. I'm so glad he knows he's cared for here, in spite of any disagreements with others.
I post very little here, but OMC's loss has touched me deeply. I just can't imagine losing a spouse with two young boys to raise. I'm sure he feels overwhelmed.
I wish there were more I could do for him.

Again, thanks.

[Blue Diadem]

19. Thanks for the update Midlo

My heart breaks for him and those 2 tiny little boys.

[Cathyclysmic]

20. DU needs its devil's advocate/iconoclast.

I don't hate him.

[Beausoir]

21. He must be exhausted. Such a terrible event.

[mzteris]

23. what can we do to help?

I'm not alone in wanting to "do something". Something real and tangible for the boys especially.

Whether it's short term - like the gift cards or the maid service or - I don't know what - or long term like a scholarship for the boys. . .

Is he amenable to something like that?

And if so, who on DU could coordinate and handle getting "something done".

[Midlodemocrat]

34. When I mentioned something like that, he said he couldn't think about it right now.

I honestly don't think he knows what needs are going to come up in the next weeks/months.

He did say that the daycare the boys go to has been great and when he would pick them up, someone would have prepared a meal for them.

I just don't think he is thinking all that clearly right now, and I can't say I am surprised. He is focused on getting through the service and the boys.

I told him that I would touch base with him next week, and maybe he will have a clearer idea. He initially rejected anything I suggested in emails, because he's so used to taking care of everything himself.

[LibraLiz1973]

53. Getting through the funeral will be very, very hard.

I imagine that it will be a bit easier for him to think after that... But not too much easier.

[mcscajun]

24. thanks for the update nt

[1gobluedem]

25. Thanks for the update

Please let me know where I can send a contribution to something for the family if DU decides to do that. I feel so horribly for him and his boys.

[Frustratedlady]

27. I'm thinking of sending $5 to the Komen fund, but would still

like to do something for the family. I will watch for any posts regarding a fund for them.

[yellowdogintexas]

28. same here nt

[Irishonly]

26. Thanks for the update

:grouphug: for OMC, his sons, family and friends

[WritingIsMyReligion]

29. OMC personally is not my cup of tea, but what happened is terrible.

Strength to him.

[KamaAina]

32. He's only half right

*since I think I've pissed everyone at DU off so much they hate me*

Did he piss me off? Yes, indeed, on several occasions. Do I hate him? Absolutely not. My belief is, if you are afraid to engage in discussion with those who disagree with you, you are a repuke.

It would appear that most of DU agrees with me: his thread is nearing 700 posts and the magic 10,000 views! Doesn't look to me like there's a lot of DUers hatin' on OMC! In fact, it could even topple the dreaded kudzu thread from its Lounge throne...

[Midlodemocrat]

33. You have no idea.

He's SO grateful for everyone's kind thoughts. That's what makes DU the special place it is. Regardless of how we feel about a poster, we recognize that a person is behind that screen name and that they could need comforting during a difficult time.

[laylah]

35. Thank you

for the update and blessings and good thoughts to OMC and the boys. :hug:

[JuniperLea]

36. Thanks for the update

I'm sure he will come through just fine. He is very strong-willed, and he has two little boys on which to focus. People tend to do better when they have someone else to worry about.

Tell him this for me, please. I've had my share of hot-headed run-ins with OMC. On occasion I've found him to be arrogant, holier-than-thou, hard-headed, and a huge know-it-all. On occasion I've agreed with him. Sure, he's pissed me off royal a few times... but hate? No freaking way! I only hope this experience hasn't softened they guy! Verbal sparring partners keep us sharp! Make us think!

He and the boys are never far from my mind, and I'm wishing them all peace. The grieving process is different with everyone, in the end, there is peace of mind. I'm praying for OMC's peace of mind.

[mvd]

37. Thanks, Midlo

I'm glad he's holding up ok. He really does sound like a nice person in real life, and I'm very sorry he lost Stacey.

[graywarrior]

38. I think about them every day.

[EstimatedProphet]

39. I never have hated him

I may not agree with his positions, but I admired his willingness to stand up for them, and I for one never saw him get personal. More people could follow that route.

[Midlodemocrat]

40. EP, that's exactly what I said to him.

Check your PM.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

42. Hey, OMC !!

Just because I've wanted to smack you upside the head a few dozen times a day for the last, oh, six years doesn't mean I wouldn't want anything but health and happiness for you and yours. :hug:

That's what makes us DU. :grouphug:

Kirsten

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

43. Thanks for the information.

And please tell him we don't hate him at all. He's never pissed me off in the slightest; I think he's a good, interesting writer and I hope he eventually comes back. We are all thinking of him and his family.

[Midlodemocrat]

44. He'll be back. That you can be assured of.

DU has meant so much to him these last two weeks, he could barely put it into words.

