I have been worrying about him myself ghost. I hope he is well also~ anybody up in that neck of the woods?

I have called the number listed for him but no answer nor answer machine. I tried calling two other "Heath" people in that area one was a phone no longer in service and the other was a no answer.

I haven't gotten anything back, either.  And he still hasn't signed on.

I always look for Sam's postings first and then go back and read anything else that looks interesting.  I'd been wondering where he's gone and then I saw this blog asking about him.  Hopefully he's ok and just away visiting.

Certainly someone at TBC has enough clout that they could have his safety looked into for us, so as to set our minds and hearts at ease. I do the same as Rettchr. Always look first for anything written by Sam...I pray he is not needing help and unable to call for it...

Jason-can you pull Sams info and check?

After deleting all undesirable comments and blocking all respondents from his blogs holding differing views, perhaps Sam just got lonely, gave up blogging and became a preacher somewhere where no one disagrees with him.

Or he found a new site where conflicting opinion is not allowed and he's spending endless days and nights toasting S'mores over the cyber campfire and singing cumbaya with his all his new comrades.

Maybe he just left the country after the election of the evil Satan Obama, who he feared so strongly will lead the country to hell and has formed a sect of expatriate Palinites who are now plotting the 2012 government takeover.

Or maybe he discovered that the bridge to nowhere actually does go somewhere, and he's there.

Have been missing Sam and the Weedpatch Gazette also. Sam's Sermons were a comfort to me. "Sam you are a true spirit of Kern County and to have known you and your family since the early 50's and to witness your accomplishments makes me proud to call you friend. God bless you."

Saber, you may not have approved of Sam's posts or his methods but he is a member of this blogging community and respected by most.  He's also an elderly gentleman who lives alone and is in poor health.

Given those same cirumtances we might even be concerned about YOU if you disappeared.

SABER [edit.]..you just reached the pinnacle of biggest assinine comment I ever read and I lost all respect for anything you ever had to say....Sam is a thousand times the man you will ever be..

Sam is an elderly man and a published author...his health is a concern to all of us who care about him ...and for you to disrespect someones blog of TRUE CONCERN is a lowest of the low...you should be ashamed of yourself..because we all certainly are...

Hopefully he's just taking a break. He has a lot of irons in the fire like fighting child abuse. It concerns me though that he hasn't responded to emails, but maybe he is on a retreat or out of town and unable to access his email account.

I hope you're right.  It's just too easy to think the worst.

Let's worry about Sam the human being first.  With good fortune we will all reach his age someday, a point in life where knowing that people care about your welfare is a great comfort, especially when one lives alone.

Sioux snarls: "SABER [edit.]..you just reached the pinnacle of biggest assinine comment I ever read and I lost all respect for anything you ever had to say....Sam is a thousand times the man you will ever be..you should be ashamed of yourself.."

Jeez., I guess some of you very dour folks have no humor.

The fact that Sam has not blogged in a week or so is not sufficient reason to fear the worst.

There is no indication that the man has died, or something equally as horrific.

As for you, Sioux, it is YOU who should be ashamed for launching a scathing name-calling attack over an innocent humorous jibe.

If there is an [edit.] here, it certainly isn't me for simply directing some good natured humor toward Sam.

What YOU need, is to grow up, get a grip on your childish ego, anger and punitive hostility, work on your reading comprehension and communication skills and learn how to behave like a mature adult.

Such rancorous garbage is uncalled for.

The humorous intent of my comments regarding Sam's absence is quite obvious to anyone who can read and is in control of their emotional faculties.

Let's be nice, guys, okay?

I wrote a similar post on my Tehachapi blog. Sam also posts there as well as TBC. Hopefully I will get some info.

I am being nice, even to those whose comprehensive filters are obviously clogged with enmity.

And I don't even expect an apology for the unmerited, hostile and emasculating attack.

I bet you guys would have a fight over me if sudddenly I stopped blogging here, huh?

--virgil

"Palinites!"  Who can't see the humor in that? 

Sam must have friends, family, neighbors, etc. who may have closer contact with him than bloggers, right? 

ahh [edit.] whats a matter you dont like people talking trash on you??? well atleast you were here to respond.. and personally I nor anyone else on here found your humorous intent clever. Get over yourself..your just making it worse

Virgil, to my best knowledge, you have comported yourself on this site in a dignified, courteous and respectful manner, offering valuable wisdom and thoughtful insight.

