The recent death of three giants in my life is sad as well as cause for reflection. Walter Cronkite, Don Hewitt and Senator Ted Kennedy each made an indelible mark on their vocation as well as this country. Their legacies stand out for all who follow.
Walter Cronkite was an icon in his industry. He achieved greatness because of his principled and resolute commitment to accuracy, fairness and decency. He reported the news as it happened. No ruffles and flourishes, rather a straight and unadorned presentation of the facts as he knew them. His approach was the same for Watergate and the Vietnam War as it was for a local fire. He loved a good story. His competitive juices drove him to seek the truth and impelled all those who worked with him. This was most apparent during his historic coverage of the assassination of President John Kennedy and man's first landing on the moon. Sure he suffered ratings setbacks along the way, especially early on to NBC's Chet Huntley and David Brinkley, but, as any good sailor, he stayed on the right course. He was the reason I went to work for CBS News.
Don Hewitt created the most successful television news broadcast ever, 60 Minutes. His formula was simple: "tell me a story." He entered television when the medium was in its infancy. "We were just making it up," one of his colleagues would say of those times. Don's creativity, kinetic personality and youthful exuberance were instrumental in building the foundation, the approach and lingo that are still today television news. His flair and brashness got him fired as executive producer of the CBS Evening News in the early sixties. He was devastated but he was not defeated. He took some time to pursue his idea of creating a "Life" magazine for television that included three fifteen minute pieces. He persuaded Mike Wallace and Harry Reasoner to do a pilot and then spent weeks trying to get CBS to air the program. His force of personality and tireless devotion to this project got him a time slot and the rest is history. I was fortunate to work closely with this human dynamo for many years.
Senator Edward Kennedy was the youngest brother in a family filled with ambition and promise. And after the tragic deaths of his brothers, Joe in World War II, and Jack and Robert at the hands of assassins, the torch was passed to Teddy. He became a father figure to all 13 of their children. But the burden of expectation wore heavily on his shoulders. And he feared assassination, once reportedly saying, "I know that I'm going to get my ass shot off one day, and I don't want to."
Senator Kennedy became more reckless and wild, as amplified by two headline grabbing events. In 1969 he drove his car off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island leaving 28 year old Mary Jo Kopechne dead. He did not report the incident for several hours, later saying he made a mistake. And in 1991 his nephew William Kennedy Smith was charged with raping a woman after a night out with the Senator during Florida's spring break. Smith was acquitted, but Kennedy was damaged.
In 1980 Senator Kennedy tried to unseat incumbent Democratic President Jimmy Carter. I remember covering the rugged campaign and witnessing the Senator's erratic performance from stop to stop. Reporters called it "The Bozo Zone." And the end came when Kennedy stumbled through an answer to CBS News correspondent Roger Mudd's question, "Why do you want to be President?" He could not clearly and resolutely state a reason. And I believe he really never wanted to be president.
In 1991 Senator Kennedy met his beloved wife Vicki and settled down. At the time of his death he was one of the most prolific and respected people to ever have served in the United States Senate.
Each of these men made history, made a difference with their lives. Each of them sailed into the wind. A long the way the faced unimagined challenges. Each of them overcame failure with great success. We owe each of them our thanks and we can learn a lot from each man's journey.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Health Care at the Forum
There isn’t a more striking symbol of America’s health care crisis than the thousands of people who are lining up this week outside the Los Angeles Forum waiting for treatment. One patient put it succinctly, "If everybody in this country were in the situation my daughter and I are in, they would have a whole different view of (the health care debate)."
Many of those in the queue have jobs but they do not have adequate health care. In many cases the employer does not provide enough coverage. Still it seems a bit ironic that the nonprofit Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corp (RAM), whose mission is to provide free health, dental and eye care to poor or under served areas around the globe, is turning people away in Los Angeles. This is because of the heavy demand, and because RAM does not have enough volunteer doctors. One RAM worker compared the need in Los Angeles to the poorest parts of India.
Yet this unfortunate scene is far from an antidote for the radical and misleading assertions being screamed aloud at town hall meetings across the country in the health care debate. “Death panels” and “eugenics” are among the outrageous lies being spun by those seeking to benefit, either politically or financially, by killing health care reform.
In a country of more than 300 million people there is bound to be a small fraction that absolutely believes President Obama wants to kill grandma, or that the president is a Nazi. These are the kind of folks who make up the core audience for Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin, all of whom everyday feed their loyalists the red meat of socialism and government gone wrong. Beck's and Limbaugh's few million loyal listeners never miss a minute of their shameless diatribes. After all, these radio commentators get paid an enormous amount of money to incite a national ruckus, and their audiences love it. You are right Mr. President, it sure plays well on television.
Protesters don't want to hear the truth. Like that there are no death panels in the government's health care reform proposals. They believe that government gotten too big and is not true to the wishes of our founding fathers. In fact, some of these folks are joining local militias perhaps with an eye to "one day taking our country back!" From whom? It's very scary.
For the past decade America has been caught up in a great ideological feud between left and right that has perhaps been more polarizing than at any time in our history, except for the period leading up to and during the Civil War. The feud is being amplified and accelerated by technological advances.
