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9GK5JX U cool ))

9GK5JX U cool ))

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Bradlee, shut up and enjoy it......BK

Why is this piece designated as part of a "conversation on religion"? What's good luck and good genes got to do with that deeply suspect area of human endeavor?

Though arguably violative of a subcommandment (Thou shalt not rub thy good fortune in others' faces), it at least avoids attributing the writer's good fortune to God. At least he has that much taste.

I note that very few writings about horrendous evil acts (Iraq, the conquest of America by the Europeans) or natural disasters are employed by faith-mongers as proof of God's goodness. So give Ben a break, he's not thanking God, and he hasn't signed on to your agenda, at least not in this piece.

bwaio hjkm ysqzio pyajtu omxhuzi jrmql gycwxuob

Apparently, you are quite modest (I, I, I).

What an ego and a constitution to go with it.

I'm surprised to run into this post here, since I wrote Mr. Bradlee after reading the first part of his book by the Mississippi River a few years back.

I told him I almost threw it into the river, since my life had taken a different turn at that point, when Jayson Blair made up stuff in the New York Times and such.

To his credit he called me back despite the comment, although he never called me back like he said he would when I moved to D.C. in 2004 and applied at the Post.

Oh, well. Not sure what this has to do with faith. It seems even in America, being born well is what matters, not hard work, intelligence, education and perserverance.

But I must say blogging is freedom itself - and fun...

GW
LocustFork.Net

PS: Mr. Bradlee - Give me a call again sometime, when the Post is ready to engage once again in some real investigative journalism in the American South. I've got many stories stored up just waiting for the right timing to break them...

Live it up Ben. Congrats on a good life and no reason to feel embarrassed. Hope you make a 100. Please give yer wayward stepson booby a wooden spanking with a piece of that brush you've been clearing.

Dear Mr Bradlee

Behind every successful woman is a man who is embarrassed at how satisfied he is at age 85! How edifying it is when a man can be satisfied to the extent of feeling embarrassed about his satisfication at age 85. I imagined they (unless very deeply religious) would live in yearning for eternal youth or pining about its loss and trying to recreate it in the most grotesque ways - dreaming of serial polygamy (if they are unable to practise it!) and seventy two permanently virginal "houris" after death etc. And yet you are satisfied with one magnificant woman! If only every man would feel and behave that way from a young age!

As for satisfaction, after all men could have all that you have and still be unhappy because of insatiable greed and unquenchable ambition. So thank you for being an example to men and showing them how to be satisfied to the point of being embarrassed at an age when most men would be embarrassed about their age rather than their satisfaction.

But how could one be embarrassed with satisfaction when one has nothing one has dreamed of? How could one even say "yes" to such a situation? That is what I'm struggling with as a nearly forty eight year old woman, whose dreams lie shattered at her doorstep. I wish I could find my way to do the things I feel I was called to do, and at age 85 could feel embarrassed about feeling satisfied.

Thank you for your contribution to all that is good in this world and for being the man behind Ms Sally Quinn who is doing an incredible service to peace and understanding in the world as co-moderator on The Post On Faith forum.

Soja John Thaikattil
Sydney, Australia

I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Bradlee's autobiography and what I learned there still helps me interpret world events, today. I look forward to reading any future books, he cares to write.

the way he breezily dismisses the loss of his
friends doesn't jive too well with what most
people consider a "friend".

THE GUY WAS BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN
HIS MOUTH...JUDGING FROM THE ENTRY IN
WIKIPEDIA. SOCIALLY PROMINENT, BLA BLA BLA.

THERE IS LITTLE IN THE WAY OF INTROSPECTION,
REFLECTION OR INTERNAL PROCESSING IN HIS MUSINGS, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE HE IS A QUINTESSENTIAL
"ACTION GUY" IN THE AMERICAN MOLD.

IT'S MORE OF A RESUME THAN ANYTHING ELSE,
IN MY VIEW

I blame your lack of oversight for your current horrendous editorial staff and dirth of investigative reporting. If the Post were a sitcom it would be pulled from the lineup four years ago.

