Update on Bill Kalles (No Star)

Mike Snell, a.k.a. The Wine Commonsewer, gives an update on Hit & Run regular Bill Kalles, who posts here as No Star and was in a terrible accident recently: 

Good Morning Gentle Readers,

As you know, Bill was involved in a tragic motorcycle accident that took the life of his daughter.

Bill's release from the hospital is imminent. He's going home today. Good news indeed.

This Saturday, Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Ministries will host a benefit BBQ for Bill in downtown Moses Lake, Washington.

Donations to give Bill a hand with funeral and medical expenses can be made as follows:

RTMM
P.O. Box 2023
Moses Lake, WA 98837

Ed Baxter at [phone]

Alternatively, you may send donations in care of his church:

Grace Harvest Church
313 N Fig st.
Moses Lake, Wa 98837

As was mentioned the other day, donations to the Jessica Kalles Memorial Library fund can be made as follows:

Moses Lake Library
Attention Connie Kuhlmann
418 East 5th Avenue
Moses Lake, WA, 98837-1797

Checks should be made out to:   

North Central Regional Library

A short letter should accompany the the check explaining that it is for memorial books for Jessica Kalles. If you want to know the titles of the books that have been purchased, please include a note to that effect and your return address.  A small memorial sticker will be placed in each book.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers.

As Ever,

TWC

Comments

NotThatDavid | September 2, 2008, 11:02pm | #

Inasmuch as anything related to that accident can be called "good news," this is. Good luck, Mr. Kalles.

The Wine Commonsewer | September 2, 2008, 11:02pm | #

Thanks Nick, you are a gentleman.

Services for Jessie will be Saturday September 6, 2008.

Those of you who would like to do so may sign Jessica's online guest book here.

Flowers & cards may also be sent to:

Kaysers Chapel
831 S Pioneer Way
Moses Lake, WA 98837

Website here.

Warning: website plays depressing funeral music. Turn your sound off.

Dagny T. | September 2, 2008, 11:49pm | #

Nice to hear he's going home to lovely Moses Lake and escaping dreary old Seattle. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Syd | September 2, 2008, 11:53pm | #

Thanks, Nick. I can't imagine that kind of loss.

Dagny T. | September 2, 2008, 11:57pm | #

Holy shit, Team America. You just beat Lefiti for the race-to-the-bottom award.

TWC | September 3, 2008, 12:19am | #

Will he get a Darwin award for wiping out his own offspring?

No, but you'll get a Dog Dick award for being a stupid cowardly prick who doesn't have the courage it takes to say something like that anywhere but from the complete and total safety of a computer screen where nobody can knock the fuck out of you. [turns and spits]

If there is justice, you will someday bury a child.

Sparky | September 3, 2008, 12:31am | #

Do the rest of the world a favor, Team America - go earn yourself a Darwin award.

Sparky | September 3, 2008, 1:21am | #

Lest any gentle readers (with a nod to TWC) be confused by the comments of Dagny, TWC, and myself, the powers that be deleted an exceptionally mean and offensive comment by some sack of crap with the handle "Team America."

Best wishes to NoStar and his family and friends for some solace and peace of mind these days. Fortunately for me, I can't begin to imagine what they're going through right now.

Michael Moynihan | September 3, 2008, 1:26am | #

Thanks for the update, Mike. This is happy news indeed, though, as NotThatDavid said, in such a situation it is difficult to utter the phrase "good news."

Incidentally, I have removed "Team America's" foul, disgraceful comment.

The Winecommonsewer | September 3, 2008, 1:50am | #

Thanks Mike, much obliged. I was inclined to ignore it and I should have. Maybe you should delete my response as well.

Thank you all at Reason and the people who hang here for, well, the words fail me right now, but I think you may know what I mean. Thanks.

thoreau | September 3, 2008, 1:53am | #

I'm glad to hear that NoStar is recovering physically. My deepest condolences to him and his family.

smartass sob | September 3, 2008, 3:56am | #

If there is justice, you will someday bury a child.

No, that would not be justice - wouldn't be fair to the child. Real justice would be for Team America to never have children or anyone else to mourn his/her passing or even notice it.

Episiarch | September 3, 2008, 7:06am | #

If there is justice, you will someday bury a child.

You don't let someone like that get to you, TWC. Just don't.

Mr. Nice Guy | September 3, 2008, 7:46am | #

My heart goes out to the guy and my hopes for a speedy recovery.

VM | September 3, 2008, 9:54am | #

Comfort and condolences.

