Peter Jennings Dies - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

snowy · 08-07-2005, 08:40 PM

Legendary ABC News anchor Peter Jennings passed away tonight. He was 67.

Quote:

Peter Jennings, the suave, Canadian-born broadcaster who delivered the news to Americans each night in five separate decades, died Sunday. He was 67. Jennings, who announced in April that he had lung cancer, died at his New York home, ABC News President David Westin said late Sunday.

Peter Jennings was the face of ABC News whenever a big story broke.

''Peter has been our colleague, our friend, and our leader in so many ways. None of us will be the same without him,'' Westin said.

With Tom Brokaw and Dan Rather, Jennings was part of a triumvirate that dominated network news for more than two decades, through the birth of cable news and the Internet. His smooth delivery and years of international reporting experience made Jennings particularly popular among urban dwellers.

Jennings was the face of ABC News whenever a big story broke. He logged more than 60 hours on the air during the week of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, offering a soothing sense of continuity during a troubled time.

''There are a lot of people who think our job is to reassure the public every night that their home, their community and their nation is safe,'' he told author Jeff Alan. ''I don't subscribe to that at all. I subscribe to leaving people with essentially -- sorry it's a cliche -- a rough draft of history. Some days it's reassuring, some days it's absolutely destructive.''

Jennings' announcement four months ago that the longtime would begin treatment for lung cancer came as a shock.

''I will continue to do the broadcast,'' he said, his voice husky, in a taped message that night. ''On good days, my voice will not always be like this.''

But although Jennings occasionally came to the office between chemotherapy treatments, he never again appeared on the air.

I don't know about most of you, but Peter Jennings is the first network news anchor I remember. When I was small, we only got ABC, and so Peter Jennings was who Dad watched when he watched the news. I will always have fond memories of him reading the news. I think it's sad that we have lost such a great journalist in a day and age when they seem to be few and far between.

Fremen · 08-07-2005, 08:43 PM

That's terrible news. He was one of the few journalists who had my utmost respect.

Rest in peace, Mr Jennings.

sbscout · 08-07-2005, 08:52 PM

may he rest peacefully...

mystmarimatt · 08-07-2005, 09:04 PM

This deeply, deeply saddens me. I can't really say anything on his journalism work with any expertise, but I do know that he was a newscaster I grew up with, and I had a deep respect for him and trust in him. He just seemed like an honest, nice person of integrity and grace. I'll miss him.

Sage · 08-07-2005, 09:25 PM

I'll ditto what everyone said. I used to watch him when I was like, oh, around the age my parents let me watch the news, and he always seemed to have a sense of humor about things... I even saw him make a joke one time when he messed up on air.

I wish I could go to the funeral... to pay my respects.

Bacchanal · 08-07-2005, 09:29 PM

I can't say anything that hasn't already been said. I grew up with him also...

May he rest in peace.

ironman · 08-07-2005, 09:36 PM

He's voice will be forever burned in our minds...

bernadette · 08-07-2005, 10:21 PM

gigantic crocodile tears & much respect

gah... i loved that man.

Ustwo · 08-07-2005, 10:42 PM

A lesson to all...

Stop smoking if you are.

ChrisJericho · 08-07-2005, 11:39 PM

He was my favorite network news reporter. It's too bad smoking cut his life short.

ShaniFaye · 08-08-2005, 03:55 AM

I loved this man....I grew up with him, I even idolized him when I was in high school and entertaining the thoughts of journalism as a career....its a sad time.

guthmund · 08-08-2005, 05:05 AM

Of the 'big three' newsanchors, Peter Jennings was my favorite.

He just seemed so good natured...

He will be missed.

God of Thunder · 08-08-2005, 05:22 AM

He seemed to me, to be one of the last great un-biased news anchors. He had a way of communicating the story without getting involved in it, yet he did. He brought passion and concern to the story, when needed, but yet still conveyed the bottom line of the story.

During any major crisis in my lifetime from the Challenger to Reagan's assassination attempt, to 9/11, the first and only person I wanted to hear from was Peter Jennings.

He just seemed to radiate respect without ever showing cockiness. His shoes will be very hard to fill.

R.I.P.

tecoyah · 08-08-2005, 05:45 AM

No One can fill this mans shoes.....we lost something irreplacable .....

anleja · 08-08-2005, 07:40 AM

I know he had cancer, but still, this was unexpected. I liked him. He was certainly a man with integrity.

TexanAvenger · 08-08-2005, 07:45 AM

He, and his voice, are so synonymous with the news that I expect to hear him reading the headline...

Rest well Mr. Jennings.

maleficent · 08-08-2005, 07:53 AM

Late last night, CNN ran his 'death tape' and they had all sorts of interviews with colleagues of his... the best phrase that was used about him was that he had sand in his shoes from all the coverage in the middle east that he did.

One of the things that was unexpected to learn about him was that he never graduated from college, but always travelled with a suitcase full of books because he valued learning and never stopped learning.

There was an amusing snippet from one of the conventions, where he was interviewing Henry Kissinger, and introduced him as someone in Reagan's cabinet, then an amused Kissinger corrected him, and there was another gaffe or two that he did on air... It humanized him... that he wasn't reading the news from cue cards... and after that oops, it was said that he made a point to educate himself on the American political process.

Rest in peace, Peter... you've earned the break...

Blonddie · 08-08-2005, 08:25 AM

I am so sad. He was my favorite broadcaster, something about him was so believable and soothing.

MikeyChalupa · 08-08-2005, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent

One of the things that was unexpected to learn about him was that he never graduated from college, but always travelled with a suitcase full of books because he valued learning and never stopped learning...

Never mind college, he dropped out of high school. One of the few examples of a truly self-made man. He was my favorite of the big 3 also, by far. He truly seemed the most unbiased and human. Though most of my news comes from the internet nowadays, when I did watch the news, it was ABC.

Sad to see him go.

-Mikey

Grasshopper Green · 08-08-2005, 12:00 PM

He was always my favorite of the top three as well, and the only one I'd watch my nightly news from. I remember watching him all day on 9/11, and while he was still the professional newscaster, every once in awhile you could see snippets of his true thoughts and feelings. He will be missed.

james t kirk · 08-08-2005, 07:48 PM

He died way before his time.

Tobacco claims another victim. Jennings' death reminds me of my own father who smoked for 40 plus years and then quit cold turkey one day. 12 years later, my father, like Jennings was diagnosed with lung cancer and lasted about 6 months.

It's a terrible and terrifying way to die. Watching all the news takes me right back and I know all too well what lung cancer means and how totally preventable it is.

MikeSty · 08-08-2005, 09:45 PM

Damn, I didn't even find out until this monday morning. I was sad as hell. It's a huge loss man, Jennings was so cool. He broadcasted for sixty straight hours just after the 9/11 crisis - the entire time staying cool, calm, and collective.

The guy was a freaking rock. When he made his last broadcast, it was clear he was in terrible shape, but if you just kinda closed your eyes and listened only to the words and not his distorted voice, you'd hear the same man you heard for the last several decades.

I keep seeing blurbs here and there on the internet (just saw one on my homepage), so I was curious to see what the TFP'ers had to say about it, so sorry if I'm late. I just wanted to get some of me feelings 'bout the late Peter Jennings out.

I think I'd like to add him to my list of "People I wish i could meet"

I also wish my parents (mom, stepfather, father) would quit smoking too. A few years ago my grandmother died of cancer from smoking, but they just don't learn

HoneyPot · 08-08-2005, 09:50 PM

All I have to say is, how sad. I hate cancer. My mom had cancer. Though not the same kind of cancer, it still hits home. I grew up watching that guy. May he fly with the angels from above....

08-07-2005, 08:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Fremen With a mustache, the cool factor would be too much Location: left side of my couch, East Texas	That's terrible news. He was one of the few journalists who had my utmost respect. Rest in peace, Mr Jennings. __________________ Google

08-07-2005, 08:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
sbscout Disorganized Location: back home again...	may he rest peacefully... __________________ Always question authority... it'll keep the bastards on their toes!

08-07-2005, 09:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
mystmarimatt Omnipotent Ruler Of The Tiny Universe In My Mind Location: Oreegawn	This deeply, deeply saddens me. I can't really say anything on his journalism work with any expertise, but I do know that he was a newscaster I grew up with, and I had a deep respect for him and trust in him. He just seemed like an honest, nice person of integrity and grace. I'll miss him. __________________ Words of Wisdom: If you could really get to know someone and know that they weren't lying to you, then you would know the world was real. Because you could agree on things, you could compare notes. That must be why people get married or make Art. So they'll be able to really know something and not go insane. Last edited by mystmarimatt; 08-07-2005 at 09:13 PM..

08-07-2005, 09:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sage hoarding all the big girl panties since 2005 Location: North side	I'll ditto what everyone said. I used to watch him when I was like, oh, around the age my parents let me watch the news, and he always seemed to have a sense of humor about things... I even saw him make a joke one time when he messed up on air. I wish I could go to the funeral... to pay my respects. __________________ Sage knows our mythic history, King Arthur's and Sir Caradoc's She answers hard acrostics, has a pretty taste for paradox She quotes in elegiacs all the crimes of Heliogabalus In conics she can floor peculiarities parabolous -C'hi

08-07-2005, 09:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
ironman Smithers, release the hounds Location: Guatemala, Guatemala	He's voice will be forever burned in our minds... __________________ If I agreed with you we´d both be wrong

08-07-2005, 09:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
Bacchanal Laid back Location: Jayhawkland	I can't say anything that hasn't already been said. I grew up with him also... May he rest in peace.

08-07-2005, 10:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
bernadette ::::::::::::::::::::::::: :. Location: this ain't kansas, toto	gigantic crocodile tears & much respect gah... i loved that man. __________________ .:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:. Last edited by bernadette; 08-07-2005 at 10:24 PM..

08-07-2005, 10:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ustwo Pissing in the cornflakes	A lesson to all... Stop smoking if you are. __________________ Agents of the enemies who hold office in our own government, who attempt to eliminate our "freedoms" and our "right to know" are posting among us, I fear.....on this very forum. - host Obama - Know a Man by the friends he keeps.

