Throwing the Sixes.
I suspect that there are very few people in the United States who don’t know that Johnny Carson died yesterday. Having succeeded Steve Allen and Jack Paar as the host of the “Tonight Show,†Carson was about as regularly funny as a person could be. I cannot possibly add anything to the wealth of the material that is available today about him and his life.
However, I have to wonder how many people realize that Rosemary Woods died this weekend as well**. I wonder how many people remember who she was. Rosemary Woods was former President Nixon’s long-time secretary (since his days as a Senator), who should win a Golden Globe Award for Loyalty.
She threw herself on the grenade when it was discovered that an 18 and ½ minute segment of audio tape containing a critical discussion between then-President Nixon and his Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman that occurred a few days after the Watergate break-in.
Ms. Woods claimed to have accidentally erased the tape while answering a telephone. She even demonstrated her version of the events for a photographer, something which she undoubtedly came to regret.
Later, very sophisticated analyses were performed on the tape, which showed that the section of the tape in question had been subject to repeated “erasuresâ€. It was clear to everyone (even Dan Rather – remember Nixon was a Republican) that Nixon was the culprit.
Johnny Carson always intended to be funny, but Rosemary Woods was only trying to be loyal.
May they both rest in peace.
**Via The Idiom
I remember, and I understand the difference. Know what I mean?
Comment by Sam — January 24, 2005 @ 9:21 pm
Bless her heart.
Comment by Mike Hill — January 24, 2005 @ 11:57 pm
A good secretary is way better than an enthusiastic intern.
Comment by david — January 25, 2005 @ 6:32 pm
I’m sorry, but isn’t this a bit like praising Dan Rather for his dedication to the Democratic party? The only difference here is that Rather’s story was true, but the lead was false, while Woods continued to willfully decieve a nation.
I guess I’m unsure of the point, here.
Comment by Rob Matsushita — January 26, 2005 @ 1:04 am
I wasn’t aware that Dan Rather’s story was true. Thanks for clearing that up.
Comment by Jim - Parkway Rest Stop — January 26, 2005 @ 5:00 am
I tend to think that the Rather scandal nicely deflected the fact that Bush has never accounted for any of those missing service days, nor provided any explaination of the confusion.
It’s almost like someone planned it that way.
Naaaaaah. Too paranoid.
Comment by Rob Matsushita — January 26, 2005 @ 2:34 pm