That's the way it is

2009 might be, along with the year of GSD, the year of people dying.

While in NYC, Jess told me that Walter Cronkite died. While not unexpected (he was 92) it is still sad, as his influence on culture and news (particularly the evening news) is quite large. Everyone knows who Walter Cronkite is. As David Bianculli stated in an NPR report, there were only four people who have manned the CBS Evening News chair, and Cronkite was most of that time.

Two of the biggest moments in news in the 1960s and even the 20th century -- the assassination of JFK and man landing on the moon -- Cronkite shaped with his journalism. He is the first voice that announced the former. He is the voice of most major news events of the 50's and 60's. He's like that uncle or grandfather you turn to for information and wisdom.

NPR has a great Fresh Air episode that appreciates and eulogizes the man, as well as an interview Terry Gross did with him in the early 90's. Definitely worth checking out.

Here's also a key Cronkite moment thanks to Youtube: