You can imagine how much time I have just sitting in my truck, either driving or waiting. And while I sit, I think, read, do crossword puzzles, or I listen to XM radio with its 200+ channels. My favorites are CNN, ABC news on the hour, Dan Patrick (sports), even Fox News (to hear “the other side” of news). Among other favorites are folk, bluegrass, Broadway musicals, comedy (4 of these channels), inspirational music, old-time radio shows, and Willie’s Place (country music from the 50’s and 60’s). I also listen to Atlanta traffic and weather whenever I am about 30 minutes outside of that forever traffic-clogged city. (XM has instant traffic and weather reports for 20 of the country’s largest cities. I often tune into Boston and Dallas to learn what weather Steve Jr. and Mitch are experiencing at the moment.)
Death filled the airwaves on the news channels the past several days. The passings of Gerald Ford and James Brown and the impending death of Saddam Hussein filled nearly every minute of every hour from Wednesday on. I found it interesting that what was said about the deaths of the former president and soul entertainer was virtually interchangeable except for specific details. I sometimes found myself wondering, now are they talking about Ford or Brown? For example, reports on both personalities mentioned the contributions each made to their respective fields of endeavors. Reports on both included information about family and funeral arrangements as well as biographical details. There were literally hours of analysis from people in the know of the impact each had on their eras. I found myself mentally drifting in and out of these reports, which created humorous moments until I reestablished who they were talking about at the moment. Once, I drifted out when the reporters were discussing funeral arrangements for Brown only to drift back in when the report had changed to Ford. I heard, “…and he will lie in state in the Capitol building.” I wondered why James Brown would lie in state in the Capitol! On another occasion, I heard, “…his wife has been locked out of their home by the family’s attorney.” I was shocked at the thought of Betty Ford, faithful wife of 60 or so years, being locked out of the Ford home until I realized the story was about “the godfather of soul”!
Today the death that occupies the airwaves is that of Hussein, hanged at dawn.
On the one hand, three men, three separate and vastly different paths through life—mediocre president, a hard-working yet flawed entertainer, and a blind and self-deceived despot. On the other hand, three men, one fate: death.
What’s your take on these men—their lives, their missions, their impact, their fate? Has any one of them affected your life in a measurable way? How have their lives impacted the world? Do you find any redeeming qualities on the worst of them; any tragic flaws in the best of them? I’d like to hear your thoughts on these men or anything else you’d like to share. And, thanks for reading.
Tales from the Truckin' Trail 
Steve Jr said
A few thoughts:
Regarding Gerald Ford, I commented the day after his death that in the first 24-36 hours after his passing, barely any mention was made of his political accomplishments and failures. I wasn’t even sure which political party he belonged to! What I did know was that, like Ronald Reagan who was the last president to pass away, Ford was a good man. Friends, political enemies, acquaintances, and even those who didn’t know him at all went on and on listing his superlatives. Mediocre president or not, Ford died a good man, and many people knew it. When I die, I could care less if people call me a “good travel writer,” as long as I am described as a good man.
Regarding Saddam, I was reminded how shifty it is when humans take other humans’ lives into their own hands. Saddam took thousands — even millions, indirectly — of lives into his hands, and his fate is evident. The Iraqi and American governments are currently discovering the same thing after Saddam’s hanging, despite the heinous nature of his crimes. Some in attendance were cheering and taunting. The hanging was likely carried out by Al Sadr’s militiamen. Worst of all, it was all caught on a video phone. Taking a life is tricky business, not to be taken lightly. After all, human beings were not created to take the life of their fellow humans. That said, “crimes against humanity” are about as bad as it gets for a person on this planet. I’m no advocate of the death penalty, but if there was ever a justification, this is it.