21 Comments
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Sandy Read Reiberg's avatar

What we see here, Bob, is your SUPERB ability to know not just what people might WANT to know, but to find the answers to what we SHOULD know, the aspects of the story that we wonder about but aren't brave enough to pursue. Every one of these examples of that is worth reading MANY times. Thanks for a great throwback Thursday.

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Robert  Basler's avatar

you are more than welcome, Sandy...

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Anne-Marie Epp's avatar

You write in your conclusion that sometimes a good story is hiding in plain sight. True, Bob, but your readers know it takes a special sensibility and talent to spot it and tell it. Good stuff!

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Jonathan Close's avatar

I'd say more, but I have to go read " A Rose for Emily" so I'll just say brilliant Mr. B

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Robert  Basler's avatar

Brilliant connection, Jonathan...

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Mitch Koppelman's avatar

If memory serves, the Chicago correspondent was vilified in our daily editorial conference calls by Des Maberley. Chuck Kirshner, right?

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Robert  Basler's avatar

Nope. Graham Stewart. A very nice guy.

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Joyce Wadler's avatar

Yup. I used to call those things "the stories in the back of the Times"; a few lines, often skewing weird, that contained gold. Thinking of the newscaster who reported The Hindenberg disaster was brilliant. I agree with Kristen Aliotti -- young reporters could learn from these stories. If there are any newspapers left to work for.

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Chris Malone's avatar

This is why we need real journalists. Thanks for making my morning, Bob! Now it's time to go get grandma off the couch ...

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Susan Applegate's avatar

I guess I just have to admit you're a genius!

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Robert  Basler's avatar

Well, Sis, I tried to tell you that for years...

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Susan Applegate's avatar

Yeh well a humble genius might have said it takes one to know one!

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Marty Young's avatar

Another great tale, as well as offering great insight into what makes you a wonderful teller of them.

Moved by it like no “news story” would. Thanks for a reading to look forward to every week.

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trixiebettsDornoch's avatar

Well done Bob. You know how to winkle out a gem hidden in the obvious.

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Sandy Read Reiberg's avatar

And you ALWAYS tell a good story, Robert Basler. I hope Reuters knew what a treasure you were...are...and shall be. 5 am stories rock.

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Kristen Aliotti's avatar

You should make contact with all the remaining journalism programs and professors. Young journalists-to-be could learn a lot from these posts!

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Sharon Butsch Freeland's avatar

Was the USAF Colonel whom you interviewed in 1973 John Arthur Dramesi? If so, here's an interesting fact. He died on September 17th.

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Robert  Basler's avatar

No, sorry. It was Col. Ronald E. Byrne...

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Sharon Butsch Freeland's avatar

So much for my thinking that I'd found a coincidence. Mike insists there are no coincidences. Nonetheless, I am always on the lookout for them.

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Deborah's avatar

I love the nimbleness and creativity demonstrated in these stories.

Creativity = the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others.

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Maggie Fox's avatar

This is what reporting is all about.

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