Passing of DUer Nostamj, aka Jeffery Matson

[benburch]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=post&forum=105&topic_id=2991174&mesg_id=2991174

I am making this second posting to get his name in the title, so people will know who this is about.

[MsAnthropy]

1. Oh nooo. He will be very missed!

[anarchy1999]

246. The link above sends me to a post it place. What is this about?

Nostamj will be missed by us all. This is the second thread I've seen where you click on the link and you are directed to post. What's up with this? Never in all my days at DU have I seen this happen.

"To All My Dear Friends here on DU: Sad News"
Posted by CaliforniaPeggy

I haven't seen it posted, but I just got an email from Jeff Matson's sister. Jeff passed away suddenly, last Saturday. I am in tears...

And then there is the place to post your message.

I'd really appreciate an answer from someone.

[hippiechick]

2. Oh, how horrible !

:cry: We will miss you, Nostamj !!

Spirit must be lining up one heckuva roster ... Kef, Nostamj, ...


:cry:

[Demit]

3. OMG! The one who would post all the toons for us?

What a nice guy. That's very sad.

[Behind the Aegis]

4. The cartoon guy?!?!

OH NO!!! He was just getting his business off the ground!!

[calimary]

238. Just absolutely SUCKS, doesn't it?

Damn. DAMN. I LOVED those cartoons. Loved his artistry, his designs, his ideas, his creativity, his activism, his commitment. We need ALL those things! Why do the body blows keep coming?

DAMN. Just fucking DAMN.

Miss you, Jeff. Hopefully you'll run into Khephra up there soon, if you haven't already. Perhaps the two of you can set up a DU enclave in heaven.

DAMN.

R.I.P. Go with God.

And make sure the Pope sees your play.

on edit - thanks for keeping this thread alive. I haven't been on much this week - I would surely have missed it. Like I miss him now.

[Bluebear]

5. Oh no...... a master song parodist & GD fixture

I am so sorry to hear this.

[greenbriar]

6. Oh my God

what happened???

[Bluebear]

14. I have no idea, just got the news here

[fertilizeonarbusto]

7. Oh no!

How terrible! :cry:

[babylonsister]

8. Oh, not the 'toon man! I too will really miss him!

:cry: Thanks for letting us know.

[demnan]

I'm awfully sorry to hear this

He will be sorely missed. If you correspond to his family please send my condolences.

[in_cog_ni_to]

9. OMG..No!

Jeff is gone? I cannot believe it. :cry:

May he rest in peace.

[Walt Starr]

10. He was complaining of headaches recently...

My Goddess!

[benburch]

21. My goodness, he was.

Now I am going to be worrying about each and every ache for the next month.

[shanti]

11. RIP nostamj

:cry:

[dbt]

12. What a great loss to DU!

May he rest in Eternal Splendor!

:loveya:

[Mandate My Ass]

13. Oh no

That's terrible news.

[Dhalgren]

15. Damn...

The wind is fair, the waters are calm
And the islands, this morning, seem close

Peace Nostamj

[KurtNYC]

16. Very sorry to hear that

He will be missed.

FLIP-FLOPPING LIAR
(To the tune of “Paperback Writer” and with apologies to the Beatles)

I HEARD THE RIGHT WING AND THEIR LATEST SPIN
SAYING KERRY WAFFLES AND THAT’S SUCH A SIN
IT’S BASED ON THE FAXES FROM A MAN NAMED ROVE
BUT TO KEEP HIS JOB, BUSH HAS GOT TO BE A FLIP-FLOPPING LIAR
FLIP-FLOPPING LIAR

EV’RY PHONY PROMISE, EV’RY PHONY CLAIM
THEY WRAP IN A FLAG AND A PHONY NAME
SO HE GIVES SPEECHES TO THE BUSSED-IN CROWDS
IT’S NO EASY JOB, BECAUSE BUSH IS SUCH A FLIP-FLOPPING LIAR
FLIP-FLOPPING LIAR
FLIP-FLOPPING LIAR

WHILE THEIR TAX CUT SCAM RAISED THE DEFICIT
THEY’RE ALL SO RICH, THEY DON’T GIVE A SHIT
AND THEY’RE MAKING PROFITS OFF THEIR DIRTY WAR
SO BE A PATRIOT, AND JUST CALL BUSH A FLIP-FLOPPING LIAR
FLIP-FLOPPING LIAR

IF YOU DARE CROSS THEM, THEY’LL EXPOSE YOUR WIFE
IF THEY CLAIM THEY’RE HELPING JUST EXPECT MORE STRIFE
WHILE YOU COUNT THE CHILDREN WHO GET LEFT BEHIND
PASS THE KOOL-AID UP AND REMEMBER HE’S A FLIP-FLOPPING LIAR
FLIP-FLOPPING LIAR
FLIP-FLOPPING LIAR

-Jeff Matson

http://www.jeffreymatson.com/writing_home.html

[Minstrel Boy]

17. Christ, no!

he was such a decent guy

:cry:

[seabeyond]

18. Nostamj......you will be missed

so sorry to hear.............thank you for sharing with us. rip

[wicket]

19. WHAT????

OMg, this is so freaking sad :( I bought a T-shirt from him a couple of months ago, such a nice, talented guy.

[southpaw]

20. A great DUer... Loved the cartoon collections

Several times I wondered what his screen name meant... now I get it.

So long, Nostamj. O8)

[Spazito]

22. Very sad news

He will be very much missed at DU.

[Shakespeare]

23. Oh, no....such tragic news.

:cry:

[H2O Man]

Sad news.

