Troubling News About ER Activist John Gideon from Voters Unite

[garybeck]

John Gideon is a hero, activist, and one of the great leaders of the Electronic Voting reform movement. Please send your thoughts and prayers his way.

----

Blogged by Brad Friedman on 4/27/2009 12:29PM
News About Our Friend John Gideon...
Some troubling news came in last night concerning John Gideon, my
friend, colleague, frequent BRAD BLOG guest blogger and the
years-long publisher of the indispensable "Daily Voting News". Allow
me to defer to the announcement just released by Ellen Theisen,
John's partner at VotersUnite.org...

From: Ellen Theisen
Date: Mon Apr. 27, 2009 11:18am PT
Subject: To John Gideon's friends

Our friend and colleague, John Gideon collapsed in his home on Sunday
morning where he was discovered by his family and rushed to the
hospital.

Medical staff told me last night (Sunday) that he was in "very
critical condition". And today he remains in the ICU, with a
preliminary diagnosis of meningitis.

Brad Friedman and I have been in regular contact with John's family,
and I'm leaving now to go to the hospital in Seattle, which is the
best neurological facility in the entire region.

Starting tomorrow, some of us will be taking steps to cobble together
a perhaps somewhat truncated version of the "Daily Voting News" in
order to attempt to fill his shoes until his return. But as you all
know, they are very big shoes to fill.

Please send your good thoughts to John and his family. I will, of
course, keep you updated as I learn anything more.

Ellen Theisen
Co-Director
www.VotersUnite.Org

[Wilms]

1. Send John the good vibes.

And if you can donate...

http://www.votersunite.org/donate.asp

[BradBlog]

2. Thanks Gary and Wilms, both, and...

You can also leave public comment on the item above at:
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=7102
...should you wish.

Thanks, guys.

[tbyg52]

3. Oh no. Best thoughts and wishes! nt

[glitch]

4. Damn. He is one of the heroes, sending prayers. :( nt

[garybeck]

5. hero, and a very necessary cog in the wheel.

Daily Voting News is a vital part of our movement. we reall need DVN. but more than any news service or reform movement, I just hope that John is OK.

[bleever]

6. Best wishes to John and his family.

[yowzayowzayowza]

7. GWS, John!!!

Best wishes!!!

:hi:

[pleah]

8. Hoping for a speedy recovery.

[Fly by night]

9. John Gideon is one of the kindest and most committed people I have ever known.

This is so sad to open my DU evening with. I have known John well since 2005, have shared meals with him on the Left Coast and election integrity skirmishes ("if we never stop fighting, ...") all over the country.

John has been as available an all-encompassing election integrity info-master as one could have hoped for, getting us needed info in a few hours, if not a few minutes, on numerous occasions.

He has also been a personal friend, someone I shipped two cases of organic berry jam from my Tennessee farm to this December for him to share with his Ecotopia kith and kin.

Although I did not know it, it comes as no surprise that John was retired military. When it comes to his country, John has brooked no bullshit but he has kept an even strain.

My thoughts and prayers are with John this evening.

K&R

[Melissa G]

10. Love and prayers to John. An invaluable resource and kind email friend.

(((((JOHN))))):grouphug: