John Mc

This is a collection of my thoughts. Some of the thoughts that I once had, I no longer do. Some thoughts I have now I have never had. Yet none shal be discounted. This blog is soley for the enjoyment of the author and the readers. On occasion the views expressed are overly exagerated in order to prove a point. Also there may be a dirty word or thought in some of the posts. Grow up and take this for what it's worth - a blog that barely anyone will ever see.

3/22/2009

Bad Coupon

It has been a long time since I've blogged. I apologize to my loyal readers... both of you. More posts will occur this week, I promise. Until then, enjoy the Peter Griffen vs. The Chicken fights!






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3/02/2009

Paul Harvey 1918-2009

This weekend was a sad one.  A radio legend, Paul Harvey passed away.  If you have never had the opportunity to hear Paul Harvey or if you don't know who he is, here is what WGN had to say about him and some examples of what he did.

Paul Harvey DiesPrintE-mail

Legendary Broadcaster Passes away at 90

February 28, 2009

(WGN-AM) - ABC Radio Network says broadcasting pioneer Paul Harvey has died at the age of 90.

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 (Chicago Tribune file image)
ABC spokesman Louis Adams says Harvey died Saturday at his winter home in Phoenix, Ariz., surrounded by family.

No cause of death was immediately available. In a statement, ABC Radio Networks President Jim Robinson calls Harvey "one of the most gifted and beloved broadcasters in our nation's history."

In regard to the passing of legendary broadcaster Paul Harvey, WGN Radio Vice President/General Manager Tom Langmyer released the following statement: "America has lost an important icon. Paul Harvey was one of the greatest broadcasters of all time.

He wove stories of life together in a way that will never be matched. He provided inspiration to countless journalists and broadcasters and touched millions by connecting in a way that was not only informative, but also creative and unique. Paul and the love of his life, Angel, are now together. We were lucky to have had him in our lives."

Harvey was a news commentator and talk-radio pioneer whose staccato style made him one of the nation's most familiar voices.

He was forced off the air in 2001 because a virus weakened a vocal cord. But he returned to 
 1harvey090228

 (Chicago Tribune file image)

work in Chicago and was still active as he passed his 90th birthday. His death comes less than a year after that of his wife and producer Lynne.

"My father and mother created from thin air what one day became radio and television news," said Paul Harvey Jr. in a statement. "So in the past year, an industry has lost its godparents and today millions have lost a friend."

Known for his resonant voice and trademark delivery of "The Rest of the Story," Harvey had been heard nationally since 1951, when he began his "News and Comment" for ABC Radio Networks. He became a heartland icon, delivering news and commentary with a distinctive Midwestern flavor.

"Stand by for news!" he told his listeners. He was credited with inventing or popularizing terms such as "skyjacker" and "Reaganomics." "Paul Harvey was one of the most gifted and beloved broadcasters in our nation's history," ABC Radio Networks President Jim Robinson said in a statement. "We will miss our dear friend tremendously and are grateful for the many years we were so fortunate to have known him."

In 2005, Harvey was one of 14 notables chosen as recipients of the presidential Medal of Freedom. He also was an inductee in the Radio Hall of Fame, as was Lynne.

Former President George W. Bush remembered Harvey as a "friendly and familiar voice in the lives of millions of Americans." "His commentary entertained, enlightened, and informed," Bush said in a statement. "Laura and I are pleased to have known this fine man, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

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 Receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005
 (Chicago Tribune file image)
Harvey composed his twice-daily news commentaries for ABC from a downtown Chicago office near Lake Michigan. He spent winters in Phoenix.

Rising at 3:30 each morning, he ate a bowl of oatmeal, then combed the news wires and spoke with editors across the country in search of succinct tales of American life for his program. At the peak of his career, Harvey reached more than 24 million listeners on more than 1,200 radio stations and charged $30,000 to give a speech.

His syndicated column was carried by 300 newspapers. His fans identified with his plainspoken political commentary, but critics called him an out-of-touch conservative. He was an early supporter of the late Sen. Joseph McCarthy and a longtime backer of the Vietnam War.

Perhaps Harvey's most famous broadcast came in 1970, when he abandoned that stance, announcing his opposition to President Nixon's expansion of the war and urging him to get out completely. "Mr. President, I love you ... but you're wrong," Harvey said, shocking his faithful listeners and drawing a barrage of letters and phone calls, including one from the White House.

In 1976, Harvey began broadcasting his anecdotal descriptions of the lives of famous people. "The Rest of the Story" started chronologically, with the person's identity revealed at the end. The stories were an attempt to capture "the heartbeats behind the headlines." Much of the research and writing was done by his son, Paul Jr.

Harvey also blended news with advertising, a line he said he crossed only for products he trusted. In 2000, at age 82, Harvey signed a new 10-year contract with ABC Radio networks. Harvey was born Paul Harvey Aurandt in Tulsa, Okla.

His father, a police officer, was killed when he was a toddler. A high school teacher took note of his distinctive voice and launched him on a broadcast career. While working at St. Louis radio station KXOK, he met Washington University graduate student Lynne Cooper.

He proposed on their first date (she said "no") and always called her "Angel." They were married in 1940 and had a son, Paul Jr. They worked closely together on his shows, and he often credited his success to her influence. She was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1997, seven years after her husband was. She died in May 2008.









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