Like tens of millions of other Americans, I was saddened by the news of the death of Paul Harvey while I was on vacation in Florida. In fact, we heard the news while driving on (fittingly) a dreary day with pouring rain and temperatures 30 degrees lower than the days before. I caught his morning report daily while at home in our beloved Chicago and his Noon report as often as possible. And even when on the road, wherever I was across America, I'd put the radio on "scan" setting at Noon, hoping to find his signature "Paul Harvey News And Comment" featuring his resonant voice proclaiming, "Stand by for news!" and was disappointed if I could not locate a station carrying the broadcast.
When he began his "Rest of the Story" segments in 1976, I immediately loved their obvious deep research (by his son, Paul, Jr.) and their surprise endings, and I would attempt to guess whom he was talking about before he revealed the name at the conclusion. I am happy to hear that Doug Limmerick will continue the series, though it will not be quite the same as when we heard Paul intone, "Hello Americans, I'm Paul Harvey. You know what the news is; in a minute, you're going to hear ... the rest of the story."
Paul's spin on news was to interject his opinions, too -- very strange in journalism -- but he was upfront about it as the name of his show proclaimed, "News and Comment." He also was a devout supporter of his regular sponsors, exclaiming, "I am fiercely loyal to those willing to put their money where my mouth is."
Several coined words in our language are attributed to Paul Harvey -- Reagonomics, bumper-snicker, skyjacker, and guesstimate.
One of Paul's trademarks was how he could paint word-pictures for our mind, poetically authoring his prose. I found this quote by Paul: "You trust me to paint pictures on the mirror of your mind, and I will let you feel such agony and ecstasy as you would never be able to feel by looking at it."
Another Paul Harvey quote I enjoy: "If pro is the opposite of con, what is the opposite of "progress?"
I end this post simply, as Paul always ended his reports: "Good day."
1 comment:
Oh, Chuck! I have been 'out of the loop', news-wise, for a few days and had not heard that Paul died. I know what fans both you and Ellen were of his.
What a wonderful post! I'm going to link it directly to an additional one of mine today rather than try to do a singular one of my own (just don't have the time to do a new one justice!).
I am saddened by the news. However, I feel quite privileged to have had the opportunity to hear his thoughts and comments, personally, over these past many many years.
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