Want to win a DVD of "Good Night, and Good Luck"? Here's the homepage for "Good Night and Good Luck."
C&L is having a contest, giving away 3 copies to the winners. (I have them in my hands) Here's the scoop...
Movies are America. The best picture of 2005, for my money, was actually "Good Night, and Good Luck." Why? Let me mention some names: Judy Miller, Bob Woodward, Steno Sue, Deborah Howell, Chris Matthews, Timmeh Russert, not to mention Fox "News." Need I go on? They should all take a lesson from Stretch.
Journalism hit a new low last year and George Clooney's film encapsulated the greatest danger to our democracy to come down the political pike since Murrow took on McCarthy. The politicization of lazy journalists who would rather court access, read Republican press releases, or back the boys in power, rather than actually do their jobs.
This is your chance to do their job for them. I wish Murrow could personally deliver this line to George W. Bush today: "Difficulty is the excuse history never accepts." There are many more Murrow-isms below.
We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it. - Edward R. Murrow
When the politicians complain that TV turns the proceedings into a circus, it should be made clear that the circus was already there, and that TV has merely demonstrated that not all the performers are well trained. - Edward R. Murrow
If we were to do the Second Coming of Christ in color for a full hour, there would be a considerable number of stations which would decline to carry it on the grounds that a Western or a quiz show would be more profitable. - Edward R. Murrow
Just because your voice reaches halfway around the world doesn't mean you are wiser than when it reached only to the end of the bar. - Edward R. Murrow
Take a second to listen to Murrow himself say the famous words he delivered to Senator Joseph McCarthy on the air, the same words David Strathairn delivered so brilliantly in "Good Night, and Good Luck."
Now, pick a subject, like Senator Russ Feingold's censure motion, or Bush's NSA illegal, warrantless wiretaps, even Iraq, Abramoff, whatever you want, then write a sentence or two that Murrow himself might have delivered on your topic. As you see from Murrow's example above, it doesn't have to be long to pack a punch. Post your entry in the comment section below and John and I will take it from there.
guest posted by Taylor Marsh