[redqueen]

45. Thanks for the update...

Yeah, he's got under my skin lots of times... I think it's a skill he's proud of, actually. :)

But we've also agreed lots of times... he should know that just cause he's pissed someone off once or twice (or 30 or 40) times, it doesn't mean they won't like or care about him.

If you talk to him again, tell him I said :hug:

[Audio_Al]

46. My first wife died in 1971, at age 34, of stomach cancer.

She is buried in a family cemetery in the Boston area, among her other closest relatives.

Time has passed, and I have remarried. What can one say when young people die?

We will donate to the Susan G. Komen fund for my wife, Lee, and Stacey. May OMC's hurt be healed with time.

Respectfully,

Audio_Al

[CreekDog]

47. OMC never made me mad, I usually agreed with him

And appreciated the company.

Godspeed to his family and dearly departed wife.

[sufrommich]

49. Me too.nt

[uppityperson]

48. Thanks for the update from someone who he has pissed off

There are ways of stating things in a nice way or in a nasty way. Sometimes bluntness can be nasty. Sometimes not. We worked things out.

So, best wishes to OMC and hoping peace for him.

[philosophie_en_rose]

50. I'm so very sorry. Thanks for sharing.

:pals:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

51. My dear Midlo...

Thank you so much for the update...

I think of him and his two precious boys every day...

I know he'll recover and go on, but it will be awhile coming...

I will keep a lookout for whatever we can do for him and his sons...

:hug:

[FloridaJudy]

52. Thanks for the update

He did tick me off a few times, but I never hated him. And even if I had, no one should have to go through what he's experiencing.

Actually, I learned a lot on those occasions when he annoyed me. He made me stop and think "Now, what is it about what he said that's making you so angry?". Most of the time, I realized it was my own baggage - not his - that was so infuriating. I hope he finds it in himself to return to the fray here. His was a valuable voice.

Perhaps when he's over the acute shock of Stacey's death, he'll let us know how we can help. I'm obviously not the only one here who wants to do something to make his situation more bearable.

[Lefta Dissenter]

54. Thank you so much for the update.

How many hugs can you give a person over the phone or through email? I feel just so, so sad for him and the boys. I hope that they have great support around them.

:grouphug:

[OzarkDem]

57. He's a very strong guy

going through a horrible tragedy. He sounds like he's holding up well, but I'm sure any one of us would give anything to turn back the clock and see this whole situation end differently.

I don't hate him, even when I disagree with him, he's a good guy. Hang in there OMC. Wish there was more we could do to help you out, just let us know.

[datasuspect]

58. pending IRL verification

i have $500 i'd like to donate to his children's education.

OMC might be DU's resident sophist, but he's OUR sophist.

[Midlodemocrat]

63. Okay, what kind of verification do you need?

Am *I* enough verification that this tragedy took place?

On edit: ....

[Name removed]

65. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[datasuspect]

66. "caveat emptor"

i'm not spoiling for blood.

i'd like to "pay it forward" to his kids.

i have sympathy for children. they don't know any better.

[Name removed]

93. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mudesi]

105. All due respect, no

This is still the Internet.

Whether one believes OPERATIONMINDCRIME is a fraud or not, it is only normal for any intelligent person to exercise due diligence when considering making a monetary payment of any kind for any purpose in any circumstance. Unlike the posting of sympathies and condolences on an Internet message board, which costs nothing, a transfer of real money is a whole different story. I would expect even the people here who believe OPERATIONMINDCRIMEs story 110% to still require irrefutable verification before parting with their hard earned dollars.

[Midlodemocrat]

106. I understand your point, but my comment was directed at datasuspect.

Because we've shared a PM friendship.

[redwitch]

59. Thank you for letting us know how he's doing.

I am so glad he has those two little guys!

[Callalily]

60. I think about OMC

and his family throughout the day. Sad to say, but he's got a lot of grieving ahead of him. It does sound like he has good friends and family for support, and that will help. I hope that his heart will soon be filled with fond memories, and not pain. :cry:

[WildEyedLiberal]

61. You know what? I'd take 10 OMCs over some of the smug posters who have alluded that he was a troll

I have agreed and disagreed with OMC about an equal percentage of the time, and while sometimes I thought he argued a point just out of sheer bullheaded determination not to "lose," I always have respected that he speaks his mind and doesn't worry about conforming to DU majority opinion.

He's genuine and passionate and I'd take him any day over some of the posters I've seen snark about how he's probably a repuke troll because he doesn't kowtow to their beliefs. I have a feeling that if I needed someone in my corner, OMC would be there first.

[Midlodemocrat]

64. Or

that he was lying about this whole thing. Disgusting to the extreme.

