My dad died 2 weeks and 2 days ago today - I just posted this video tribute to Scoop News.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0808/S00140.htm



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At the URL

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0808/S00140.htm

you will find the order of service of Dad's funeral plus full video of the service with eulogies by me and others - and a performance of Yesterday by the beatles, dad's lullaby for us kids.

It would be fair to say that Scoop would not exist but for my father. He supported Scoop Independent News when it was in its infancy and when it was publishing some of its most important work. Dad was always very proud of the role Scoop played over the past 5 years in US election reform issues and in a sense he played a role in the political process over there across the great ocean. That is why I am posting this tribute to DU in case you are wondering.

Regards from me and my family to all DUers and DUer fathers.

Alastair Thompson
Scoop Independent News
Co-editor & General Manager
New Zealand

Take care of yourself

It is a hard thing to lose someone so wonderful and who has been with you all your days. May peace come to you.

Today is the twelfth anniversary of my mom's death. I'm setting a place at the dinner table for her tonight, inviting her, and pouring a cup of coffee with cream only like she liked it. This little ritual keeps her close and helps me grieve. We do it on her birthday also. My dad too.

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hi:

Take care. My father died 37 years ago this month. I will always miss him

Clearly he raised a remarkable son, as well. I hope he knew and that you know how much your efforts on behalf of US election reform and your commitment to freedom are appreciated.

Words are failing me now. What a beautiful poem by Frost. Blessings to you, your family and to your dad, whose memory you have honored so well. Keep up your good work. It shall not be in vain!

Tired Old Cynic

Thank you for introducing "One Step Backward Taken" to me. I hadn't read it before.

Sounds like we all lost a really good man.

My mother died a month before your father (6/26). I feel your pain. Take care.

Mac

And my condolences for your loss too.

That photo of your father on top of a mountain reminds me of my own father. I grew up in Arizona, and my own father took us hiking into the mountains without all the fancy equipment.

Lovely tributes.

and hope happy memories ease your pain.

You're in my heart tonight.

I know how I miss my father and that has been a few years but yet something will happen or I will think of something that I want to pick up the phone and call him. We all get through it with the help of friends and family but we never stop missing them.

Take Care.

From a fellow DUer.

He must've been a truly splendid soul. :hug:

Julie

We should all model ourselves after him.

I lost my Dad, recently. It's a bitter/sweet experience.

Saluting their lives and carrying their best visions into the future is the most meaningful honor we can give them.

:hug: Love to you, dear. :hug:

An excellent dad, it seems.

Cheers to a life well lived, Mr. Thompson.

Beautiful. Celebrate that wonderful human being.

& afterwards we had a great party and drank (more than) a few drams of whiskey...

al

:hug:

:hug:

wish I could hug you, I feel so much what you feel. The days are bleak now but they will become clearer. You listen to the world and you will hear him. I promise you. Bless you and yours, my
friend.

RV, daughter of Alan

It's difficult and emotional when our close family members pass away. Thank you for sharing the special tribute.

Lovely service...quite a tribute.

and I didn't even see the video (dial-up here).
You lost a special person in addition to being your father. I am sorry for your loss.

a beautiful tribute...

My sincere condolences for your loss.

Don

That said. It was also a very good life well lived.

Thanks
Alastair

:hug:

I just finished watching the videos in the obit in "Scoop."

I've always wondered about the inspiration behind "Scoop" and now I know.

I did not know that your dad was such a supporter and, from the tape of the service, it sounds like
he lent a hand too!

PhD from Cambridge and your father - excellent work!

:hug:

scoop was one of the first places I was able to find info. on the net covering election protection a while back; I'm very grateful for your dad's contribution & legacy

Guessing from the photos and believing heartily
that fruit doesn't fall fall from the tree-
I'll bet you are pretty special Alastair.

I thank your father for giving us you.
You are the celebration of his life through his passing.

BHN

may his memories always warm your heart and his wisdom continue to flow through your actions.

Thank you for posting, and for continuing to carry on.

I wish there was something I could give you in return, but this is the internet. What do we have to exchange, except links?

I found this one, the other day, to some essays by George Orwell. I was very surprised and pleased to see that so many of the observations and reflections have survived the test of time:

http://www.netcharles.com/orwell/essays/asiplease1945.htm

I have no idea whose website it is, or why the essays have been posted, but on the subject of independent journalism, generally, and respect for honest, objective critical thinking, specifically, there's some pretty thought-provoking writing going on.

Possibly worth your time to bookmark.