“Good night and good luck” was the famous sign-off line of journalist Edward R. Murrow who became renowned for his radio news broadcasts during the height of World War II. I hope his spirit won’t mind a journalistic pipsqueak like me borrowing it as the title for my last regular column at the Free Lance.
Time marches on and I find myself uncomfortably, but gratefully, out of step with the dumb-down that now passes for “news-tainment” or whatever it is. There are still vitally important issues for the nation, state, county, city, society, you and me. However, a majority of the public believes they are helpless to change things and don’t want to if it involves any inconvenience, the program has a good theme song, is hawked by a beautiful woman, or is “clinically proven” to do just about anything – another modern meaningless boast.
Murrow was noted for his honesty and integrity and although I came nowhere near his standard of journalism or ability to frame an issue, honesty and integrity are standards I believe I did meet and I’m proud of it. I gave no one favor for friendship nor denied anyone favor or friendship out of bias. I spoke my mind and my heart without fear or concern over who would be offended. Based on the current self-serving and fawning attitudes of so many in our society I believe a lot more offending is in order.
I’m also hanging them up for the best of reasons: I no longer enjoy doing it and that is the warning bell that cannot be ignored. It’s the way my wife Joyce and I have lived well together for more than a half a century; we refuse to let life grind us down. There is no need for opposing views to celebrate; I am just quitting a regular weekly column and I’ll still be writing and commenting on issues when I see fit. If you miss me, just dig up some of my seven years of previous contributions.
My thanks to the Free Lance for the space, to Editor Kollin Kosmicki who helped and supported me and always had a better title for my columns, and most of all to you, the readers, who let me come into your consciousness.
Some parting advice: Those inside a system are often the last ones to understand where it is going; step back occasionally and look at our society from an outside perspective. Maintain your sense of humor, much of life, even tragedy, has an element of the ridiculous attached. You are merely human and therefore not perfect. Do not allow others to degrade you for your minor failings. Do not live your life based solely on self-interest, spread yourself around and make a difference. You do not get the nation or government you deserve. You get the nation or government you’re willing to put up with. Most of all be a “mensch” – in Yiddish, that means a person of integrity and honor.
Good night and good luck,
Marty Richman
