Bill Moyers died yesterday at the age of 91. He was a remarkable man, who served as President Lyndon B. Johnson’s closest advisor and his press secretary, until he quit in 1966. He was a highly accomplished journalist and television star, who dealt with the most controversial issues of the day.
I was privileged to appear on his program.
He was one of the great men of the past half-century: Truly moral, ethical, deeply committed to a just world.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
what an amazing journalist he was. Thank you for sharing these links. And thank you for your logical and intelligent thinking.
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I learned about Joseph Campbell because of Bill Moyers.
I remember one year he did a short series of conversations about various Bible stories with an eclectic group of ministers, priests, rabbis. Man, one of the best things I still have ever seen on the boob tube.
He was Mr. Rogers-like in the kindness of his inquiries, inquiries that stoked my curiosity and imagination and challenged my intellect to reach further than I knew possible.
That kind of sincere inquiry and intellectual grit, that always led from a place of respect, would be so welcome nowadays.
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Bill Moyers was an ordained minister.
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According to James C. Thomson, LBJ gave Moyers a nickname corresponding to his moral strength during the Vietnam War: “The President is said to have greeted his arrival at meetings with an affectionate, ‘Well, here comes Mr. Stop-the-Bombing’”
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What a wonderful guy. He was truly the best of the best. Such a huge loss for our democracy.
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“Truly moral, ethical, deeply committed to a just world.” Absolutely true.
And he practiced journalism the way it should be practiced. Always in search of truth and providing enlightenment to his audience. The exact opposite of so many of today’s supposedly “liberal” journalist/stenographers who dutifully transcribe quotes by the powerful and write stories based on right wing talking points delivered to them tied up with a bow.
Ted Lasso makes a lovely speech in the tv series – a speech about how important it is to be curious. Today’s journalists, in their determined quest for a “both sides” story, aren’t curious. Bill Moyers always was.
He will be missed.
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So sad… I used to watch Bill Moyers Now like religion.
I recently saw Ellie Mystal speak and he said never trust someone who has never been fired or quit a job because of their values.
I remember when he had Frank Luntz on his show, the mediary of mis-information. He asked him something to the effect of “Aren’t you lying to people?” Shortly after that they tried to put Tucker Carlson in a follow up show to “balance the perspectives.” or something like that. This of course didn’t sell to the mostly thoughtful viewers who were not accustomed to the steady flow of lies and distortions bow-tie-tucky would become so famous for.
They eventually pushed Moyers out for David Brancaccio and the show was cancelled. I have rarely been more disappointed in PBS. That said it was clear that PBS had a knife held to their throat by the republican party. I have forgiven PBS, but I still haven’t forgiven Brancaccio.
Bill Moyers was a true journalist. I hope many follow his example.
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I hope that the absence of a Bill Moyers does not preclude future generations from raising their own version of this great leader.
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I’m hopeful. If the New York primary is any indication, Generation Z and Millennials are more progressive on social and political issues compared to older generations.
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He was a really good guy. I wish there were a lot more like him. But I am, tonight, sick at heart. I have lost faith in people. So much ugliness and ignorance.
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Here’s how I am ending my life: in utter despair.
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I feel what you’re saying Bob… It seems like Ignorance and arrogance have been given free reign over the world all the while injecting rage and hatred into the social psyche. But I have hope when I see that millions of people protested for “No Kings.” When I see the people of L.A. ready to risk bodily harm to protect their neighbors from ICE. When I see New York elect a democratic socialist who is openly questioning the salience of capitalism… Those who have not succumbed to the maga mind virus are actively advancing something beneficial to the human condition, working hard to restore some assemblance of justice to the flailing American experiment. My wife also says “That orange abomination is a day away from an aneurysm, an empty church service, and a burial at sea to stop regular pilgrimages to piss on his grave.” She has a dark sense of humor.
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Your wife is brilliant.
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I would make that pilgrimage. Well said, jeclark.
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Bob, I understand how you feel.
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But hey, Bezos had a great wedding. Or so the headlines say. I haven’t read the stories because they would make me sicker than I am.
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Bob: I hear that. On the other hand, the timing is not so good in my view sometimes, but I think that the arch of justice is a real thing; or, another way to say that is to understand that, also real, is that there is a right and wrong side of history.
If so, then, the upshot is that, when there seems nothing left to hang one’s faith on, there is, mysteriously, but with no doubt, as must be with the nature of faith, the clarity at this time in history about what and who is on which side. CBK
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Thank you for this, dear one.
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