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Boeing: repeatedly making the case for high speed rail.

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Yeah, with this crowd one never knows.

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Dear Washington Post, you are the darkness now.

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The republican caucus is covering themselves with something, and it’s not glory.

You are here: Home / Absent Friends / RIP / RIP, Zandar

RIP, Zandar

by | 98 Comments

This post is in: ,

I regret to inform you that the bad news we discussed last evening is in fact true, and Zandar has died:

Good morning. This is Zandar’s Dad. I am sorry to tell you that he passed away over the weekend, peacefully in his sleep. Fortunately, his computer was on and open to this page but I don’t know if I will be able to post again. This blog was Jon’s passion. He was an ardent advocate for justice and for our Democracy. He was brilliant. He was funny. He never stopped believing in our country but he never stopped fighting the “stupid” and there was plenty of it for him to fight. He was thrilled with KY reelecting a Democratic governor, and he posted up until Friday, but he was feeling sick over the weekend and when he went to bed Saturday night, he thought that he would feel better when he woke up, but he never did.

I posted a few replies to his recent posts, hoping to get the word out, before I located this page. As I said, this blog is his pride and joy. In many ways, it is his legacy. He greatly appreciated all of you who read the blog, who posted, and who supported ZandarVTS financially. If you are inclined to make a financial donation in his memory, the chosen organization is the American Heart Association, but the BESTthing you can do to honor Jon’s memory is to VOTE like your life and your Democracy depend on it, because they do.

Zandar’s full name was Jonathan David Mott. He was born on 6/8/75 in Omaha, NE. His obituary should appear soon on the the Hickory Daily Record website, www.hickoryrecord.com.

Thanks and please VOTE.

Just absolutely horrible news and he was a young man. We lost a really good one here- he was interesting, entertaining, and could turn a phrase. I wish I knew what to say.

Update: All of Zandar’s Balloon Juice posts from 2011-2016 can be found here: Zandar

Reader Interactions

98Comments

  3. 3.

    Ohio Mom

    I always vote of course, and I usually utter a short thanks to the universe for arriving at the moment as I color in those rectangles. I’ll add thinking a good thought about Zander.

  5. 5.

    SiubhanDuinne

    I didn’t follow Zandar’s blog, but I remember him with fondness and admiration from his time here at Balloon Juice. His passing is terribly sad, and even sadder when you look at his birthdate and realise he was only 48. RIP, Zandar. Your memory is a blessing.

  6. 6.

    Alison Rose

    the BESTthing you can do to honor Jon’s memory is to VOTE like your life and your Democracy depend on it, because they do

    Indeed they do. Definitely seems like a good way to honor him, by voting to try to make this country the better place he wanted it to be.

    May his memory be for a blessing. I hope his family and friends are able to find some comfort among the grief, whatever that looks like for them. A quote from a book I just finished (literally minutes ago):

    There is a proper way to grieve in the eyes of others: not too little, not too much. But there is a part of grieving that occurs behind the curtains, a part that is just for us and the deceased. And I suspect it is in this private communion, away from the crowd and the judgment, that we can find solace.

    Agreed.

  8. 8.

    WaterGirl

    the BESTthing you can do to honor Jon’s memory is to VOTE like your life and your Democracy depend on it, because they do.

    With a Dad writing that, it appears that Zandar came by his passion honestly.

    You fought the good fight, Zandar.  Gone too soon.

  11. 11.

    bbleh

    OMG.  What it must have taken to write that.  Alas for Zandar, and alas and alack for Zandar’s dad.

  16. 16.

    MomSense

    Oh Zandar’s dad, my heart goes out to you.  He was loved and respected and when I cast my vote I will say a word of gratitude for Zander.

    Thank you so much for letting us know.

  17. 17.

    David 🌈 ☘The Establishment☘🌈 Koch

    He was such a good guy, so funny, so insightful.  It’s sad, so sad.

  18. 18.

    Betty Cracker

    Such awful news. We were Twitter mutuals, but that connection was another thing Musk ruined.

    Zander was funny, fierce and focused on fighting the stupid. May be rest in peace while we carry on that fight.

  19. 19.

    David 🌈 ☘The Establishments☘🌈 Koch

    Some time when the team is up against it, when things are wrong and the breaks are beating the guys, ask them to go in there with all they’ve got and win one for the Zandar.

  21. 21.

    Kathleen

    Rest in peace,  Zandar, though I hope he still raises hell somewhere in heaven! I did not realize we were both born in Omaha.

