True Heartache: Tony Snow Dead At 53

It was the first thing I heard this (already gloomy, drizzly) morning. My husband announced the news before I even got out of bed. And all I could say was, “oh nooooo,” fighting tears. I was so hoping he’d beat it.

What a transparently good and decent man Tony Snow was. That came through to anyone with an ounce of discernment, whether you were listening to him on his radio show, on Fox News, or as Bush’s Press Secretary.

Ed Morrissey has a nice memorial post at Hot Air along with Brit Hume’s tribute video.

Michelle Malkin’s post includes this poignant column written by Snow for Christianity Today, well worth the read.

RightWingSparkle got to meet Tony Snow at a Media Research Research Center event last March; her impressions are here.

And here are some thoughts from NRO thus far from: Shannen Coffin, Byron York, and Kathryn Jean Lopez.

More tributes will be trickling in at Memorandum throughout the weekend.

Now from the dark side. Not surprisingly, there are some who would waste no time in using the death of a political opponent to slam him. That Daily Kos would allow such a vile diary to stand, is unconscionable. Even the folks at The Democratic Underground had more class than that, (although I’m seeing a lot of deleted comments on this thread). And Huffington Post had the sense and decency to close comments on their Tony Snow Post. FireDogLake hasn’t seen fit to put up a post, yet.

More…truly despicable filth here. And another sickening Kos diary, here. These people simply have no self awareness.

I don’t understand the mentality behind the need some have to viciously attack people after they’ve died. There are only a few people who deserve that kind of treatment, and they belong to a special club of bloody tyrants, mass murderers, and the like. Not political opponents. If someone you didn’t necessarily like dies, you can always express sympathy for the family, or just say nothing. But there is this disturbing pathology on display every time someone on the right dies. It happens every time, and it’s truly despicable.

Rest in peace, Tony, you will be missed.

UPDATE:

Newsbusters takes the AP to the woodshed for taking cheap shots at Snow in its article about his passing.

It’s like Ace so often says…they’re not even trying to hide it, anymore.

And from The Whitehouse website:

Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of our dear friend, Tony Snow. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Jill, and their children, Kendall, Robbie, and Kristi. The Snow family has lost a beloved husband and father. And America has lost a devoted public servant and a man of character.

Tony was one of our Nation’s finest writers and commentators. He earned a loyal following with incisive radio and television broadcasts. He was a gifted speechwriter who served in my father’s Administration. And I was thrilled when he agreed to return to the White House to serve as my Press Secretary. It was a joy to watch Tony at the podium each day. He brought wit, grace, and a great love of country to his work. His colleagues will cherish memories of his energetic personality and relentless good humor.

All of us here at the White House will miss Tony, as will the millions of Americans he inspired with his brave struggle against cancer. One of the things that sustained Tony Snow was his faith – and Laura and I join people across our country in praying that this good man has now found comfort in the arms of his Creator.

More:

Rush remembers Tony Snow at Fox, and addresses the AP story.

Bill Bennett and Rick Dibella talk about their friend on CNN.

Flashback: The David Gregory interview at MSNBC

And still more:

A very nice tribute from Deacon Keith Fournier of Catholic Online.

UPDATE ( July 13):

Tune in to Fox News. They’re broadcasting a day long tribute to Tony.

Here’s a very good tribute from Aaron Barnhart in The Kansas City Star.

UPDATE (July 14):

The Character Of Optimism by William Kristol

The NRO Symposium

UPDATE: (July 17):

Greg Gutfeld tries to explain why many on the left behave as they do, in The Daily Gut: Dancing On Graves

President Bush hails Snow’s “record of accomplishment” at funeral.

Cute cartoon seen at Lucianne’s:

UPDATE (July 19):

This tribute by Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson got me choked up.