Ah, did any body ever tell Ya, that your a Paone'es in the Arture?

The comments here only reinforce the thought that people in our country have confused to right to freedom of speech with their belief that the Constitution was written to allow them to spew bitter bile.

Regardless of political stance, everyone should recognize that Mr. Bradley has, indeed, lived a charmed life and his meditation on that fact is not meant to be offensive, but is that of a man who recognizes his luck. Remember,also, luck is also something of his own invention, through hard work. I feel only contempt for some of the comments on this page, perhaps chemicals or anger management classes might mitigate your problems. Likely not.

He is beatiful. I do not understand how you allow publication of some of the stupid and crude comments made by anonyomous persons about him. There is something wrong with this system of "talkback."

Ya Ya Mons!

Ben Bradlee is merely expressing gratitude for his life. Good for him. The guy has good karma. He is reaping what he hath sowed.

"Sad and strange he never mentions God nor religion. After he's gone, what's left? Will he carry his satisfaction with him?"

It's not strange at all. Perhaps Bradlee doesn't believe in God or religion.

The sweetest peace an octogenarian can have is contentment in the belief that there is no afterlife, that he will "live on" in the memory of others, and not to be worried about it.

I don't know if his accurately represents Mr. Bradlee's opinion. Perhaps he just chose not to bring up the subject. Would you critics be casting more stones if his essay contained a self-serving statement that he's sure he will go to heaven?

There is a residual stock of people who have never forgiven the Washington Post for its coverage of Watergate. They are pretty much the same people who think the United States could have prevailed in Vietnam if it weren't for all of those liberal, defeatist journalists.

We have heard from some of them in response to Mr. Bradlee's essay. They are spending their golden years in bitterness, and they just can't stand it that Ben is happy.

Sad and strange he never mentions God nor religion. After he's gone, what's left? Will he carry his satisfaction with him? Does he never worry about all that suffer grievously in this world? Reminds me of that "What me worry?" character.

Bradley's discussion was appropriate in every way. He worked hard, he was true to his beliefs, and he has been rewarded with a sense of fulfillment. There was nothing smug or self-congratulatory in his piece. To me he sounded appreciative of his good fortune.
What's disappointing is the generally low level of so many of the responses to his piece by people who lack Bradley's commitment and dedication to standing for something and working to achieve it.
We need more Ben Bradleys and fewer sour, griping weak people who lack the vision and willingness to work toward a goal.

Clearly what we have here is a division of the house; people who think that the writeup is just fine; people who think it is a bit too self cogratulatory, or too smug, or too superficial; and people who are not serious enough to count in the discussion.

I wonder if Ben Bradley has any second thoughts about the way he expressed his glowing contentment.

As a youngster of 83, I'm glad to hear that you're so satisfied with your life. You should be. I wrote about it recently on my blog:
http://ajliebling.blogspot.com/2007/05/from-watergate-to-obama.html

...or rather, appearing to flaunt his Wonderful Life. I don't actually think that was his intention. The great editor could have used a great editor on this one.

Back in the 'seventies Ben Bradlee and Bob Woodward were heroes. Now they are an embarrassment, not just to themselves.

There's no reason anyone should be embarrassed to be satisfied with his/her life. But I think many people would have been embarrassed to write about it quite this way.

There's a fine line between appreciating what one has and flaunting it, and I was surprised Mr. Bradlee, a seasoned writer, crossed the line so blatantly.

But then again, he has never cared too much about what other people think of him. Which may be a big reason behind his life satisfaction.

Hello Ben,

It's good to see that you are content with your situation overall, both the good and the perhaps not so good (which you chose not to harp on). Often you hear of people who have a lot of success in life (both professionally and with their families) and still feel unfullfilled.

For those of us who are fortunate enough to have sufficient financial resources that we can actually have spare time to ponder and do things we choose (vs. the below poverty line people), the key to happiness seems to be the same - namely an attitude of accepting everything that happens, i.e. the results maybe what we wanted or maybe not, recognizing that either outcome is truly out of our hands in many ways! This attitude certainly removes the associated guilt or the pride, associated with the outcome - hence a more content way of living your daily life.

