Rescue Me

Last week we marked the passing of Cokie Roberts, one of the "founding mothers" of National Public Radio.  Cokie was a living metaphor for honesty and integrity in political journalism and it's no wonder the tributes have been pouring in all week.  Of course this is all set in vivid relief by the current state of affairs and the relationship of the current occupant of the White House with the press corps.  In many ways we seem to be marking the passing of civility along with integrity.
Cokie Roberts interpreted the the news in a way that was free of bias and represented the product of hard work, good contacts, and a lifelong commitment to accuracy.  No wonder so many followed her stories and came to depend on her for their political news.

At the risk of being called a name dropper, I have a story to tell  the day I crossed paths with Cokie and her well-known news partner Linda Wertheimer.
A colleague of mine once served as the Director of the National Council for the Social Studies.  When their national conference was held in San Francisco some years ago, my friend was in charge of the whole shebang.  I volunteered to assist.  He promised to get back to me.  A few days before the event was to start he called.  "I've got the best job reserved for you," he said.  "Only thing is, you might have to share it with someone."
"No problem," I said.  "What do you want me to do?"
The task in question was to ride in a limo t the SF airport to meet the Keynote speakers for the conference and accompany them back to the hotel which was the conference site.  Easy enough, I thought.  Who are the speakers?
"Cokie Roberts and Linda Wertheimer from NPR."
No wonder this was such a coveted job.
On the appointed day, I met my fellow council member and together we found the limo driver and headed to the airport.  We knew who we were looking for, but when they emerged from the skyway they were almost unrecognizable because of the Levis and cowboy boots they wore.
After we settled in the limo and began to work our way to the conference site, Cokie took out a newspaper and ever the news reporter, asked, So what's new in San Francisco?"
Glancing at the front page of the Chronicle she had on her lap I related the story that seemed to capture the attention of everyone that morning.  And, a bizarre story it was.  A very San Francisco story.
It seems that in one of the topless clubs on Broadway in North Beach there had been a rescue.  Apparently a couple did an act on top of a piano that rose up and down during their performance.  Unfortunately, the piano got stuck and one of the occupant/"dancers"  was pinned against the ceiling.  The SF Fire Department came to the rescue and freed the couple much t the delight of the patrons and the club owner.  The SF Chronicle writers had a good time with the story, and it made the front page of the Chronicle that day.  I'd heard a description on the morning news so was able to explain the strange occurrence a bit more in detail.  Cokie and Linda enjoyed a good laugh and threw out a clever line or two that now escape me.  All nervousness vanished for everybody.
As promised, I met them at their room and escorted them to their speaking engagement. By that time they'd changed into professional clothing and looked smashing.  They enjoyed a standing ovation and were on a plane back to Washington DC before sundown. 
I was able t exchange business cards with Cokie who seemed genuinely interested in my budding radio career producing documentaries.  I don't think I've ridden in a limo since that day.