At the core of the feud is the role of government in each American's life. And a wasteful, inefficient and bloated government is easy to criticize. It is also easy to criticize those elected officials who lie and cheat. Or those who want to spend taxpayer money on corporate jets. And what of a government that mishandles the economy and yet saves the rich bankers during the worst economic downturn in decades? One Wall Street banker made more than $700 million, yet the unemployment rate is unacceptably high and foreclosures are too.
A large number of well-intentioned Americans are "mad as hell" and say they are not going to take it anymore. There is a lot of pent up emotion and concern in our populace. They feel no one has been listening to them, and hot August days are especially conducive to raising the heat in town hall meetings across the nation. The complaints and cries for help have become louder, especially at the extremes. But there is nothing to fear. This is American Democracy at work.
Most Americans are smart enough to see through the fog of distortions, fabrications and flat out lies being offered up about health care. They know that all politics is local and that hypocrisy runs deep in DC. They know that many Senators and Congressmen are being well funded by the health industry. That many elected officials will do what is best to assure their own survival.
Most Americans agree that this country's health care system is broken. There are 46 million uninsured people in the U.S., and that number is growing every day. They know that health insurance companies have enjoyed record profits while co-payments have gone up and “pre-conditions” and other loopholes are impeding access to quality care. They see it every time they need care.
President Obama must continue to aggressively push his agenda and highlight its benefits. They include making health care accessible to all, making it affordable for everyone and "bending the curve" of health care costs, which are out of control and are a tremendous drain on our economy. Proponents must also speak out with a clear voice.
Few Americans are happy with our current system. Just ask anyone standing in line at the Los Angeles Forum.
Many of those in the queue have jobs but they do not have adequate health care. In many cases the employer does not provide enough coverage. Still it seems a bit ironic that the nonprofit Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corp (RAM), whose mission is to provide free health, dental and eye care to poor or under served areas around the globe, is turning people away in Los Angeles. This is because of the heavy demand, and because RAM does not have enough volunteer doctors. One RAM worker compared the need in Los Angeles to the poorest parts of India.
Yet this unfortunate scene is far from an antidote for the radical and misleading assertions being screamed aloud at town hall meetings across the country in the health care debate. “Death panels” and “eugenics” are among the outrageous lies being spun by those seeking to benefit, either politically or financially, by killing health care reform.
In a country of more than 300 million people there is bound to be a small fraction that absolutely believes President Obama wants to kill grandma, or that the president is a Nazi. These are the kind of folks who make up the core audience for Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin, all of whom everyday feed their loyalists the red meat of socialism and government gone wrong. Beck's and Limbaugh's few million loyal listeners never miss a minute of their shameless diatribes. After all, these radio commentators get paid an enormous amount of money to incite a national ruckus, and their audiences love it. You are right Mr. President, it sure plays well on television.
Protesters don't want to hear the truth. Like that there are no death panels in the government's health care reform proposals. They believe that government gotten too big and is not true to the wishes of our founding fathers. In fact, some of these folks are joining local militias perhaps with an eye to "one day taking our country back!" From whom? It's very scary.
For the past decade America has been caught up in a great ideological feud between left and right that has perhaps been more polarizing than at any time in our history, except for the period leading up to and during the Civil War. The feud is being amplified and accelerated by technological advances.
At the core of the feud is the role of government in each American's life. And a wasteful, inefficient and bloated government is easy to criticize. It is also easy to criticize those elected officials who lie and cheat. Or those who want to spend taxpayer money on corporate jets. And what of a government that mishandles the economy and yet saves the rich bankers during the worst economic downturn in decades? One Wall Street banker made more than $700 million, yet the unemployment rate is unacceptably high and foreclosures are too.
A large number of well-intentioned Americans are "mad as hell" and say they are not going to take it anymore. There is a lot of pent up emotion and concern in our populace. They feel no one has been listening to them, and hot August days are especially conducive to raising the heat in town hall meetings across the nation. The complaints and cries for help have become louder, especially at the extremes. But there is nothing to fear. This is American Democracy at work.
Most Americans are smart enough to see through the fog of distortions, fabrications and flat out lies being offered up about health care. They know that all politics is local and that hypocrisy runs deep in DC. They know that many Senators and Congressmen are being well funded by the health industry. That many elected officials will do what is best to assure their own survival.
Most Americans agree that this country's health care system is broken. There are 46 million uninsured people in the U.S., and that number is growing every day. They know that health insurance companies have enjoyed record profits while co-payments have gone up and “pre-conditions” and other loopholes are impeding access to quality care. They see it every time they need care.
President Obama must continue to aggressively push his agenda and highlight its benefits. They include making health care accessible to all, making it affordable for everyone and "bending the curve" of health care costs, which are out of control and are a tremendous drain on our economy. Proponents must also speak out with a clear voice.
Few Americans are happy with our current system. Just ask anyone standing in line at the Los Angeles Forum.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Catfish Sweepstakes
We have reached an important crossroads in our household and I am caught in a dilemma. We have only one fish remaining in Zoe's fish tank.
There was a time when this tank was the center of her universe. It was a mini-metropolis of sea life swirling and and splashing amidst the fake seaweed and ceramic castles. We always had tropical fish, but for a couple exceptions never any goldfish. We had every kind at one point or another, and many had names along the way.