The motto to happiness can be summed up simply, do what you like, do it well, enjoy the experience but do not depend on the outcome always being in your favor - accept it either way and keep on trucking!

BR - Pradeep

Hello Ben,

It's good to see that you are content with your situation overall, both the good and the perhaps not so good (which you chose not to harp on). Often you hear of people who have a lot of success in life (both professionally and with their families) and still feel unfullfilled.

For those of us who are fortunate enough to have sufficient financial resources that we can actually have spare time to ponder and do things we choose (vs. the below poverty line people), the key to happiness seems to be the same - namely an attitude of accepting everything that happens, i.e. the results maybe what we wanted or maybe not, recognizing that either outcome is truly out of our hands in many ways! This attitude certainly removes the associated guilt or the pride associated with the outcome - hence a more content way of living your daily life.

The motto to happiness can be summed up simply, do what you like, do it well, enjoy the experience but do not depend on the outcome always being in your favor - accept it either way and keep on trucking!

BR - Pradeep

DRM,

That wasn't even remotely humorous.

I can dig it, Uncle Ben. I was fortunate in that I felt exactly the same way on a bright Spring day in May in 1971. The world was my oyster!

Unfortunately, I was wrong.

Good luck anyway.

Come on people give the man a break...He was ask to comment on a question and at 85 years old, he is just being honest about how he feels.

At his age, he really has enough senoirity to say what he wants - at least concerning his own life...

Dear Mr. Bradlee:

I've been an admirer since Watergate, although you don't look much like Jason Robards! If I get there, I will be 80 in November, so reading your response to a perfectly good question gave me much enjoyment. I think that it's wonderful how you are enjoying life and feeling fit and well.

Some of these comments sound like they're written by people who are jealous, envious and don't understand that you are old enough to look back on a satisfactory life and relax as much as possible.

It's true that we are badly in need of some wise men to climb out of the woods and start yelling about the things that are going wrong with this country. Obviously, none of these writers would fill that job.

Continue to enjoy yourself, Ben Bradlee, you did your part and you deserve it.

Phyllis

"Do not call any man happy before you've seen how he died," said Solon of Athens in 500 BC.

So, we can say so far so good for Mr. Bradley, but there is always life's contingency, which requires a prayer for the morrow and a thanks for yesterday to maintain the proper perspective.

Mr. Bradlee,

I'm glad to know you're still alive and well. (I didn't realize you still are).

I read your book when it first came out and it meant a lot to me. I was just starting out in journalism and my dad, a contemporary of yours who has since passed on, gave it to me.

You're blog entry does sound a bit self-congratulatory but screw it. It HAS been a good life and you can be happy and proud. At the same time, perhaps if you follow it up you can voice just how lucky you were to have such a good life when, as other readers point out, so many people have not.

This is a bad time in our nation's and the world's history and much if not everything is at stake. Between the poisonous state of America (thanks to the bimbo in the Oval Office and Evil Uncle Cheney), global warming, chaos and genocide, it's clearly not a good life for everyone.

Mr. Bradlee,

I'm glad to know you're still alive and well. (I didn't realize you still are).

I read your book when it first came out and it meant a lot to me. I was just starting out in journalism and my dad, a contemporary of yours who has since passed on, gave it to me.

You're blog entry does sound a bit self-congratulatory but screw it. It HAS been a good life and you can be happy and proud. At the same time, perhaps if you follow it up you can voice just how lucky you were to have such a good life when, as other readers point out, so many people have not.

This is a bad time in our nation's and the world's history and much if not everything is at stake. Between the poisonous state of America (thanks to the bimbo in the Oval Office and Evil Uncle Cheney), global warming, chaos and genocide, it's clearly not a good life for everyone.

I'm both happy for him and jealous of him at the same time! Say what you want about the man he worked hard to achieve the happiness he now enjoys.

