On watching C-Span this morning
Messrs. Haynas Johnson and Dan Balz, co-authors of “Battle For America 2008” were featured during the 9:00 hour.
Their book consist of “buckets full of bright and shiny golden nuggets” just yours for the picking amassed from the two thousand eight presidential campaign. There were little ones, big ones, bigger ones and some the size of watermelons. (Smile) What I found most captivating regarding the interview this morning was the complete objectivity of the two gentlemen authors in talking about their book. Even more captivating, however, were the times they gave background information and via film, showed you the referenced incident. It only happened a few times but was appropriate and “spot on!”
One such instance was the riff between Bill Clinton and Sen. Kennedy talking on the telephone wherein Bill injected “race” into the conversation as a justification for him, Sen. Kennedy, to back his wife Hillary. It seems Sen. Kennedy was highly offended. It was at this point C-Span showed a part of the speech Sen. Kennedy gave when he and his niece Caroline Kennedy endorsed then Sen. Obama as their choice to lead the Democratic ticket. Sen. Kennedy’s speech took on a very different tone than I had remembered. Armed with background knowledge of the speech gave me even more insight into the character of Sen. Kennedy, the man, as he was delivering his speech and yes, I started crying again. The speech was powerful! So heavily and un-intentionally nuanced! I say un-intentionally nuanced due to the fact I do not think Sen. Kennedy knew Messrs. Johnson and Balz were going to publish a book detailing the background of his speech so the speech was nuanced for a small few, if any.
Further, the program this morning gave me deeper insight into history I personally witnessed and that fact alone made what I was hearing more meaningful. I am getting the same feeling reading the book “After America” by Paul Starobin. It is a wonderful feeling having a professional historian meticulously analyze events you have witnessed yourself providing you with background information to thoroughly complete the picture. Those true historians go around with Sherlock Holmes style capes and magnifying glass looking to see exactly what “The moving finger..” has written and report it. For one thing, you can immediately isolate the lies and the integrity of the author which determines if you are going to spend more time reading his book. I am sure I would have a different reaction to books were I reading books on the Civil War, History of Russia, Amsterdam in the 60’s and the likes.
'though I am not a history buff, I do intend to get the book, “Battle For America 2008” when I get some more money. Ahead of the list, however, is a contribution to “Color of Change.” Flat broke now. Finally, I wish today’s moderator on C-Span had asked the authors about the remark Sen. Clinton made regarding Sen. Bobby Kennedy and her decision to stay in the race. Hope it’s in the book.
Fighting for the dignity of my Ancestors,
God bless Bill Gates, WPFW, C-Span and the spirits of the unborn for the help,
BB
Their book consist of “buckets full of bright and shiny golden nuggets” just yours for the picking amassed from the two thousand eight presidential campaign. There were little ones, big ones, bigger ones and some the size of watermelons. (Smile) What I found most captivating regarding the interview this morning was the complete objectivity of the two gentlemen authors in talking about their book. Even more captivating, however, were the times they gave background information and via film, showed you the referenced incident. It only happened a few times but was appropriate and “spot on!”
One such instance was the riff between Bill Clinton and Sen. Kennedy talking on the telephone wherein Bill injected “race” into the conversation as a justification for him, Sen. Kennedy, to back his wife Hillary. It seems Sen. Kennedy was highly offended. It was at this point C-Span showed a part of the speech Sen. Kennedy gave when he and his niece Caroline Kennedy endorsed then Sen. Obama as their choice to lead the Democratic ticket. Sen. Kennedy’s speech took on a very different tone than I had remembered. Armed with background knowledge of the speech gave me even more insight into the character of Sen. Kennedy, the man, as he was delivering his speech and yes, I started crying again. The speech was powerful! So heavily and un-intentionally nuanced! I say un-intentionally nuanced due to the fact I do not think Sen. Kennedy knew Messrs. Johnson and Balz were going to publish a book detailing the background of his speech so the speech was nuanced for a small few, if any.
Further, the program this morning gave me deeper insight into history I personally witnessed and that fact alone made what I was hearing more meaningful. I am getting the same feeling reading the book “After America” by Paul Starobin. It is a wonderful feeling having a professional historian meticulously analyze events you have witnessed yourself providing you with background information to thoroughly complete the picture. Those true historians go around with Sherlock Holmes style capes and magnifying glass looking to see exactly what “The moving finger..” has written and report it. For one thing, you can immediately isolate the lies and the integrity of the author which determines if you are going to spend more time reading his book. I am sure I would have a different reaction to books were I reading books on the Civil War, History of Russia, Amsterdam in the 60’s and the likes.
'though I am not a history buff, I do intend to get the book, “Battle For America 2008” when I get some more money. Ahead of the list, however, is a contribution to “Color of Change.” Flat broke now. Finally, I wish today’s moderator on C-Span had asked the authors about the remark Sen. Clinton made regarding Sen. Bobby Kennedy and her decision to stay in the race. Hope it’s in the book.
Fighting for the dignity of my Ancestors,
God bless Bill Gates, WPFW, C-Span and the spirits of the unborn for the help,
BB
posted by BB at 2:51 PM
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