Like many families we began by overfeeding the fish. The water would turn foggy and little particles would float around stirred up by the electric filter. After a week great algae would grow all over the tank fed by overly abundant food and light. All that is necessary is a pinch of food every other day and a moderate amount of light.
The water filter continuously buzzes and hums around the clock. Our guests stay downstairs, one floor below our bedrooms, and often ask to turn the filter off when they go to bed. It's okay with us as long as someone remembers to turn it back on in the morning.
Before long, Zoe's interest in the fish began to diminish. She had moved on to hamsters and guinea pigs. By the time we got Zoe a dog, she wasn't ever visiting the tank. That left it to me to maintain the tank, change the filters and wipe off the algae. Life sure is resilient! The algae just keeps coming back.
This past weekend I found the silver fish dead, stuck in the seaweed. That means a 4 inch long catfish is the sole (sorry for the pun) resident. All the rest have gone on to their final resting place at the end of the sewer pipe. But Nanny Karen says catfish can live to be 15 years old. Considering we have had this one for maybe 6 years, we still have a decade ahead of us with the catfish. That means cleaning tanks with filters that buzz and make overnight guests want to hit the switch.
Don't get me wrong, the catfish is just fine. It sticks to the side of the tank and minds its own business. Of course, it has no competition. We feed it every couple days, and I clean the tank every two weeks.
So what do we do? Anybody want a really sweet catfish as a starter for your collection, or a partner?
Dear readers: Should the catfish LIVE or DIE? Post your answer as a comment. Thank you
There was a time when this tank was the center of her universe. It was a mini-metropolis of sea life swirling and and splashing amidst the fake seaweed and ceramic castles. We always had tropical fish, but for a couple exceptions never any goldfish. We had every kind at one point or another, and many had names along the way.
Like many families we began by overfeeding the fish. The water would turn foggy and little particles would float around stirred up by the electric filter. After a week great algae would grow all over the tank fed by overly abundant food and light. All that is necessary is a pinch of food every other day and a moderate amount of light.
The water filter continuously buzzes and hums around the clock. Our guests stay downstairs, one floor below our bedrooms, and often ask to turn the filter off when they go to bed. It's okay with us as long as someone remembers to turn it back on in the morning.
Before long, Zoe's interest in the fish began to diminish. She had moved on to hamsters and guinea pigs. By the time we got Zoe a dog, she wasn't ever visiting the tank. That left it to me to maintain the tank, change the filters and wipe off the algae. Life sure is resilient! The algae just keeps coming back.
This past weekend I found the silver fish dead, stuck in the seaweed. That means a 4 inch long catfish is the sole (sorry for the pun) resident. All the rest have gone on to their final resting place at the end of the sewer pipe. But Nanny Karen says catfish can live to be 15 years old. Considering we have had this one for maybe 6 years, we still have a decade ahead of us with the catfish. That means cleaning tanks with filters that buzz and make overnight guests want to hit the switch.
Don't get me wrong, the catfish is just fine. It sticks to the side of the tank and minds its own business. Of course, it has no competition. We feed it every couple days, and I clean the tank every two weeks.
So what do we do? Anybody want a really sweet catfish as a starter for your collection, or a partner?
Dear readers: Should the catfish LIVE or DIE? Post your answer as a comment. Thank you
Friday, August 7, 2009
Healthcare Smackdown
Fed by disinformation, delaying tactics and disruptive behavior many recent local townhall meetings have morphed into world wresting federation smackdowns. It is time for President Obama to assume more of a leadership role on health care or he and America will suffer a serious defeat.
Currently health care legislation is in the intensive care unit on Capitol Hill where Senators and Congressmen are struggling to put together a consensus on several incredibly complicated and controversial issues. For instance, how do we cover everyone? How do we offset the enormous costs projected from a new plan? Should there be a federal option? How do we make certain that those who are happy with their current health care will be able to keep it? Is it appropriate to include voluntary end of life counseling?
Enacting health care legislation is certain to impact just about everyone in some fashion, so there is an enormous amount at stake. And emotions are running high as Congressional committees continue to wrangle over the complicated details of a plan. It is an ideal atmosphere for exploitation by special interest groups, who spend millions of dollars on campaign donations and public relations to protect their profits, and for good old politics as usual.
Take former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, a favorite among conservative Republicans. On her Facebook page she declared President Obama's health care plan is "evil." She posted, “The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's 'death panel' so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their 'level of productivity in society' whether they are worthy of health care." Of course, she knows President Obama has made no such proposal.
Conservative talk show commentator Sean Hannity's Web site displayed a banner, "Become part of the mob," referring to Congressional townhall meetings. The Website Tea Party Patriots circulated a memo reading in part, "Yell out and challenge the Rep's statement early." It went on, "Get him off his prepared script and agenda...stand up and shout and sit right back down." Conservative radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh said that the administration's health care logo is similar to the Nazi symbol. Glenn Beck, another conservative host, exhorted his audience to join in the ruckus, as did many local Republican organizations throughout the country. Of course, now some Democrats and unions are fighting back. Sure, free speech is great as long as you agree with me!
