“Hobbies”

A conservative radio journalist whom I have long admired has passed away, Gentle Reader.

Paul Harvey Aurandt passed away on February 28th.

Before you think to scold me, please let me remind you that Paul’s career spanned six decades, and although he has made a few foot-in-mouth faux pas during that time, he’s made far fewer than most.

Considering today’s journalistic standards, that’s an incredible track record - we’re now counting gaffs per show, not gaffs per career.

While many may perceive Paul’s commentary as right wing, it truly wasn’t.

He was a very conservative man who spoke his opinion - on every show, twice daily - but never tried to peddle it as fact or as news, the way far too many conservatives and liberals do now in a mode-O-day way.

Like another of my favorite, dearly-departed conservatives, Barry Goldwater, Paul Harvey was a capable man who enjoyed doing things for himself. Barry’s hobby was building HeathKit electronic equipment, while Paul’s was building and flying radio-controlled model airplanes.

Model airplanes and electronic equipment are both complex assemblies with hundreds (sometimes thousands) of parts, each of which must be properly put in its correct place for the end result to function as it should.

Such a hobby speaks volumes about the aficianado who enjoys it. Required are patience, diligence, intelligence, an ability to clearly understand things written and drawn by others, and an analytic mind to troubleshoot problems when things don’t work as expected. Not to mention the willingness to make the committment to undertake a complex project.

These are some of the traits shared by many other successful, highly respected people as well - more than a few of whom we have come to consider powerful, effective leaders.

So the next time some joe or jane on the radio or television - liberal or conservative - starts lipping off entertain yourself a bit, play a quick round of “guess the hobby,” and then go Googling to see if you were right…

As you were so fond of saying, Paul, “Good day!”

~ pagemonkey