[Kali]

67. no fucking way!

really? - that is sick....and pretty sad

[regnaD kciN]

84. Unfortunately...

...there's a whole web site out there that tends to be made up of ex-DUers (let's call it "Boot Hill" -- where all the tombstones are), that is charging the whole thing is a scam by OMC to get contributions. They even claim that Stacey is still alive and in perfect health! What's worse, they seem to have quite a database of DUer e-mail addresses, and spammed them a couple of days ago with a link to "proof" it was an alleged con (otherwise, I wouldn't have known about their charges).

Want to know what their "proof" was? (It's almost hard for me to believe that anyone could be so technically illiterate as to come up with this one.) Here goes: There was a poster in Freeperland who had linked to a photo (relating to the Virginia Tech shooting incident) in OMC's photobucket account, one which he had posted here. Ergo, in their view, OMC must really be a closet Freeper!!!

Do any of the morans making these charges realize that you can get a link to any posted photo by simply right-clicking on an image in the web browser, and selecting "Properties"...? Therefore, if some Freeper was lurking around here, spotted OMC's post, and decided he or she could use the photo for his or her own purposes, it would take less than ten seconds for said Freeper to pull the link for OMC's photo and include it in his or her own post back in Freeperland.

Or, let's put it another way: I've run a series of photo contests here, and the way I get the links to each photo is to use the process above. So, does that mean that, every time I post a preliminary round in GD, I'm actually thirty other DUers simultaneously??? :crazy:

Yet they use this crap to claim that they have "proved" that OMC is a fake with a very-much-alive wife, just trying to scam DUers. What can you say about idiots like that, other than :puke: ? So, if some here seem touchy about people asking for verification, you can count on the likelihood that they have probably encountered these charges (either through finding "Boot Hill," or getting spammed by them), and are adopting a "zero tolerance" policy toward anything that might bring about a sequel to the disgraceful attacks on Andy Stephenson in his last weeks of life. And I don't blame them...not one bit.

[Midlodemocrat]

86. Thank you for posting that.

You are a kind soul. :hug:

[Kali]

88. geez, I am so naive

another site full of tombstoned DUers? wow

I can see a legitimate reason to verify when it come to money, so I don't have a problem with caution, I don't even have a problem with suspicion, but holy crap do some work and find the evidence before slamming someone who might be in a lot of pain. (not talking about data suspect and bling bling here, I mean whoever you are referring to) wow

[Midlodemocrat]

89. No you're not.

You're a kind soul who believes that someone who poured his heart out to us like OMC did is telling the truth.

And, he is. His grief is palpable. (I use that word way too much)

[Crunchy Frog]

91. Just took a look over there. Oh. My. Fucking. God.

:wow: :puke:

[sufrommich]

94. OK, I had to go and look for myself

What a truly disturbing thread over there,filled with hatred from so called "progressives". Truly over the top,blind hatred for a poster who disagrees with them politically.Scary.

[Debbi801]

96. Sadly, these are the same types of people that kept insisting

dear Andy was faking too. :cry:

It never ceases to amazing me how sick and heartless some people can be.

[bicentennial_baby]

101. And unfortunately...

They're not all ex-DUers... sigh.

[flvegan]

70. Funny thing about DU

those folks get dealt with.

[rockymountaindem]

71. Well said

Although, I've never thought someone was a troll just because they like to argue. I try to keep my internet arguments to a minimum, but I can totally understand the desire to keep debating no matter what. I'm all about that in real life.

I'm with you though. Anybody who's as dogged and determined as OMC I would definitely rather have in my corner than the other guy's.

[flamingyouth]

62. Thanks for letting us know, M.

What he's going through is so awful, my heart just hurts for him. :cry:

[Kajsa]

68. Thanks for the update Midlo.

My heart goes out to him and his family.

:cry:

Please tell him this DUer doesn't hate him!
There are a lot of us around.
I know he's a great guy, I saw that some time
ago.

I wish him strength and peace at this most difficult time.

:hug:

[Beausoir]

72. Those little boys....2 and 4. How does one face THAT?

One is probably still in nappies. The other is just getting his legs and his compass heading.

God..this thing leaves me with such a pit in my stomach.

That beautiful girl...gone.too.soon.

I have disagreed with OMC many times, but I wish him nothing but the best as he tries to sort through this tremendous tragedy.

Damn. It's a harsh world.

[Midlodemocrat]

74. I don't know.

My own brother went through it. His wife died of cancer in 2003 16 months after giving birth. I think that is the reason OMC and I bonded so tightly. I PM'd him about restaurants near MSKCC and kept telling him what a great staff they have.

Which is all true. They are amazing people. Sometimes they get an impossible case.

[Beausoir]

76. Impossible case, indeed. That beautiful woman is gone too soon.

My father died under the exact same circumstances. Cancer-chemo-pnuemonia-ventilator-organ failure.