Critics say, "What's the rush?" Today 45 million people are uninsured. More are being added to that number every day as people lose their jobs in this difficult economy. Those without coverage go to hospital emergency rooms when they need care, and the costs are ultimately passed on to everyone else. America already spends more money on health care than any other industrialized country, yet those countries offer health care to everyone. So there is a moral imperative to do something now.
Beyond that, today every American is feeling the effects of increasing health care costs, rising at about 7% per year and projected to reach $4.3 trillion in ten years, or about 20% of our economy. Employer health care costs are going up dramatically as well, and they are eating into profit margins and being passed along to the employees in the form of reduced coverage or higher co-payments. And if you are unfortunate enough to get sick you are likely to find out your plan does not provide adequate coverage, or you may be dropped from your plan in the future because of a "pre-existing" condition. No wonder health insurance companies are making huge profits.
The American health care system is innovative, for sure. But it is also inefficient. Critics cite waste, duplication and little built in incentive to control expenses as part of the reason for spiraling costs. President Obama has proposed a lower cost government alternative to compete with health insurance companies. He has pledged that those who like their current health plan can keep it. But opponents charge that this is a Trojan horse for a government run system. For instance, as former Governor Palin noted, "Who will suffer the most when they ration health care...the sick, the elderly and the disabled, of course?"
Many Americans are concerned that a new health care plan will add to the already burgeoning national deficit. While President Obama's goal is to lower the trajectory of the growth in health care costs, it is estimated that a new plan will add at least $1 trillion in additional costs the federal budget. Congressional negotiators are scrambling to find ways to offset this cost through savings and taxes on the rich.
These are but a few of the flashpoints that have arisen in this health care debate. Almost everyone agrees something has to be done about health care costs, but the devil, as always, is in the details. And given the recession, the government's missteps in managing the financial crisis and the political polarization that divides our country, cynicism and distrust are rampant. People are concerned about the unknown.
Disruptions, distortions and disinformation by opponents, many financed by the health industry, are beginning to wear on public opinion and will delay long overdue and much needed reform. So it is time to lower our voices, to listen to the facts, to be civil and thoughtful in our discussions of this critically important issue. After all, when it comes to health care we all know that the status quo is unacceptable.
Currently health care legislation is in the intensive care unit on Capitol Hill where Senators and Congressmen are struggling to put together a consensus on several incredibly complicated and controversial issues. For instance, how do we cover everyone? How do we offset the enormous costs projected from a new plan? Should there be a federal option? How do we make certain that those who are happy with their current health care will be able to keep it? Is it appropriate to include voluntary end of life counseling?
Enacting health care legislation is certain to impact just about everyone in some fashion, so there is an enormous amount at stake. And emotions are running high as Congressional committees continue to wrangle over the complicated details of a plan. It is an ideal atmosphere for exploitation by special interest groups, who spend millions of dollars on campaign donations and public relations to protect their profits, and for good old politics as usual.
Take former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, a favorite among conservative Republicans. On her Facebook page she declared President Obama's health care plan is "evil." She posted, “The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's 'death panel' so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their 'level of productivity in society' whether they are worthy of health care." Of course, she knows President Obama has made no such proposal.
Conservative talk show commentator Sean Hannity's Web site displayed a banner, "Become part of the mob," referring to Congressional townhall meetings. The Website Tea Party Patriots circulated a memo reading in part, "Yell out and challenge the Rep's statement early." It went on, "Get him off his prepared script and agenda...stand up and shout and sit right back down." Conservative radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh said that the administration's health care logo is similar to the Nazi symbol. Glenn Beck, another conservative host, exhorted his audience to join in the ruckus, as did many local Republican organizations throughout the country. Of course, now some Democrats and unions are fighting back. Sure, free speech is great as long as you agree with me!
Critics say, "What's the rush?" Today 45 million people are uninsured. More are being added to that number every day as people lose their jobs in this difficult economy. Those without coverage go to hospital emergency rooms when they need care, and the costs are ultimately passed on to everyone else. America already spends more money on health care than any other industrialized country, yet those countries offer health care to everyone. So there is a moral imperative to do something now.
Beyond that, today every American is feeling the effects of increasing health care costs, rising at about 7% per year and projected to reach $4.3 trillion in ten years, or about 20% of our economy. Employer health care costs are going up dramatically as well, and they are eating into profit margins and being passed along to the employees in the form of reduced coverage or higher co-payments. And if you are unfortunate enough to get sick you are likely to find out your plan does not provide adequate coverage, or you may be dropped from your plan in the future because of a "pre-existing" condition. No wonder health insurance companies are making huge profits.
The American health care system is innovative, for sure. But it is also inefficient. Critics cite waste, duplication and little built in incentive to control expenses as part of the reason for spiraling costs. President Obama has proposed a lower cost government alternative to compete with health insurance companies. He has pledged that those who like their current health plan can keep it. But opponents charge that this is a Trojan horse for a government run system. For instance, as former Governor Palin noted, "Who will suffer the most when they ration health care...the sick, the elderly and the disabled, of course?"
Many Americans are concerned that a new health care plan will add to the already burgeoning national deficit. While President Obama's goal is to lower the trajectory of the growth in health care costs, it is estimated that a new plan will add at least $1 trillion in additional costs the federal budget. Congressional negotiators are scrambling to find ways to offset this cost through savings and taxes on the rich.
