A shout out to Paul St Pete Times Commenter on John Winter

Dear Paul,

First of all -- you are wrong. Some of the bravest people in the world decide to leave. What is braver than facing the unknown?


Second of all -- I think it was much less than kind for you to leave such a thoughtless comment for his family to see. (maybe you just didn't think about it, huh? Please do so in the future)

UPDATE: St Pete Times DID remove this comment. Thank you. IF I had to choose a local paper, you'd be the only one I'd read. (HOWARD Troxler ROBYN Blumner, Phillip Gailey, Bill Maxwell, etc etc...)

And to the St. Pete Times --- some of your comment editors are Removed by blogger as the insult it was .. they took the comment out, I'm happy and they better stop deleting my damn comments. I had my comment removed in the buzz yesterday for saying that some of the previous commenters sounded like vigilante bikers.(this among attack after attack on each other so it wasn't due to the attacking nature, my post was not an attack and the other posts are ALL still there) AND I include MY name, website and address ... BUT -- you allowed 'paul' to make an anonymous, cruel, unneccessary comment for all the world and a grieving family to read. About a man who left too early and in a not at all cowardly fashion. I am not adverse to the fact that someone can step into the void given how easily other people live in a void their entire lives. Which is worse? God Bless Him. He's such a handsome, young guy. It hurts. But, maybe it hurt to be him. To the family: Much love and strength and courage and watch yourselves. It's a hard, long road you're on now. But, it has it's silver linings. You may not believe me now, but you'll see. I promise.

WHY?

Remove it.

The comments are below but also, thanks to Tommy at Sticks of Fire who covered this well, with lots of links ....

by charlotte 04/06/07 12:16 PM
i love this man and i'm so sadden along with all the other people he's touched. may god help us all in understanding what we don't.
by LouElla 04/06/07 12:12 PM
Saddened, shocked, as I watched Stacey in a most emotional time,give this most difficult news of our beloved John
by Dianna 04/06/07 12:04 PM
Stunned -the only word that comes to mind. His voice was the one I heard on the radio while our farm was being battered by Hurricane Jeanne. I turned on the 5am news every am just to see what was in store for the day. Rest in peace my friend...
by Grace 04/06/07 12:03 PM
If he had only realized how much he was loved. Via con Diaz, John
by annette 04/06/07 12:01 PM
i feel deep sadness for whatever his inner turmoil must have been to drive him to do this. It just goes to show, you never truly know the inner soul of your closest friend. My prayers are with his family and for John, may he rest in peace.
by Dee 04/06/07 11:56 AM
I feel like I have lost a friend.
by ELAINE 04/06/07 11:55 AM
I AM SO SAD TO HEAR ABOUT JOHN, HE GOT ME THROUGHT THE 4 HURRICANES THAT SUMMER. HE WAS TIRELESS IN HIS REPORTING OF THE STORMS. HIS SENSE OF HUMOR AND JOKING AROUND WERE PRICELESS. WHAT WAS REALLY GOING ON JOHN? IT JUST SO SAD. YOU WILL BE MISSED.
by Jon 04/06/07 11:51 AM
We should all remain vigilant when a friend or family member needs help. Sometimes these things CAN be prevented, I only hope that John may rest in peace, and that his family can cope with their loss.
by JJ 04/06/07 11:50 AM
I feel sorry for his friends and family. I wonder what made him do it.
by Sharon 04/06/07 11:49 AM
I always watched you while living in Tampa - you really made my day with your humour. You will be missed so much
by Donna 04/06/07 11:44 AM
May you rest in peace - we will miss you. My prayers for his family and friends.

