June 27, 2003

What's Your Obit?

Strom Thurmond, Foe of Integration, Dies at 100

"Foe of Integration." After serving in the U.S. Senate for 52 years, That's the phrase Adam Clymer of the NY Times picks for the obituary headline. I wish Mr. Clymer a long and happy life but I wonder if his obit mightn't say "'Major League A**hole' dies in freak spatula accident."

I find it hard to shed crocodile tears for the Dixiecrat. But I am working on treating my political foes with respect. And I think that a NYT obit can be a little more generous.

I don't know that the Times need practice "De mortuis nil nisi bonum," but I think that the headline is inappropriate. The copy could point out that the Senator was controversial and fought on the segregation side. But I'd have kept it out of the headline. Am I taking this wrong?

UPDATE: The Microsoft spellchecker suggests "replace 'Dixiecrat' with 'Dixie Rat.'" I guess I am swimming upstream. RIP Senator.

Posted by jk at June 27, 2003 02:22 AM
Comments

Now that is liberal journalism, and I can say that because I am a liberal, which these days it seems is kind of like being a minority. But just out of curiousity, if Bill Clinton died tomorrow, what would you put on his obituary headline?

Posted by: CDB at July 2, 2003 04:04 PM

Popular, Two Term Persident Dies

William Jefferson Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States, was found in a Hotel Room in Bimini dressed in nothing but...

Seriously, I will always work to treat Pres Clinton with respect. He angers me and I disagree but he was elected and I respect the office.

I would say in the second or third paragraph that he was the second president to be impeached and reference scandal. But I'll give him a good obituary.

Posted by: jk at July 3, 2003 04:43 AM

President William Jefferson Clinton, foe of pulling and shooting, dies at 60.

(What's left to do for such a young former president? First husband? Please.)

Context hint: http://www.berkeleysquarejazz.com/blog/archives/000270.html

Posted by: johngalt at July 3, 2003 03:57 PM

thanks !!

Posted by: big cock at February 2, 2004 06:18 PM
| What do you think? [4]