Many of us were stunned at the news of the passing of Andrew Breitbart. After the initial skepticism that perhaps we were being "punked", came the hollow realization that this dynamic force of nature had been struck down in his prime. Words failed many of us.
One is astounded at the sheer volume and number of tributes, eulogies and obituaries generated today, alongside the sneering, mocking vitriol of impotent leftists who were not able to stand against his whirlwind wit, enthusiasm and vitality while he lived, and gather like jackals to gloat over him in death.
What struck me, was one obituary labeled, "Andrew Breitbart, blogger, R.I.P." "Blogger"? Considering the outpouring of support and sympathy and loss, amongst the countless number of people touched by his life, it seems that "blogger" is insufficient to describe him. "A force of nature" ,maybe, but not "blogger". Another came closer with "conservative pundit and web entrepreneur".
And it also seemed to me that many heads of state have not commanded in their passing the response that the sudden death of Andrew Breitbart has evoked. My first thought was "world leaders" rather than heads of state, but, in many senses, Andrew was a world leader. He was a leader in the American conservative movement, with influence worldwide. He was bold and brash and sometimes abrasive, but there was no denying the tenacity and vigor with which he approached life, uncowed by his many critics.
I was among Andrew's many admirers. I never had the pleasure to meet him personally. But he will be dearly missed. And though his critics rejoice in his falling, I can already hear the voices of legions willing to stand up for what Andrew believed in and fought for.
The left's worst nightmare of a legion of Breitbarts may one day come to pass. Breitbart will never be a plaster saint, but will continue to serve as an inspiration to this generation of conservatives, much to the Left's chagrin.
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