Very sorry to hear it.

[MadHound]

24. Oh no, that is so sad

RIP Jeff, we will miss you!

[MountainLaurel]

25. Oh heavens

How sad. May he be in peace.

:cry:

[Catherine Vincent]

26. I remember this poster. Such sad news.

[wryter2000]

27. Oh, no!

What a loss. All my best to his family. :cry:

[andyhappy]

28. that is terrible...

what happened?

he was so nice! he would sometimes include my political cartoons in his postings and it always made me feel like one of the big boys of editorial cartoons.

that is terrible...simply terrible!

[KittyWampus]

29. Lots Of Love To You, Jeff. Thanks For The Laughs, The Toons & The

song parodies.

[Tsiyu]

30. RIP dude

What is going on?

[antigone382]

176. Tragic, isn't it?

Like I posted in the other thread in the Lounge, we already lost the King of LBN, now we've lost the King of GD. It's just too horrible for words, and I can't even imagine what it's like for their families.

[soup]

31. More information here:

http://svhamstra.com/SadNews2005Matson.shtml

Oh, this is so sad. May he rest in peace.

[wicket]

33. thank-you

I'm going to send his parents a card. God this is so sad :(

[G_j]

41. what a creative person

and he will be sorely missed here.

Thank you Jeff, rest in peace.

[in_cog_ni_to]

That was a very nice obituary. Thank you for posting it.

I'll miss him so. :(

[FizzFuzz]

62. Thank you for that link.

I wish I knew some of this before he left. What a talented and kind man.

:cry:



this sucks.
:(

[Digit]

118. OMG! Peace be with you Jeff...

You will be sorely missed.

[Eloriel]

129. Thanks for posting this. I'm in shock -- and grief

Not fair! Just not fair at all.

RIP, Jeff. At least you get a vantage point totally out of the line of fire for whatever comes next. We'll miss you, man.

[Tactical Progressive]

147. He'll be missed here

Not even 50. That's just not right.

Rest in Peace Jeff.

[VOX]

189. God almighty, what a shock. I cannot believe it....

Jeff, you were one of the first DUers to welcome me more than two years ago.

Rest in peace, my friend.

[moggie12]

209. How totally tragic. n/t

[Hardrada]

221. I'll miss him too.

I loved the cartoon thread.

[SmileyBoy]

222. Oh jeez, this sucks. First Kef, and now this...

:cry:

[benburch]

32. All we know is...

that he passed on Saturday after an unexpected week long hospitalization.

[Bluebear]

40. OMG ben, did you see this?

http://svhamstra.com/SadNews2005Matson.shtml

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation, (NNFF,) 2731 Porter SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49509.
==

That's "flesh eating bacteria", is that did it? How utterly horrible.

[benburch]

52. Oh no... That would explain the suddenness.

What a horrible way to go.

[Bluebear]

55. Indeed. I'm speechless

You just never know do you.

[seabeyond]

65. dont see it as horrible, he was in hospital

and being taken care of. and hopefully had his loved ones around

[Bluebear]

71. Well I don't think it's my top ten lists of diseases I would like to get

But to each their own!

[seabeyond]

87. sorry bluebear

i have experienced site of the most horrendous deaths. i guess i am just seeing death differently now a days. instead of creating them as horrible, and about the death, i prefer to see the life and the peace and the love shared and leave death there.

relatively speaking, in hospital they would control pain, would be able to hold hands with loved ones as leaving, i dont see it any worse than any other death.

i may have kept my mouth shut. but to say what a horrible death,......i just prefer we see it differently. though we each can experience it as we see fit, that is for sure.

[Bluebear]

91. I understand where you are coming from

I guess after Schiavo and Iraq and 9/11 I am hoping to just conk out in my sleep. I've often said i can handle death, it's horror I don't want to face.

[seabeyond]

94. so much in you face death of late

it is becoming simply overwhelming

[BurtWorm]

66. I just saw a post asking "How is his hand?"

And immediately I thought of infection. That's how Jim Henson died.

[Stephanie]

146. don't jump to conclusions

we don't know what happened to Jeff -

[Junkdrawer]

192. From the link : "suffering from a rare blood disorder". NF is a tissue...

infection that is diagnosed with a blood test. However:
...

Causes:

Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci is not the only cause of NF. Haemophilus aphrophilus and Staphylococcus aureus are also associated with the condition.
A synergistic infection with a facultative anaerobic bacterium may be significant.
In 1 patient, phycomycetes appeared to be responsible for NF.
Diabetes mellitus and immunosuppression predispose patients to NF.
However, approximately one half of the cases of streptococcal NF occur in young and previously healthy people.


http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic743.htm

[Just Me]

92. Geez. I am stunned!

:cry:

[Pastiche423]

34. No, not Jeff!

I have adored him and admired his talents since I came on this board.

My heart is breaking.

:cry:

[mopaul]

36. ...................

................

[wicket]

35. here's his blog:

http://progressiveblogs.org/index.php?blog=5

I'm in shock.

[beam me up scottie]

37. My condolences to his family.

He will be missed.

[Stephanie]

38. I just can't believe it!

So sudden, so strange! I will miss him so much!

[fooj]

Nostamj was one of the first to welcome me to DU...

May he find eternal peace!

[WinterStorm]

39. The cartoon guy?

That's so sad :cry:

[rman]

42. unbelievable

[Withywindle]

43. Oh no!

How awful!


Stunned.



My condolences to his family and friends.