Thank you, TWC for the update. And thank you, Nick for posting.

Bill,

while we cannot take away the pain of your loss, we feel deeply for you and are here for you.

with deepest sympathy,
VM

The Winecommonsewer | September 3, 2008, 10:44am | #

No, that would not be justice - wouldn't be fair to the child

SASOB, you are so right.

You don't let someone like that get to you, TWC. Just don't.

Epi, you are so right.

ChrisV | September 3, 2008, 12:27pm | #

Removal of comments on private property is not "censorship", you sack of shit.

JW | September 3, 2008, 4:15pm | #

All I can do is repeat my shared sadness at all that Bill has lost. I hope that one day fate will be kinder to him.

Team America--Evolutionary reprobates, such as yourself, get what's coming to them. May you show the same depth and wisdom in a biker bar one day.

Jennifer | September 3, 2008, 4:42pm | #

My God, but there is dark nastiness lurking in some people's septic excuse for a soul.

Jennifer | September 3, 2008, 4:43pm | #

I can only repeat what I wrote in the guestbook: my thoughts are with you, Bill.

Timothy | September 3, 2008, 5:18pm | #

Best of luck to Bill, may he make a speedy physical recovery and, one day, may he feel alive again.

I can only speculate at the pain of losing his daughter, and I can only offer plattitudes in response to it.

lunchstealer | September 3, 2008, 5:20pm | #

There's a time and a place, Team America. You are wholly in the wrong. All the hurt non-aggression whining in the world won't make you less of a douchebag. This playground belongs to the Reason Foundation. They set the rules.

And if you spout your mouth off and TWC knocks some teeth out of it you may have to defend yourself, because the rest of us are free to choose not to. Or even to applaud.

J sub D | September 3, 2008, 5:23pm | #

Team America,

I'm well versed in the art of obscene profanity. It's a hobby of mine. Sociopaths like yourself just aren't worth the effort.

Crushinator | September 3, 2008, 6:07pm | #

Michael Moynihan,

Thank you for removing Team America's offensive post. None of the H&R family would want that shit getting back to NoStar. I do not consider it "censorship" but rather an act of humanity.

Team America violated a core tenet of the libertarian way of life - one should be free to do anything they want as long as it does not harm someone. TA's assertion that Jesse is dead due to stupidity on NoStar's part is not borne out (or even slightly inferred) by the available facts. It appears to be an unfortunate accident, plain and simple. I have no inkling as to why TA was so eager to condemn the victim. TA's comment was cruel, incorrect, and unwarranted. You have my full support to delete such posts - do not waste any psychic energy second-guessing your decision.

Team America - yes, there are hard feelings amongst the libertarians that haunt this site. And you have furnished unmistakable evidence that maybe some of us are not so "HUMAN" after all.

The Winecommonsewer | September 3, 2008, 6:21pm | #

Thanks for all the good wishes and kind words.

I'm trying to do an update here and I just keep deleting everything I write.

Let's say this: NoStar is healing faster than expected. He's still not able to drive or get around very well. The community and his church have come through in the way that exemplifies the best of humanity.

And there's his Guardian Angel, Flo (as in the Lady With the Lamp, Florence Nightingale). Now that everyone is back to work and the house is quiet, well, Flo is helping him to keep it together.

Sparky | September 3, 2008, 7:22pm | #

Team America, you're clearly getting off on pretending that you're somehow the reasonable one here, standing bravely against "petty souls" by shunning "vacuous conventions." But as everyone but you is well aware, that's just a self-absorbed conceit on your part. All you're doing is being a complete asshole, and not even the sort of complete asshole that still manages to add something useful to the discussion. You have no idea how pathetic your behavior is, but hopefully some day you'll grow up, and maybe even feel some sense of shame that you used to get off on mocking the recently deceased and their loved ones on anonymous internet sites.

Stevo Darkly | September 3, 2008, 11:15pm | #

Team America:

Looks like I hit a soft spot.

Ooooh, yes you did. You did indeed. It's called a heart. (Figuratively speaking.)

Everyone else here has one. Maybe you'll grow one yourself some day.

Before you, too, die, as everyone here will.

And when you do die, I wonder what people will say about you. Or whether anyone will miss you.

Stevo Darkly | September 3, 2008, 11:26pm | #

(Sorry about that ... thing.)

NoStar is in my thoughts, and I'm glad his recovery continues apace. We're with you, Bill.

TWC, thank you for bringing us the updates.

And as for Reason, it's pretty cool that a magazine will dedicate blog space like this to one of its commenters under these circumstances. Thanks.

