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| Tennessee state line |
From the Tennessean:
Fred Thompson, a former U.S. senator for Tennessee, GOP presidential candidate, Watergate attorney and longtime "Law and Order" star, has died.I was lucky to see Thompson speak at a bloggers' gathering in St. Paul during the 2008 Republican National Convention.
Mr. Thompson, 73, died on Sunday from after a recurrence of lymphoma, according to a statement issued from the Thompson family.
"It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of grief that we share the passing of our brother, husband, father, and grandfather who died peacefully in Nashville surrounded by his family," the statement reads.
"Fred once said that the experiences he had growing up in small-town Tennessee formed the prism through which he viewed the world and shaped the way he dealt with life. Fred stood on principle and common sense, and had a deep love for and connection with the people across Tennessee whom he had the privilege to serve in the United States Senate. He enjoyed a hearty laugh, a strong handshake, a good cigar, and a healthy dose of humility. Fred was the same man on the floor of the Senate, the movie studio, or the town square of Lawrenceburg, his home.
Rest in peace, patriot.
Thanks from Tennessee for noting his passing. Not included in most obituaries is his role in dismantling the administration of Governor Ray Blanton in the late 1970's. Blanton was running a criminal enterprise from his office, selling (amongst other things) pardons to criminals (including murderers) and state liquor licenses to his cronies.
ReplyDeleteBlanton ended up in Federal prison, died in well-deserved obscurity.
BTW--Blanton was a Democrat, so the story of his crimes and downfall are curiously downplayed. Hmmm...