dispatches from the new world of work

A Voice on the Radio

As I was out driving today and tuned into a radio interview with a man talking about his experience in World War II, getting seriously wounded as a young man by a German shell while pulling a buddy to safety. He went on to describe a painful and difficult three-year hospitalization, in a full body cast, his shoulder maimed and spinal cord damage so serious, there was a good possibility he would never walk again. He eventually did walk. He said it taught him a lot about patience.

The interviewer asked him if lessons learned during this time helped him in his political career. I still wasn't sure who it was. Then, of course, it occurred to me that it was Bob Dole, who has a new book, One Soldier's Story. Sounds like a good one.

Halley Suitt posted this on 04/12/05.

Comments

He was on Fresh Air with Terry Gross today (feel free to google and find the archive on NPR's site).

He was kinda pissed off that she wasn't just talking about the book and he said that the media, including NPR, are all liberal and aren't giving politicians a fair shake, etc etc.

Kinda interesting but tense. I'm not saying he doesn't deserve respect, but he definitely has that Grumpy Old Man act down.

Posted by Evan Erwin at April 12, 2005 5:34 PM

Here's the thing on his comments on the media, Evan. He sees it first hand. You and I don't.

As far as the book, I hope it is good. Mr. Dole has had a long and very interesting career. I'll pick it up.

Personally, I'm slow to argue whether or not someone who has been through war is automatically qualified for politics. However, I do think there are things learned that those of us who have never been in the military and seen front line action can't understand. Kind of like being a parent. You don't know what it's like until you are one. Thus, that is the reason I'm slow to question war experience as translating a to political qualifier.

My thoughts on what's necessary to be qualified for politics - regardless of what side of the isle you site on - is passion and integrity. Believe what you believe and stand by it - and the voters can decide from there.

Thanks for the link, Halley.

Posted by Tony May / Mayday Media at April 13, 2005 8:21 AM

Mr. Dole actually only spent a very few moments trying to bring Ms. Gross back to the purported subject--his book. When she didn't want to let the subject of whether Tom DeLay should be punished drop, Mr. Dole gave a rather half-hearted attempt to mollify her. I don't remember him claiming that all the media were liberal. He did say, very clearly, and more than once, that there is often a difference between the facts and what the New York Times or Washington Post report. Specifically.

Posted by Horton at April 14, 2005 11:44 AM

It is not surprising to me that Terry Gross wanted to talk about Tom Delay instead of Senator Dole's book. Ms. Gross had her own agenda - to punish Tom Delay - and to her and NPR, this was far more important than talking about the experiences of a great war hero and politician. We would all be better off if the media (reporters and pundits alike) would remove the mystery and just admit their biases.

Posted by Chris at April 14, 2005 3:57 PM

2nd Lieutenant Bob Dole, of the storied 10th Mountain Division. The 10th wasn't deployed until late in the war. (The War Department didn't quite know what to do with them.) But they spear-headed the allies' advance through the mountainous regions of Italy; the theory being that the Germans would be forced to deploy more troops on the Southern flank, thereby preparing the way for the Normandy invasion. The 10th recruited collegiate skiers, mountaineers and ranchers and, if I recall correctly, nearly all of them were judged officer material by the testing standards of the day. The 10th participated in some of the bloodiest combat of the war and had the highest casualty rate of any division. Many of America's top ski resorts were built by veterans of the 10th upon their return home. I've met many of them. They're quite a collection of heroes.

Posted by Doug Smith at April 14, 2005 4:11 PM

Thanks for all the good comments. I should have explained better that I heard none of the political stuff in the interview and I liked it so much because it was just the man's (heart-breaking) story of being wounded in war and the hell of his convalescence.

It reminded me of how we need to listen aggressively to one another as humans FIRST and not jump to conclusions about political leaning, partisanship, class, gender, race, etc.

It was refreshing to simply hear Bob Dole telling his real life story and what a brave man he was and is.

Posted by Halley at April 14, 2005 5:59 PM

I second Halley's comments--listening with open ears, eyes, and hearts is, in my view (albeit limited by being human), part of what it will take to develop ourselves as global citizens--humans first.

Posted by Pam Brill at April 15, 2005 9:51 AM