Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

The willow is too close to the house.

Imperialist aggressors must be defeated, or the whole world loses.

New McCarthy, same old McCarthyism.

I didn’t have alien invasion on my 2023 BINGO card.

Come on, man.

Putting aside our relentless self-interest because the moral imperative is crystal clear.

Black Jesus loves a paper trail.

The most dangerous place for a black man in America is in a white man’s imagination.

Following reporting rules is only for the little people, apparently.

Fuck the extremist election deniers. What’s money for if not for keeping them out of office?

You are so fucked. Still, I wish you the best of luck.

Impressively dumb. Congratulations.

Red lights blinking on democracy’s dashboard

Accused of treason; bitches about the ratings. I am in awe.

I’ve spoken to my cat about this, but it doesn’t seem to do any good.

Putin must be throwing ketchup at the walls.

That’s my take and I am available for criticism at this time.

This fight is for everything.

It’s easy to sit in safety and prescribe what other people should be doing.

A thin legal pretext to veneer over their personal religious and political desires

I see no possible difficulties whatsoever with this fool-proof plan.

Republicans in disarray!

Just because you believe it, that doesn’t make it true.

People are complicated. Love is not.

You are here: Home / Absent Friends / RIP / RIP, Beau Biden

Reader Interactions

86Comments

  6. 6.

    SiubhanDuinne

    Thank you for putting up a dedicated thread. Several of us have commented in the last couple of threads.

    Such heartbreak for the Biden family. Again. My own heart goes out to Joe and Dr. Jill, and to Beau’s own family.

    I follow the “Motivational Biden” Facebook page, which is mostly fun and games. The announcement about Beau is an extraordinary combination of grief and, for lack of a better word, dedication. Love and peace to them all, and may they find joy in memory.

  9. 9.

    Elizabelle

    How sad. I feel terribly sad for VP Biden, and Dr. Biden, and their family. In my thoughts.

    Too soon gone.

  10. 10.

    mai naem mobile

    I.remember hearing he was being treated at Walter Reed.and they mentioned lesions.in.his brain so I was thinking MS but, jeez, definitely not cancer. Wow, some families are just full of tragedy. RIP.

  12. 12.

    Anya

    My heart goes out to the Biden family. This is so very sad. His kids are still very young. He had so much potential and he’s gone too soon.

  18. 18.

    Arclite

    Shit. RIP, sir. The world is a lesser place without you.

    Damn, I’m 46. I can’t imagine being dead already.

  20. 20.

    Helen

    I got the news from my Dad who framed it that Biden was only a year older than when my brother died of cancer.

    The “Hope he rots in hell” trolls are already out in full force at the Washington Post.

    I hate everyone right now. What fucking pigs.

  21. 21.

    fuckwit

    That’s horrible. So sad. Yeah I think a lot of us here (including our blogmaster?) are about that age. I feel terrible for his family.

  23. 23.

    Elizabelle

    @Helen: That WaPost thread should not be open to comments. Perhaps someone smarter will erase it. It’s cruel.

  24. 24.

    Mnemosyne (iPhone)

    @Arclite:

    I turn 46 this year so, yeah, it’s pretty freaky.

    Of course, my own mother died of cancer (breast) before she was 40, so on some level I never expected to make it this long.

    Also, too, fuck cancer.

  25. 25.

    gf120581

    It’s a terrible shame that Joe Biden, one of the nicest guys in politics, has had to suffer such tragedy in his life. First burying his wife and infant daughter and now being forced to outlive his son.

    Oh yeah, any of those Internet trolls mentioned above, kindly go fuck yourselves.

  26. 26.

    Karen in GA

    Same age as me also. My nephew died of brain cancer at 30, though, so each day I’ve had past 30 is a gift as far as I’m concerned. Doesn’t make this any less tragic, though — just that “too young” can be a meaningless concept if you look at it a certain way (she said sadly).

    And damn, how much loss is Joe Biden supposed to endure?

  27. 27.

