May you rest peacefully for eternity, good sir!

His very presence in a crowd conversation elevated the dialogue and thoughts. Besides, he was just a good gentleman and human being. Dang, this is a loss.

His last post was just a few days ago.

Go gently into the good night, sir.

His wit is what I’ll miss the most. RIP James.

Thank you

I always regarded him with awe. I can't remember if we ever spoke to one another, but I know I read many of his remarks. He was always courtly and courteous!

Your beautiful eulogy brought the sting of tears. Thank you for sharing this very sad news.

We indeed will miss him forever.

I’m going to miss you.

Deepest sympathy to his family

May his memory be a blessing to you.

Whenever I saw one of his posts, I read it very eagerly, knowing what he wrote was going to be both brilliant and accurate, as well as witty. Every post he made, always made me think more deeply about the issues, and informed me.

I was sad to learn of his passing. I will miss his wisdom.

difficult time. He was a DU staple. A little bit of DU will be gone with him. 💕

I will remember your unique posting style and your ability to interact with many different people on this site in a playful and yet informative way. Your presence here did make a difference. My sympathy to your family and friends who must be in shock right now. RIP, senseandsensibility

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That makes me sad.

I was always so proud when he would respond to a post of mine. He has such grace and wit and I'm devastated I'll never see a post with his familiar "Ma'am".

I want his family and friends to understand how much we all love his presence here and he'll be leaving a hole that can't be filled.

Farewell, Sir.

The Magistrate was a legend on DU.

Peace...

The sudden shock is heartbreaking to experience. He was a presence here and we will miss him.

This is what terrifies me about going to my cardiologist. My mother had a stress test, and then got a clean bill of health the day before she dropped dead of a heart attack in front of me. It happens more than people realize. A good reason to always tell your people you love them.

I know your spirit will always be here; you will forever be a DUer ❤️🙏🏻😢

he was posting regularly and seemed to be doing well even up to recent days.

Always enjoyed reading his posts.

I hadn't heard from her for awhile. Was wondering if she unfriended me. So, I went to her page, "We miss you". She died suddenly and had posted several times on the day she died. I don't know how she died, but I assume it was a sudden heart attack or something similar.

That’s not something you see enough of these days.

He will be missed.

my mom's cousin's wife had gotten a clean bill of health. soon after she died while being treated after not feeling well.

That Friday, she flew back to Detroit to oversee settling her mother in the nursing home they had chosen. She woke up the next morning, told her son, with whom she was staying while everything was settled, that she wasn't feeling well. Twenty minutes later, she was dead from a massive coronary. She was slender, non-smoker, casual drinker, upbeat, grrat sense of humour. No indications or markers at all.

on the other hand. its a good way to go. just sucks for the left behind.

The Magistrate and I did not always agree on the remedy for the 1/6 insurrectionists. I was much more emotional than he. He lived up to his name, the Magistrate. He was reasoned and logical like good judge would be. He helped to ground me and keep me on the strait and narrow. I will miss his honest and direct assessment. Fair winds and calm seas to the Magistrate

Only knew him from DU but he made a huge impact. Condolences and strength to his loved ones.

As many of you know, DU was an early haven for women on the internet. I was one who sought refuge here after the wars that were the BBS days (bulletin boards...if you don't remember them, GOOD!)
The Magistrate and I always got along; I am sadder than I can write. God take him kindly.

he will be sorely missed.

May you pass gently, Magistrate.

========

and the site will not be the same without you. Safe passage!

When you arrive wherever you arrive and if you find there is no DU, please start one. No doubt we will all be following you one by one as time goes on 💖.

I'm incredibly saddened by your passing.

I'm sorry for the loss to your family.

I know I'll notice the absence of "Sir" when I read posts.

I will always remain wishing for one more post from you!

Were influenced by his thoughts and his civility.

I wish him a peaceful passing and wish his family the best.

Thanks for letting us know, EarlG.

Your contributions, Sir, certainly elevated DU.

I feel especially devastated that there were no obvious signs that might have forewarned his cardiologist, and somehow led to the prevention of this horrible outcome. That only makes the news more heart-wrenching--even while I know it happens-- no matter how good the care.

As a fellow member here from the beginning with The Magistrate, I can echo those who reference his intelligence, eloquence, broad understanding of issues, and curiosity for those he was learning anew. His posts could always be identified immediately by his preferred use of "sir" in each and every one. I shall remember him fondly for a lot of things, but always with that mandatory emblem of respect.

DU will never be the same without you, but you, sir, will be remembered. RIP

Sir, I will miss you. Safe journey.

as cool off DU.

enlightening. Always wiser after contemplating his insight. Cut from different cloth.

Saddened.

Sad news indeed.

One of the best things that could happen on this site was a kind response from him. Jesus, I'm going to miss his wit and humor.