OMC has been on a terror-ride. Terrifying.

He's going to need support for his family to survive.

Hugs to his wee ones as well.

[Midlodemocrat]

77. What sucks so bad is that the cancer didn't

actually 'take' her. It was a fucking virus. A cold. Her immune system was compromised from the chemo and a friggin cold turned into pneumonia and took her life.

34 years young. Sad beyond words.

[regnaD kciN]

102. Actually...

...although I hate to have to say it (because I find the usual "look on the bright side" rationalizations spewed by well-intentioned outsiders about as unhelpful to the bereaved as you can get), that might not have been the worst possible outcome. If she had been able to survive this and go on to a full recovery from cancer, absolutely! But, if not...as I understand it, the form of cancer she had was an unusually aggressive variety, and thus probably had a lower cure rate than most breast cancers*. If a loved one wasn't going to make it anyway (and I realize we can't know that), I'd much rather have them pass peacefully in their sleep, as Stacey did, than have to endure the agonies of the final stages of terminal cancer, when sometimes all the pain alleviation technology in the world doesn't do much good.


*(and keep in mind that "cure rate" really only refers to how many women live another five years after the first treatment -- if the cancer keeps recurring, and finally winds up taking the patient's life five years and one day thereafter, that woman is counted as a "cured" patient :crazy: )

[Starbucks Anarchist]

73. Thank you for the update, Midlo.

Please let him know we are here for him and his children during this terrible time.

[SeattleGirl]

75. Thanks, Midlo

Can't imagine the hurt he is feeling right now, but I'm glad he's doing his best to be strong for his kids.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

78. Thanks for the update Midlo

My thoughts, prayers, sympathies and condolences remain with OMC, his children and Stacey's family and friends. I've never hated OMC -there are times when I strongly disagreed his views on various issues -but I always respected his right to his views and he always made it clear in his posts in the Lounge how much he adored his wife and family and what a softie at heart he was

I feel so, so, so very sorry for him and his kids at the moment.

[Zephyrbird]

80. A FRIKKEN FLAMEWAR IN THIS THREAD???

STOP IT EVERYBODY!!

I've seen many a flamewar in DU over the years, but this one takes the cake!!

SHUT THE HELL UP!

So what if OMC was a bastard at times. Feh! Some of the worst offenders to me ended up being my good friends here.

So what if somebody asked for verification! It's not worth a flamewar in a thread about a death and the grief of a longstanding member.

And if you want to flame me, well then, PISS OFF DOUBLE!

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[Frustratedlady]

87. I was so proud of DU for their support and response to this tragic loss.

What is wrong with you people who are fighting and accusing? Don't we have enough of that in the world without making such an issue on this board, not to mention the subject of that issue.

I can't get this little family out of my mind and then I come in to check for an update from OMC and find this fighting. I am so disgusted. You sound like a bunch of pit bulls.

Shame on you!

[Dystopian]

83. Thank you for sharing.....

My thoughts continue to be with OMC and his children...

peace~

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

90. Thanks for posting

I read bits of his recent posts to Mr. DTBK, and we both cried and cried. I can't imagine why he thinks he pissed us off. Anyone who was pissed off by his posts must not have much of a heart!

[Hekate]

92. Thanks for the update, Midlo. Please give my love to OMC. I just now read his post from yesterday...

...about Stacey visiting their little boy as he slept. What a powerful experience.

As I noted a few days ago, the miracle was Stacey and OMC's love for each other.

They are all still in my thoughts. :hug:

Hekate

[Debbi801]

97. Thank you for the update....

OMC and his boys continue to be in my prayers and thoughts. So sad. I cannot begin to imagine what the next few weeks are going to be like for them, let alone after that. :cry:

[zippy890]

98. we know he's a great guy

his devotion & love for his wife has been incredibly moving.

all my love & support to him.

:cry: :grouphug:


thanks for your info. and talking with him. you're a sweetheart

[myrna minx]

100. Thank you for the update Midlo.

My heart just breaks for OMC and his family. :cry:

[crispini]

103. Thanks for the update

Heh, I've gotten into a scrap or two myself with OMC, but bless him, my heart just goes out to him and his boys. How could it not? I will continue to keep him and his little family in my prayers.

[applegrove]

104. Thanks for letting us know.

[jhain]

108. Oh, No

Been traveling- looked for news asap upon my return.

How sad.

Wat can we do??

-Jude

[Bake]

109. I respect the hell outta OMC and wish him strength

I've been in a few GD skirmishes where OMC has backed me up, and I have returned the favor on occasion, too. So he's outspoken. So what. He's often right, and even if he's not, he's at least thought about it and gives a damn.

God bless you, OMC. I got your back.

Bake