  22. 22.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    Awww damn… Rest in peace, Zandar. My condolences to his family and friends, what a shock this is. Way too young and too soon. Thank you to his father for letting us know what happened, it must have been very difficult to write that. Thank you for giving us his name and a bit about him and his life.

    To everyone out there; tell your loved ones that you love them, hug them and do it every day.

  23. 23.

    satby

    Yeah, after he quit posting here I followed him on Twitter too, and frequently clicked through to his blog. Zandar was a good writer, a passionate defender of democracy, and an implacable foe of the stupid.
    Go raibh sé ar neamh sula mbeidh
    a fhios ag an diabhal go bhfuil
    sé marbh! (May he be in heaven
    before the devil knows he’s dead!)

  24. 24.

    SteveinPHX

    I’m new to this place and still discovering. I remember stumbling across some reference to Balloon Juice 18-24 months ago and in no time was back here constantly. Didn’t really know what a blog was.

    I’m 30 years past Zandar and am very touched by your words about this gentleman. May he Rest in Peace.

    I’m working past lurking, but not going anywhere. I vote Democrat. The missus votes Democrat and my sons vote Democrat.

    Zandar went way too young.

  25. 25.

    geg6

    RIP Zandar.  A fierce and funny spirit who will be sorely missed.  I will dedicate all my votes next year to him.

  27. 27.

    geg6

    @SteveinPHX:

    Good to meet you, Steve!  Stick around.  We may be profane and there are a lot of in-jokes you’ll have to learn (I highly recommend checking out the Balloon Juice Lexicon link).  But we’re almost all good people (we have our trolls, as any blog does) and we are a varied bunch.  The one thing we all agree on is the existential importance of voting.  And we love welcoming new jackals to the pack.

  29. 29.

    JGreen

    Dammit, we also lost Lance Mannion not that long ago and a couple of others I can think of. I’m always saying the wrong people keep dying.

    RIP to Zandar. I did read his blog often and I’m sorry to think there will be no more posts from him.

  30. 30.

    WaterGirl

    Zandar had a real way with words.  One of his last posts here was:

     NC GOP “Bathroom Bill” Is A Steaming Load Of Crap

    I think you all know that you can find all the posts of former front-pagers in the sidebar, but I’ll put a link here in case Zandar’s Dad reads this post.

    Zandar

  31. 31.

    Alison Rose

    @WaterGirl: This was a good one, too:

    Correlation Is Apparently In The Opposite Galactic Quadrant From Causation

    Opening line:

    I’m relatively sure that a Five Thirty Eight piece on how Democrats are suppressing the vote by having off-year elections with the “advantage” of low turnout is the actual definition of peak data journalism.

    Closing lines:

    This whole idea is stupid on its face and serves only as High Broderism that hides the very real issue of Republican efforts to disenfranchise voters across the country.

    Jesus hell, what an asshole.

    PS, GO VOTE.  Frowny Bee wants you to vote.

  34. 34.

    jnfr

    I am so sad to hear this. Zandar, I appreciated your posts over the years so much. Peace to you and all your friends and family.

  35. 35.

    dp

    Hell.  I’m going to miss him; best wishes to his friends and family, who must be heartbroken as well.

  38. 38.

    Paul W.

    Haven’t commented in a while here, but this blog brought me to Zandar whose whimsical irreverence at the number of threats facing this country, and whose steadfast focus on how dangerous and intimate those threats were, gave me a lot of peace. So, I hope he now rests peacefully in whatever hereafter comes next. He will certainly be missed, and damn the fat man for outliving him!

  39. 39.

    Old School

    @WaterGirl:

    I think you all know that you can find all the posts of former front-pagers in the sidebar,

    When did MisterDancer become a “Past Author”?

    I missed his retirement party.

  40. 40.

    Mousebumples

    @geg6: I will dedicate all my votes next year to him.

    That seems perfect. I’m probably going to have 4 election days next year, and I’ll think of him at each, and when I’m postcarding. Hopefully his spirit can give a little more oopmh to our GOTV efforts.

    May his memory be a blessing.

  42. 42.

    CaseyL

    Very sad to hear this confirmed.

    I checked the link WaterGirl put up: Zandar stopped front paging here in 2016.  It’s shocking how long ago that seems.

    Ave atque vale, Zandar.

  44. 44.

    UncleEbeneezer

    What a bummer.  My deepest condolences to all who knew him better than I did.  And especially his family.  I’m only one year older than him so this is very sobering and sad.  RIP

  46. 46.