These are but a few of the flashpoints that have arisen in this health care debate. Almost everyone agrees something has to be done about health care costs, but the devil, as always, is in the details. And given the recession, the government's missteps in managing the financial crisis and the political polarization that divides our country, cynicism and distrust are rampant. People are concerned about the unknown.
Disruptions, distortions and disinformation by opponents, many financed by the health industry, are beginning to wear on public opinion and will delay long overdue and much needed reform. So it is time to lower our voices, to listen to the facts, to be civil and thoughtful in our discussions of this critically important issue. After all, when it comes to health care we all know that the status quo is unacceptable.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Cronkite Farewell
Family, friends and former colleagues gathered to pay their last respects to Walter Cronkite, the legendary CBS News anchorman, journalist and noted sailor. New York's St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church was the Cronkite family church and it provided a beautiful backdrop for the service entitled, "In Thanksgiving for the Life of Walter Leland Cronkite, Jr."
Dan Rather, Tom Brokaw, Katie Couric, Morley Safer, Steve Kroft, Diane Sawyer, Charlie Gibson, Barbara Walters, Brian Williams, Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira, Harry Smith, Maggie Rodriguez, Connie Chung and John Roberts were among the many broadcast journalists in attendance. The crowd also included the legendary creator of 60 Minutes, Don Hewitt, and news executives and producers from throughout the industry.
Grandson Walter Leland Cronkite, IV, gave the first reading, Romans 12:9-21. "Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good," it begins. Then there are lines that are reminders of Cronkite, "Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit...do not be haughty...do not claim to be wiser than you are...but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all." Daughter Kathleen Cronkite then led everyone in Psalm 23, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." She was followed by grandson William Maxwell Cronkite Ikard, who read Mark 4:35-41, which concludes, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" Cronkite loved sailing.
Andy Rooney climbed the stairs to the engraved wooded lectern to deliver some remarks. But from the very outset he was upset. He recounted how he had met Cronkite during World War II, when the U.S. Air Force would arrange to take them on bombing missions. The Air Force made it possible for them to file their reports on their return. Then suddenly Rooney said, "Walter was such a good friend. I can't get over it... I just feel so terrible about Walter's death I can hardly say anything. Please excuse me. Thank you." With that he stepped down.
Cronkite's long time producer and friend, Sandford "Sandy" Socolow, then told several little known stories about him. It turns out that Cronkite could not accurately pronounce the second month of the year (February) and CBS News received a lot of complaints. So for many years Cronkite would spend the last two weeks of January rehearsing. When February rolled around Cronkite was fine for a couple days but then his pronunciation would slip for the remainder of the month.
Socolow told of the time Cronkite decided, to the horror of his staff, that he was going to ad lib the Evening News instead of read the news from a script. In those days film was the source of video, and directors would need a seven second cue to roll the film. Cronkite told the directors he would touch his nose when it was time to roll the film. Of course, it didn't work well at all as several times Cronkite's voice stepped on the film story. The experiment was abandoned after two days to the relief of the production crew.
At one point, when his contract was up, long after he was established as the number one anchorman, he decided to tell his bosses that they didn't want a raise. He proposed, instead, that they give him three months off a year. Upon hearing this request one Evening News writer suggested they call Cronkite's boat "Assignment." That way CBS News could then announce to the audience, "Walter Cronkite is away on Assignment."
Sailing friend Mike Ashford spoke for several minutes about Cronkite's love and daring on the sea. Chip Cronkite spoke very personally about his father and some of the experiences they shared together. The Reverend William McD. Tully gave the homily. Near the end of the service the St. Bartholomew Choir sang "Finlandia," a family favorite. Then, as Cronkite's casket was led out of the church, the New York Jazz Academy Classic Jazz All-Stars played "When the Saints go marching in."
Walter Cronkite was once the most powerful person in broadcast journalism, and his career spanned much of the twentieth century. He not only covered history, he was history. Cronkite was always a decent, kind and caring person. He never forgot where he came from. He will be buried in Kansas City next to the love of his life, his wife Betsy Cronkite.
Now Walter Cronkite's spirit will live on in newsrooms across the nation.
Dan Rather, Tom Brokaw, Katie Couric, Morley Safer, Steve Kroft, Diane Sawyer, Charlie Gibson, Barbara Walters, Brian Williams, Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira, Harry Smith, Maggie Rodriguez, Connie Chung and John Roberts were among the many broadcast journalists in attendance. The crowd also included the legendary creator of 60 Minutes, Don Hewitt, and news executives and producers from throughout the industry.
Grandson Walter Leland Cronkite, IV, gave the first reading, Romans 12:9-21. "Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good," it begins. Then there are lines that are reminders of Cronkite, "Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit...do not be haughty...do not claim to be wiser than you are...but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all." Daughter Kathleen Cronkite then led everyone in Psalm 23, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." She was followed by grandson William Maxwell Cronkite Ikard, who read Mark 4:35-41, which concludes, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" Cronkite loved sailing.
Andy Rooney climbed the stairs to the engraved wooded lectern to deliver some remarks. But from the very outset he was upset. He recounted how he had met Cronkite during World War II, when the U.S. Air Force would arrange to take them on bombing missions. The Air Force made it possible for them to file their reports on their return. Then suddenly Rooney said, "Walter was such a good friend. I can't get over it... I just feel so terrible about Walter's death I can hardly say anything. Please excuse me. Thank you." With that he stepped down.