Sadly, like me, your somewhat liberal leanings may not be recieved warmly by some of our more contentious conservative bloggers who seem to be unable to reason with impartial rationality and tend to harbor animosity toward those whose opinions they hold in great disdain.

But, for what little it may be worth, the erudition exhibited by your measured responses has certainly earned my admiration.

Saber,

Thanks!

That's decent of you to tell me (I tip my coffee cup towards you).

I actually feel the same regarding your many posts.

--virgil

Sorry Sioux, humorous roasting is one thing, but juvenile, mean spirited trash talking and name calling is quite another.

You think lashing out in anger is mature, adult behavior?

So, you didn't get the humor of my comments?

No surprise there.

Grow up and "get over" yourself.

A deputy sheriff called me and Mr. Heath does not appear to be home. He has looked through windows as well. He said he knew Mr. Heath and that he has lots of family in the central valley. Hopefully he is visiting family. I'll feel a lot of relief to know he is well.

This from one of my blog friends inTehachapi. I guess some of his friends up the hill have had a deputy check on Sam, so the general consensus is that he is okay and out of town. However, his profile seems to have been removed, so it seems like he plans an extended stay up North.

 We can all wish that, as someone suggested, Sam is simply taking a hiatus from the blogs for a while.  I, too, miss Sam's writing.  I miss his writing skills, as well as the depth of coverage of various subjects.  I've described his writing as simply too erudite for mortals like me to apprehend it.  Therefore I usually simply pick out one or two points he makes and attempt to comment about those. 

I hope that some of those writings of his will be forthcoming soon so that I can read and reread, hoping to understand. 

SABER:  I guess the point is, this is not a 'funny' or 'humorous' blog. We are all concerned about a friend we know to be in ill health and elderly. Would you not want people to be concerned about you if you suddenly went off the blogs with no shout out that you will be gone? Or maybe you just don't give a bloody fig about anybody but yourself eh?

Sorry..............your blog regarding Sam's absence is not funny. I don't have to get over myself as I was  and never have been under myself - I have very high SELF esteem unlike those who feel the need to get rude and nasty to make a point. Is your self esteem so low you feel the need to do that? Must be.

Nancy says: "....we might even be concerned about YOU if you disappeared."

Thanks, Nancy, you have warmed the cockles of my heart, even with the "might" qualifier.

There have been very overt signs of Sam's discontent with the TBC blogging environment , which led me to strongly suspect that he just picked up his marbles and went away, which precipitated my ill received attempt at humor.

But you can still hate me. After many years of admittedly dry and often misconstrued attempts at humor, I am inured with a healthy coating of communicative Teflon.

Witter, how'd you come up with rude and nasty?

Apparently, even thin skinned Sam has more humor than you.

Sam probably just tired of the poor communication coming from some of the humorless and rancorous bloggers on this site and thoroughly disgusted, packed it in and left for more sensible environs.

What you don't get is that I actually read his posts, sometimes in their entirety, probably more than most who couldn't fully understand or appreciate his prose.

[edit.]  I am inured with a healthy coating of communicative Teflon.

and I most certainly see why..by the by..I think that protective coating also comes in Latex.

Nobody would miss me........ including me!

I'm sure Sam is okay. He may be off in the wilderness somewhere taking a break from all of us sarcastic bloggers. He is a nature lover, and it's a good time of year to enjoy it. Like I said, he has a lot of irons in the fire so he could be off to some meeting where he is a speaker. My real hope is that he has found some hottie and he's having the time of his life right now. LOL

Well hopefully someone on here that knows him personally will let him know of our concern for him, and he will at least pop in to let us know how he is to set our minds, and hearts at ease. If by chance you log on Dr. Heath, God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving.

Read ghost's post at 9:38 ......so busy get self righteous and spitting over freakin pixels,that you miss the message

I logged on to say happy holidays all...now get stuffed!

lol sage, you too, stuff yourself happy and have a few eggnogs on my behalf, even though they are considered liquid cheeseburgers.

;-) eggnog~ I will obey!!!

P.S. SABER~ you are funny! Never stop.

Saber, I thought your comments were honest and good natured. I'm not sure why all the vitriol over your first remarks, or for that matter any of your follow-ups. Reads like a lot of pent up hostility to me by people who always disagree with your point of view, and have a great deal of difficulty being civil. Personally, I hope Sam is in good health and spirits. I do not miss his posts.