    Jager

    At my friend Bill’s Memorial service a couple of weeks ago, I paraphrased Alice Siebold’s thoughts from “The Lovely Bones”

    We don’t know where the dead go, we don’t know what the dead think. We have one duty, we must keep their memory alive and tell their stories…

    Bill and I were friends since childhood, 67 years. He was a good man, husband, father, grandfather. I hold his precious stories close.

    I only know Zandar from his blog and I believe like Bill, he was a good man, so is his father. I wish I knew more of Zandar’s stories.

  48. 48.

    JAFD

    “They shall know well the heavenly fellowship
    Of men that perish and of summer morn …”

    RIP, Zandar. You made a large contribution in a too-short life

  53. 53.

    Sure Lurkalot

    Always sad when the good leave too soon. I visited his blog, Zander vs. the Stupid, at least a couple times a week and admired his clarity and dedication. Condolences to his family and friends.

  54. 54.

    UncleEbeneezer

    So many great progressive bloggers died way too young.

    Especially the really funny ones :(

    Scott Erik Kaufman (LG&M), Al Wiesel (Jon Swift), Doghouse Riley.

  62. 62.

    Highway Rob

    RIP Zandar. The Stupid will outlive us all, but you made the battle against it a happier one.

    (I know it’s not about me, but holy shit the man was within a stone’s throw of my age. Best go get that physical.)

  64. 64.

    BeautifulPlumage

    Rest in peace Zandar.

    Thank you, Zandar’s Dad, for taking the time & energy to let this blog know about your son’s passing. This must be an  incredibly difficult time for you; we appreciate knowing. Please take care.

    Condolences to his family, friends, and appreciators of his writing.

  66. 66.

    pika

    I remember Zandar very well. I am sorry, Zandar’s dad and all who loved him, for your loss. Indeed, may his memory be many many blessings

  69. 69.

    TriassicSands

    Horrible news!  Too young. Too young. It feels like I’ve been offering condolences too often lately and it’s worse when it’s someone so young. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. I didn’t know him, but I’ve read his comments and responses and I’m familiar with his blog. Every voice on BJ comes from someone who cares and wants the best for this country and it’s citizens. Zandar will be missed.

  71. 71.

    Villago Delenda Est

    Zandar can rest in peace and power, assured that this crazy mob of whatevers will continue to push to GOTV and fight the fascists to their last breaths, if necessary.

  72. 72.

    Poe Larity

    I Vote Zandar

    Have already had a couple, but since I have an Irish Wake with three score relatives in 48 hours I may need that extra angel.

  74. 74.

    Cintibud

    Terrible news. RIP Zander, I remember you well from when you posted here but missed what you were doing since. Gone to soon

  76. 76.

    TriassicSands

    I’m a little annoyed/angry at the moment.. I’m in the hospital right now and the CNA said something to me just as I was reading Zander’s father’s message. When I didn’t respond right away she got very impatient and snippy. I looked at her and said I just found out someone died very young. Her response?

    She started to lecture me, telling me “We all have to die sometime. My grandmother told me, blah, blah, blah,  you have to live every day like it’s your last day. Then, she explained that when god (lower case intentional) comes for you, you have to go, you can’t hide. And she went on and on, repeating herself while I was trying to finish the message.

    I have directly faced the possibility of imminent death. Twice climbing and and twice in a car. I’ve got a disease right now that could kill me (Six major medications and a number of lesser ones but still potent) have all failed to help me. I face the need to have surgery from which there is very real concern about my never recovering. And this person is lecturing me about death. Believe me I’ve thought about death…a lot. I desperately need IV nutrition at home, but there is no way I can afford it ($823 a week out of pocket.) Without it I won’t survive. Wonderful people are trying to find a way to finance it for me. Yes, I’m aware of death and I’ve very likely thought about it a lot more than the CNA has. “Live every day like it is your last,” she kept saying.  Frankly, I don’t want my last day on earth to be in an isolation room in a hospital. So, I think I’ll pass on that for the moment.

    I said to her, do you think I should call his father and say, “Relax, everyone has to die sometime.” That poor man just lost his son.

    Every nurse and CNA has been really nice until this one. I don’t think she’s smiled all day. Fortunately, her shift ended about thirteen minutes ago.

    PS I just found out that a good friend died a few days ago. The friend who told me about her death didn’t know I was in the hospital. I didn’t tell anyone because I didn’t want anyone to drive 150 miles RT just to visit me. Climate change, you know. Besides I can “visit” with people here on BJ. Yeah, they’re all terrible, but any port in a storm, any jackal when you’re in the hospital. Don’t tell anyone I said that. Actually, it dosen’t matter. Jackals kill sweet little critters without remorse. I doubt if insults bother them.

