“We have currently a built-in allergy to unpleasant or disturbing information. Our mass media reflect this. But unless we get up off our fat surpluses and recognize that television in the main is being used to distract, delude, amuse, and insulate us, then television and those who finance it, those who look at it, and those who work at it, may see a totally different picture too late. ”
Edward R. Murrow“Washingtonians love the "So-and-so is spinning in his grave" cliché. Someone is always speculating about how some great dead American would be scandalized over some crime against How It Used to Be. The Founding Fathers are always spinning in their graves over something, as is Ronald Reagan, or FDR. Edward R. Murrow is a perennial grave spinner in the news business (though in fact, Murrow was cremated).”
Mark Leibovich, This Town: Two Parties and a Funeral — plus plenty of valet parking! — in America’s Gilded Capital“The politician in my country seeks votes, affection and respect, in that order. With few notable exceptions, they are simply men who want to be loved.”
Edward R. Murrow“Everyone is a prisoner of his own experiences. No one can eliminate prejudices - just recognize them.”
Edward R. Murrow“We will not be driven by fear ... if we remember that we are not descended from fearful men.”
Edward R. Murrow“We are in the same tent as the clowns and the freaks-that's show business.”
Edward R. Murrow“If we were to do the Second Coming of Christ in color for a full hour, there would be a considerable number of stations which would decline to carry it on the grounds that a Western or a quiz show would be more profitable.”
Edward R. Murrow