    Wag

    I lost my MiL to a brain tumor many years ago. A horrible way to go. I hope that Beau had a dignified death. Lord knows my FiL denied the same to my MiL. Tore me apart to see it.

  28. 28.

    lamh36

    Joe Biden: “The real reason I went home every night is that I needed my children more than they needed me.”

  31. 31.

    gf120581

    @lamh36: No suprise. Biden said he was in pretty bad shape after his wife and little girl died, that’s he’d go around some of the nastier neighborhoods in D.C. looking for a fight because he was so full of anger and grief and wanted to take it out. Perfectly understandable. Being with his sons so much no doubt helped keep him from doing something stupid.

  32. 32.

    gelfling545

    The Vice President has had to bear more grief than anyone should have to. Losing loved ones is always hard but I don’t know how one gets over losing one’s child; and then to have it happen again seems unbearable. Deepest condolences, Mr. Biden.

  33. 33.

    Jack the Second

    We’re all dying and sometimes it seems like no one is even trying to do anything about it.

  35. 35.

    lamh36

    @jbendery: Per VP’s office: Beau Biden was diagnosed w/ brain cancer in Aug 2013. Was treated, all clear in Nov. 2013. Cancer back in May 2015.

    @jbendery: Per VP’s office: Beau Biden died Sat night surrounded by his entire family (wife, children, parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins).

  36. 36.

    MomSense

    The President’s statement was really beautiful. You can tell that the Obama and Biden families share a genuine and close friendship.

  41. 41.

    lamh36

    I’m off to bed soon. Condolences to the Biden family. RIP Beau.

    Oh, and FUQ CANCER!

  42. 42.

    askew

    Jesus, that is so sad. I had feared it was bad news when he went into the hospital recently and no statement was made. How heartbreaking. 46 is way too young. I lost my father recently to cancer but at least he made it to 72. Those poor girls who lost their father at 46 just is so incredibly sad.

    Cancer sucks.

  43. 43.

    Villago Delenda Est

    This SUCKS

    My deepest condolences to Beau’s immediate family, and to his parents, siblings, nieces, nephews.

  45. 45.

    lamh36

    oh and I really kinda hate when people say “putting politics aside…” before offering condolences. if u were truly putting politics aside there would be no need to say so right? it’s like people saying, “I hate to be rude…”. well how’s about u just don’t say it and ya know NOT be rude about.

  46. 46.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @lamh36: You forgot, “I’m not racist, but…” Or maybe you just missed out on that one. It is, as you would suspect, followed by some of the most racist things one could imagine.

  47. 47.

    CaseyL

    Such awful news. My heart hurts for the Biden family, and esp. for Joe, losing another child too young.

  48. 48.

    Cacti

    I can’t imagine the pain of having to bury one of my children, or maybe I just don’t want to.

    Vice President Biden will be doing it for the second time.

    Just terribly sad.

  49. 49.

    donnah

    I cannot imagine the depth of their grief. My heart goes out to the Bidens and I hope they are surrounded by loving and supportive family and friends.

  50. 50.

    sharl

    Well, damn, Mr. Vice-President, here you are again. Deepest condolences.
    RIP Beau Biden.

  51. 51.

    Jay C

    @Helen:

    I went to the WaPo site to see for myself: “disgusting” doesn’t even begin to cover it: I fired off a LTE to the Post along those lines: Reportage is one thing: opening up a comment thread so that vile trolls can spew hate-invective – in an obituary, no less – is shocking. Even allowing that sincere condolence messages wouldn’t appear either, comments should have been closed. Or the Post should have a moderator on duty 24/7 …

  52. 52.

    Emma

    What a horrible thing. It’s a cliche to say that no parent should survive his child but each time it happens we get to see the human tragedy behind the words.

    And as to the trolls, well, they are putrid souls and putrid minds and they fail the most basic human turing test.

  54. 54.

    lamh36

    Ok. Good night BJ.

