Silence

Andrew Olmsted, - 1/3/2008:

I do ask (not that I’m in a position to enforce this) that no one try to use my death to further their political purposes. I went to Iraq and did what I did for my reasons, not yours. My life isn’t a chit to be used to bludgeon people to silence on either side. If you think the U.S. should stay in Iraq, don’t drag me into it by claiming that somehow my death demands us staying in Iraq. If you think the U.S. ought to get out tomorrow, don’t cite my name as an example of someone’s life who was wasted by our mission in Iraq. I have my own opinions about what we should do about Iraq, but since I’m not around to expound on them I’d prefer others not try and use me as some kind of moral capital to support a position I probably didn’t support. Further, this is tough enough on my family without their having to see my picture being used in some rally or my name being cited for some political purpose. You can fight political battles without hurting my family, and I’d prefer that you did so.

Many now gone would feel the same.

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Ugh Says:

January 16, 2008 at 7:57 pm

If only to beat Gary to the punch, it’s “Olmsted”, dammit.

Gary Farber Says:

January 16, 2008 at 8:03 pm

Olmsted. Not “Olmstead.”

For more on Andrew, see here, here, here, and here.

lynnerkat Says:

January 16, 2008 at 8:33 pm

so glad you’re back- and this is so incredibly sad.

ploeg Says:

January 16, 2008 at 8:41 pm

Yep. Always remember and respect the dead. Whatever you do apart from that, do it in the name of the living.

robotslave Says:

January 16, 2008 at 8:53 pm

Andrew Olmsted, who also posted here as G’Kar…

I am somewhat uncomfortable with the fact that the reference there dilutes the essay considerably, and that knowing what it references to begin with dilutes my opinion in like measure.