Walter Cronkite is dead.
To those of us of a certain age-who now have to confront the daily morass that is the news media these days-not having Walter Cronkite on the scene is just a tremendous loss.
Walter Cronkite was unique man- a died in the wool print journalist who made the transition to TV. He reported the major events of the 20th century and while he obviously had strong opinions on the issues of the day (s) he was not the opinionated hacks we see on the networks today. (Especially on the sewer that is Fox news these days- I wonder what Mr Cronkite had to say about Glenn Beck).
Its a tremendous loss for the country.
Watch this interview with him about his famous editorial about Vietnam, given at the height of the Tet offensive:
They don’t make journalists like that anymore. And the new age of TV won’t create anyone like him. Guess I’m lucky to say I got to see him and the folks he trained.
It is always useful to recall that NVA General Giap regarded the Tet Offensive as a complete military disaster for them. Much to his amazement, the western press, including Uncle Walter, decided the war was lost. So instead of admitting defeat, they went with the political victory, ignored the reality, and eventually prevailed. If in doubt, visit the War Museum in Ho Che Minh City, or read Giap’s abiography.
Well, it WAS a disaster but the hype at the time and the “Saigon Follies” showed how inept the military was in conveying propaganda. We all thought the “war” was going well etc etc.
After Hue was retaken by the Marines they hosted the AMERICAN flag over the Vietnamese provincial headquarters. US headquarters told the commander to take the flag down, (we don’t want to embarass our SV friends.) The marine said, if they want to take it down THEY would have to come and do it.
Your friend AL would have been proud.
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