A few days ago we marked the 53rd anniversary of that dark day when John Kennedy was cut down on the streets on Dallas, and I couldn’t help making comparisons in my mind about JFK and the man who will soon become the 45th President of the U.S.
Kennedy was the first true master of the White House press conference. It was the creme de la creme who got to cover the man in the Oval Office. For the most part, members of the White House press corps loved him, and he at least appeared to love them back. It was such a different era. Just about everybody knew that, because he could, Kennedy was a shameless womanizer. The media gave him a free pass.
Donald Trump does not even pretend to like or respect the people who cover him. He hasn’t held a press conference since July, choosing instead to tweet .. which rhymes with cheat.
Every November 22nd my mind flashes back to my first visit to the old Regina Press Club on Broad street. On the wall in a frame was the famous front page of the Leader Post from that dark day in 1963. KENNEDY SLAIN read the huge headline at the top. Right underneath, a much smaller head .. Regina man held on murder charge. ‘Who the hell knew?’ I thought to myself with a chuckle.
Right now there’s some question as to whether that same Saskatchewan newspaper will still be in business when Trump takes the oath of office on January 20th. These days, the L P, along with the Star Phoenix in Saskatoon, are owned by Post Media, those folks who have lawyers and bankruptcy trustees on speed dial.
For quite a while now, their Regina building at Park and Victoria has been up for sale. The Leader Post is printed in Saskatoon and trucked south on Highway 11.
Surely Paul Godfrey and the boys at the top of Post Media are doing everything they can to save the day ? Actually, it looks like they’re getting ready to turn out the lights and leave the building with pockets full. Godfrey’s ‘bonus’ will be 900 grand.
Not bad, eh?
I’m Roger Currie
