Deep Thinker

I have a bone to pick with Bill Moyers. A few weeks ago this former press secretary, recipient of several Emmy and Peabody awards, ordained Baptist minister, television host, and best-selling author retired. I wish he had checked with me first because I would have told him not to. I was not ready for him to do that even though it did not come as a total surprise given that he will be celebrating his 76th birthday in a few weeks. But that's no excuse. He should not have done it and I want everyone to know it. As host of his highly-acclaimed "Bill Moyers Journal" on the Public Broadcasting Station, this native of Oklahoma zeroed in on numerous serious topics with many serious people in a way that represented the best of broadcast journalism. Moyers' programs were not drenched in yelling, name calling or one-liners designed to make himself look good at the expense of others. Rather, they consisted of in-depth interviews on a range of topics that cried out to be better understood by the general public.

Race and gender, civility in American politics, poverty, climate change and even the state of journalism itself are just a few of the wide range of topics Moyers delved into with guests who sat down with him to enlighten rather than posture. Noam Chomsky, Toni Morrison, Carlos Fuentes, Cornel West, William J. Wilson and many others of equal intellectual caliber shared their insights with Moyers over the years knowing they would not be talked-over by their host, but instead be allowed to share their insights on issues of substance and weight. The concept of his program was simple, yet the results it generated were profound. Fortunately, many remain accessible on You Tube or even on the PBS website.

It was the late news giant Edward R. Morrow for whom "deep-think" journalism was credited. For many, including me, Moyers very much carried on in that tradition. His style represented a high form of communication we see far too little of today. Moyers recognized that our country and our world face serious challenges that can only be understood and ultimately addressed if they are confronted in a serious manner. By itself, that may not seem all that profound, but one only has to scan the many news and talk shows on commercial, cable and public television to gain of good sense of how rare it is. Even his final broadcast was not common. Rather than run through a list of his distinguished achievements, Moyers focused on the dangers of plutocracy or government of the wealthy. His concern is that this is what America's so-called democracy is becoming. I fear he is right. I also fear that we as members of the general public are rapidly losing access to communicators who, like Moyers, are also deep-thinkers. This is why I want Moyers to get back in my good graces and unretire.