Thanks Adam, you are among the handful of reasonable voices in the hostile wilderness of bako blogdom.

I can deal with snarky, snide, sarcastic and often ridiculous rhetoric.

After all, I listened to interminable hours of Sarah Palin's stump speeches.

But wouldn't you think some of these nasty commenters could muster up enough intelligence, objectivity and good form to post their thoughts and argue their points without name calling and hostile ad hominem attacks?

So far, TBC moderators have purged and/or marginalized many of the most offensive of them, leaving only a few to squabble amongst themselves and attack the moderates until they, too, banish themselves with their own venom.

Soon, the population of bako blogdom may be down to a mere handful.

Maybe then some of the reasonable bystanders who read from the sidelines and who don't wish to engage rancorous crackpots, will feel comfortable enough to weigh in without fear of encountering personal insult and blind hostility.

Sioux quips: "...by the by..I think that protective coating also comes in Latex."

Now THAT's funny!

See, you can cutely call me a the equivalent of a condom cloaked penis with a smile instead of a snarl.

Good for you, Sioux, you're learning.

Sam has lost his only two daughters and grandson (I'm told) and has no family to look out for him.  If he has other family in this valley (?) well and good but to be seriously concerned about an elderly person is the right thing to do.  Sam is in VERY bad health and it's not a reach to think he might be in a hospital.  

I'm very grateful for the officer who went to check his house and would hope someone would do that for me.  People who live alone are always at risk for accidents or illnesses that may not be discovered for days. 

Saber, If the humor had been toward someone with whom you agreed I wouldn't think as much of it  a little ribbing, but it was directed at someone you didn't like or at the very least harshly disagreed with.  Given that, I felt the humor was sarcastic and misplaced.  You're young (younger than I am anyway) so if you went missing from the blogs I would think you'd have enough of this nonsense, but for Sam this was a big part of his life.  Writing his Weedpatch Gazette and parrying.  I can't see him dropping out of sight without at least letting the ones on here know...at least the ones he was close to.  He has not done that.

Off  topic a smidge Saber.  When you first started posting here I gave you a hard time about your arrogance and condescension.  You use of words that I know you never use in normal conversation.  Over time you became a "regular guy" and I was about to compliment you on it.  You reach so many more people that way and it really shows how intelligent you are.  No need to "show off."  Then you posted above to Adam..sigh..in your old style.

Like you told Sioux, you're learning though..you're learning.  :-)

Nancy, if arrogance is chastising some of those on the TBC site who engage in rancorous name calling and other crass behavior, then I am indeed arrogant.

If arrogance and is the failure to care much about people who are rude and hateful toward me personally, then I am arrogant.

If arrogance is the reluctance to unquestionably accept the proselytizing of people who expect that their opinions be deemed empirical while demonstrating a pronounced disgust or dislike toward me, then I must admit to being arrogant. 

If condescension is speaking in proper prose which I have used for a lifetime as a writer while occasionally using words or phraseology which may be unfamiliar to readers or somehow be construed as supercilious, then I am condescending.

And yes, boring as it may seem, I generally speak in person pretty much as I write, with the possible exception of a fairly liberal sprinkling of colorful expletives - except, of course, when in the company of those who would clearly be offended. 

To further demonstrate my arrogance, I have no plans to alter my communicative style.

Well, except maybe when engaging in discourse with the literary or intellectually challenged.

So, as you are neither illiterate or dumb, I don't see why you bristle at being spoken to in proper prose. In fact, I would think you might be somewhat pleased to be deemed literate, intelligent and capable of evolved literary discourse.

As for miraculously becoming a regular guy, the fact is, my writing hasn't changed much, if any, during the past few years of blogging on this site.

Perhaps it is your perception or attitude toward me that has changed, at least somewhat.

Anyway, the notion that I write to elicit praise from readers for my use of proper language or simply flaunt prosaic prowess for an ego boost is way, way, off base.

Concerning my feelings for Sam, he had clearly demonstrated his distaste and disrespect for me and others when he deleted reasonable comments to his posts and blocked earnest response altogether.

Despite that manifestation of rudeness, I feel no enmity toward him, but his summary dismissal of reasonable opposing thought, didn't exactly evoke warm and fuzzy feelings from me and others, either.

