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

[FailureToCommunicate]

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/

[Bozita]

1. My sincere condolences

[FailureToCommunicate]

2. Thank you. I know it rains on the just as well as the unjust, but in times like this

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

[FailureToCommunicate]

30. Today -Monday- news stories on John here:

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 /

[patrice]

3. From the Vedas: Gone, gone, gone beyond beyond. Hail the goer!"

Solidarity, FailureToCommunicate.

Please express my respects to your Family.

[mmonk]

4. May his legacy live on.

Condolences.

[classof56]

5. The world has lost a remarkable man.

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.

[malaise]

6. Deepest sympathy FailureToCommunicate

:grouphug:

[underseasurveyor]

7. I am truly and deeply sorry for your loss........

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

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

[cali]

8. He sounds like a wonderful person

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

[Flying Dream Blues]

9. Such a talented man using his skills for good. I'm so sorry for your loss; we

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

[lostnotforgotten]

10. A True Journalist Has Passed - Let His Light Continue To Shine

eom

[sonias]

11. My condolences to your family

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


Sonia

[dixiegrrrrl]

12. I am so sorry about your loss, and the world's loss of such a gifted journalist.

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

[OHDEM]

13. I'm so sorry for your loss.

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

[Berry Cool]

14. I'm so sorry for you and the rest of his family and all who loved him.

And the world that was better for him in it.

[spanone]

15. sorry for your loss. a loss for everyone.

:grouphug:

[goclark]

16. So sorry to hear about your brother ~

:cry:

[Odin2005]

17. RIP Mr. Wilke.

:-(

*Hugs FtC*

[dgibby]

18. So very sorry for your loss.

The world is a poorer place.

[Pool Hall Ace]

19. I am so sorry, Mr. FTC :(

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

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

[applegrove]

20. So sorry for your loss.

[democrat2thecore]

21. So very sad for you.

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.

[rch35]

22. the world is indebted to muckrakers (and i use the term affectionately) like your brother.

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.

[malaise]

23. He was just praised for his work on Washington Journal

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

[TuxedoKat]

24. I'm so sorry for your loss.

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

[FailureToCommunicate]

25. Anyone at DU who is cynical and certain there were no "good" MSM reporters should see

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!

[niyad]

26. my deepest condolences on your loss, FTC. the world is poorer today for his passing.

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

[anigbrowl]

27. I'm sorry to hear that. His fine work will be missed.

[Vidar]

28. My condolences.

[horseshoecrab]

29. So sorry

Sincere condolences on the loss of your dear brother.

I remember his byline from the Globe.

A great loss.


horseshoecrab

[FailureToCommunicate]

31. Thank you - thank all of you. John had high hopes that his beloved Globe would

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