Thanks for the inspiring comments, Mr. Bradlee. You have a lot to be proud of and yes, satisfied with. I was stunned by these negative comments above. Anonymous in particular, you need to do us all a favor and get back on the prozac FAST. Mr. Bradlee is asked to talk about his life and there's a problem with him talking in the first person? Would third person have been better? These comments struck me as almost comically sour. Mr. Bradlee has done some very important, interesting, public-spirited things in his life, and he has raised happy and healthy children. Is he not allowed to be happy about that? Should he feel ashamed? Guilty? Dissatisfied? Anonymous, how would you have him feel? Anyway, way to go, Mr. Bradlee, you are an inspiration and I have enjoyed the W.Post for almost 40 years, ever since I started reading the "Nats Averages" during the time of the Senators. Adam

Yes, Mr. Bradlee is fortunate indeed and he realizes it so. That being said, Mr. Bradlee has also had opportunities that 95% of us will never have. Opportunities such as affording top-notch health care at any time & place he chooses, and owning fabulous houses, apparently not just one, while many of us work very hard to barely hold on to only one. And of course a bank account that I know I would probably have to work 10 lifetimes to match. And he also has the perfect family and friends.
I found his short blurb a bit insulting with a touch of arrogance. If he's so "embarrassed" then why expound on how great his life is when there are so many who are just as grateful but with much, much less. Plus, having the opportunity to offer his "embarrassment" on a forum/blog that belongs to his wife of many years who is a spectacular person, and a great partner, is a bit much. I wish I was that fortunate.
Gosh, does Mr. Bradlee struggle with ANYTHING?
I would have been much more interested in reading the thoughts of someone who's been through some hardship in life on why they enjoy it and what they are grateful for, rather than Mr. Bradlee who has had, by his own account, a yellow brick road to follow during a good portion of his 85 years.
Perhaps it was a slow day for Ms Quinn who needed a quick item to fill her blog.

Thanks for the inspiring comments, Mr. Bradlee. You have a lot to be proud of and yes, satisfied with. I was stunned by these negative comments above. Anonymous in particular, you need to do us all a favor and get back on the prozac FAST. Mr. Bradlee is asked to talk about his life and there's a problem with him talking in the first person? Would third person have been better? These comments struck me as almost comically sour. Mr. Bradlee has done some very important, interesting, public-spirited things in his life, and he has raised happy and healthy children. Is he not allowed to be happy about that? Should he feel ashamed? Guilty? Dissatisfied? Anonymous, how would you have him feel? Anyway, way to go, Mr. Bradlee, you are an inspiration and I have enjoyed the W.Post for almost 40 years, ever since I started reading the "Nats Averages" during the time of the Senators. Go Hondo! Adam

What a horribly written piece - are 5th graders its target audience? The thing about dementia is that people who are striken don't realize they have it...

My goodness people.... A life of such accomplishment, lived to 85 years and still going strong is worthy of some pride, and no small amount of adulation. Mr. Bradlee's is obviously a life well-lived and a model for those of you who are apparently bitter or have no such accomplishments to speak of.

Bravo Mr. Bradlee! I look forward to looking back on my 85th birthday, 50 years hence, and hope I can be as proud and happy with my life as you.

Thour Shalt Not Covet thy Neighbor's Wife (Sally Quinn)

Why does God give us a commandment that he knows we can't keep?

Hard for most of us not to covet Mr Bradlee's good fortune.

And since there is no God, we must attribute it to a combination of luck and talent.

Mr Bradlee has a revernece for the facts. He IS happy to have so many comfortable houses.

So why not say what happened?

I have always admired Ben Bradley for his contributions to this country through his leadership of the WP. I stll do, but a little less. The assessment of his life is a bit thin -- no clouds in the horizon, no regrets from the past, no hints of apprehension for anything. I guess, I expected him to be a little wiser, more profound, more reserved. Can one be entirely satisfied now, knowing the horror of Darfur, the butchering in Iraq, the slow death of the planet and the hate growing by the day between radical Islamists and Westerners among other evils?

