crisis over for lassiter
kateBob was an acerbic radio talk show host and for the past year has kept a blog about his struggle with cancer. Bob lost that struggle Friday morning.
I take my politics with a side of funny. Yelling at those who believe differently serves no purpose. Therefore, Lassiter’s radio program was a complete turn-off. He would scream at the same people who were screaming at me so I should have thanked him. Instead I felt sorry for him. Mad Dog seemed so unhappy.
Perhaps Lassiter was a joy to be around. I have no idea. From this listener’s standpoint, he appeared in constant crisis: spiritually, emotionally, and philosophically. I sent him happy thoughts and listened to WMNF instead.
When I heard he was dying, I read his blog and discovered the same tortured soul. Perhaps I don’t understand the anger and bitterness of a life cut short; however, I’ve known people fighting cancer. Many had a certain kind of peaceful determination. A few even approached the end with humor and transcendental happiness.
Not Bob. He lashed out at others until the very end. Seriously? His last thoughts are a rant on the phonies of the world?
Perhaps we face death the way we face life. It certainly appears that way. Which means that dry skin and inappropriate humor will be with me until the end.
Bob Lassiter didn’t want a visitation or memorial service. Funerals are for mourners; rituals to help those who hurt get through the heartbreak. For whatever reason, Bob has denied his loved ones the opportunity to formally gather and grieve.
I can’t pretend to understand why one makes choices that hurt not only others, but themselves as well. Praise Bob Lassiter for living and dying by his own rules. But, did his actions and beliefs contribute to his demise? Did they lead to peace and wisdom or hopelessness and despair?
To the people who share similar traits – crazy characters I love and worry about because they are angry at God, the world and everyone in it – I encourage you to read Blog Lassiter. Find a way to discover the beauty of life and the joy in people, even those who disagree with you.
Cause the end is coming. And it ain’t pretty.
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October 17th, 2006 at 2:14 pm
I had a feeling the time was near when he quit blogging. I can only hope he went with a minimum of pain. He was a great guy; I knew of his excellence even back in Ohio as a young radio protege. Hopefully Tampa Bay can find a new Lassiter… but there will only be one Mad Dog, ever.
October 17th, 2006 at 2:20 pm
I often wondered how much of that anger was showbusiness or was real. He was always unhappy about a world that did not conform to what he wanted.
October 17th, 2006 at 4:57 pm
what a beautiful post. i’ve been thinking similar thoughts on life and death recently.
October 17th, 2006 at 5:02 pm
The world has lost a genius when it comes to radio, and just reading about him on Wikipedia (a huge entry by the way) made me smile and laugh.
I do think it was inappropriate for Kate to stick her nose into the wishes of Mr. Lassiter and his widow of not having a memorial service. Yes, yes, we all know that funerals are for the living, not the dead … but if a family decides not to hold a service, then that is their choice, whether you agree with it or not.
October 17th, 2006 at 8:03 pm
With all due respect, I will stick my nose wherever I see fit. If you read carefully, I didn’t judge his decision, only questioned it. And didn’t pretend to understand it either. Like so many of his choices.
October 18th, 2006 at 12:43 pm
Call it whatever you want, but I felt it was inappropriate. I think it’s better to agree to disagree.
You talk as if Bob Lassiter was a tortured soul. I, however, see a man who was very passionate about change, and change that matters — not whether or not someone should hold a funeral, or about how you set two lesbians straight. People who speak up when others choose to stay silent always are the first ones to be attacked, and they know it. But what they have to say is generally important enough to where SOMEONE has to get up and say it.
Instead of spending 200 words on how you wish you were strong enough to save Bob Lassiter’s soul, why not instead spend that time and space talking about issues that REALLY need to be talked about. I think you’re great at expressing your opinions and expressing your views, your communication skills are admirable. Now it’s time to work on substance.
People want to say that blogging is the wave of the future, and mainstream media is too far behind the times. When I see the media concentrating more on Madonna adopting a kid, or yet another story on Jon Benet Ramsey as if she was the only murder in 12 years, and the fact that some rapper by the name of Fabolous is in trouble (to whom I never heard of), I am in agreement with you.
But when I open up a blog and see the same inanity, if not worse, then it makes me question who really is doing the upper hand.
Sticks actually has brought up some great issues, and one even has developed thousands of responses. That’s great. But in my opinion, we need far more than that, and from people who really know how to express themselves and do it well — people just like Kate.
October 18th, 2006 at 1:33 pm
Jeezis, M, find another hobby! You’re the one who called Kate out, why are you so defensive?
October 18th, 2006 at 2:16 pm
I dunno - anyone who can criticize my topic while complimenting my writing style is a keeper. M can comment anytime.
And I expect him/her to come to my defense when I post an opinion piece of worth and someone rants about how I suck. Can’t wait.
October 18th, 2006 at 3:33 pm
And you know I will, Kate.
October 18th, 2006 at 5:50 pm
Lassiter was no veggi-eating tree hugger, true, but no one knows what happens to angry people during their dark night of the soul. Lassiter didn’t believe in God or heaven so maybe (just maybe) he was scared shitless. We can’t all go gentle into that good-night. He raged against the dying of the light. What an ass! What a guy!
October 19th, 2006 at 10:42 am
I don’t think he had cancer. It was kidney failure due to diabetes.
I loved to listen to Bob when he was on the radio. I didn’t agree with his lack of spirituality. I like to be optimistic though, and I feel he was a basically good person, and I like to believe he met his maker and was awed and welcomed to a better place.
October 19th, 2006 at 11:35 am
Several news outlets said he was suffering from bladder cancer and kidney failure when he died. However, my point was how he died emotionally.
October 19th, 2006 at 9:48 pm
How nasty and disrespectful of you. You have no clue what kind of life that man lived. He blog what he wanted to blog. Maybe he did not want to share with the world the things or people he cherished. Maybe he talked on the radio about what he wanted to talk about. Apparently he had an audience. And if he did not want a funeral, last I heard it was HIS funeral. Good GOD what a piece of judgemental garbage you write here!
October 20th, 2006 at 10:00 am
Some would say that using words like “nasty” and “garbage” are a bit judgmental. However, when you put your words and opinions out there, you must be prepared for others to misinterpret or find fault with them. I simply gave an opinon about what I heard and read. Handle it.
October 20th, 2006 at 11:24 am
I shall handle it. I will not read you ever again. I am sure when you die you will do it for everyone else.
October 31st, 2006 at 2:20 pm
[...] So, yeah, I wanted to tell that guy to fuck off on some days. He just couldn’t be bothered to see how good he actually had it by comparison. I have to hand to Kate for not pulling any punches: Crisis Over for Lassiter. Blogoliciousville, Tampa : Bitch 6:09 pm : : [...]