"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Friday, 17 April 2015

WHAT CAN THE MATTER BE

David Brooks spars with Mark Shields on PBS newshour. Both are acknowledged expert political journalists. 

Brooks writes a column for New York Times,authors books and teaches at a university.

Night before last he was a guest of Charlie Rose  to talk about a book newly published . The conversation was intense.

Individuals featured in the book all had achieved significant events that made a difference in other peoples' lives.

Mr Brooks was not renouncing his own success.  

He described his childhood. Dad had a record and music store and mother was a teacher. From seven years old, he knew he would be a writer. 

He described a moment of joy in his life. He came home from work ...his three children were tossing a ball about in the back yard in the afternoon sun and everything was perfect.

His children are now grown and successful in different parts of the world.  He is divorced but that's not significant. 

He acknowledges success in his career but stressed  "that doesn't make you happy" There needs to be an aspect of life 
that comes from giving.

There was more. The conversation has pre-occupied me since.

David Brookes is thoughtful, intelligent and a moderate thinker 
His childhood seemed ideal. His children were a joy and his career a marked success. Charlie Rose  is a friend and colleague. They move in exalted circles. 

Yet something clearly eludes him.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Off-topic: Is there anything happening with the Town and the purchase of the Hallmark Cards building?