The Wine Commonsewer | September 3, 2008, 11:55pm | #

TWC, thank you for bringing us the updates.

Hey Stevo, you are the man.

You are welcome.

I'm expecting NoStar will be able to navigate the computer in another couple of days. We may hear from him, assuming his ice pick fingers can still handle a QWERTY.

Aresen | September 3, 2008, 11:56pm | #

NoStar

My deepest sympathy. The words are inadequate, but I wish you the best.

Dick Nimmons
"Aresen"

Team America | September 4, 2008, 12:03am | #

You know, that picture of me didn't do enough justice.

This close up is a better rendition.

Team America | September 4, 2008, 12:06am | #

To make matters worse, my whole family is made fun of on blogs all over the world.

It's a vagina, not a clown car

That's me on the far left of the back row. I never got any taller than that, so I had to get some shoes with heels on them. I get them from the same place Prince and Tom Cruise get theirs.

Team America | September 4, 2008, 12:20am | #

 I've been on a diet lately and I credit my weight loss to this.

America, fuck yeah! | September 4, 2008, 12:33am | #

@Steve Darklo
It's called a heart. (Figuratively speaking.)

From my perspective it looks more like the soft spot is your brain (also figuratively speaking).

Now, I've done some research and it turns out that he cannot get the Darwin Award, because the accident hasn't caused him to "...lose the ability to reproduce either by death or sterilization...". So, the point is moot.

If TWC & Co., on the other hand, actually make their threat come true, by pulling some strings, getting my IP-address from the server-logs, figuring out where I live and cause me to "...lose the ability to reproduce either by death or sterilization...", I should get a Darwin award.

Of course, the entire libertarian community, will follow lunchstealer'sexample, and cheer for the biker gang while they are beating up a social outsider.

And I certainly deserve the Darwin Award for

a) Thinking that the Reason Foundation is capable of hiring people who actually defend free speech, even when they disagree with content and delivery.

insert famous Voltaire/Jefferson quote

Supporting free speech only when you agree with style and substance of what is being said, doesn't require much willpower, Mr. Moynihan.

b) Exposing my thoughts to a mob of humans in the first place.

So, Sparky, if your wish comes true, you certainly deserve to live in this world.

Judging from the feedback I'm getting, it appears that I actually only have a couple of comparatively minor issues.

I thank the bunch of you for keeping me sane.

Team America, fuck yeah | September 4, 2008, 12:54am | #

 One of my best photographs. Don't I look sane great?

Team America | September 4, 2008, 1:01am | #

Team America, fuck yeah! wins the thread!

Wyatt Earp | September 4, 2008, 1:12am | #

What makes a man like Team America, Doc? What makes him do the things he does?

Doc: A man like Team America has got a great big hole, right in the middle of him. He can never kill enough, or steal enough, or inflict enough pain to ever fill it.

What does he need?

Doc: Revenge

For what?

Doc: For Bein' born

* | September 4, 2008, 1:16am | #

Ya know...every once in awhile one runs across some wretched bit of human detritus that simply screams to be one of the finest arguments in favor of abortion for which anyone could ever possibly ask.

And then sometimes one runs across something that must be either the results of a botched abortion...or just the effluent of a sick woman's ass.

The Wine Commonsewer | September 4, 2008, 1:49am | #

some wretched bit of human detritus

The depravity of the soul is mind boggling.

Reminds me of Wednesday Addams going trick or treating sans costume.

This is my costume. I'm a homicidal maniac; they look just like everyone else.

We interact with this guy. If he's been around a while he knows NoStar. He looks like everyone else at H&R except today he hides behind a computer screen. A fucking coward.

Darwin Award?

How about a Tony Soprano award instead?

Team America | September 4, 2008, 3:14am | #

@The Wine Commonsewer
If he's been around a while he knows NoStar.

I don't have a clue who the guy is, but I seriously doubt that he requires all the proxies here.

Losing a daughter is tough. Being responsible for her death is tougher. But the toughest bit must be when you're not allowed to feel like dirt about it, because suddenly sending the biker with the dead girl a "get well quick, card" has turned into a popularity contest without an entry fee.

So far, I'm the only person here honest enough to point out that he will spend the rest of his life fighting an uphill battle trying to make up for his foolish behavior.

Reminds me of Wednesday Addams going trick or treating sans costume.

For some people regular clothes are always a costume, because if they dress, act or feel differently, troops of humans will single them out and feel good about making their life hell.

How about a Tony Soprano award instead?
Promoted from kid-without-friends to mob-boss in 2 posts. I feel honored.

