Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

We will not go quietly into the night; we will not vanish without a fight.

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

Museums are not America’s attic for its racist shit.

When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty. ~Thomas Jefferson

The rest of the comments were smacking Boebert like she was a piñata.

Let’s bury these fuckers at the polls 2 years from now.

So it was an October Surprise A Day, like an Advent calendar but for crime.

They are not red states to be hated; they are voter suppression states to be fixed.

Thanks to your bullshit, we are now under siege.

“What are Republicans afraid of?” Everything.

You passed on an opportunity to be offended? What are you even doing here?

The fundamental promise of conservatism all over the world is a return to an idealized past that never existed.

The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.

We know you aren’t a Democrat but since you seem confused let me help you.

the 10% who apparently lack object permanence

“Loving your country does not mean lying about its history.”

Republicans in disarray!

Hot air and ill-informed banter

Fear or fury? The choice is ours.

Motto for the House: Flip 5 and lose none.

… gradually, and then suddenly.

My right to basic bodily autonomy is not on the table. that’s the new deal.

Yeah, with this crowd one never knows.

Since when do we limit our critiques to things we could do better ourselves?

You are here: Home / Absent Friends / Schlemazel Memorial Service Information

Schlemazel Memorial Service Information

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Schlemazel’s niece, who you may remember from comments as Laura Too, emailed me earlier today with the information about Schlemazel’s memorial service.

I have permission from my aunt to share this. Mark’s memorial will be on Saturday September 28th 12:00 Skyview shelter at French Park in Plymouth, MN. Anyone who knew him is welcome to come, and anyone who wants to write a memorial to him I will print out like I did for him at the hospital and put in a form for his family. Please let me know if you need anything else for this, I’m not very good at it, and it hasn’t got much easier. Thanks for making such a wonderful family!

So if you’re in the Plymouth, MN area and want to attend, please do. And if you’re not, but would like to write a few words about him for his family, do so in the comments and Laura Too will print them out for the rest of her family to read.

I’ll repeat this post a couple of times during the week so everyone that would like to gets a chance to leave a memorial comment.

Open thread!

Reader Interactions

64Comments

  1. 1.

    zhena gogolia

    I will always remember Schlemazel’s wit and political acumen, but most of all his bravery in the face of suffering and death. His strength and wisdom were an example for us all.

  3. 3.

    Mary G

    I lurked for years before daring to dip a toe into the shark-infested waters of the Balloon Juice commentariat, Schlemazel was supportive and encouraging, in his way. His bravery and persistence in the face of his health problems were inspiring. I miss him all the time.

  4. 4.

    Elizabelle

    Good to know. I think about Schlemazel from time to time each week, and definitely efgoldman. They are missed. For those guys: fuck ’em.

    Next thing you know, Laura Too will be adopting a BJ rescue pet. You know it’s coming.

  5. 5.

    satby

    Mark was a perceptive observer of the political scene and an often pithy commenter on it too. I always enjoyed reading his comments. And like many here, was so impressed with his perseverance in confronting his many health issues. It was only in the last year or so that most of us became very aware of his health struggles, he had only rarely mentioned them in passing, and that was so brave. Your jackal family really misses you Schlemazel!

  6. 6.

    satby

    @Elizabelle: ?
    And many thanks to Laura Too for generously acting as the link to let our friend know how much he was loved, and to let his wife and family know how much he was valued by his online community of friends.
    I wish I could be there in MN.

  7. 7.

    MomSense

    I wish I could be there for the memorial. I’ll be thinking of Schlemazel, Laura Too, and the rest of the family.

  8. 8.

    laura

    Schlemazel, zealously compassionate and so engaging in sharing an opinion, a take, a zinger. Kind and welcoming. His sudden, unwelcome passing. A good’n that one, a good’n. I miss him and am better to have known him if only virtually.

  9. 9.

    Ruckus

    That would be a worthwhile trip.
    Schlemazel is missed for a very good reason, he was a good person. Considering his health issues he was an amazing person.

    I’d really like to be there to say so long. Thinking.

  11. 11.

    Elizabelle

    We should find that memorial thread we did (maybe more than one) and make sure Laura has that. I would be she already does. Would be nice to post it again, here, as we (formally) memorialize Schlemazel.

  12. 12.

    Laura Too

    I know he was so very honored when I read him all of the comments 2 nights before he died He was on a ventilator and couldn’t open his eyes but he would react in a way that you knew he could hear. When I would read the names and the funny comments he would seem to laugh. When I read names like John Cole and Adam and Anne he cried. I know he suffered all his life from low self esteem and I think he really got it that night that he was loved. I can’t thank you all enough for such a wonderful send off. Most people don’t get that. This is an amazing community.

  13. 13.

    Laura Too

    @Elizabelle: I do have them. I will be putting together all of it. I know my cousins will be interested in reading it. We all looked up to him so much.

  14. 14.

    Ohio Mom

    @Elizabelle: Funny you should say that, I just came from that thread. There are 254 comments — a reflection of how much affection all of us had for Schlemazel.

    What I appreciated about him was how down-to-earth, open and authentic he was. Just an all around decent person. It came through the pixels.

  15. 15.

    debbie

    @Laura Too:

    Schlemazel was a fine, kind soul. No matter how far behind I fell reading threads, I never skipped one of his posts. He was always worth reading.

