Ted Kennedy gone
I may have a different perspective on Ted Kennedy than many of my readers. After all, I remember him as a slim young thing (both him and me), the most junior of the charismatic band of brothers Kennedy, they of … Continue reading →
Category Archives: People of interest
RIP Walter Cronkite
Walter Cronkite, the anchorman for whom the word “avuncular” seemed to have been invented, has died at the age of ninety-two. The tributes will pour in. He was a giant of a newscaster in a way that no one can … Continue reading →
The great Wilma Rudolph
Yesterday’s post about compelling life stories brought to mind the great runner of my youth, Wilma Rudolph. Slender yet strong, with a fluid grace; exhibiting dignity without haughtiness, and self-possession to spare; she deserves at the very least a post … Continue reading →
A message from FredHjr’s wife
I received the following lovely note from FredHjr’s wife, who wanted me to post it on my blog. Feel free to comment with messages to her and to the family. To all of FredHJr’s blogger buddies: I am Fred’s wife … Continue reading →
Robert McNamara: he fought a war of attrition
The news comes today that Robert McNamara, famous as Kennedy and then Johnson’s Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War, has died at the age of 93. Those of us who are of a certain age remember him well, as … Continue reading →
FredHjr’s obituary
[NOTE: For those who may have missed my original tribute to Fred, please see this.] Here’s the link to Fred’s obituary, with links to other related pages. And here’s the text and a photo. Rest in peace, Fred: ROCHESTER – … Continue reading →
Very sad news about commenter FredHjr
I have some extremely sad news to report: I received an email from a relative of commenter FredHjr saying that he died suddenly and unexpectedly on Friday, June 26, from a concussion sustained in a fall. Even though none of … Continue reading →
The evolution of Queen Nancy
Unless you’ve been on another planet recently, you are probably aware of the current brouhaha over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; what she knew about waterboarding and when, and just who’s the biggest liar. I’d call Pelosi a polarizing figure, except … Continue reading →
A milestone for a heroine: Miep Gies
Miep Gies, who was responsible for helping the Frank family hide in Amsterdam during World War II, turned one hundred years old on Sunday. It couldn’t happen to a nicer person. To know the mettle of this woman, you must … Continue reading →
Updike At Rest
John Updike has died at seventy-six. In the last decade or two, his work had increasingly grappled with issues of aging and death, so perhaps his actual death should come as no surprise. But somehow it does—as it may have … Continue reading →
The man for the hour: Captain Sullenberger
The universally acknowledged hero of yesterday, who made the Flight 1549 story one of a controlled landing rather than a plane crash, is US Air pilot Chesley Sullenberger No one who knew Sullenberger (known as “Sully”) was the least bit … Continue reading →
Okay, so who’s Norman Borlaug?
In yesterday’s post about the results of the “most admired man and woman” Gallup poll, I was intrigued by the fact that two commenters mentioned Norman Borlaug as their most admired man. I admit it; I’d never even heard of … Continue reading →