BAXALOGUE
Its the creamy filling in the twinkee of life
By Steve Baxley

Last night we lost a legend,a storyteller,a man who redefined Television News..we lost our uncle.

Walter Cronkite passed away at the age of 92 of ill heath, but his legacy will be that of a man who not only reported the news, but made it personal and personable to the viewers.

Writer,Editor,Journalist,Anchor, Walter Cronkite was all this and much more, he was the first even Managing editor of the newscast that bore his name, and was among "murrow's men" the forefathers of CBS NEWS, and Television News in general. His honest,unbiased way of reporting the news came to fruition that November 22nd afternoon in 1963 when JFK was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas,Texas..and then to be cemented in commentary on the Vietnam War in which Lyndon Banes Johnson was quoted as saying "If I lose Walter Cronkite...I've Lost Middle America"

When it came to politics, he covered them with an unflinching eye,always giving the viewer that front row seat to the political season, interviewing Presidents and foreign leaders, he best duty was when anchoring coverage of Appolo missions incuding that famed Appolo 11 mission to the moon, his joy and speechless awe spoke volumes of all of us who watched with that same awe and excitement.

He also took young viewers on a journey through history as if it was covered by CBS NEWS on a show called "YOU ARE THERE", where historic events came to life as if CBS NEWS reporters were there covering them .first on Radio and then on TV.

What Walter Cronkite was, was what Television news was, unflinching, unafraid, unbiased, not bought off or compromised as it is today. Television News of today needs to look at its past to see how it was done ..The Olbermann's, Maddows, Schultz's of today need to learn of being Fair and Balanced, not to be arrogant and self-serving ,not to report one side of the story, but ALL sides of the story without bias.

Cronkite was a true journalist,and there will never be another like him in this world, they come only once, but their memory lasts a long time.

To the future news anchors and reporters, take lesson and heed from the teachings of Walter Cronkite, dont let politics or corporate hounds influence what you deliver to the viewers, for you are the next generation upholdant to a trust to accuracy,integrity,and unbias, to be fair and accurate.

And thats the way it is,good night and good luck