It's been an amazing week. Historic. I'm proud of our president, our military, our country. Republicans in Congress and many of the media, especially the naysayers ... not so much.
If you're as fed up as I am with the overabundance of idiocy coming from pundit's mouths and the sheer ignorance being spewed by every Right Wingnut in the country, here's a story that could serve as a fitting metaphor on how we feel about them.
New York Times
I started my career in media and politics as a student in the 70's, taking baby steps among some impressive company. The likes of Tom Brokaw, Peter Jennings, R.W. Apple, David Broder, Woodward and Bernstein, even Walter Cronkite, to name-drop a few, all contributed to my personal and professional growth.
Dan Rather was in that group too, but he made a different contribution to my life experience. As I probably did to his.
Even in that company, Dan Rather stood out. He was intense, hard working, savvy and knowledgeable despite the annoying Texas twang and ubiquitous colloquialisms. He was also arrogant, brash, self-centered and not crazy about women joining his hard scrabble world.
A good reporter but a real pain in the ass.
As illustrated by the following story, which took place during a DNC fundraiser at a legendary venue -- the LBJ ranch in Texas.
It was like a scene from the 1950's movie Giant. Well-heeled men and well-dressed women standing around the huge lawn sipping drinks. Off to one side, chefs roasting traditional Texas barbecue over smoking pits. Multiple bars everywhere. Waiters circulating with trays of hors d'oeuvres.
I felt so privileged to be there. Thrilled by the historic surroundings and the opportunity to interact with a veritable Who's Who of political and media luminaries.
It was a dream scenario for a young, green DNC press aide. About to become a greener nightmare.
Dan Rather was in his element, bragging about all things Texan. I somehow got stuck standing next to him as he rattled on with endless down-home anecdotes. A waiter stopped at our group and offered a tray.
I was reaching for a cheese puff when Rather interrupted himself long enough to say, "Wait, try this one, it's different, real Texas food."
He selected a cracker with some sort of meat on it and handed it to me. As I bit into the morsel and began to chew, I asked innocently, "What is this?"
"Rattlesnake," the waiter just as innocently replied. Rather was smiling broadly, waiting for my reaction.
Can you see it coming? It's not pretty.
That particular hors d'oeuvre --and everything else I'd eaten that day-- ejected itself from my body with MAC 10 force.
All over Dan Rather's shoes.
Really. All over. You couldn't see an inch of shoe leather. I felt like the girl from The Exorcist. I was mortified. Humiliated. Red-faced with shame (and post-projectile discomfort).
Everyone froze. Conversations dropped. Time seemed to stop. Heads started to turn our way. "My career is over!" I thought, horrifed, "I'll never live this down!"
Then a voice from across the lawn cut through the stunned silence with the magic words that saved my dignity. As much as that was possible.
...
...
"Oh, it's nothing. That ass Rather got another girl to eat rattlesnake."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I only wish some Birthers and Deniers had been in my firing range. I'd have let them know what I know: when you're confronted with truly dangerous evil, get rid of it. Period.
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Max Rivlin-Nadler
drlaura2
Kristina Lakes
mhold
L in the Southeast
Jane Brogan
Salon.com
Comments
Dan Rather is the guy that reported JFK's head snapping forward in the limosine after being struck at Dealey Plaza. A close examination of the Zapruder film, seen backwards, is his main corroboration.
Dog, I love that LBJ quote, it rings so true.
janie, sweetfeet, Algis, in retrospect it was my pleasure.
aka, Rather was a jerk in many ways but still, in his heyday, known among colleagues as a fearless, dedicated reporter.
Barry, so nice to see you! I'd trust *your* twang any day.
Lezlie
Great story!
Vomiting in public didn't end George H. W. Bush's career. He vomited on the Japanese Prime Minister, who didn't feed him rattlesnake.
Rated for Rede perfection.
You mean it didn't taste like chicken?
http://vimeo.com/18864216
"Is this really what you kindergarteners are eating in Texas nowadays?"
Ah, hindsight is perfect. =o) I think your response was highly appropriate in the circumstances, though. =o)
rated
As you may recall, before it made it's way to the public, Rather got the privilege of viewing it and describing it for the public. What I saw and what I heard that day were 180 apart. I've never trusted him since.
I have two things to say. First, rattlesnake is really quite good. Tastes more like frog legs than chicken. Second, there is a good chance that the guy who prepared LBJ's spread that afternoon was a very good friend of my parents. Johnson's favorite BBQ chef was Walter Jetton, who owned a BBQ joint in Ft. Worth. He caught LBJ's attention while he was a senator, and LBJ used him as his favorite caterer on the ranch all the way through his presidency. The Jettons went to our church, the biggest one in town, and Mr. Jetton and his wife were in charge of the 6th grade Sunday School. Jetton died before I got into the 6th grade, so I never knew him as well as my parents and older siblings, but I do remember him quite well, especially the cordiality of his greeting when we entered his restaurant.
r