[Hobo]

44. Man that just sucks...

May your soul find eternal peace, Jeffrey


I am getting real tired of death. :banghead:


Hobo


Lets all have a wee ball o' malt in honor of Jeff. :beer:

[catmandu57]

45. Dammit

this year is taking a toll and we're only in April. RIP Nostamj.

[Wind Dancer]

46. OMG, this is terrible news!

I am so sorry! He was one of the most caring, talented and thoughtful posters on DU, my heart aches.

:cry: :cry:

[roguevalley]

47. oh my god. this is terrible news. I am so very sorry.

[seemslikeadream]

48. So very very sad

.

[Eurobabe]

49. OH this is tragic...

Nostamj made a special bumper sticker just for me and my daughter...(it was her idea "STILL not my president")

Wow, I think I am in shock. What a great, funny guy, Jeff you will be sorely missed, here on DU, as I am sure in also in life. RIP my friend. -48%er

[DancingBear]

50. A good and gentle man has gone

We met a couple of times, we talked often. We grew up mere miles from each other, only finding out months ago. We were children of the 60's, and we still kept those times and beliefs close to the heart.

He was, and is, what this community is all about.

I miss him dearly, right now, and I am crying.

May you rest easy, my friend.

[KoKo]

51. One of our most talented DU'ers who has been here for a long time..

He was part of a political theater group in NYC,("Question W Review") too. Aside from all his other efforts like designing items for BBVoting which he posted on Cafe Press to get the message out in the early days and posting the Best of the Political Toons here. Jeff was involved in so much. I hope a DUer who knew him well will post everything Jeff was involved in.

This is very sad...on top of all the other sadness. He will be missed much around here for all his contributions that some of us old timers remember. :-(

[benburch]

58. Cafe Press was his company?

I had NO idea.

[DistressedAmerican]

64. No. It is a service that he used.

Lots of folks have cafepress sites. His is well worth checking out though!

[KoKo]

82. Sorry, he designed a bunch of things for BBV for Bev Harris way back

and used CafePress to post them, I believe? :shrug:

[Junkdrawer]

78. Wow...

He made up custom Cafe Press sweatshirts I sent to all my friends for Christmas...

Last I heard, his wrist was suddenly sore and he couldn't do the Toons for the week...

Speechless....

:cry:

[DistressedAmerican]

53. That is terrible!

My Best wishes are with the family. We had just recently met. What a sad day!

He did beautiful graphic design work. His site is www.jerrerymatson.com. I just tried to take a look at it. It ssems to be down.



My sincerest condolences!

[Bouncy Ball]

81. You misspelled Jeffrey, that's why.

[lavenderdiva]

83. updated link to his site

http://www.jeffreymatson.com/


may he rest in peace....

[TNOE]

164. So very sad

and so very sorry - I will miss his toons, but wish him what is probably a well deserved rest in bliss.

[Ironpost]

54. Peace §

[Nikia]

56. Sorry to hear that

Condolences to his family all all who loved him. He will be missed on DU.

[musette_sf]

57. he's made my day quite a few times

since I joined DU. au revoir, jeff...

[Avalux]

59. Oh No - I'm in shock

This can't be. I tried to help him with a computer problem a couple of weeks ago; and his new website....I don't know what to say. Rest in Peace Jeff. You will be missed. :cry:

[keithjx]

60. That's so sad.

I will miss him and his work here on DU. Best wishes and prayers for his family and those whose lives he touched.
KJ

[qanda]

61. No WAY!!!!!!

I pray this isn't for real.

[all.of.me]

63. very, very sad

i enjoyed him very much. what a talented free spirit!

my thoughts are with his family and friends.

[Arkana]

67. Oh no! Really?

This is awful...:cry:

[bear425]

68. Another loss for us at DU and the world...

Nostamj / Jeff you will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace.

[dbt]

69. Remember the toons.

Didn't you smile at least once?

[ribrepin]

245. I smiled everytime

RIP

[Tansy_Gold]

70. The very best that DU had to offer

Jeff was one of the first to welcome me to DU, not just with a stock "welcome" post but with sincere responses to some of my inexperienced posts. We exchanged a few PMs over the years, and I always felt privileged to receive one from him.

He was a brilliant parodist and wit, scathing in his skewering of the boooshies, and yet with a deep sense of true compassion and caring.

Jeff Matson, I'll miss you. Not just the cartoon threads, but the wonderful Nostamj himself.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

72. One of DU's Best!

RIP Nostamj...

you will be missed

[mopaul]

73. i've got 3 letters from him in my inbox....jeez jeff, you'll be missed

he was always offering to help me do stuff, and offering help to lots of others too. what a trooper.

[Amaya]

74. What???

I can't believe it. so incredibly sad :(:(:(

[AlCzervik]

75. this is so sad and shocking.

so sorry to him and his family.

[MrBenchley]

76. Very very sad

Please pass along condolences if you can...

[Judi Lynn]

77. Unbelievable. Doesn't seem possible, does it?

He was so bright, good, kind, and lively. Such a presence. His calls to the Guy James show were wonderful.

Just found out recently he was such a BRILLIANT web site designer. Unmatched.

Thank you for getting the news here right away. This is a horrible, horrible blow, losing such a temendous person.

Hope he knew he was so highly valued, that he simply couldn't help making friends and admirers.

[Binka]

79. Oh Fucking Shit Not Jeff

Rest In Peace Honey. This Is Really Sad.

[brook]

80. RIP,Nostamj.

May bands of angels sing thee to thy rest.

Thank you, Jeff for all those wonderful cartoons and for being such a selfless DUer. I will remember you.

[LizW]

84. Oh, man. I'm so sorry.

He brightened some of the darkest days.