Sure, it is his right to edit his own posts, but again, I nonetheless harbored no feelings of dislike toward him.

If I had wished to spend time arguing with Sam, I could easily have commented through my own blog posts where all his other banned respondents could also post their opinions regarding his views and behavior.

I was unaware of either Sam's age, health history or domestic situation, my only knowledge of Sam's personal life was gleaned entirely from his posts, which revealed few, if any, personal facts.

I don't wish Sam any ill will and if he is indeed in some sort of trouble, I hope he comes through it well and possibly with a sense of tolerance of others, especially those who intended no disrespect toward him.

Careful Saber, you used "Sure" instead of "Certainly" in your above prose.

And you are mistaken if you think you haven't come "down" to blogger level since you first started here.  It's not a matter of me getting used to it, you honestly have changed.  Now, I'm not going to say you changed completely as I don't read all your posts.  In fact, there are a lot of posts I skip over (not just yours) due to repetition of topic, attitude, space cadet or other reasons and I'm reasonably sure a lot of mine aren't read either.

You're right about one thing though,   I am fairly intelligent and moderately educated (and not dumb).  However, I never stand face to face in a chat and tell someone they are "erudite" or tell them that I'm grateful for their "evolved literary discourse."  I'll rescind my judgment that you are, at times, arrogant.  I think a better word for people who use fancy "prose" in a casual conversation is "pretentious."  You see, I feel no need to flaunt my vocabulary (and it IS extensive) when I'm in a discussion with someone while you, on the other hand, feel it's necessary and I can think of no other reason why you would do that.

Granted, on the written page such as theme papers, newspaper articles and such, that kind of "prose" is perfectly acceptable.  In conversation or discussion with the average person on the street if you will, it's still pretentious.  I watched Biography last night on the cast of Cheers.  The focus at that time was on Frasier Crane and his arrogance, or pretentiosness, which was really funny considering where he was.  One line he had ended in "et al" and it WAS funny since I've never heard anyone  use that verbally.  I once evicted tenants "1-70 et al" but can't imagine saying it out loud. 

Anyhoo, regardless of education, vocabulary, station in life, I tend to be just a regular person.  No frills, no pretensions, no phoney baloney and, since you picked up on it, I assume what intelligence I do have manages to seep through the vernacular I sometimes use, and the "good old gal type" which is the real me.

I confess to a wicked tongue when provoked though, and have a few ex'es who would vouch for that statement.  Gladly.  :-)

So......................Saber.................... tells us how you really feel. After all this blog, that started out as concern for a fellow human, has turned into you pontificating about who YOU are. Maybe Sam did delete/block you and others, that is right as the initiator of the blog. So what. move on. Your BFF  HM did the same and still does - you dislike him? Would you not want to know if he was ok if he suddenly 'disappeared'?

When you posted your first post on this blog you knew we were all concerned about Sam as a person, in spite of our personal feelings or dealings with him. Those concerned about him also knew nothing of his personal background. However all else who posted still felt concern for him.  Your post, at best, was cold.

Maybe in your little world, there is no concern for others - that's ok, you're entitled to be who you are. However, in MY world, and most of the bloggers, when someone is sad, glad, up, down or AWOL, we care. Past transgressions are forgotten and the concern becomes wanting/needing to know if the person is ok. When all is well again, we can go back to back stabbing - er, slapping.

Gads, I forgot to address the issue with Sam.  I beg to differ with you on Sam revealing his personal life.  He has, on seperate occasions mentioned his lack family, his living conditions, and his age.  He also mentioned the fact that he rarely goes out (in response to one blogger mentioning he had tried to look him up in KV)  He talked of the flood when he was alone trying to get his possessions out of harms way.   People reveal a lot more than they realize on the internet but since it's done one snippet at a time most don't notice it.  Some of us however, do notice and file it away under "most likely but not always useless information."

I knew he was in very poor health but not the extent until made aware by a blogger who regularly corresponds with Sam.  That person is very concerned as well since there's been no contact in that way either.

I don't need the warm fuzzies to be concerned about someone.  Oh my GOD, don't tell me I'm going to say it.  Yes I am.  "No man is an island."  This is a blogging community and like them or not, some of us actually care what happens to others.  There are two people on this blog that, should they disappear, I would say good riddance.  Other than those two, regular bloggers absence would be noted, and for the most part, they would be missed.

