Jun 19 2009
Happy Father’s Day
Some quick thoughts tonight. I hope you remember your dad Sunday. Perhaps not with a garish tie or sweater but by spending time with him. I think giving of yourself would be the most heartfelt and appreciated gift you could offer for Father’s Day.
I’m waiting to see what will happen in Iran Saturday. A massive demonstration is planned. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a warning at Tehran University Friday to abandon the rally. So far, that admonition has not been heeded. We’ll know more in a few hours.
President Obama told some jokes at the Radio and Television Correspondents Dinner in Washington tonight. Twitter followers called the event “#nerdprom2.” Maybe that reference is for the radio people but I haven’t seen anyone on TV news lately who would be classified as a nerd. Plenty of good-looking people. If anything, too airheaded.
The media likes to cover itself. The dinner tonight is one case. In addition, the imprisonment of Laura Ling and Euna Lee was big in journalism circles for a few days. It’s fallen off the radar. The Iran situation helped since the media is usually only capable of saturating one story at a time. However, it’s clear the public is more interested in seeing whether Iran of 2009 is more like the Soviet Union of 1989 or like Tianenmen Square of 1989. The story of two reporters who got too close to the North Korean border simply isn’t resonating.
Sadly, my father passed 2 years ago but he will be in my thoughts. If you are a father; allow me to say Happy Father’s Day to you. Unfortunately, my children live too far away from me to spend any time. Concerning your article; the fate of the two American reporters resonates more with me than the inevitable riots and/or protests in Tehran. Though I hope I’m wrong; I fear another Tiananmen Square is a very real possibility. Happy Father’s Day to all out there.