Cronkite's long time producer and friend, Sandford "Sandy" Socolow, then told several little known stories about him. It turns out that Cronkite could not accurately pronounce the second month of the year (February) and CBS News received a lot of complaints. So for many years Cronkite would spend the last two weeks of January rehearsing. When February rolled around Cronkite was fine for a couple days but then his pronunciation would slip for the remainder of the month.
Socolow told of the time Cronkite decided, to the horror of his staff, that he was going to ad lib the Evening News instead of read the news from a script. In those days film was the source of video, and directors would need a seven second cue to roll the film. Cronkite told the directors he would touch his nose when it was time to roll the film. Of course, it didn't work well at all as several times Cronkite's voice stepped on the film story. The experiment was abandoned after two days to the relief of the production crew.
At one point, when his contract was up, long after he was established as the number one anchorman, he decided to tell his bosses that they didn't want a raise. He proposed, instead, that they give him three months off a year. Upon hearing this request one Evening News writer suggested they call Cronkite's boat "Assignment." That way CBS News could then announce to the audience, "Walter Cronkite is away on Assignment."
Sailing friend Mike Ashford spoke for several minutes about Cronkite's love and daring on the sea. Chip Cronkite spoke very personally about his father and some of the experiences they shared together. The Reverend William McD. Tully gave the homily. Near the end of the service the St. Bartholomew Choir sang "Finlandia," a family favorite. Then, as Cronkite's casket was led out of the church, the New York Jazz Academy Classic Jazz All-Stars played "When the Saints go marching in."
Walter Cronkite was once the most powerful person in broadcast journalism, and his career spanned much of the twentieth century. He not only covered history, he was history. Cronkite was always a decent, kind and caring person. He never forgot where he came from. He will be buried in Kansas City next to the love of his life, his wife Betsy Cronkite.
Now Walter Cronkite's spirit will live on in newsrooms across the nation.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Full Lasorda
I have been to a lot of baseball games in my life, but none compares to my experience in 1982 at Dodger Stadium. I got "The Full Lasorda!"
President Ronald Reagan was spending his summer vacation on his ranch near Santa Barbara, California. I had been assigned by CBS News to cover the vacation as a producer. The press operation was housed at the Santa Barbara Sheraton Hotel located right across the street from the Pacific Ocean.
Larry Speakes, Reagan's press secretary, had been invited to attend the Dodgers' night game 90 minutes away in Los Angeles. Larry asked CBS News reporter Gary Schuster, deputy press secretary Rusty Brashear and me to join him. "We're going to get 'The Full Lasorda,'" he said.
We arrived at the stadium relatively early for the game. We wanted to catch some "BP" (batting practice). Stadium security escorted us right into manager Tommy Lasorda's office. Several things struck me immediately. First of all, Lasorda was sitting behind his desk wearing a blue Dodger T-shirt dotted with food stains, a blue cap with the letters LA, and a pair of white boxer shorts. Secondly, his desk was a standard cheap steel and faux wood variety found in many offices. It was littered with papers and remnants of food (I couldn't identify the type, though). The walls were off white and barren.
"Larry, how the F*** are you doing?" Losorda bellowed.
Larry then introduced us to Lasorda. "Come on and sit down," he said, "you F***in' guys want some food?" Before we could answer, Lasorda barked out an order, "Get these F***in" guys some Chinese food!"
Lasorda was animated, hands flailing, a whirlwind of activity and bombast even when just sitting at his desk. He commanded attention. He knew how to control his team. "See this phone," he said pointing at the black push button device on his desk, "it's the only one in the club house." He explained that no one could make a call without his permission. A rookie player popped his head in and asked to use the phone. "Not now," Lasorda responded, "come back later."
With a devilish grin on his face, Lasorda turned his head our way and said, "see that F***in" rookie, I got him good." He could barely contain himself as he explained, "that F***in" kid was doing terrible, couldn't hit." With a smile he said, "so I was in the bathroom stall taking a s*** and I told one of the coaches to send the rookie in." Lasorda points to the door, "so the F***in' rookie comes in the John, stands in front of the stall and says, 'you wanna see me coach?" Lasorda's hands are now waving in the air, "I said, when I say I want to see you, I mean right here in front of me!" He laughs, "so the F***in" rookie is standing right in front of me in the stall and I am taking a s*** and farting like crazy, and I am giving him hell." Lasorda then shakes his head, "can you believe it, stupid F***in" rookies!"
The Chinese food arrived and was placed on his desk. A full mouth of food does not keep Tommy Lasorda from speaking his mind, although we had to listen carefully as some words were swallowed with the dumplings. Just then Dodger broadcaster and former major leaguer Rick Monday walked in. "How the F*** you doing Rick," Lasorda spurted, "want some Chinese?" It was a special thrill for me to meet Monday because he once was my favorite when he played center field for the Chicago Cubs.
Lasorda put his pants on and took us for a tour of the stadium. Our first stop was a batting cage under the stands where Dodger second baseman Steve Sax was taking some batting practice. As we approached, Lasorda stopped us short to quietly tell us a story. "My brother owns a restaurant in Phiily, and we were in town to play the Phillies," he begins. "You see this F***in* guy," pointing at Sax, "he couldn't hit a F***in" thing." That devilish grin reappears, "So my brother put a real pig's head in his hotel bed, right on the pillow, with a sign that read, 'you better start hitting or your dead!'" It was a scene stolen from the movie "The Godfather." We then walked over to the batting cage and Lasorda asked Sax how he was doing. Then, without missing a beat, "Hey Saxie, did you ever find out who put that F***in" pig's head in your hotel bed in Philly?" "No skip," Sax said, and he continued taking BP. As an aside, Lasorda said, "can you believe that guy hasn't figured it out yet!"
Lasorda led us out on the field in time for some Dodger infield practice. We stood along the third base line as he shouted out insults to his players. "You throw like a F***in' girl," is a typical example. I wasn't quite sure whether the players were really laughing at his lines; they must have heard them every day. But it was thrilling to be standing on the infield grass of Dodger Stadium.
We found our way back into the clubhouse and Lasorda's office. "Get us some F***in pasta," he exclaimed. Within minutes the food arrived and we were eating again. Tomato sauce splattered on his T-shirt; thank God he wasn't wearing his uniform. We all talked baseball; his wise observations were peppered with rich invectives. We heard a few off-color jokes and other pithy comments. "Well guys, I'll have you taken to your F***in' seats now," he said. We found ourselves in the sixth row, to the left of the foul screen on the third base side.
The game was great. But the Dodgers lost a close one on a miscue. What do you say to the manager after a close loss like this? We went back to the clubhouse but soon discovered there was no need for us to say anything. Lasorda had just the right words, "F***in' son of a bitch, we blew it." He bled Dodger blue.
Lasorda took us to the private club atop Dodger Stadium. There we met his wife, family members and friends. We drank wine and ate, of course. He regaled us with funny baseball stories (none of them was PG). Everyone laughed as if it was the first time they had ever heard these stories. A photographer took a group photo, which Lasorda later autographed. Soon he passed out copies of his latest book and signed each book with a personal message. "To Joe, you and the Dodgers are great!" "To Larry, you and the Dodgers are great!" Etc. We all then said our thank yous and good byes to Lasorda, and then headed back to Santa Barbara laughing all the way.
Tommy Lasorda retired as manager in 1996. The current Dodger manager is the venerable Joe Torre. I bet things have changed dramatically in the Dodger locker room. There will never be another manager like Tommy Lasorda. I will never forget this once in a lifetime experience. So thank you Tommy Lasorda.
And thank you Larry Speakes.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Walter Cronkite
He was "the most trusted man in America." In an era when there were only three television networks, Walter Cronkite dominated American television sets for more than a decade. His amazing career spanned from World War II to the Reagan Presidency and beyond. He not only covered historical events, he made history. He was the reason I became a journalist. He was the reason I went to work for CBS.
I was a teenager when Cronkite announced President John Kennedy's death on November 22, 1963. "From Dallas Texas, a flash, apparently official, President Kennedy died at 1 pm central standard time." In a rare show of emotion, a shaken Cronkite paused briefly, removed his glasses, then pulled himself together and continued reporting the story. President Kennedy had died, but the power of television had been realized. Cronkite anchored the dramatic events of the next three days for a nation gathered in front of their television sets watching history unfold live before their eyes.
Cronkite had dropped out of college to pursue his passion for journalism. The legendary Edward R. Murrow had recruited him for CBS News in 1950; he had been so impressed with Cronkite’s reporting during World War II. Like many other kids growing up in the fifties, I watched You Are There and the Twentieth Century, two programs about historical events anchored by Cronkite. In 1962 Cronkite took over as anchor of the CBS Evening News and the program was expanded to a half-hour. This newscast became part of my family's daily routine.
The sixties were a turbulent time in American history. The surging civil rights movement and the controversial Viet Nam War unleashed a tsunami of protests across America against authority and the establishment. Young men were being drafted and sent to fight and die in what was clearly an unwinable war. Yet forces were being increased while the Pentagon touted misleading military assessments. I watched coverage of the war on The CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite, and the painful images of death and destruction would take their toll on public opinion.
The Viet Cong and North Viet Nam launched the Tet Offensive in early 1968 against South Vietnamese and American targets. Although the offensive was a military disaster for the Viet Cong, it had a profound affect on the American public. Cronkite had gone to Viet Nam to cover the offensive. When he returned I watched as Cronkite took the unprecedented step of editorializing on The CBS Evening News. "For it seems now more certain than ever," Cronkite said, "that the bloody experience of Vietnam is to end in a stalemate." After watching Cronkite's broadcast, President Lyndon Johnson was quoted as saying. "That's it. If I've lost Cronkite, I've lost middle America."
Cronkite covered America’s space program with enthusiasm and exuberance. In 1961, President John Kennedy had made landing a man on the moon within a decade a goal for America. The Soviet Union had embarrassed the United States by being the first to launch a satellite into space. In an amazing display of American know-how, on July 20, 1969 American astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. I watched Cronkite’s historic broadcast with several friends. As the manned lunar module landed on the moon Cronkite exclaimed, "Man on the moon!" "Oh, boy!" and then, "Whew, boy!" He was speechless.