[dbt]

85. "The Question W Revue" is posted over in the Meeting Room

Link

[Bouncy Ball]

86. Shit!!! I can't believe this!!

I LOVED and adored him. Looked for his threads all the time, I had been wondering where he was.

:cry:

[Window]

88. How terribly sad.

Rest in peace Nostamj, you will be sadly missed.

Peace

[Blue_In_AK]

89. So sorry - I loved the 'toons. :-(

[Kathy in Cambridge]

90. Here a nice tribute written by his Cabaret friends:

http://www.svhamstra.com/SadNews2005Matson.shtml

:cry:

[Bozita]

93. I had to read the title to this thread over and over

We've lost another great one here at DU.

My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

[proud patriot]

95. He made my favorite Shirts...Here's the link to his work

I'm deeply saddened by this loss .

http://www.cafepress.com/nostamj

What a great person :cry: darnit

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

96. Our paths crossed in a few DU threads...

...and Nostamj seemed like a cool, witty person based on my interaction with him.

This is a shame, and he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

[Renew Deal]

97. Two irreplaceable DUers lost in a few months.

:cry:

[mopaul]

98. ............

............

[laylah]

213. Hugs to you mopaul

It appears to me although many of us are taking this tragic loss very hard, it is taking a bigger toll on you. :hug: I am SO sorry for our loss. Two of our anchors gone so quickly, so young. I weep for them and all of us.

Jenn

[Marnieworld]

99. I'll always remember a really good chat I had with Jeff

It occurred on the first night that HBO showed In Memorium about 9/11. I was posting here and on The Smirking Chimp that night. I was really sobbing and depressed looking for anyone who also saw the film and felt the same way. Jeff found me and we (as much as strangers on message boards can)comforted each other and lamented it all. From that moment on I'd see his name or his virtually daily toon posts and smile knowing what a great person that was. There are thousands of us here but so few that leave a lasting impact. nostamj- you left an impact. Thanks for everything Jeff. :cry:

Peace.

[pacalo]

100. I'm so, so sorry to hear of his sudden passing.

He was most gracious when I pm'ed him about his bumper sticker, "Support Bush? Enlist Now!".

I'm in shock. I loved his mind.

[Name removed]

101. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Beetwasher]

102. Creator Of The "Question W" Movement and the "Question W Revue"

Which was an anti-Bush Caberet show that ran in NY prior the election. He was filled w/ energy and passion. A gifted and talented individual who will be missed.

RIP Jeff.

[4morewars]

103. Awww, No !

I'm so sorry to hear this. He will be sorely missed.

[guajira]

104. What Awful News! Feels Like I Lost a Good Friend

His posts and cartoons and his phone calls to the Guy James Show made it seem as if I knew him. This is a great loss to DU, and I send my condolences to his family.

[Jeanette in FL]

105. RIP-Nostamj

How very sad. I always looked forward to his post. My sincere condolences to his family.

[Shredr]

106. God bless

he will be missed.

[hatrack]

107. Oh, man, that is depressing news!

Sorry to hear about Nostamj - one of my favorite posters. :cry:

[SheepyMcSheepster]

108. oh no, and i was just thinking: "we haven't had a toon thread in a while".

RIP jeffrey

my condolonces to the family. what a shock it must be.

thanks for everything jeffrey/nostamj!
you will be missed terribly.

[Solly Mack]

109. Farewell Nostamj

Light up the sky

[MissB]

110. Rest in peace, Jeff

:cry: I am simply stunned.

[dubyaD40web]

111. R.I.P. Jeff

You will be greatly missed. I didn't know him long but we shared some good conversations together.

[Cassandra]

112. I was going to call him tomorrow...

to do a graphics job for me. He was a wonderful man, so talented and bitterly funny. I can't believe he's gone.

[Robbien]

113. What!! This is a terrible loss

Peace and comfort to his family. I will hugely miss the way his wonderful poems and wicked wit kept popping up in the middle of all the craziness of DU.

[realFedUp]

114. ugh

I will really miss nostamj. He was the toonmaster.
uuuugggghhhhhhhhh.

[laundry_queen]

115. Oh no! How sad and shocking.

His posts always stood out for me. He'll be missed.

[wildflower]

116. What a shock...I could swear I just saw a post of his recently...

I'm so sorry to hear this.

Peace to him and those who loved him.

-wildflower

[UTUSN]

117. As Usual, mopaul says it for me: ...................

...................

[blm]

119. speechless and in tears, here, too........

My heart is getting too heavy to carry these days.

[Ladyhawk]

120. I'm so overwhelmed, I don't know what to say.

:( :cry: :(

[HughBeaumont]

121. Gone too soon.

First Khep and then nostamJ. RIP brothers.

[displacedtexan]

122. Such sad news!

Jeff had just created great blog banners for those of us in the DU Bloggers Group who linked to his website.

(I'm wearing the "I Blog" Tee Shirt that Jeff designed as I type this.)

What a wonderful, talented human being!

[myrna minx]

123. I my god, I am so sad.

May you rest in peace. :cry:

[Bunny]

124. Oh gosh.

Oh this is so sad. I'll miss him. :cry:

[cally]

125. I love you Nos!

You are one of the reasons I stayed at DU. Your progressism, sanity, kindness, and humor got to me. You will be missed greatly.

I'm moving the set of mugs I bought from you to the highest shelf. I miss you.

[KlatooBNikto]

126. Terrible News.His cartoons were a must read post for me on DU.

[Miami Liberal]

127. Unbelievable

I've been away from DU for almost a month and I come back to this horrible news. I enjoyed Nostamj's Toon threads immensely. My condolences to his family and friends.

