Ben Bradlee in hospice

[The Big Ragu]

Wasn't sure if this is news, journalism or something else. But Ben Bradlee is in hospice care, according to his wife, Sally Quinn. He's 93 and has been suffering from alzheimer's and dementia for several years.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/29/politics/bradlee-hospice-care/index.html?hpt=hp_t4

Seeing that had me thinking about how much things have changed in newspapers, and what is possible now for investigative reporters and their editors. The Nixon administration was tailor made for his personality. I think his legend will largely be a right guy, right place, right time thing. I guess you can say that about anyone, but the pentagon papers and watergate required someone who lives for the fight, and there he was.

You don't have those larger-than-life, nationally known editor types anymore. It's too bad.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

A man who had Jason Robards play him in a movie didn't need to accomplish anything else to impress me.

 

[Jake_Taylor]

A man who had Jason Robards play him in a movie didn't need to accomplish anything else to impress me.

He spoke at my school way back when and I was blown away by how spot on the casting was. They could have been brothers.

He did a big speech in the arena and then a more intimate Q&A session with the school newspaper staff. When he was about ready to leave he asked if anybody else had any more questions, and somebody says "Yeah, who is Deep Throat?"

So Bradlee stands up and says, "Well, it's time for me to get the **** out of here."

 

[Vombatus]

LOL. Great quote.

 

[Liut]

Was watching Brian Lamb's interview with Sally Quinn Sunday when she revealed the news. It saddened me.

 

[Liut]

A man who had Jason Robards play him in a movie didn't need to accomplish anything else to impress me.

He spoke at my school way back when and I was blown away by how spot on the casting was. They could have been brothers.

He did a big speech in the arena and then a more intimate Q&A session with the school newspaper staff. When he was about ready to leave he asked if anybody else had any more questions, and somebody says "Yeah, who is Deep Throat?"

So Bradlee stands up and says, "Well, it's time for me to get the **** out of here."

Cool story, Jake.

 

[RecoveringJournalist]

That is an awesome story. Thanks for sharing.

His autobiography should be a must read for anyone in journalism.

 

[Liut]

His autobiography should be a must read for anyone in journalism.

Agreed. May have to dig out my copy for another go-around.