Nancy,

I hope you had a good thanksgiving holiday, for sure.

I find it curious you're uncomfortable with using fancy prose...and then projecting that feeling as an intended insult  towards another  - My opinion, that's silly!

Tell me, please, is that a b-town thing or does it happen in other places, too?

--virgil

virgil, thank you so much for the good Thanksgiving wishes and yes I had a  great day with family and food.  Well, other than the dish expoding that is.

I find it interesting that you chose this blog to inquire as to my Thanksgiving day since there are two others on that topic running at this time but,  good wishes are good wishes wherever they appear now aren't they?

Just to satisfy your curiosity I am not uncomfortable with "fancy" prose, I just find it unnecessary and pretentious.   My use of it was along the line of sarcasm but you being the straight shooter that you are..all open and forthright..I guess you missed it.

Had the blogger in question not found it amusing that an elderly gentleman has gone missing from people who are used to being in contact with him, this entire line of discussion wouldn't be happening at all.

Here's hoping you're wishing Sam a great Thanksgiving too and that all is well with him.

You have a great day now, y'hear?

 ...find it interesting that you chose this blog to inquire as to my ...

Not thaT  interesting, a  salutation ( a sincere one)  that's all.  I actually don't spend time reading every post...

Anyway, insults for proper prose is new to me.

--virgil

Psssst:  Saber's at work and I can jump in and assure you of a few things.  While his written word is heavy, he wouldn't typically use the word "erudite" in passing conversation. 

Rather than simply stand up for my man, suffice to say if you met him you would like him.  If your car stalled he would stop and help.  If you hurt your back he would carry your equipment to the gig.  If you don't know how to make gravy, he will deglaze the pan and simmer up the tastiest sauce your Thanksgiving dinner could have imagined. 

I've watched him interact with government officials and the elderly.  I've seen him play with children and animals.  It sucks that this blog devolved into examining his character.  Yes, he would support my simplistic use of "sucks" because he's just a person like he rest of us, and when he seems arrogant because he whips out expensive vocabulary I usually giggle.  (Then I run for the dictionary!)

His humor IS dry, and sure, he was being snarky about Sam's absence because he and Sam clearly both represent our nation's camps A and B.  It doesn't mean Saber's an awful person for putting creative spin on Sam's political views and inventing how Sam's personal utopia might look. 

When did blogging become so personal?  I read the rants, I know who sits where, and I tend to respond to more lighthearted topics.  I don't want to engage in personal attacks with friends OR blogfolk, so I move on. 

I am thankful the sun is out today.

"Had the blogger in question not found it amusing that an elderly gentleman has gone missing ..."

And nancy,

In proper prose, considering the online relationship the two bloggers in question had, and in the context of this thread, that comment from you is uncalled for.

One more thing, because you are not stupid the timing of the comment was an attempt at an opportunistic insult - just my opinion.

--virgil

Baby, nice to see you again.  I was thinking about you when I mentioned missing bloggers.  I have no doubt I'd like your hubby if we met since I've liked all the bloogers I've met at the "meet ups."

WOW virgil, that's strong language coming from you.  I'm impressed.  Your mellow facade is slipping there buddy.

NOW can we get back to concern for Sam?

" .. I'm impressed.  Your mellow facade is slipping there buddy..."

Nerver mind that...Nancy.

How's my prose?

--virgil

"NOW can we get back to concern for Sam?"

Sam's taken care of...Sam is happy.

--virgil

Witter, your perception of me as viewed through your personal filters as selfish and uncaring lout in the sewers of my "little world"  is duly noted.

But for the record, I don't dislike Sam, I don't even know him.

I don't  even dislike you, despite your poor opinion of me.

I don't know you, either.

And you certainly don't know me.

Therefore, your opinion of me, while unfortunate, is inconsequential.

You are free to despise me all you want.

According to your judgment, I'm too self centered to really care what you or anyone else thinks anyhow.

But I don't believe I can be reasonably expected to have warm fuzzy feelings toward people who dislike me, whether it be you, Sam Heath, or anyone else.

BABY:  My comments were directed to SABER - not you. I don't know you.....duhhh!  So......................Saber.................... tells us how you really feel.  I don't see your name anywhere in my comments. read the comment before you diss on someone!!!