Rest In Peace.

[devilgrrl]

128. A devastating loss

RIP Nostamj, I will miss your posts dearly. :cry:

[SmokingJacket]

130. This is so sad I can't stand it.

:cry:

What a great guy he was.

[Maestro]

131. Horrible news

My thoughts are with his family and friends.

[thebigidea]

132. RIP, Jeff - you fought the good fight to the very end

and i'm going to feel guilty forever that I never took up his invitation to see that show... forever!

[Andy_Stephenson]

150. Jeff understood...

I am sure he did. I am also sure he did not hold it against you. Jeff was that kind of guy.

Damn I am going to miss him!

I told him last month I was going to come to New York after I get through all I am dealing with.

Andy

[Walt Starr]

133. Near as I can tell, this was his last thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3349658

[zanne]

138. When I first discovered DU...

three years ago, he was the first poster I "followed". (I read everything he posted). I hope he was surrounded by people he loved when he died--he must have had alot of friends. This must be so sad for them.

[mzmolly]

134. What a tragic loss.

Seems they think his diabetic condition may have contributed?

Here is more info on the symptoms and prevention:

http://www.nnff.org/nnff_factsheet.htm

How horrible.

RIP Jeff

[Walt Starr]

135. The symptoms would go along with his last post

I linked to it in the post above yours.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3349658

[mzmolly]

141. Oh . my . gawd!

If only more was known about the symptoms, perhaps it would have been caught in time? How very very sad.

:(

[Blue Diadem]

201. He was in intensive care on 3/28 according to this MB

http://www.svhamstra.com/board/?topic=topic1&msg=8213

[Renew Deal]

228. His last post was # 21999

[rainbow4321]

233. Took care of a patient last week...

who had something like this...It is very scary how quickly someone can get it. The patient hurt his ankle playing basketball, must have broken the skin somehow. At the same time a relative of his who had strept was visiting. As far as the docs could tell it went from the relative to his broken skin area/ankle and he developed the flesh eating disease. He survived. Was in ICU for a while and was requiring massive antibiotics and extensive wound care after he left the ICU.
Definitely makes one think about how we take good health for granted and how QUICKLY things can change...this guy was an otherwise healthy/active 60 yr old before the infection set in.





RIP Jeff.

[mzmolly]

240. My word. That is so very frightening and interesting.

i'm glad your patient is doing better.

I think people with strep should really stay away from others when ever possible. We put too much emphasis on convenience and not enough on prevention. Strep is linked to so many things now that we hadn't known about before ... Tourette Syndrome for example can be triggered by strep according to some researchers.

[rainbow4321]

242. It is scary

Think of the school population and how many kids w/ strept throat there are...and then of other kids in their schools who are walking around w/ skinned knees/broken skin areas, etc...It's amazing we don't see more life threatening infections. Makes you think twice about when someone says "Oh, I just have strept throat, the antibiotics will kick in tomorrow" and then they go out amongst the public. :scared: :scared: :scared: :scared:

[mzmolly]

243. I totally agree!

:scared:

[Redstone]

136. God damn it, just as he

was coming out of his depression about not having a job, and getting his business up and running.

Damn.

Go easy, ole hoss.

Redstone

[Andy_Stephenson]

145. I know...he was so up on life.

He was looking forward to the future.

God I am so upset and sad about this!!!

[Maiden England]

137. My sincerest condolences

to all who knew and loved him.

He was a truly great guy, what a loss.

[Kazak]

139. No!

:cry:

What a sad loss.

R.I.P.

[Swamp Rat]

140. . <:_(

Good bye Nostamj! :cry:

[Dem2theMax]

142. Heartbreaking news.

Nostamj, I will miss you so much. Rest in peace dear friend of ours.
:cry:

[Lugnut]

143. OMG!

This is just horrible. R.I.P. nost. :cry:

[meganmonkey]

144. Wow - that is so sad

:cry:

His 'toon threads were the first thing that got me clicking into the discussion boards, for months I just read the articles on the homepage.

I don't think I would be posting today if it weren't for him.

PEACE to you in the afterworld, nostamj!

[leftofthedial]

148. oh no.

He'll be missed.

Condolences to his family.

[Pool Hall Ace]

149. So sad

I didn't know him, but he had a cool Cafe Press site and a cool website. :cry:

RIP Jeff! O8)

[Serial Mom]

151. Peace to his family

He was one of the first DUers whose threads I followed.

My heartfelt sympathy!

[Kerrytravelers]

152. What sad news for today.

The good ones leave us so soon.

[ohio_liberal]

153. ...

[alfredo]

154. Oh no.

so sorry to hear that.

[DoYouEverWonder]

155. You just never know

when your time will come.

Sometimes life just isn't fair, is it?

So sad. Good-bye Nostamj, you will be missed by many.

[demgurl]

156. RIP Jeff, you wil be missed. eom

[Maeve]

157. Kicking it up for him one more time

:kick: I can't count the number of times I've posted a "kick" for one of his threads...:cry:

[Cooley Hurd]

158. Jesus Christ... fuck!

OMG... this is just HORRIBLE NEWS!:cry:

Rest in Peace, Jeffrey...:cry:

First Kef, now nostamj...

[DoYouEverWonder]

159. I remember

he had posted his picture here.



RIP
Nostamj

[stevedeshazer]

210. A very handsome fellow

Same age as me.

Makes me think hard about how I want to spend the rest of my life.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

160. Very Sad

My condolences to all of his loved ones.

