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NEWS WORTHY PART 1
Today is my 80th birthday and I’m sitting here alone, in my home office. As I look about me, my surroundings tell the story of my life. This morning I’ve been reminiscing over all the awards, pictures, souvenirs, autographed keepsakes, and mementos, and even my Pulitzer prize achieved in over thirty years of my professional journalistic career. Yet out of all my accomplishments, one stands out the most vividly in my mind. One single framed and now faded newspaper article has defined my career. Although it was written many years ago, I can remember it, as if it was yesterday. Here is my story:
I Hardly slept at all that night, hundreds of questions kept running thru my mind. I’VE GOT TO BE THE LUCKIEST BASTARD alive. My editor still can’t believe it. I guess being in the right place at the right time is half of success.
My boss sent me down to the federal courthouse yesterday to get some background information on the big Labell trial. So, here I am down there with about 25 other news people, proudly displaying my newly issued press credentials and a total of 3 weeks field experience.
My instructions were to take a few pictures, and gather some background info on the case, maybe interview a few minor players. To be honest I felt a little outclassed in the presence of the top reporters for CNN, Fox, and the network news correspondence. Yet I was pumped up because this was my first real story to cover and it was big news.
The place was a buzz with activity, reporters, journalists, T.V. cameras and high security. This was the first time that a seated congressmen was indicted for treason. And this was no ordinary representative, this was the senior congressmen from New Jersey. He has been re-elected 4 times and is the head of the prestigious armed services committee. Richard Labell was a high profile politician, and had been on the short list for Vice president in the last election. Labell had also just returned from a top secret visit to Iran, where he met with key officials in an effort to defuse a possible U.S. military action against that country.
Of course the congressmen and his press secretary adamantly denied his involvement in any criminal activities, and had already released several memo’s to the press to substantiate this fact. This could be a very hi-profile long drawn out investigation and trail, the kind that sells newspapers.
Nothing specific had been scheduled for today, but we decided to get involved in the case from the very onset. Having called the congressmen’s office ahead of time, I knew they had not planned a press conference following today’s preliminary hearing. That’s probably why my boss decided to send his most junior reporter to cover today’s activities. The assignment may have seemed a waste of time to our long term correspondents, but I considered today’s assignment a privilege and an opportunity.
Judging by the way the police were pushing the crowd back, I figured that the good Congressmen was about to head out of the court house and down the majestic steps. All the reporters and cameramen were lined up on both sides of the stairs, to get the best coverage as he made his way down to street level.
I knew I didn’t have a chance of even asking a question, being that the make shift reception line was three people deep on both sides. I looked down towards the road and noticed a limo creeping towards the cordoned off parking space right in front of the courthouse. I headed down there and set up shop, right outside the passenger curbside door. The sun roof was opening and I could hear someone yelling from inside the limo. I’m sure I heard… “and I’m not about to let the congressman take this kind of heat for you or anyone else. This kind of scandal could cost you the election. Just remember ..Loyalty is a two way street”
As the congressmen approached, I could hear the repeated chant of : “ No comment, No comment”. It wasn’t long before his security team noticed my proximity to the car and started motioning me away. I explained that I was with the media and just wanted to ask a few questions. As I raised my camera to snap a few photos I felt myself being thrown violently against the side of the car, my face mashed against the window.
I’m not sure if it was sympathy, concern, or fear of making a bad matter worse but suddenly the door of the limo was opened and the occupant invited me inside. Almost without thinking I obediently climbed in and sat down, blood still flowing from my nose. Seconds latter the Congressmen, who witnessed the whole thing entered the car right behind me.
“Sorry if my security boys were a little rough on you. Cant’ be too careful these days.” He handed me his handkerchief and went on to tell me his side of the story as the limo raced away. I could tell that the information he was giving me was carefully scripted and rehearsed. I was cautioned not to take any pictures and I honored their request. The meeting was brief but courteous and the limo dropped me off a dozen blocks latter, in the center of town.
Before I called a cab to take me back to work, I stopped at the Starbucks on the corner for a cup of coffee and took some time to gather my thoughts and take careful notes of our short conversation.
