1344 Erma Bombeck and Peter Jennings

The Jennings eulogies have not mentioned his connection to Erma Bombeck. It was her appearances on Good Morning America in the 1980s that got us switched from CBS to ABC. Not that Jennings was on the morning show, but we'd turn off the TV after her monologue and when we turned on the TV in the evening after work, there he was. Walter was gone by then, we weren't crazy about Dan, so Peter seemed a fresh face--handsome and articulate--appearing everywhere in the world when exciting events happened.

CNN grabbed us briefly in the first Iraq war, then it was back to ABC and Peter. Fox News was a late comer to our local cable carrier, so I didn't pay much attention to it until maybe 2002 or 2003. I gave up on Mr. Jennings during the beginning of the current war. As professional as he was, he just couldn't hide his distain and dislike for President Bush. It colored everything he said, from word choice to the slight sneer. If he ever let a positive phrase pass his lips, I'm guessing he was quoting someone else, something all the MSM do to appear "balanced." I also didn't like that he was so critical of US policy, but hadn't become a citizen after two decades on the payroll (he corrected that shortly before the cancer appeared).

However, his eulogies brought out many things I didn't know--like he hadn't finished high school but attained the heights of popularity and income and continued on a never ending search for information and comprehending complex topics. He loved interacting with children and appreciated jazz. I didn't know that and feel better about him now. I know he will be missed by his many fans.

He is survived by his fourth wife, Kayce Freed, and his two adult children with third wife Kate Morton.