  78. 78.

    Ohio Mom

    @TriassicSands: Sorry to hear about your illness. I hope the doctors figure out how to help you and I hope you have some friends acting at your advocate. You know the old joke, there are two places you need a friend on the outside, jail and the hospital.

    Please keep us updated. I think I can speak for all Juicer-Jackals when I say, We are all pulling for you.

  83. 83.

    TriassicSands

    @eclare: @Ohio Mom: @mrmoshpotato: @Poe Larity:

    Thank you for the kind wishes.

     

    @Ohio Mom: I hope you have some friends acting at your advocate.

    I have a very determined advocate — me. In 2006, BP normal, weight fine, lipids fine, I started to have troubling pain and pressure in the center of my chest. I went to my PCP and asked for a referral to a cardiologist for a stress test. He assured me I was fine and was not going to have a heart attack. I was sure it was unstable angina. Three weeks later, after multiple worsening “events’ and repeat requests and denials, I called his office and demanded to speak directly to him. I told him that I wasn’t going to stop calling until he gave me a referral. He finally relented. I had an appointment Friday morning. And a heart attack Thursday night.

    I read extensively on any medication I take, any procedure I have done, etc. I tell the doctors exactly what I think, and if I have reason to trust them, I do what they tell me if it makes sense to me. So far, in this hospital stay, I’ve recommended two things that they hadn’t thought of, they agreed to do them, and both worked. But I’m not a doctor and I need good doctors to guide me. If they don’t listen, I find a doctor who will.

    The doctors in this hospital have all been great. I offered one idea after extensive reading and the doctor agreed with everything I said, but pointed out a criterion that had never been mentioned in my reading. I agreed to what she suggested and everything went well. Frequently, I tell them what my reading has taught me and if there is something I’ve missed — after all, I’m not a doctor and don’t have access to everything — they explain what i couldn’t find.

    The only way you can be too strong an advocate for yourself is to cross a line and have security escort you out.

  86. 86.

    rikyrah

    Not Zandar😪😪😪

     

    He was so smart. So passionate. I have been reading him for as long as I have been interested in politics on the internet.😪😪

     

    Too.damn.young.😠😠😠

     

    RIP😪😪😪😪

  88. 88.

    StarStorm

    Goddess fuck , yeah. WAY too damn young. He will be missed, and his passing is a loss for the world.

  89. 89.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    I’ve been going through Zandar’s earliest posts here and note the ferocity with which he tackled subjects that were near and dear to him. He was a very skilled writer who could put things together in a way that I could only wish. He had so much to say and the drive to get it out there. If he was a flame it was one that burned with an intensity that he used to provide light to others, to help them see what he saw.

    The world lost someone who cared for it.

  90. 90.

    Prescott Cactus

    @Alison Rose:

    There is a proper way to grieve in the eyes of others: not too little, not too much. But there is a part of grieving that occurs behind the curtains, a part that is just for us and the deceased. And I suspect it is in this private communion, away from the crowd and the judgment, that we can find solace.

    Alison Rose, if you wouldn’t mind sharing the name of this book, I’m pretty sure I’d love to read it.

    Zander I hardly knew ye.

    I cannot imagine the strength of Zanders father to type the announcement of his son’s death. A strength he passed on to Zander, I would think.  I wouldn’t want to donate to a charity the family doesn’t approve of, but is their a way that his blog can be immortalized by prepaying web expenses or are those things scraped up and archived somewhere?

  91. 91.

    Prescott Cactus

    @TriassicSands:

    Very wise words

    The only way you can be too strong an advocate for yourself is to cross a line and have security escort you out.

    Hope things get better and better. Cheat death every chance you can. No one can win, but fight like hell !

  94. 94.

    Sherparick1

    @TriassicSands: So sorry to hear about your illness. And also that you ran into the reincarnation of Nurse Ratchett while dealing with the loss of a friend. Take care & heal soon. Our thoughts are with you.

  95. 95.

    Sherparick1

    I will miss Zandar terribly as I have been reading him, not just here, but on his previous blog and on Twitter. He died far to young, but did so much with the life span he was granted. May his memory be a blessing and condolences & comfort that such words can give to his Dad & the rest of his family.

    Here is a link to his blog. https://zandarvts.blogspot.com/

  97. 97.

    Miss Bianca

    @Tim C.:

    “In the name of Zandar, I will fight the Stupid!”

    A very fitting tribute. I will join you!

    I remember Zandar from his posts here, which I always loved, but never clicked over to his blog. My loss. RIP, Zandar.

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