Journalist and author Bob Woodward shared his thoughts and experiences on issues central to the American Presidentcy during at lecture in front of a fully packed Cohen Auditorium on April 25th. Woodward recounted his experiences investigating high-profile stories in Washington and interviewing American presidents and other top figures thoughout his career. The journalist keep his own remarks short in order to make room for extended questions-and-answers with the audience, pairing sobering commentary on serious political issues with humerous anecdotes about famous Washington personalities.
Woodward rose to national prominance for his coverage, alongside fellow Washington Post reporter Carl Bernstein, of the Watergate scandal of the 1970s. Woodward told the audience that his biggest concern is "secret government," the concentration of power in the hands of the executive branch and the military and intelligence community that he called "breathtaking."
"Democracies die in darkness, and...if there is no accountability, then we are finished," Woodward said. The Nixon presidency and Watergate scandal, Woodward offered, were symptomatic of this mentality. "The tragedy of that ultimate secret government...was that no one ever said, 'What would be good for the country? What does the country need?"
Woodward spoke about the challenges and responsibilities journalists face in getting around the powerful "message machine" that controls the public face of many political figures, including Presidents. He estimated that the public knowledge of most presidential administrations is only a tiny fraction of the complete picture - "one percent," by former Vice-President Al Gore's calculations, according to Woodward.
Woodward discussed the extent to which journalists , like political figures they cover, can never fully understand the consequences of their actions and their legacies. Woodward added that former President George W. Bush had once commented to him, about his own legacy, "History-we don't know, we'll all be dead."
Several notable persons of interest have come to the Tufts campus in Medford recently after being invited to appear and speak at various venues at the University. Access to most events is limited to the College Students and Faculty, but a few limited opportunities to residents in the community are sometimes available. Among this spring's speakers and lecturers have been entertainer and comedian Bill Cosby, former Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, and journalist and author Bob Woodward. "Of the three" according to Medford City Committee Chairman Bernie Green, "I enjoyed Bob Woodward the most for his insights about various Presidents since Nixon. Cosby was funny, but Pelosi gave a disjointed and boring presentation. I was not impressed by her presence either."
No comments:
Post a Comment