It would have been uplifting, if there was at least, an iota of attribution of his good fortune to God and to others, but men who do great things are not always as deep as we want them to be. I don't know why, but his words remind me of the words of the rich man in the parable of Luke 19, who said, "Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry." And, we all know what was God's response to such self satisfied and self congratulatory declaration. Even so, have a good life in the rest of your retirement, Mr. Bradley.

I think what Mr. Bradlee is saying is that he is lucky. He's gotten lots of what's good in life. I haven't heard any rumors to suggest that he stole it.

Would the critics here feel better if he'd written more about what he'd done for others? (I suspect it's a lot, both in his professional career and in his personal life.) I'll bet those who have chastised him for being self-satisfied would then be criticizing for bragging about his good deeds.

What is the purpose for this self-congratulatory 'guest' commentary? None that I can find -- except self-congratulations.

Both you and your wife should write a book and call it "Oh Come Let Us Adore Me"

Best of luck, Mr. Bradley.

You helmed WaPo at a time of great importance to the welfare of the country, and nationwide we all benefited by your leadership.

One can only suppose that part of your happiness these days comes from avoiding the WaPo editorial page and the schizophrenia one must inure under the current direction of warlord Fred Hiatt.

All of those accomplishments seem to stem from Mr. Bradlee doing things he believed in. His and Mr. Schieffer's responses are actually the truest, most honest answers to a thought provoking question.

I think any head scratching from the commenters may stem from from the fact that the Guest Voices happen to be very known and well-to-do media celebrities. It may be hard not to comment "of course you're satisfied".

To the editors: It would be extremely interesting to hear from everyday folks who, I'm sure, lead very accomplished and satisfying lives as well.

I don't like Bradlee's newspaper, I think it went from middle of the road to left to far left since he left except for the business pages, where it is far right.

However, the guy did his own thing. Who knows how many people he had to run over to do his own thing and frankly he probably doesn't care and the downtrodden don't care either.

Each of us no matter how big or small has some stuff in our lives that we are satisfied with. We gave it our best, or at least gave it a good try before we stopped. Bradlee is proud of his paper -- I can't stand it. But he gave it his best shot and he can live with it. I can respect that.

Relax folks. The man is happy as he should be. Remember that happiness is a choice.

My apologies for not spelling your name correctly! :0)

How wonderful to be at that point in your life and be able to say...."I'm satisified." I hope on my 85th birthday...I can say the same...Bravo Mr. Bradley!!

How could someone read your comments and judge them to be "external?" And for the portion of your achievements that has to do with professional achievements, what, please, it the matter with that? Well, if somebody has achieved less and is envious, you offer a large and visible target for sniping.

Stay well and continue to prosper, Ben.

Get a life people, Mr. Bradlee was asked to ponder for the column how satisfied he is, and he did. Comparing your dissatisfaction to his satisfaction misses the point, try something productive. I for one envy his satisfaction, but it doesn't make me angry, it makes me happy for him and his family.

Geez.

So your life is so perfect you're embarrassed to mention it?

Please, just shut up already.

I, too, am embarrassed by Mr. Bradlee's satisfaction.

I must say, Mr. Bradlee apoplogized in the very first sentence by saying he's sometimes "emabarrassed" to feel good. Isn't that enough Christian guilt for you all? Yeah, BB didn't save the world, but I think he's earned the right to be happy. And it will take a lot more than him or me or the WP to save us from the Zionist menace.

Its not where one is. Its where one is heading. In other words its the graph's SLOPE.
Also, I've noted that the truly satisfied rarely toot their own horn.
Anyway, have a good one.

I agree with Anonymous and Denizen. See my comments about worldly "success" in Randall Balmer's thread. Professor Balmer also seems to base his "satisfaction" and happiness on worldly accomplishments.

Trumpeting one's affluence and comfort in a religious forum is unseemly.

Anonymous, above at 11:32 had much the same reaction as mine. Is SUCH SHINING self satisfaction to be admired? Though I will say the Washington Post, when you were in charge, was not the neocon flacker it's become.
You left much undone, tough, mostly concerning your fawning coverage of corrupt Israel.

every other sentence starts with the
pronoun "I"....and the emphasis is on
external, professional achievements.