First Door on the Left

“Bob Edwards, a Louisville native, is the host of NPR’s “Morning Edition.” He currently serves as first vice president of AFRTA, the union that represents actors, broadcasters and recording artists. Edwards was inducted on April 8 into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame. That same day, he gave the annual Joe Creason Lecture at the University of Kentucky. This article is adapted from that address.”

I would encourage you to read it. It will go a long way toward helping you understand why most Americans believe the current administration is doing a good job. (Because that is what corporate America is telling them to believe.)

The press didn’t wait until the intern scandal to ask tough questions of Bill Clinton, so why is the incumbent getting a pass? The country deliberately decided not to have a king. We show the President some deference because of the office he holds. We call him ‘‘Mr. President.’’ It is NPR policy never to refer to an incumbent President by last name only. He is ‘‘President Bush’’ or ‘‘Mr. Bush’’ — but never just ‘‘Bush.’’ Yet he is not a king. He is a citizen temporarily serving us, living in our house, drawing our pay, spending our money and acting in our name. We have the right and, yes, the duty, to expect him to perform at a high standard. If we don’t do this, we’re performing below the standard that should be expected of us.

Read the entire article. Go, do it now. Then come back here and let me know whether you think what he says is right or wrong, and why. Go, I’ll wait.