Really NSFW

Two hours ago Walter Cronkite passed away at his home, surrounded by his loved ones.

We haven't seen much of Mr. Cronkite in recent years, but he is remembered fondly by those of us who grew up with the news of black and white broadcasting, one inch video tapes, tubes in the backs of our televisions. His voice was a comforting delivery of news of the day - both good and bad. And there was a lot of bad news in his hey-day of the sixties.

It was his views and his words which in me solidified my appreciation for the sanctity of our freedom of speech. He illustrated, but rarely came close to showing "this reporter's" feelings. The one time he did was after visiting troops in Viet Nam. He reported his story, then in a rare moment of introspection and public exposition, he said the the war would soon be lost. Not long after that President Johnson said something to the effect, "If I've lost Walter Cronkite, I've loast the American People." And not long after that, LBJ announced he would not seek a second term.

The world is a little sadder today losing his presence. The heavens are lighter and happy to receive him.

His spirit may now soar with the angels.