paul's comments edited out by blogger

by Frances 04/06/07 11:31 AM
So very sorry to see this sad news. My prayers are with his co-workers, family and friends. John was most unique among our local TV meteorologists. His professionalism, caring spirit and wit were genuine. May he be at peace in heaven.
by Elaine 04/06/07 11:28 AM
John Winter's death is the type of tragedy that serves to remind us all to be aware of and kind to our fellow man. One never truly knows what is going on in another person's mind. My condolences to all who loved him and miss him.
by Sharon 04/06/07 11:23 AM
My heart was heavy last night when I heard, I wish he could have talked to someone. God bless
by Richie 04/06/07 11:19 AM
Sad fact of modern life .We always want more and the perfect suburban existence and when problems arise some choose this exit.
by Kim 04/06/07 11:14 AM
I woke up every morning at 6:00am to news channel 8 and loved to hear his forecast of the weather and his jokes. He will be truly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
by Mary 04/06/07 11:12 AM
Each morning from 5:20 to 7:00, I'd wait to for John and Gayle "get" each other as my brothers and I did as kids. Please let the family and friends know that help is available for survivors of a suicide: www.yellowribbon.org May John rest in peace.
by Carole 04/06/07 11:09 AM
To Karen, John's friends and family: My deepest sympathy for your loss. As much as I hurt over his loss, I know yours is worse. I pray that God will give you strength to live on in His love.
by Mary 04/06/07 11:04 AM
It is VERY hard! I was and still am in great shock and disbelief, and very saddened! I am SO sorry John Winters did what he did. Why??? He TRULY stood out and in such a good way. I feel sick over this and there's nothing I can do now but pray!
by Chuck 04/06/07 11:00 AM
When John Winter came on the Tampa scene,I said to myself,"theres a guy who's got the world by the tail,young good looking and good at what he does".It's sad when the life of someone loved and respected by so many ends this way.My prayers to family.
by mike 04/06/07 10:54 AM
The community has lost a good man. Rest in peace John, you will be missed by so many. God bless you and your family.
by ms 04/06/07 10:54 AM
We will miss you John, I hope you find the peace you were looking for.
by Pat 04/06/07 10:51 AM
I have been watching John since he started on News Channel 8. I really looked forward to watching him in the morning. He made the day seem right. He was good and funny. The morning weather will never be the same. Everyone will miss him. Rest in peace
by Denise 04/06/07 10:39 AM
I'm still crying and cannot believe that John is no longer with us. He was like family and his passing will be felt by so many. My prayers go out to his family & everyone at WFLA.
by ANNE 04/06/07 10:36 AM
WE HAVE BEEN SUCH LUCKY SNOW BIRDS TO "KNOW" JOHN. WE WILL MISS HIS PLEASANT SPIRIT...GOD BLESS HIM AND HIS FAMILY.
by Steve 04/06/07 10:34 AM
I hope he is at peace and I hope his family finds peace in the outpouring of love from his TVviewers. Maybe he thought the Lord needed a great weatherman in Heaven. May God bless them all.
by lucille 04/06/07 10:31 AM
I couldn"t believe the news at first. I am so sorry . My prayer are for John
by Nancy 04/06/07 10:29 AM
We are all heart broken about John and it was all so senseless. Just shows that the people that act the toughest and act the happiest are often hiding a lot of pain.
by Ashley 04/06/07 10:28 AM
May he rest in peace..May God be with you and your family.
by Joanna 04/06/07 10:24 AM
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. He will be missed by many that watched his weather forecast. May God Bless You John and your loved ones.
by Dennis 04/06/07 10:22 AM
Very sorry to hear this news. I used to see him at all the Buc Football games. Will miss him this coming season. My condolences to his family and friends.
by Colette 04/06/07 10:22 AM
My heartfelt condolences to the family. Its hard to understand in situations like this, why. I prayed last night for God to have mercy on his soul and to comfort his family, and again this morning.It hurt as if John was my family. God Bless
by Jennifer 04/06/07 10:19 AM
I am deeply saddened by the news of John's passing. I was a Mass Communications student at USF and had the opportunity to meet the weather man that always got it right! My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fellow staff members.
by Zurc 04/06/07 10:18 AM
Very shocked. He was a true professional. We should never assume someone is okay. People are fragile.