The Forces of Good lose a tireless scribe: My brother John R. Wilke has died of cancer

He carried a reporters notepad that shone light into many dark corners of corporate malfeasance and political corruption, from the 'inside' position of the Wall Street Journal and other newspapers. Big whigs read his stuff and called their lawyers. Politicians read his headline and screamed for their staff...

The obit in the Globe is below (the WSJ one comes out tomorrow) but it doesn't name some of the stories he uncovered over the years, so here is a sampling:

Recently he had been detailing the earmark king of Congress John Murtha. His reporting was part of the unraveling of Senator Stevens. He broke the story on secret military contracts and Gov. Jim Gibbons. Rep. Rick Renzi (R Ariz) didn't like John's reporting on land swap kickbacks. Rep Mollohan (D W.Va) wished his shady real estate deals hadn't seen the light of day before elections. John dug up the Time Warner/AOL antitrust actions and also the Google/Yahoo antitrust collusion. He stopped getting gift turkeys at Thanksgiving from Bill Gates after looking into Microsoft and Netscape deals back in '95...

All those who loved John or looked for his tough stories will greatly miss him...

Globe obit:
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/obituaries/articles/2009/05/03/john_wilke_at_54_reporter_for_wall_st_journal_globe/

you find yourself asking why such a young, correct thinking person has this happen to them...

these links up TODAY for investigative journalist John R. Wilke:

Wall Street Journal obit:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124138481469681167.html...

link to some of his stories of interest to DUers:
http://online.wsj.com/public/page/johnwilke.html

and here is an appreciation site link:

(friendly warning: have a box of tissues nearby):
http://johnrwilke.blogspot.com /

Solidarity, FailureToCommunicate.

Please express my respects to your Family.

Condolences.

Thank you for posting the article about him. How fortunate you were to be his brother, and how fortunate we all are that he shone the light of truth in so many dark places. Men and women with his courage are sadly too few these days. May you continue to be blessed by the memories and the words he left you--and all of us.

:grouphug:

And ours :-( Your Brother John was apparently a real true force.

My sincerest condolences to you and your family ((BIG HUGS))

I can only extend to you and your family, my deepest condolences on your loss.

are all made less by his leaving so soon. Bless you and your family, and Godspeed to your brother.
:hug:

eom

I am so sorry for your loss. My John rest in peace.


Sonia

Honest journalism is becoming too rare these days.:-(

As well as the loss of a much needed voice in the world.

And the world that was better for him in it.

:grouphug:

:cry:

:-(

*Hugs FtC*

The world is a poorer place.

G-d, I hate cancer so much! :mad: :cry:

Here is a cyber-hug just for you: :hug:

It must really hurt. Especially, as you mentioned in a reply above to someone, that death comes early for far too many people who are needed in this world.

I lift a cold one - with others who cared - to your brother, John.

Peace be with you and your family, FTC.

I don't believe in an afterlife, but if there is one, than i hope he is in a better world now.

My condolences for your loss, losing a loved one is so hard.

by the man from Roll Call and the host showed a tribute in the WSJ this morning.

There are too few reporters like him nowadays, he will be greatly missed, but hopefully he inspired some to follow his example though.

these links up TODAY for investigative journalist John R. Wilke:

Wall Street Journal obit:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124138481469681167.html#articleTabs%3Darticle

link to some of his stories:
http://online.wsj.com/public/page/johnwilke.html

and here is an appreciation site link:

(friendly warning: have a box of tissues nearby):
http://johnrwilke.blogspot.com/

P.S. Thank you to all who have sent kind words, "cyber hugs" and condolences here!

may you and your family find peace and comfort, and know that your DU family is here for you.

Sincere condolences on the loss of your dear brother.

I remember his byline from the Globe.

A great loss.


horseshoecrab

out last him. Let's keep our fingers crossed...