Someone else mentioned this, but I miss Walter Cronkite. You, too? Then kick this.

[Faygo Kid]

It wasn't just November 22, 1963. It was the space program, and his role in ending the Vietnam War, and his basic decency. He regretted stepping down when he did, and he was correct in that regret, as a couple generations have not known of his skill and integrity.

We have David Gregory and Faux News as his successors, and it's just pathetic. He will be 93 this year, and I for one miss him. But I am also glad he is still with us. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Cronkite

[JuniperLea]

1. I sorely regret having taken him for granted...

None have come close since his departure from the Tube.

[roguevalley]

18. we always said goodnight Uncle Walter at the end of his broadcast.

my papa started it. :)

[JuniperLea]

21. "And that's the way it was... "

I remember being very happy to hear this phrase when I was a kid, because it denoted the end of the news broadcast.

I was a kid... what did I know?

[xchrom]

2. recommend.

[pleah]

3. K&R I miss him, too. n/t

[WyLoochka]

4. I miss him too

He was not a stenographer for anyone. He worked hard to find the truth and then tell us.

[Sequoia]

5. Anyone remember when he came out and said the war was unwinable in Vietman.

The most trusted voice at the time. I just read about that incident again in the great book, "Nixonland".

[Faygo Kid]

8. One of the most important statements in American history.

"But it is increasingly clear to this reporter that the only rational way out then will be to negotiate, not as victors, but as honorable people who lived up to their pledge to defend democracy, and did the best they could."



A truly great American. A truly great human being.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

6. "The most trusted man in America." Can you imagine any of today's newsheads being called that?

In fact if you google that phrase the other main name that comes up is Jon Stewart, in an obvious homage to Uncle Walter.

[unblock]

14. i can imagine any of them being CALLED that.

they know sloganeering and overselling, if nothing else.

now, DESERVING or EARNING that it is another matter entirely.

[Arkansas Granny]

7. When I was growing up Walter Cronkite was the voice of the news.

I saw a documentary just a few nights ago that he narrated and yes, I really do miss him.

[Faygo Kid]

10. He is wonderful. Married for 65 years, until she died.

I can't imagine a better role model than Walter Cronkite.

All the crapheads on TV now should cower to think that he exists.

[damonm]

11. That may be understating it...

For Both of my parents, Walter was damn near the voice of GOD. If Cronkite said it, it was a FACT.

[bdamomma]

9. I grew up watching Walter Cronkite when I was younger.

and that's the way it is!!!

[sinkingfeeling]

12. He's a spokesman for the Interfaith Alliance.

[JDPriestly]

13. As a child, I learned to love history from watching "You are there."

Here is a link to an NPR program on that.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1480691

[Arkansas Granny]

17. I remember watching that when I was young. One episode that I especially remember

was about Joan of Arc.

[tsuki]

27. I was just thinking the same thing when I clicked on your thread. nt

[yellerpup]

15. Growing up in Oklahoma

I never wanted to sound like an Okie. I wanted to sound like Walter Cronkite. I don't, of course, because I'm a girl but when people ask me where I'm from and I tell them Oklahoma (especially when I'm in Oklahoma) everyone is surprised. I never felt that Walter Cronkite was shading the news or spinning events. News was trustworthy then. Yes, I miss him.

[Faygo Kid]

16. Thank you. Lovely post.

That was really good. Your post is why I have been such a regular at DU for so many years.

[yellerpup]

23. Thanks, Kid.

Your OP opened up a window to fresh air. Great photo, too.

[lunatica]

19. Every year that Bush was in office I missed Cronkite more and more

He was someone everyone trusted implicitly. If he said it was the facts, it was. He was a father figure of immense honor and a great role model.

It's good to know that at one time the media was as honest as he is. I imagine in private he has been very sad to see what's become of it.

[Greyhound]

20. He predicted exactly what has happened to the "news" industry back in 1973.

I've seen him several times, though not too recently, puttering around Carefree.

A great journalist and wonderful human being.
:kick: & R

[eShirl]

22. as a preschooler, I thought he *also* played Captain Kangaroo in the mornings

:rofl:

but yeah, I miss watching him with my parents

[noiretextatique]

24. i went to college with one of his daughters

nancy. i remember him growing up too. nothing like the "readers" we have today.

[Faygo Kid]

25. We are stuck with the likes of David Gregory today. Back then, there were Giants.

Huntley, Brinkley. Mike Wallace. Edward R. Murrow.

Not the right-leaning pipsqueaks we have now.

[Festivito]

26. He should have been allowed to do more specials. /nt

[Lasher]

28. Those were the days before TV news went insane.

It was a different time, when we had reporters we could trust. Now we have pundits.

[dflprincess]

29. It was also before the networks decided to move the news

to the entertainment divisions. Back then they all expected to lose money on their new bureaus, now they're suppose to make money.

[Stargazer09]

30. I miss him a lot

We used to watch him all of the time. Loved the sound of his voice!

I'm glad he's still around, but I bet he's disgusted by what passes for news these days.

[BuelahWitch]

31. Yes I miss him. I miss real news

Few real journalists nowadays. Mostly models that read the news and Wolf Blitzer. Keith Olbermann is the closest we've got to Mr. Cronkite.

[nevergiveup]

32. They don't make them like Walter anymore.

He knew the Vietnam War was wrong and he wasn't afraid to say it from the getgo. He knew segregation was wrong and he wasn't afraid to say it from the getgo. He is a class act.....the absolute best....may he live forever!

[intheflow]

33. I love Rachel and Keith, but

I miss the days of the impartial reporter, who reported news and facts without undue editorial comment. There were times when Morrow and Cronkite editorialized, but it wasn't often and it lacked the sarcastic overtones of both MSNBC and Fox News. The closest we get to that now is Amy Goodman, bless her!

It was also nice when they covered news that mattered, not whatever their corporate overlords told them to report. MSNBC is better than most of the CM outlets on this, but again, the editorializing is just another way to sensationalize and exploit the national market, and GE is in broadcasting for the money after all. You won't see either Keith or Rachel go after the military-industrial-prison complex with any sustainable zeal, that's for sure.

[AlexDeLarge]

34. Not only that

but I get donation requests from his foundation supporting civil rights. I miss Dan Rather as well, although I think he may make some sort of a comeback.