DTH

[BeachBuckeye]

161. Our "New York Bureau Chief" has gone silent....

But we'll never forget him. His charm and wit were very special and his passing leaves a hole in the hearts of all who loved him.

Please help me do a tribute to Jeff on the show Saturday. I don't know exactly what time as of yet but we must pay homage to man who exemptlified the very best in humanity

[murielm99]

237. Please read some of the poetry and satirical songs he posted

here on your show.

[oasis]

162. May our good friend rest in peace.

[ariellyn]

163. OMG...I am so sorry, I wondered where Nostamj was

My deepest sympathies for him and his family.

[thinkingwoman]

165. this is so sad

He was one of my favorite DU people although I did not know him personally. He will be missed.

I hope somebody lets his family know how much we all care about his passing.

May he know true peace.

[alphafemale]

166. He'll be missed. No one presented Toons like him.

:cry:

[hiphopnation]

167. *gah*

that's just awful news.

RIP Jeff. Ouch...this hurts.


:cry:

[Warren DeMontague]

168. Wow. Unbelievable. Rest in Peace, friend.

Your voice will be sorely missed.

:(

[robertpaulsen]

169. Thanks for the laughs. I will miss you.

[Catch22Dem]

170. There are no words. What a wonderful force he was on DU.

I'll miss him dearly.

[DemExpat]

171. So deeply saddened....RIP Jeff.

:cry:

DemEx

[catzies]

172. Heaven got another good one. We'll see you later, Jeff Matson

We're the richer for your being here, and the poorer on your leaving.

[Mr_Spock]

173. Get out - no way :( :( :(

I can't believe it - can it possibly be true?? :(

[theliberalavenger]

174. Gone but not forgotten

Sad - very sad.

[amazona]

175. what a tragedy

Only the good die young. :-(

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[SpiralHawk]

177. Requisquat in Pacem, Nostamj

The Master Speed
By Robert Frost

No speed of wind or water rushing by
But you have speed far greater. You can climb
Back up a stream of radiance to the sky,
And back through history up the stream of time.

And you were given this swiftness, not for haste,
Nor chiefly that you may go where you will,
But in the rush of everything to waste,
That you may have the power of standing still.

...(snip)

[FourStarDemocrat]

178. My condolences go out to his family and friends...

I didn't know him well, but enjoyed his posts at DU. He'll be missed very much by many.

[JanMichael]

179. Stephanie and I will miss him dearly.

I'm at a loss for words.

[MSchreader]

239. Same here

n/t

[Minstrel Boy]

180. Nostamj was one of the nicest guys I never met

A few weeks ago, without prompting, he designed a banner for my blog. Just because he wanted to.

There's no making sense of it. There's just listening to Leonard Cohen.

And who by fire, who by water,
who in the sunshine, who in the night time,
who by high ordeal, who by common trial,
who in your merry merry month of may,
who by very slow decay,
and who shall I say is calling?

And who in her lonely slip, who by barbiturate,
who in these realms of love, who by something blunt,
and who by avalanche, who by powder,
who for his greed, who for his hunger,
and who shall I say is calling?

And who by brave assent, who by accident,
who in solitude, who in this mirror,
who by his lady's command, who by his own hand,
who in mortal chains, who in power,
and who shall I say is calling?

[remfan]

181. Damn

Rest in peace, nostamj. :cry:

[Individualist]

182. Such a shock!

First Kheph, now Nostamj. :cry:

[Snotcicles]

183. My heart hurts eom

[patdem]

184. My God, not another...I saw a post to Keph and Nostamj and thought

why are the including Nostamj with Keph...and I went to the search engine only to find this post! NO NO NO not Nostamj...he always said please kick the toons...and I am on dial up and had to open in a different page because he gave us SO MANY TOONS it took so long to load. BUT they were ALL worth it, though I could not not kick..:cry:

I am totally bereft. NOT another beloved..loved...active..wonderful kind active DU member. :depressed: :cry:

My condolences to his family and friends.

[Blue Diadem]

185. RIP Nostamj, Thanks for your great work and funny toons

Sending hugs and condolences to his family and all who knew him.
:hug: :cry:

[Ladyhawk]

186. As the day wears on, I'm having trouble accepting this.

I nearly put my fist through the wall, then decided I didn't need a broken hand in addition to other physical problems. Why are we losing so many good people? :cry:

I was honored that Jeff considered a couple of ideas of mine good enough to put on apparel. He, of course, made them even better. The last idea I sent him wasn't all that great...he was probably thinking of a nice way to say so before PMing me. :) :cry:

Sigh.

It just feels so strange. His threads are still here. I feel like I could just click on the PM icon and talk to him.

A "colleague" from my years as an aviculturist died last summer. It was only recently that I could bear to delete her from my e-mail contact list. I guess I was deluding myself into believing I could simply click on her name, shoot off an e-mail and get a response.

I believe death is final, but I came to that belief on my own. Until my mid-twenties or so, I still believed in a god and an afterlife. Years of brainwashing were difficult to overcome. Maybe this is the reason I have trouble accepting the finality of death. :shrug: I still dream about my dead father, but in my dreams he never speaks.

How am I supposed to feel? :shrug:

[librechik]

193. We'll get through this together, somehow, Ladyhawk

I'll hold your hand--I'm waiting for a call from my Mom--they took my dad to the ER again today for heart attack symptoms--I'm just sitting here, devastated and weepy, waiting to hear where they wound up taking him. Don't even ask about tomorrow, worse is yet to come.

to tell you the truth, I dunno which is making me sadder, and I didn't even know nostamj, except "virtually"

[Ladyhawk]

198. I only knew him "virtually," too, but it's still upsetting.

To me this is more upsetting than the passing of Schiavo or the Pope. Those deaths are so esoteric to me. Jeff's death is "real." We're all going to feel the pain from his passing. He was a huge part of DU and a very good person.