    Sad news tonight.

    gonna leave u with this video of VP Biden discussing grief at a speech he gave in 2012 I think?

    Vice President Biden Discusses Grief at TAPS http://t.co/vl5ZnFMOSL

  55. 55.

    sharl

    @lamh36: I remember listening to that. It was a touching speech on surviving loss and grief. It received a warm reception from political allies and foes alike, which is as it should be under such circumstances.

    FYI, TAPS = Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, a program for survivors of those killed in war.

  56. 56.

    Elie

    The only thing that can bring comfort to his family is love and the kindness of time. He will live forever in their love. Amazing thing is that love knows no time… the past, present and future are one – as is the love of God and the universe….

    The pain is so real… but it winds itself into the love…

  57. 57.

    GregB

    RIP Beau, wishing the world of strength to his family, mother and one of the few seemingly genuine men in DC, Joe.

  58. 58.

    Arclite

    @Mnemosyne (iPhone):

    Also, too, fuck cancer.

    Fuck it with a rusty spike. I’ve actually had my thyroid and a bunch of lymph nodes removed, courtesy of the corner cutting assholes at the Millstone Nuclear Power Plant in East Lyme, CT. So far, cancer free, but taking artificial thyroid meds for the rest of my life. Can’t wait until I get older and start forgetting.

  60. 60.

    Elie

    @askew:

    Condolences to you…

    Though we all know that death comes to all of us — and that we do not want our loved ones to suffer in the process — there is just no “relief” when it happens… the grief is not changed at all by the knowledge that the person is past suffering. In time that factors in, but immediately, its just pain and sorrow and missing their presence in our lives.

    I am looking at the picture of my beloved Mom here on my desk, right behind my laptop… I miss her every day and still have to catch myself from getting up to call her…

  61. 61.

    Cain

    I’m the same age as Beau. Definitely too young to die. So much to accomplish. LIke his wife and daughter, Joe will carry a torch for his son for the rest of his life. Rest in peace, Beau.

  62. 62.

    Betty Gray

    my heart and prayers go out to the family. I know some of their pain. I lost my son at 40 in 2011, and my husband this year. We never think we will see a child go before us. Joe Biden has lost a wife and now two children .

  64. 64.

    Ruckus

    @Mnemosyne (iPhone):
    RIP Beau. 46 and two kids. Life just sucks some days.

    Several people in my family have had cancer, only one kicked it and lived to a ripe old age cancer free. And now I’m facing the threat of it myself. It will be a number of weeks before I have answers so I’m just marking time. I’ve been pretty depressed since I got the original news of the possibility and that it may be not just one but two different types. Hopefully this will be like the last time I got this news (when I was 46) and I’ll be cancer free. But I decided a few days ago that I would give it the old college try no matter what I find out. That makes it a little bit better. So the good news is I may live long enough to find out I have Alzheimer’s as both my parents did, making it a little more likely for me. Fun times.

  66. 66.

    Kerry Reid

    Joe Biden has had to endure more tragedy in his family than most of us can imagine. RIP, Beau. And FUCK CANCER.

  68. 68.

    Elie

    @Ruckus:

    None of us is leaving here alive, right?

    Please take care of yourself — your body and your spirit best you can…

    For love and beauty, time stands still… May you have plenty of both…

  69. 69.

    Mike in NC

    Terrible story, and yet Dick Cheney with his borrowed organs will live another 50 years. Frankenstein was not fiction.

  70. 70.

    Mnemosyne (tablet)

    @Ruckus:

    Yikes! Are you going through the VA for it? Don’t forget that Roger Moore works at City of Hope, so he could probably give you some tips on transferring your care there if you wanted to.

  72. 72.

    Ruckus

    @Mike in NC:
    There truly is not justice in the world is there?

    Thanks everyone. It will be what it is. Had a reasonably bad situation once before and the doc told me that I may lose use of a reasonably necessary body part. I asked him if he did his part, and he looked at me like I was crazy, but he answered yes. Then I told him that I would do my part and that as both of us would do the best we could, we’d get the best outcome we could get. He said he’d never had anyone put it quite like that. 27 years later, still going strong. I don’t expect to break any records but who knows what tomorrow holds? I’m in it for as long as the ride lasts.