I was always glad to read his posts, and I will miss his presence here very much.

I thank his family for letting us know, a gracious move that is reminiscent of The Magistrate himself.

"The Magistrate" at all times, and most of all I loved that he called them like he saw them, committed at all times to a discourse on this board that advanced progressive ideals. He'll be sorely missed.

We didn't always agree but there was never animosity. I'll keep that lesson with me as long as I possibly can. Sad stuff.

You will be missed.

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Would that all magistrates be so wise and fair.


I thank you, Sir, for all the times you brought your well-reasoned perspective to us so thoughtfully.


“To live well and honorably and justly are the same thing.” - Socrates

It was a pleasure to read his posts.

I don't post that much, but I spend a lot of time here. I always looked forward to The Magistrate's posts.

Wisdom and absolute politeness in equal measure.
His was a voice you wanted to hear. This is truly a loss for DU.

My sympathies to his family and friends. As much as we will mourn the loss of our Magistrate, you have lost James. We share your grief.

To The Magistrate

Smart, and good mannered. Very kind. I’m honored to share his first name - James.

You came among the first of us and spoke among the best of us, it was my privilege to have read a few of your eloquent thoughts as expressed on this forum. I will remember you.

Safe travels, sir 💔

Terrible news 😔. I liked his posts. Rest in peace

I did not interact with him much but seeing him gave me a sense that all was right .

To experience a small part of your world, sir. May you go gently into the night.

He will be greatly missed for his wit and wisdom. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. Pass gently, kind sir.

Magistrate and to all of us at DU who will miss his posts. May your good memories and the stories you’ll tell comfort you and make you smile .

One of a kind~

May he carry the same weight and humour in the afterlife as he did during his brief stay in this mortal plane.

If memory serves, he dabbled in the miniatures of famous battles or some similar esoteric pastime.

replies. I enjoyed him very much. He will be greatly missed. Go in peace, my good man.

We had some great exchanges, back in the day (he came to DU about six months after I did). I am so sorry to hear about this, he was a rational, intelligent, and amusing person whose posts brightened many of my days.

Blessings of peace and comfort to The Magistrate - much appreciation and love

Dear Sir,

Thank you for being one of the first to welcome me to DU 20 years ago. Thank you for helping navigate this place early on and providing some wonderful guffaws. I appreciate your style, wit, and compassion. I also appreciate the way you stood up for and spoke out on behalf of the Jewish community, in ways, many here, don't even know.

I wish you could have seen out first female president ascend to the White House, but maybe you still will. Who knows.

"If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it."

passing. DU will not be the same without his presence.

My condolence to family and friends.

He will be missed on DU, always posting interesting and often pithy comments. Condolences to his family.

I always looked to his opinion on things. A truly solid gentleman.

He had it all: erudite, clever, witty, excellent prose writer, a terrific member of our community who will be terribly missed.

May his memory always be for a blessing. My sincerest heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

The Magistrate was a kind, intelligent, and compassionate individual who upheld the values of this Democratic community. He was well-respected and well-liked by many. I will miss him dearly and his loss will be felt by all who knew him. Rest in peace Sir.

I will miss your posts, which were so unique and so scholarly.

I remember you and I once had a long discussion about the Chinese Royal Historian Sima Qian, and how much we both admired him.

It was so refreshing to be able to discuss such a figure with another like-minded soul!
You are irreplaceable, and the world will be less awesome without your presence.

Pass gently, surrounded by love and light.

You were truly an example of REN.

You were one of my all-time favorite DUers, for your unique style of posting.

I will miss you greatly.

But one day ". . .I'll meet you further on up the road. . ."

And a true gentleman.

... And for all of us. I'll miss his sharp wit and clever wisdom.

But I always eagerly read his posts. Loved his logical insights and he often either calmed me down or worked my brain cells. He made a difference and he will be sorely missed.

My condolences to his loved ones.

This is terrible news.
Sleep well, Magistrate.

I'm saddened to hear of his family's loss. I love people who challenge our assumptions. They make us all stronger.

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Your insights, posts, and presence will be sorely missed. Rest easy, sir.

My sincerest condolences to the family of Magistrate!

hearing about The Magistrate.
What a wonderful human being.
He will be surely missed.
Condolences to his family and friends.

and his posts remain in the mix.

A voice on point and spirited.

What a great DUer! He was participating in threads with his usual decorum just this week. I wish his family the best.

You have given me pause in my posting, consideration in my heart and a knowledge that someone so much wiser and more patient than I could ever hope to be was sharing this marvelous planet with all of us.

The world will be a much smaller place without you.

I will miss you, my friend 🫂

May he rest peacefully. I will miss him.

He's been one of my favorite posters, always something wise and sensible to add to a discussion. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to his family.