  16. 16.

    Gelfling 545

    His family should know that for many who never had the opportunity to meet him in person he was a respected and valued voice. His passing is a loss to this community.

  18. 18.

    Laura Too

    @debbie: He was, he fought injustice with his every breath. He hated seeing people punch down more than anything and the current regime drove him to distraction for that reason. He was so eloquent and had such a wonderful memory for history and was a voracious reader. I couldn’t keep up!

  24. 24.

    Laura Too

    @Elizabelle: Not to tech savvy but Adam was wonderfully helpful in getting me links so I could have them even after the change. I fell so warm and embraced by this family. It has helped so much.

  25. 25.

    Villago Delenda Est

    He was a great member of this community. Rest easy, Schlemazel, knowing that we will continue to fight the good fight you also fought.

  29. 29.

    Laura Too

    @opiejeanne: He loved most everyone here. As Raven noted, his BS detector was finely tuned. And yes, he and Mr, Goldman had a lot in common, their voices are dearly missed.

  31. 31.

    Laura Too

    @schrodingers_cat: We were lucky, his Mom gave us a love of cooking good food and adventurous spirit. We spent many hours cooking and eating out and finally in MN we started getting real Indian, Vietnamese, Somali , Ethiopian and many other restaurants and we delighted in trying every one we could.

  32. 32.

    Another Scott

    @opiejeanne: +1

    I greatly admired Schlemazel’s determination to keep all of us up and fighting for what’s right even when he was feeling poorly.

    He’s gone far too soon, and will be fondly remembered for a long time.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  35. 35.

    Another Scott

    @RAVEN: Good, good.

    Two counterprotesters were arrested after they walked around a barricaded era to get to the pro-Trump rally, where they began shouting “Whose streets? Our streets!” Police quickly whisked them away to the hoots of their adversaries. City spokeswoman Nikki Perry said they were charged with inciting a riot.

    WTF??

    In Virginia, that’s a Class 5 Felony (possible 1-10 years in prison). Way, way overboard.

    :-(

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  39. 39.

    Steve in the ATL

    @Another Scott: highly likely those charges will be dropped when a lawyer has to actually make the legal case for them

    @Laura Too: we miss the old man! I poured out a drink earlier in his memory. Well ok I spilled it, but I think I subconsciously did that in his honor!

  40. 40.

    Jay

    Brett Kavanaugh is a rapist. So is our President. Many members of Congress, Governors, CEO’s, other members of the Supreme Court. Maybe the press can start covering the violent misogyny of every single institution rather than acting like these are isolated acts.— saira rao (@sairasameerarao) September 15, 2019

  41. 41.

    Jay

    @Steve in the ATL:

    Have you recovered from being Inceptioned last night/early am yet?

    Did you get away with the dream murders, or will you face punishment tonight?

    Inquiring minds want to know.

  42. 42.

    Laura Too

    @RAVEN: @Steve in the ATL: He appreciated a good wine,. and some of the stronger stuff, I am off for the night but will comment in all I can tomorrow. Please know that his family here in MN appreciates his family here in virtual land,

  46. 46.

    Suzanne

    I will not be able to make it to the memorial service, but I hope that Schlemazel’s family knows that he meant a great deal to this weird little community. Though I only knew him in the virtual realm, I know that he was incredibly intelligent and funny (sometimes wickedly so), but with an intense humanity underlying it all. He is missed.

  56. 56.

    Anne Laurie

    Despite his pseudonym, Schlemazel was a mensch. He left a large hole, not just within his family circle, but here in this circle of self-declared cranky, cynical ‘jackals’.

    (Even the tin-eared pests want to memorialize him, in their own interminable way!)

  57. 57.

    J R in WV

    Adam, thanks for putting this up tonight.

    Laura Too — your uncle was a great guy, a real Jackal of Balloon-Juice, who maintained his optimism in the face of continued medical incompetence. We miss his voice here in our imaginary playground. Thanks for sharing him with us!

  58. 58.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    Good people like General Stuck, efgoldman and Schlemazel pass on too damned soon. There have been others here too and it hurts every time it happens even though it’s all a part of the deal we make in life.

    Rest in peace, Mark. My condolences to his wife and family for their loss of this fine man.

  59. 59.

    Miss Bianca

    @Laura Too: Awww. Very late to the party here, but just wanted to say, wish I could make it to the service, and I miss your uncle’s presence here. He was a wry, self-deprecating soul, and an example of bravery in the face of death. Hugs to you and yours.

  61. 61.

    Laura Too

    To all, I will keep monitoring this and put together something to share for the service as everyone here meant so much to him and I can’t imagine a send off without you. I will see if I can’t make is so anyone who wants a copy can email me & I can either email or snailmail it.

  62. 62.

    Laura Too

    @imonlylurking: Perfect, an awesome excuse for me to get a green balloon (I believe that is the correct color?) so you will feel welcome. There will be some of his best recipes and coffee/cider and water. No worries of running out of food, we always make way too much. We never knew how many would show up for dinner so you always made more-can always freeze it.

  64. 64.

    Laura Too

    I keep forgetting to let MN people know if you get a chance to try Urban Forage Winery and Cider House’s cherry cider Mark’s trees contributed a lot to this years batch. You can raise a glass to him and toast all he accomplished.

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