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Murphy Martin Commentary
"Forty Years and Counting"
July 14, 2005
Over the years I have had the good fortune to
witness more history than any school could ever teach.
In the old days they called those who spread the news "town criers."
But over the last forty years, we have needed more than a lamp and a
loud voice to keep our audiences informed. In the twenty-first
century, armed with new technology, radio and television news
reporters have made American citizens the best informed people in
the world. In a world where man can orbit the earth faster than most
of us can get in and out of an airport, the challenges facing
journalists continue to grow. But despite the changes, the basic
requirements of every story haven't changed. It remains who, what,
when, where and why.
Radio and television news allowed me to live the American dream. As
I look back with great respect for the good journalists and the
hundreds of people who helped make my career better, let me share
some of the indelible things I have learned:
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The reward of a thing well done is to have done
it.
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Bravery is not the absence of fear but the
mastery of it.
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Someone once described a hero as being no braver
than an ordinary man---but a hero is brave five minutes longer.
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Remember that no one can make you feel inferior
without your consent.
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Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice
everywhere.
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He who keeps his fears to himself shares his
courage with others.
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Character is not made in crisis; it is only
exhibited then.
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When you can do the common things of life in an
uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.
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Cherish all your happy moments; they make a fine
cushion as you grow older.
As I move into my ninth decade of life, I realize
there was never a dull moment in the more than four decades I
covered that reshaped America. From my own cushion of happy
journalistic moments I plan to share some of the most indelible with
you in the days ahead. And from time to time I will delve into what
is going on in Radio and Television News today.
Your thoughts and comments forwarded to my website will be
appreciated.
Murphy Martin
e-mail
murphy@murphymartin.com
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