Awhile back I thought he was angry with me, so I sent him a PM. On March 18, he sent me this:

________________________

>I hope you are just busy and not angry with me. I've sent
>you a few PMs lately and haven't received a response. I'm
>going to assume you're just very busy. :) OK?
>
>If you're angry with me, I'd like to make amends somehow.
>
>Thanks,
>
>LH


no No NO... not angry at all. just 'busy'

very sorry. i tried to do a 'boxer boxers' but, didn't like it, not yet. actually had 'real' work to focus on.

j
_______________________

I gave him an idea for "Boxer Boxers"--you know, boxers with a Boxer emblem on them. :) I'm not sure what his "real" work was, but I'm sure it was more important than Boxer Boxers.

There was so much I wanted from his store and browsed the site often. I wanted the "girl singer" shirt and the "I worked my ass off..." shirt which I helped with a little bit. The music stuff was wonderful.

I thought I had plenty of time to think about it and gather together enough money. In short, I thought Jeff would always be there.

Guess what? People die. And it's final. :( :cry: :(

[Ladyhawk]

187. Question: can we still buy things from his shop? To help pay for...

...his memorial service, etc.?

I'm just...I don't know how to feel. :( :( :( :(

[Liberal_Andy]

188. Rest in peace, Jeff!

You are sorely missed!

[opihimoimoi]

190. RIP JEFF, Toon Man of the DU....you will be missed......sniff.

[Octafish]

191. Oh, no!

When I first saw the news, it felt like the whole world fell away from all around. I still can't believe it. Now my heart is broken -- for my DU Friend, his family and all who knew a truly good man, Jeff Matson.

[shance]

194. A shock and big loss for DU. Jeffrey will be missed.

Godspeed Nostamj.

[Bake]

195. A truly terrible loss

First Khephra, now nostamj ...

The heart of DU is changing, it seems.

Bake

[cosmicdot]

196. In Fond Memory

your avatar


your blog
http://progressiveblogs.org/index.php?blog=5

your skill

LAMENT FOR ANWR (and the rest of the planet)
THAT LAND WAS YOUR LAND
(With deep apologies to Woody Guthrie )

THAT LAND WAS YOUR LAND, BUT NOW IT'S OUR LAND
YOUR PRISTINE MOUNTAINS, WE'LL REDUCE TO RUBBLE
AS WE CLEAR-CUT FORESTS, AND POLLUTE YOUR WATER
YOUR LAND IS UNDER OUR CONTROL

WE ONLY TALK TO THE K STREET PAID SHILLS
AND NEVER LOOK AT PROTESTORS' HANDBILLS
WHAT'S ONE MORE SPECIE? HERE COMES THE RAPTURE!
YOUR LAND IS UNDER OUR CONTROL

THAT LAND WAS YOUR LAND, BUT NOW IT'S OUR LAND
YOUR PRISTINE MOUNTAINS, WE'LL REDUCE TO RUBBLE
AS WE CLEAR-CUT FORESTS, AND POLLUTE YOUR WATER
YOUR LAND IS UNDER OUR CONTROL

WE'VE LIED AND SLANDERED AND WE VOTE IN LOCKSTEP
AND WE WON'T ADMIT TO A SINGLE MISSTEP
THE RICH AROUND US, THEIR VOICES ARE SOARING:
YOUR LAND IS MADE FOR US TO TAKE

THAT LAND WAS YOUR LAND, BUT NOW IT'S OUR LAND
YOUR PRISTINE MOUNTAINS, WE'LL REDUCE TO RUBBLE
AS WE CLEAR-CUT FORESTS, AND POLLUTE YOUR WATER
YOUR LAND IS UNDER OUR CONTROL

WE'VE MORE AMBITION THAN JUST THIS NATION
SO FREEDOM'S MARCHING AND TYRANTS ARE FALLING
IF WE CALL THEM EVIL, WE JUST WANT THEIR OIL
THEIR LANDS ARE THERE FOR US TO OWN

THAT LAND WAS YOUR LAND, BUT NOW IT'S OUR LAND
YOUR TOWNS AND CITIES, SHOCK 'N AWED TO RUINS
AS WE BUILD NEW BASES, WHILE WE FAKE ELECTIONS
YOUR LAND IS UNDER OUR CONTROL

WE SPIN THE GLOBE AND PICK A NEW QUAGMIRE
INTO THE QUAGMIRE, WE SEND THE YOUNG MEN
WITH THE OBSCENE PROFITS, WE KEEP OUR OWN SAFE
YOUR LIFE IS UNDER OUR CONTROL

THAT LAND WAS YOUR LAND, BUT NOW IT'S OUR LAND
YOUR TOWNS AND CITIES, SHOCK 'N AWED TO RUINS
AS WE BUILD NEW BASES, WHILE WE FAKE ELECTIONS
YOUR LAND IS UNDER OUR CONTROL

NOW THAT YOU KNOW WHO RUNS THINGS
KNOW WE DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK
YOU MUST SHOP AT WAL-MART
AND EAT A BIG MAC
WEAR YELLOW RIBBONS
WHILE WE STEAL MILLIONS
YOUR LAND WAS THERE FOR US TO TAKE