08-07-2005, 11:39 PM	#10 (permalink)
ChrisJericho eat more fruit Location: Seattle	He was my favorite network news reporter. It's too bad smoking cut his life short. __________________ "A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows us that faith proves nothing." - Friedrich Nietzsche

08-08-2005, 03:55 AM	#11 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	I loved this man....I grew up with him, I even idolized him when I was in high school and entertaining the thoughts of journalism as a career....its a sad time. __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

08-08-2005, 05:05 AM	#12 (permalink)
guthmund big damn hero	Of the 'big three' newsanchors, Peter Jennings was my favorite. He just seemed so good natured... He will be missed. __________________ No signature. None. Seriously.

08-08-2005, 05:22 AM	#13 (permalink)
God of Thunder Talk nerdy to me Location: Flint, MI	He seemed to me, to be one of the last great un-biased news anchors. He had a way of communicating the story without getting involved in it, yet he did. He brought passion and concern to the story, when needed, but yet still conveyed the bottom line of the story. During any major crisis in my lifetime from the Challenger to Reagan's assassination attempt, to 9/11, the first and only person I wanted to hear from was Peter Jennings. He just seemed to radiate respect without ever showing cockiness. His shoes will be very hard to fill. R.I.P. __________________ I reject your reality, and substitute my own -- Adam Savage

08-08-2005, 05:45 AM	#14 (permalink)
tecoyah Illusionary	No One can fill this mans shoes.....we lost something irreplacable ..... __________________ Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. - Buddha

08-08-2005, 07:40 AM	#15 (permalink)
anleja disconnected Location: ignoreland	I know he had cancer, but still, this was unexpected. I liked him. He was certainly a man with integrity.

08-08-2005, 07:45 AM	#16 (permalink)
TexanAvenger Born-Again New Guy Location: Unfound.	He, and his voice, are so synonymous with the news that I expect to hear him reading the headline... Rest well Mr. Jennings.

08-08-2005, 07:53 AM	#17 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	Late last night, CNN ran his 'death tape' and they had all sorts of interviews with colleagues of his... the best phrase that was used about him was that he had sand in his shoes from all the coverage in the middle east that he did. One of the things that was unexpected to learn about him was that he never graduated from college, but always travelled with a suitcase full of books because he valued learning and never stopped learning. There was an amusing snippet from one of the conventions, where he was interviewing Henry Kissinger, and introduced him as someone in Reagan's cabinet, then an amused Kissinger corrected him, and there was another gaffe or two that he did on air... It humanized him... that he wasn't reading the news from cue cards... and after that oops, it was said that he made a point to educate himself on the American political process. Rest in peace, Peter... you've earned the break... __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

08-08-2005, 08:25 AM	#18 (permalink)
Blonddie Crazy Location: Southern California	I am so sad. He was my favorite broadcaster, something about him was so believable and soothing. __________________ "There's one in every family...two in mine actually.."--- Zazu

08-08-2005, 12:00 PM	#20 (permalink)
Grasshopper Green ...is a comical chap Location: Where morons reign supreme	He was always my favorite of the top three as well, and the only one I'd watch my nightly news from. I remember watching him all day on 9/11, and while he was still the professional newscaster, every once in awhile you could see snippets of his true thoughts and feelings. He will be missed. __________________ "They say that patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings; steal a little and they throw you in jail, steal a lot and they make you king" Formerly Medusa

08-08-2005, 07:48 PM	#21 (permalink)
james t kirk Junkie Location: Toronto	He died way before his time. Tobacco claims another victim. Jennings' death reminds me of my own father who smoked for 40 plus years and then quit cold turkey one day. 12 years later, my father, like Jennings was diagnosed with lung cancer and lasted about 6 months. It's a terrible and terrifying way to die. Watching all the news takes me right back and I know all too well what lung cancer means and how totally preventable it is.

08-08-2005, 09:45 PM	#22 (permalink)
MikeSty The Computer Kid :D Location: 127.0.0.1	Damn, I didn't even find out until this monday morning. I was sad as hell. It's a huge loss man, Jennings was so cool. He broadcasted for sixty straight hours just after the 9/11 crisis - the entire time staying cool, calm, and collective. The guy was a freaking rock. When he made his last broadcast, it was clear he was in terrible shape, but if you just kinda closed your eyes and listened only to the words and not his distorted voice, you'd hear the same man you heard for the last several decades. I keep seeing blurbs here and there on the internet (just saw one on my homepage), so I was curious to see what the TFP'ers had to say about it, so sorry if I'm late. I just wanted to get some of me feelings 'bout the late Peter Jennings out. I think I'd like to add him to my list of "People I wish i could meet" I also wish my parents (mom, stepfather, father) would quit smoking too. A few years ago my grandmother died of cancer from smoking, but they just don't learn

08-08-2005, 09:50 PM	#23 (permalink)
HoneyPot Crazy Location: Nunya	All I have to say is, how sad. I hate cancer. My mom had cancer. Though not the same kind of cancer, it still hits home. I grew up watching that guy. May he fly with the angels from above.... __________________ Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder.