The Way It Was: Walter Cronkite Remembered

An American icon passed away Friday. Walter Cronkite, once called "the most trusted man in America" has passed away at age 92. He is remembered as the pinnacle of journalistic professionalism and integrity, due to his even-handed reporting of the facts as they are, without spin or hidden agendas ready to leap out and pound the viewer over the head. He knew people expected the truth, warts and all, and that's what he endeavored to achieve.

“Objective journalism and an opinion column are about as similar as the Bible and Playboy magazine.” - Walter Cronkite

This is why viewers trusted him. He stuck to the facts. He left the opinions and spin control to pundits who were clearly identified as opinion providers, not newsmen. There is no doubt that he had opinions, but he recognized the absolute necessity of separating those from his obligation to stick to the facts and report the news as objectively as he could, not only for the sake of his viewers, but to preserve the integrity of the news itself. He defined the role of Anchorman like no other before or since. The term itself was created for him, and no one else wore the title like he did.

This is in sharp contrast to the yellow journalism and petty guttersnipes that have infested the news organizations of today. It is absolutely inexcusable how the press has allowed itself to degenerate to such depths of mediocrity, saddling itself with carrying water for political hacks whose ideals are half-baked at best or worse, place the future of our American civilization in grave danger of collapse and ruin.

Journalism and Mass Communication, as a profession, has sunk to levels of distrust usually reserved for used car or insurance salesmen. Even politicians, the new slave masters for so many "reporters" in the field today, rate higher in the public eye, which isn't saying much at all. How can you report the news and be credible if you're in bed with the very subjects you are reporting on? The line between reporter and commentator has been blurred so much that the two can no longer operate separately. And this has killed the primary objective of journalism: to report the truth.

“Our job is only to hold up the mirror - to tell and show the public what has happened.” -Walter Cronkite

There will never again be another man in whom the American people can trust to tell the truth. What a sad reality we must learn to live with.

And that's the way it is.

Walter Leland Cronkite, Jr.
November 4, 1916 – July 17, 2009

Executive Orders

When they turn the pages of history,
When these days have passed long ago,
Will they read of us with sadness,
For the seeds that we let grow?

We turned our gaze from the castles in the distance.
Eyes cast down on the path of least resistance.

Cities full of hatred fear and lies,
Withered hearts and cruel, tormented eyes.
Scheming demons dressed in kingly guise,
Beating down the multitude and scoffing at the wise.

The hypocrites are slandering
The sacred halls of truth,
Ancient nobles showering
Their bitterness on youth.

Can't we find the minds that made us strong?
Cant we learn to feel what's right and wrong?

-Rush
"A Farewell to Kings"

Tomorrow marks an historic transition in America. Some will celebrate with unbridled, wild abandon, while others will mourn far too bitterly the change from one President to the next. I have to admit that I have a lot of apprehension about the incoming Chief Executive. He has no experience, he's too far to the left, ignorant in too many vital areas, too closely associated with dangerous socialist ideals, too naive and has too many puppeteers pulling his strings.

On the other hand, he's replacing a fucking retarded chimpanzee, who squandered one historic opportunity after another for greatness. Who in turn replaced a philandering idiot married to walking evil, who together did more damage to this country than any enemy could hope to accomplish. Who in turn replaced the chimpanzee's dad, who fell asleep at the helm and set us adrift. Two Democrats, two Republicans. None worth a shit.

You have to go back four Presidents, spanning two decades - a generation! - to find a man worthy enough to be President. Of course, it was the late Ronald Wilson Reagan, 40th President of the Republic, who set the country back on course after the dark days of Vietnam, Watergate, stagflation and the impotent malaise of Jimmy Carter. It took real vision, real courage, and a firm belief that America was better that it had allowed itself to believe it was. He was the first great President in a long time. We have not had a good one since.

Reagan understood certain truths about America:

• We are eternal optimists.
• We are hard working, creative and energetic.
• We believe in truth, justice and Liberty.
• We are a great nation because of our spirit, not government.
• We are a great people because we are self-reliant.
• We have a great future because we have placed our faith and trust in God.
• America, and the promise she keeps for freedom, remains the last, best hope for mankind.
  

A few words of advice for our incoming incumbent: Read history. Seriously, get out some history books and study the past, for that explains how we got where we are and where we could be going, for better or worse depending on the choices we make today. Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it. Go back, and study the great men who founded this Republic, understand why America has succeeded where others have failed, learn how other men who have sat in the office you will occupy tomorrow have faced challenges far darker that these we face today and prevailed.

I really don't care what political party he represents. I don't care what colour he is. I do care what choices he makes and how the consequences of those choices will affect my children's children. I'm willing to give the man a fair shake. He's got a monumental task ahead of him for the next four years. But history will be unspeakably cruel if he screws up.

So make the right choices, Mr. President. Don't screw this up. History is watching.