Bill Moyers Closing address @ National Conf. on Media Reform

[liberal N proud]

We’re seeing unfold a contemporary example of the age-old ambition of power and ideology to squelch and punish journalists who tell the stories that make princes and priests uncomfortable.

Let me assure you that I take in stride attacks by the radical right-wingers who have not given up demonizing me, although I retired over six months ago. They’ve been after me for years now and I suspect they will be stomping on my grave to make sure I don’t come back from the dead. I should remind them, however, that one of our boys pulled it off some two thousand years ago—after the Pharisees, Sadducees and Caesar’s surrogates thought they had shut him up for good. Of course I won’t be expecting that kind of miracle, but I should put my detractors on notice: They might just compel me out of the rocking chair and back into the anchor chair.

Who are they? I mean the people obsessed with control, using the government to threaten and intimidate. I mean the people who are hollowing out middle-class security even as they enlist the sons and daughters of the working class in a war to make sure Ahmed Chalabi winds up controlling Iraq’s oil. I mean the people who turn faith-based initiatives into a slush fund and who encourage the pious to look heavenward and pray so as not to see the long arm of privilege and power picking their pockets.

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0516-34.htm

[Q]

1. This is 'must read' stuff...

...and there is a video of it on the web somewhere...although I haven't found it yet.

Moyers is indeed a dying breed...the last of the true (blue) Americans.

On edit: Democracy Now has most of Moyer's speech later in the show:

http://www.democracynow.org/

Note: realplayer needed.

[Jacobin]

2. World class speech

Saw the whole thing

Highly recommended

[whistle]

3. That was a great piece, thanks for posting it....

[ariellyn]

4. Thank you very much. I couldn't play the video on my computer

so this transcript is a great find. God Bless Bill Moyers (and you). :hi:

[Just Me]

5. His speech was very impactful.

Thank you for posting it. I'm printing it out now. Moyers is a voice for "the people" which seems too rare these days.

[marions ghost]

6. Moyers' speech describes

the situation of right-wing takeover at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting well. Moyers has seen it first-hand.

At this point I would not think of donating to PBS or NPR. My feedback to them in recent years has been generally negative. Don't watch or listen much--occasionally we watch the BBC World News and Frontline. NPR likewise has a lot of vaguely interesting tangential commentary but avoids the real issues. I certainly don't look to either of them for dissemination of "truth." They're just soothing background noise for intellectuals.

Moyers seems to believe that the ideals of public broadcasting are still good and worthwhile. But when will we see those ideals return? I'm not waiting around....

[AnnInLa]

7. I was fortunate enough to hear that speech in person

and it definitely sent chills. Was also lucky enough to hear Medea Benjamin, David Brock, Robert McChesney, Naomi Klein, Amy Goodman, Al Franken, Phil Donahue, Juan Gonzales, Noah Winer (Move On) and so many others. If at all possible, plan to save your pennies now and attend next year's conference. I have never been to a meeting of such dedicated, liberal, knowledgable and determined people....it was the experience of a lifetime....and, of course, you learn SO much that you can take back and work on locally.

[hollowdweller]

8. Classic Moyers, incorporating cutting edge, history and bible references

All in that Southern Ministers voice. In a lot of ways Byrd and Moyers have a similar speaking style but I give Moyers the edge for his one liners.