  74. 74.

    Ruckus

    @Mnemosyne (tablet):
    Yes the VA. The VA is what I’ve got. I’m pretty comfortable there so unless I get some real bad news I’m going with them. So far I’ve been treated real well and feel that the care I’ve been given is top notch, better than a lot of what I’ve seen in our wonderful public healthcare system. If a doc says you need x, you get x, no discussions, no one sitting at a desk a thousand miles away redlining everything. I’ve not had one person with an attitude, something I’ve gotten with insurance paid care. If anything it seems like they bend over backwards. It’s only been so in the last 5-6 yrs. Wonder why that is?

  75. 75.

    Mnemosyne (tablet)

    @Ruckus:

    IIRC (though this was a while ago), the VA in Westwood had some agreements with UCLA to share facilities, so you may find yourself being treated by doctors who have practices at both UCLA and the VA, which is a good thing. We’re all hoping for the best for you.

  77. 77.

    Ruckus

    @Elie:
    Thanks.

    I’m also sorry to highjack the post, Beau Biden seems to have been a pretty good guy and he went way too young. Those of us saying that the Biden’s have had horrible losses, remember that many families have this kind of tragedy and they aren’t famous so few ever hear about them. Beau had healthcare, he had a family with reasonable resources, many still do not. I now have the VA, only a small percentage do. Many of us here have stories or know those who have them of having no healthcare and no way to pay for care of any substance. As we feel sorrow for Beau and his family, please try to remember these people as well.

    I’m still flabbergasted that we are 15% through the 21st century and we are the third largest country by population and second only to the EU by GDP and we have millions of people still without healthcare. We spend more and have less than all the other advanced countries. The ACA is of course a big help, but it is pathetic that that’s the best we can do. Maybe Beau Biden’s death shouldn’t, but to me it brings that once again to the forefront.

  78. 78.

    Ruckus

    @Mnemosyne (tablet):
    Absolutely true. UCLA and Ceders sends a lot of people (interns/residents) to use us as lab rats. The thing is all of them have been great, knowledgeable, and pretty humble. They are well managed and have to consult with full time staff before they treat you. And frequently that full time staff doc gives you the once over before anything is decided. It works.

  80. 80.

    notorious JRT

    I am certain of one thing: Joe Biden is a family man. The loss of Beau has got to be crushing for him and for that which means most to him-his family. My heart goes out to them all. But, I am also certain that such a close family will have many happy memories to see them through the darkness and keep Beau alive in their hearts – even though the grief must be unspeakable. RIP Beau Biden.

  81. 81.

    JCT

    @Mike in NC: As we often mutter in the hospital, “good guy, bad outcome” – the converse is often true.

    RIP Beau Biden, here’s to a short live lived well, full of public service and dedication to bettering the lives of others. And love to Uncle Joe who lost a fine boy.

    And those pond scum trolls at the WaPo are best ignored. Losers one and all.

  82. 82.

    JCT

    @Ruckus: Hang in there, my better half is still kicking after a “dire” diagnosis 6-7 years ago.

    The VA connection is considered a strength of the UCLA and Cedars programs. Definitely good care, my father was a patient there for years.

    Strong thoughts your way.

  83. 83.

    The Other Bob

    Beau Biden brought tears to my eyes at the 2008 convention talking about his dad being there for him when he lost his mom. I don’t get worked up by too many political speeches anymore. Most are just contrived and sappy. Beau seemed very real.

    Sons and Dads. Complicated relationships. Heartbreaking.

  84. 84.

    D58826

    @JCT: And so much of the pond scum never tires of telling us that they represent family values and they love Jesus so!

  86. 86.

    Patricia Kayden

    Just reading this now. So sad to hear of Beau’s passing. My sympathy to his family. Way too young.

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