Art Buchwald has decided to die

[underpants]

http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-03-29-buchwald_x.htm

WASHINGTON, D.C. — "Dying is easy. Parking is impossible," quips humorist Art Buchwald, 80, who ought to know.


The Pulitzer Prize-winning author is dying from kidney and vascular ailments. A parade of family, friends, celebrities and media even the French ambassador, bearing a medal from his country, visit his hospice bedside, where Buchwald has set up a salon in the lounge.

Buchwald checked into the hospice Feb. 7 after he chose to quit life-prolonging kidney dialysis.


"I think I don't believe in any of the gods they are shoving down my throat. I hate the organized religions that are telling me what God wants," he says of people who write him preachy letters on how to ensure a place in eternity.

Buchwald is well aware that it's easier to be a model of dying with good cheer if you have what many do not: access to excellent care and the resources to pay for it; supportive and loving family and friends; a bed at a place where visitors are welcome 24/7. His most recent column urged people to name a surrogate to speak for their health care decisions.

[CatWoman]

1. wow

:cry:

[myrna minx]

2. RIP, Mr. Buchwald. n/t

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Thanks Art

you are showing us all how to die with grace.

[Marnieworld]

4. There was a beautiful post on Saturday from someone named "DFW"

Buchwald was a family friend and he had some experiences and insight to share. Art had done an interview on AAR and DFW was telling people to listen. He sounds like an amazing wise person.

I wish I had the link to the thread but maybe someone else will find it.

[wicket]

9. Here ya go:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=821180

I saw it too and was very moved by it.

[Marnieworld]

12. that's the one

There was a post in there for me too that I hadn't seen before so thanks for this. :hi:

I especially like the dream Buchwald had about the spearture longe in an airport.

[wicket]

16. You are very welcome!

I love your icon by the way :D

[Cooley Hurd]

5. I can only hope I have 1/100th the courage that Mr Buchwald has...

...when it's my time.:cry:

K&R - Like Warren Zevon said on his last public appearance (on Letterman): "Enjoy every sandwich."

[On the Road]

6. Although Buchwald Stopped Being Funny Forty Years Ago,

this is a wonderful way for him to go out. He's a real role model and I admire him for it.

[leveymg]

7. A good life should be followed by a dignified death.

Thank you, Art, for all the fun and wisdom you brought to so many.

[RufusEarl]

8. Dying is easy Parking is impossible!

I had not heard that one from Mr.Buchwald, what a very cool customer. RIP sir.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

10. He's going to die laughing — really!(Video of Buchwald with Brokaw TODAY)

Buchwald was so cute in this interview. It's on the TODAY show homepage...scroll down under video and pick the "He's going to die laughing - really!" story. Hope I go with the same class and wit as Art Buchwald. Cheers, Art. :toast:


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032633/

[bananas]

11. "Speculates on the hereafter, saying, ..."

In an interview Thursday with USA TODAY, Buchwald:
...
• Speculates on the hereafter, saying, "I have no idea where I'm going but here's the real question: What am I doing here in the first place?"
...

[Gregorian]

13. I have a lot to learn. And a lot of catching up to do.

At fifty, I should know who he is. I recognize his name. But when reagan took office, I submerged myself in other things to avoid seeing what was about to happen to my society. So I missed everything. I didn't even see Honey I Shrank the Kids. Can you believe it? But anyone who can say "Declares he'll never miss "the hypocrisy of our government, the lying of our politicians" or any sports teams.", has my vote as someone I'd like to have known. Art, I hate football. I hope there's an amnesty on all of the parking fines we have endured.

It is just another example of how many great people there are on this planet. I'm so glad to know you Art.

[underpants]

18. Here's an interesting story-Buchwald v Paramount ("Coming to America")

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buchwald_v._Paramount

Buchwald v. Paramount (1990) was a breach of contract lawsuit filed and decided in California in which humorist and writer Art Buchwald alleged that Paramount Pictures stole his script idea and turned it into the 1988 movie Coming to America. Buchwald won the lawsuit and was awarded damages, and then accepted a settlement from Paramount before any appeal took place.

The decision was important mainly for the court's determination in the penalty phase of the trial that Paramount used "unconscionable" means of determining how much to pay authors. Paramount claimed, and provided accounting evidence to support the claim, that despite the movie's US$350 million in revenues, it had earned no net profit, according to the definition of "net profit" in Buchwald's contract, and hence Buchwald was owed nothing: a classic example of Hollywood accounting. The court agreed with Buchwald's argument that this was "unconscionable", and therefore invalid. Fearing a loss if it appealed, and the subsequent implications of the unconscionability decision across all its other contracts, Paramount settled for undisclosed terms. The case was the subject of a 1992 book, Fatal Subtraction: The Inside Story of Buchwald V. Paramount by Pierce O'Donnell, the lawyer who represented Buchwald, and Los Angeles Times reporter Dennis McDougal.

[autorank]

14. RIP Art. You are the best and gave me plenty of insights and laughs.

:patriot:

[longship]

15. Hear Saturday's interview with Bobby Kennedy Jr here.

Art Buchwald was a close friend of the Bobby Kennedy family and even was the godfather to a couple of his kids.

On last weekend's edition of "Ring of Fire" on Air America, Bobby Jr. interviewed Buchwald via telephone from his hospice room. It's a wonderful thing, with Art showing his usual sense of humor. This is a must hear for all Buchwald fans, or those who don't know who he is.

Ring of Fire Podcast

BTW, Ring of Fire is one of the few Air America Radio programs that is still available via PodCast for free. Snag it at the link above. Buchwald's interview is in the second hour.

[Faygo Kid]

17. Class act.

Never a big fan, but that doesn't matter now. To go out with such class and helping others is so very noteworthy. Thanks, Art.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

19. dignity, thy name is Art. RIP and thanks for all the ideas, laughs & more

a talent will be leaving us.

[Vidar]

20. Thanks for the good times, Art.

[StaggerLee]

21. Right on Mr. Buchwald

I wish you a comfortable transition.

[Cleita]

22. I always loved his writing.

His words will live on when he's gone. I hope no idiots show up like the trailer hitch Jesus crowd to make his last days hell.

[kainah]

23. I'm very proud of him for this

As someone who has lived my entire adult life with a chronic and, at times, life-threatening illness, I realize how very hard it is for most people to confront the reality of death. Yet, amazingly, once you do confront it, your life becomes enormously easy. I saw Buchwald on the Newshour last week and he said that these have been the best weeks of his life. All his old friends come to visit, they're all nice to him, and he gets to say anything he wants.

Death is very liberating in more ways than one. If we'd all accept its reality in our lives, the world would be a much better place.