I’m still in shock as I write this. Andrew Breitbart isn’t with us anymore and I’m not sure what to do. I’m trying to wrap my head around the whole idea.
Although I have been writing for his Big sites for exactly a year, I had never met Andrew in person because I currently live in Israel. Andrew was planning to visit Israel this spring and we were going to meet up during his trip.
Andrew came on my radar when he was working for Matt Drudge. It was in passing – a story about the guy doing most of the heavy lifting at The Drudge Report. When he started appearing on Red Eye w/Greg Gutfeld on Fox, I was sold. Here was a guy who was having fun. Here was a guy who could get his hands dirty fighting for what he believed in without losing his ability to laugh at it all.
He was a tireless fighter, or as he said, “a happy warrior,” for what he believed in, which was freedom, fair play, and equal rights for all. Andrew was also a staunch supporter of Israel, a topic close to my heart. His book Righteous Indignation opened my eyes to what Andrew went through in his journey. I felt an instant kinship with him. We had a similar upbringing, the same musical tastes, and the same struggles with ADD. I saw what he did with it and was inspired.
I went on to find friendship amongst his supporters, specifically the Hollywood Chat Pack, headed by Breitbart.tv editor Larry O’Connor. I would tune in every day hoping Andrew would be on. When he was, it was never dull. He would call in during the middle of the show and mix it up with whoever was on. He didn’t affect any airs, he was just one of the guys.
I started writing for him exactly a year ago. It has been a wonderful experience to be a part of it all, fighting the fight that he started. I’m eternally grateful to him and his team for giving me a chance to do something I love – write in the cause of freedom.
What do I take away from the brief intersection I had with Andrew’s life?
To never be afraid. The only person stopping you from being great is you. We sat back in awe as he rollerbladed up to an angry mob and asked what they were protesting about. He had no problem calling them out for having no clue what the slogans they were parroting meant.
Look at one thing today that you’re afraid of doing, think of Andrew, and do it. Make a phone call. Stand up and say, no that’s nonsense.
Be happy. The greatest tool in Andrew’s arsenal was his overwhelming optimism. He was always smiling; he was always laughing. He used laughter as both a shield and a weapon. Andrew was always quick to point out the far left is completely bereft of a sense of humor and that it was one of their weak points. Laugh. Laugh at them and laugh at yourself.
Andrew Breitbart didn’t take on the world so the world would take notice of him. Andrew Breitbart took on the world to make it a better place, so we would be freer. He took on the world so that we too would take on the world.
I believe, sincerely, that I am a better person because of my brush with Andrew Breitbart. I think that’s what he wanted.
