Leaderboard

The video demonstrates that John really did preach against masks, vaccines and social distancing. Assuming COVID did indeed contribute to his death, that would probably fall under irony. If I am going to be consistent, I have to say it's fair game for discussion. This is tricky, because for whatever reason, COVID has intersected with politics. We can't discuss one without discussing the other, and here at GSC we avoid political discussions. So how do we do it? JAL used his platform to spread misinformation. I'm sorry if that offends your politics, but it is reality. Masks work. Social distancing works. Vaccines work. John didn't believe that, and the disease killed him. I will consult with the other moderators about the extent to which we will permit GSC to be used to spread medical misinformation. In the past, we've debated such issues to the point of exhaustion. But this is not the same as a discussion over the health benefits of superoxygenated water, which is harmless. Misinformation about COVID kills people. Until the moderators reach a decision, comments on this thread will be approved before posting. After review, we're going to leave this thread up and allow people to discuss any aspect of JAL's legacy. This is not merely a memorial page. There is one that was set up in the proper forum. This thread will be renamed to reflect its "open" intent.

I didn't meet John, personally. I do remember rather vividly, though, a teaching of his on grace. He was a pitcher, presumably for his college baseball team. "There I was -- up by a run in the bottom of the ninth. By SOME STRANGE TWIST OF FATE, the bases were loaded with nobody out. I struck out the next two batters with six BLAZING fastballs. At that point, the first baseman told me that with two out, he wouldn't be holding the runner on. Of course, I knew that. After two pitches to the batter, I could see the runner at first with a big lead, so I completely forgot what the first baseman had told me. I wheeled to throw to first, and life went into slow motion. I couldn't throw to first, because the first baseman wasn't there. I couldn't hold on to the ball, because that would be a balk and bring the tying run in. So, I threw it to the RUNNER. Reflexively, he caught it, then dropped it like a hot potato and started running. The umpire called him out for interference. Game over. Grace: being completely in the wrong but coming out smelling like a rose." Rest in peace, John. George

A. A complicated man with a complicated legacy. In many ways, the embodiment of my post-TWI determination not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. He truly believed, as many of us once did, that we were privileged with something extraordinary but imperfect, and he dedicated his life to improving it. Along the way he embraced and promoted some indefensible stuff, and he defended it with a stubborn passion that would be admirable in the service of a more worthy cause. When he met me, I felt broken. He did his best to heal my heart, to restore the sense of spiritual family I lost at a time of personal crisis. He refused to judge me or condemn me. I admire his dedication. As it gave way to stubbornness... let his legacy be a warning.

Not unexpected. He hung on for a long time with the cancer. Really foolish of him, knowing he was immuno-suppressed, to not get a vaccine or wear masks. I'd liked him when I first got involved in TWI. He got weird later, though. Always sad when someone you know dies.

We didn't see eye to eye. I wish his family well. I did like his sense of humor. And he led the charge against the way. Opened the eyes of many.

I certainly wasn't a devoted follower, but he was hard to not like.