As a new a producer for CBS News a couple years later I soon learned that a “WW” story was a “Walter Wants.” He set a high standard for journalism. He wanted to inform, not entertain. He was a reporter first. Facts and accuracy won out over style. He was incredibly competitive and engaged. He asserted his authority as managing editor, and came to be known as the first “800 Pound Gorilla.” As the leader of CBS News’s worldwide news organization, Cronkite drove the news organization’s outstanding Watergate coverage, which helped lead to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Three years later he helped bring Egypt's Anwar Sadat and Israel's Menachem Begin together using what was dubbed as "Cronkite diplomacy."
Walter Cronkite not only covered history, he was himself a historical figure in American history. It is unlikely, with the Internet, Twitter, Facebook and cable, that one journalist will ever command the attention that Cronkite did. He succeeded because he demanded excellence. He surrounded himself with talented producers, writers and reporters, because he attracted the best people. I am deeply grateful to "Uncle Walter" and incredibly fortunate to have worked for him.
Three months after President Ronald Reagan was sworn in for his first term, Walter Cronkite was signing off as anchor of The CBS Evening News. "It's a moment for which I long have planned, but which, nevertheless, comes with some sadness." he would say. "Old anchormen, you see, don't fade away; they just keep coming back for more. And that's the way it is: Friday, March 6, 1981. I'll be away on assignment, and Dan Rather will be sitting in here for the next few years. Good night."
That is the way it was.
I was a teenager when Cronkite announced President John Kennedy's death on November 22, 1963. "From Dallas Texas, a flash, apparently official, President Kennedy died at 1 pm central standard time." In a rare show of emotion, a shaken Cronkite paused briefly, removed his glasses, then pulled himself together and continued reporting the story. President Kennedy had died, but the power of television had been realized. Cronkite anchored the dramatic events of the next three days for a nation gathered in front of their television sets watching history unfold live before their eyes.
Cronkite had dropped out of college to pursue his passion for journalism. The legendary Edward R. Murrow had recruited him for CBS News in 1950; he had been so impressed with Cronkite’s reporting during World War II. Like many other kids growing up in the fifties, I watched You Are There and the Twentieth Century, two programs about historical events anchored by Cronkite. In 1962 Cronkite took over as anchor of the CBS Evening News and the program was expanded to a half-hour. This newscast became part of my family's daily routine.
The sixties were a turbulent time in American history. The surging civil rights movement and the controversial Viet Nam War unleashed a tsunami of protests across America against authority and the establishment. Young men were being drafted and sent to fight and die in what was clearly an unwinable war. Yet forces were being increased while the Pentagon touted misleading military assessments. I watched coverage of the war on The CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite, and the painful images of death and destruction would take their toll on public opinion.
The Viet Cong and North Viet Nam launched the Tet Offensive in early 1968 against South Vietnamese and American targets. Although the offensive was a military disaster for the Viet Cong, it had a profound affect on the American public. Cronkite had gone to Viet Nam to cover the offensive. When he returned I watched as Cronkite took the unprecedented step of editorializing on The CBS Evening News. "For it seems now more certain than ever," Cronkite said, "that the bloody experience of Vietnam is to end in a stalemate." After watching Cronkite's broadcast, President Lyndon Johnson was quoted as saying. "That's it. If I've lost Cronkite, I've lost middle America."
Cronkite covered America’s space program with enthusiasm and exuberance. In 1961, President John Kennedy had made landing a man on the moon within a decade a goal for America. The Soviet Union had embarrassed the United States by being the first to launch a satellite into space. In an amazing display of American know-how, on July 20, 1969 American astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. I watched Cronkite’s historic broadcast with several friends. As the manned lunar module landed on the moon Cronkite exclaimed, "Man on the moon!" "Oh, boy!" and then, "Whew, boy!" He was speechless.
As a new a producer for CBS News a couple years later I soon learned that a “WW” story was a “Walter Wants.” He set a high standard for journalism. He wanted to inform, not entertain. He was a reporter first. Facts and accuracy won out over style. He was incredibly competitive and engaged. He asserted his authority as managing editor, and came to be known as the first “800 Pound Gorilla.” As the leader of CBS News’s worldwide news organization, Cronkite drove the news organization’s outstanding Watergate coverage, which helped lead to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Three years later he helped bring Egypt's Anwar Sadat and Israel's Menachem Begin together using what was dubbed as "Cronkite diplomacy."
Walter Cronkite not only covered history, he was himself a historical figure in American history. It is unlikely, with the Internet, Twitter, Facebook and cable, that one journalist will ever command the attention that Cronkite did. He succeeded because he demanded excellence. He surrounded himself with talented producers, writers and reporters, because he attracted the best people. I am deeply grateful to "Uncle Walter" and incredibly fortunate to have worked for him.
Three months after President Ronald Reagan was sworn in for his first term, Walter Cronkite was signing off as anchor of The CBS Evening News. "It's a moment for which I long have planned, but which, nevertheless, comes with some sadness." he would say. "Old anchormen, you see, don't fade away; they just keep coming back for more. And that's the way it is: Friday, March 6, 1981. I'll be away on assignment, and Dan Rather will be sitting in here for the next few years. Good night."
That is the way it was.
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