Today is my 80th birthday and I’m sitting here alone, in my home office. As I look about me, my surroundings tell the story of my life. This morning I’ve been reminiscing over all the awards, pictures, souvenirs, autographed keepsakes, and mementos, and even my Pulitzer prize achieved in over thirty years of my professional journalistic career. Yet out of all my accomplishments, one stands out the most vividly in my mind. One single framed and now faded newspaper article has defined my career. Although it was written many years ago, I can remember it, as if it was yesterday. Here is my story:
I Hardly slept at all that night, hundreds of questions kept running thru my mind. I’VE GOT TO BE THE LUCKIEST BASTARD alive. My editor still can’t believe it. I guess being in the right place at the right time is half of success.
My boss sent me down to the federal courthouse yesterday to get some background information on the big Labell trial. So, here I am down there with about 25 other news people, proudly displaying my newly issued press credentials and a total of 3 weeks field experience.
My instructions were to take a few pictures, and gather some background info on the case, maybe interview a few minor players. To be honest I felt a little outclassed in the presence of the top reporters for CNN, Fox, and the network news correspondence. Yet I was pumped up because this was my first real story to cover and it was big news.
The place was a buzz with activity, reporters, journalists, T.V. cameras and high security. This was the first time that a seated congressmen was indicted for treason. And this was no ordinary representative, this was the senior congressmen from New Jersey. He has been re-elected 4 times and is the head of the prestigious armed services committee. Richard Labell was a high profile politician, and had been on the short list for Vice president in the last election. Labell had also just returned from a top secret visit to Iran, where he met with key officials in an effort to defuse a possible U.S. military action against that country.
Of course the congressmen and his press secretary adamantly denied his involvement in any criminal activities, and had already released several memo’s to the press to substantiate this fact. This could be a very hi-profile long drawn out investigation and trail, the kind that sells newspapers.
Nothing specific had been scheduled for today, but we decided to get involved in the case from the very onset. Having called the congressmen’s office ahead of time, I knew they had not planned a press conference following today’s preliminary hearing. That’s probably why my boss decided to send his most junior reporter to cover today’s activities. The assignment may have seemed a waste of time to our long term correspondents, but I considered today’s assignment a privilege and an opportunity.
Judging by the way the police were pushing the crowd back, I figured that the good Congressmen was about to head out of the court house and down the majestic steps. All the reporters and cameramen were lined up on both sides of the stairs, to get the best coverage as he made his way down to street level.
I knew I didn’t have a chance of even asking a question, being that the make shift reception line was three people deep on both sides. I looked down towards the road and noticed a limo creeping towards the cordoned off parking space right in front of the courthouse. I headed down there and set up shop, right outside the passenger curbside door. The sun roof was opening and I could hear someone yelling from inside the limo. I’m sure I heard… “and I’m not about to let the congressman take this kind of heat for you or anyone else. This kind of scandal could cost you the election. Just remember ..Loyalty is a two way street”
As the congressmen approached, I could hear the repeated chant of : “ No comment, No comment”. It wasn’t long before his security team noticed my proximity to the car and started motioning me away. I explained that I was with the media and just wanted to ask a few questions. As I raised my camera to snap a few photos I felt myself being thrown violently against the side of the car, my face mashed against the window.
I’m not sure if it was sympathy, concern, or fear of making a bad matter worse but suddenly the door of the limo was opened and the occupant invited me inside. Almost without thinking I obediently climbed in and sat down, blood still flowing from my nose. Seconds latter the Congressmen, who witnessed the whole thing entered the car right behind me.
“Sorry if my security boys were a little rough on you. Cant’ be too careful these days.” He handed me his handkerchief and went on to tell me his side of the story as the limo raced away. I could tell that the information he was giving me was carefully scripted and rehearsed. I was cautioned not to take any pictures and I honored their request. The meeting was brief but courteous and the limo dropped me off a dozen blocks latter, in the center of town.
Before I called a cab to take me back to work, I stopped at the Starbucks on the corner for a cup of coffee and took some time to gather my thoughts and take careful notes of our short conversation.
P.I.B.
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