THAT LAND WAS YOUR LAND, BUT NOW IT'S OUR LAND
YOUR PRISTINE MOUNTAINS, WE'LL REDUCE TO RUBBLE
AS WE CLEAR-CUT FORESTS, AND POLLUTE YOUR WATER
YOUR LAND IS UNDER OUR CONTROL

THAT LAND WAS YOUR LAND, BUT NOW IT'S OUR LAND
YOUR TOWNS AND CITIES, SHOCK 'N AWED TO RUINS
AS WE BUILD NEW BASES, WHILE WE FAKE ELECTIONS
YOUR LAND IS UNDER OUR CONTROL

your contribution
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3289033

your posts
THE QUESTION W REVUE | Full Script & Lyrics
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=111&topic_id=38274

your 'where did you first hear about DU'
"salon and smirkingchimp led me here"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=111&topic_id=9382#9409


~peace~

[LWolf]

197. A joyous journey, Jeff.

I will miss you.

:hug:

[Generic Other]

199. I'm so very sad to hear this

Jeff, you made me laugh when I was down. I will miss you.

[David K.]

200. See Jeff's picture here...

http://www.cafepress.com/nostamj.19292082

[RebelOne]

204. Jeff, I am going to miss your cartoons.

If there is a heaven, I'm sure you are entertaining the angels with your humor.

[bklyncowgirl]

202. Rest in Peace

[Pathwalker]

203. A kick for Nostamj. RIP.

You will be missed. Thank you for all the toons - you helped me laugh through the tears, and the terrors of the Bushes. Vaya con Dios.

[mopaul]

212. kick it

[scarletlib]

205. I am so sad to hear about this.

Rest in peace Nostamj. I will miss your cartoons my friend.

[Discord]

206. My condolances to all who knew him.

:grouphug:

[serryjw]

207. I'm sorry I didn't know him well

My sincere condolences to his family. One more good dem gone. Jeffery RIP and give Einstein a big kiss and take care of him until I get there.

[mmonk]

208. Sad day

My condolences to his family.

[Blecht]

211. Crap

RIP, Nostamj.

:(

[PopSixSquish]

214. The Cartoon Thread was One of My Favorites

He'll be missed.

[Pithy Cherub]

216. Amen!

His toon compilations were a huge attraction. Loved his sense of humor!

[NinetySix]

215. Now cracks a noble heart.

Good night, sweet Prince;
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest....


You will be missed, nostamj.

[DemonFighterLives]

217. Rest in Peace Nostamj

So sad to hear of more death. At some point there will be one hell of a rebound.
Heaven must have a great army of angels now.

[Ilsa]

218. Peace to you, Nostamj!

Your threads and cartoons were always the best! You will be very much missed here.

[Blue Diadem]

219. a kick for Jeff

[bling bling]

220. I can't believe it.

I saw the tribute toons thread and couldn't believe my eyes. I'm in shock. He was one of my favorite DUers. I read all of his threads. I loved the songs he'd post. His lyrics were brilliant.

This was a better place with him in it, and I'm so sad that he's gone.

[cry baby]

223. kick for Jeff's genius

[Stephanie]

224. Is anyone in touch with Jeff's family?

They would like to have this, and also the thread in the Lounge, I think.

I still can't believe it.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

231. Hi, Stephanie,

Jeff's brother-in-law became a member of DU, and he is most certainly aware of all the tributes to Jeff. He first showed up in the Lounge on my thread about Jeff's death. He told us that the whole family would read all the comments, and that they all appreciated everything everyone was saying. So, not to worry. Thanks for asking.

[ConsAreLiars]

225. He showed us the best in ourselves.

Not just a talker, he did things that made a difference, and in doing so he reminded the rest of us of us of our duty to one another and our potential to be decent, caring people. I never met him - read his words here and heard his voice on The Guy James Show - but his passion, eloquence and clarity of thought caused me and many others to act on issues that we might not have understood or cared about without his insight.

We have lost a good person, but he had an effect that will live on. We on DU recently remembered the life and death of MLK and talked about the deaths of RFK and many other martyrs. In the future, when I think of them, I will also think of Nostamj, of Jeff, because he was another avatar showing us the truth and the way.

[SoCalDem]

226. So unbelievable... First Kef, and now Jeff

:cry:...

[benburch]

227. Wow...

A day later and it still doesn't seem real.

[Desertrose]

229. Thanks for posting Ben...I am beyond words...Jeff was

such a sweetie...he just kinked my website on his new website.
He will be so missed by so many...I hope we find out what happened...it was so fast.

Bless him and I hope he is in a peaceful and happy place....

We love ya Jeff and will miss ya...we'll try to keep laughing, just for you, man.You were the best.....

:hug:
DR

[Zan_of_Texas]

230. Aww. What a handsome guy, too!

This was posted at his cafepress site.

[montana_hazeleyes]

234. He reminds me of James Mason.

So handsome.

[eleny]

232. This is crushing news

Condolences to his family. I'm so sorry. :cry:

[readmoreoften]

235. RIP, nostamj

I didn't know him well, but his toons will be missed. My heart goes out to those who knew him.

[not systems]

236. sad to hear this. n/t

[VolcanoJen]

241. I can't take much more of this! :-(

Oh, Jeff. Rest in peace, my friend.

How many more friends of ours will we lose? I'm sick over this.

:-( :-( :-(

[cestpaspossible]

244. I'm shocked and saddened. RIP Jeff

[JackRiddler]

247. This is very sad.

Though he's in New York I never got to meet him but the man was one of the best talents (as a designer, humorist and writer) and among most prolific and perceptive on these boards.

A salute to Jeff Matson aka Nostamj.