A fucking coward.
Sometimes swearing helps us feel better. Do you feel better now?

If this were a real-life discussion, the majority of of emotionally uncontrolled participants in this thread would lynch me. And you ask why I'm running a Tor client on my computer?

smartass sob | September 4, 2008, 5:54am | #

If this were a real-life discussion, the majority of of emotionally uncontrolled participants in this thread would lynch me

I doubt that - you aren't important enough to lynch. You see, you must try to understand that people like you and remarks like yours do not really matter very much - unless, of course, we let you matter. And most of us are wise enough not to let you matter very much, if at all. Life is like an amusement park ride - you get your ticket and climb aboard. No one knows how long the ride will last, but whether it ends today, tomorrow, or years from now - one gets to ride at least that long. Most of us love the ride far too much to let someone like you spoil our enjoyment of it.

Most of us love life, ourselves, and others; and in turn we are loved by others. Most of us feel goodwill toward our fellow man unless it is someone who has done something wrong. Most of us either are or can be happy - therefore we feel bad when others are not and we feel sad when others feel sad. Because we know what that feels like.

You on the other hand love neither life nor yourself nor others. Nor are you loved by others. You do not feel love or happiness or sorrow or sympathy - you are not able to do so. And yet you resent those who are and who do. It is not envy or jealousy that you feel - you do not want what others have as your own - you just don't want anyone else to have it if you can't or don't. You are like someone with a bit of food that he himself cannnot eat but would rather throw in the trash than see someone else have it.

Do you really think anyone here would kill you? Hell, why would anyone bother - you are already worse than dead.

Team America | September 4, 2008, 10:16am | #

@smartass sob
I doubt that - you aren't important enough to lynch.

I totally agree.

The main difference between you and me is that I believe nobody is important enough to lynch.

Do you really think anyone here would kill you?

As individuals, no. As part of a mob of other humans, yes.

No one knows how long the ride will last...

Take a ride with NoStar on his motorcycle and it will be a lot shorter.

Jake Boone | September 4, 2008, 10:19am | #

Team America,

Please stop.

Ali | September 4, 2008, 10:45am | #

My prayers go to Mr. Kalles.

Team America | September 4, 2008, 11:25am | #

Please stop.

Wow, after all this time one of you actually managed to stay civilized and use the magic word.

The Humans | September 4, 2008, 12:32pm | #

Promoted from kid-without-friends to mob-boss in 2 posts. I feel honored.

Don't flatter yourself.

This is a Tony Soprano award.

Stevo Darkly | September 4, 2008, 2:21pm | #

Wow, after all this time one of you actually managed to stay civilized

And after all this time, are you(belatedly) able to take up the challenge of being the same?

No Cookie | September 4, 2008, 2:48pm | #

I've read the entire thread from the beginning, and it looks like a good deal of posters are bashing some imaginary handle "Team America".

Is this the same "Team America", who posted further down?

smartass sob | September 4, 2008, 3:09pm | #

The main difference between you and me is that I believe nobody is important enough to lynch.

Eh? There is no difference on that score.

The main difference between you and me? I don't hate myself as you do. You have already demonstrated your contempt and hatred for human beings right here on this thread, but you yourself are a human being, so....

Take a ride with NoStar on his motorcycle and it will be a lot shorter.

Perhaps - perhaps not. It will last however long it lasts. Most of us are grateful for and enjoy what time we have. Its ending does not alter that - death is not retroactive.

==============================

@No Cookie

Is this the same "Team America", who posted further down?

Yes, as far as anyone can tell.

No Cookie | September 4, 2008, 3:25pm | #

I think if someone had said:

'Don't feed the trolls!'

the quality of the thread would have vastly improved. I've been in a couple of forums before, and have noticed that deleting posts only encourages them.

Nothing worse than a pissed off troll with too much time!

My 2 cents. S'long.

smartass sob | September 4, 2008, 3:29pm | #

@Stevo Darkly

Before you, too, die, as everyone here will.

And when you do die, I wonder what people will say about you.

What's really pitiful is what he'll have to say for himself - even if it's only to himself. That's not at all enviable.

smartass sob | September 4, 2008, 3:32pm | #

@No Cookie

Yes, you're probably right. He's already received more time and attention than he warrants.

No Cookie | September 4, 2008, 3:46pm | #

"He's already received more time and attention than he warrants."

That's sad, because he'll believe that he's accomplished his mission.

S'long.

Note 2 self: quit posting stuff about trolls. Ignore them.