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Quote of the Day: Charles Krauthammer
There is a black-and-white photograph of us, two boys alone. He’s maybe 11, I’m 7. We’re sitting on a jetty, whose jutting piles of rock that little beach towns throw down at half-mile intervals to hold back the sea. In the photo, nothing but sand, sea and sky, the pure elements of our summers together. We are both thin as rails, tanned to blackness and dressed in our summer finest: bathing suits and buzz cuts. Marcel’s left arm is draped around my neck with that effortless natural easefulness — and touch of protectiveness — that only older brothers know.
Whenever I look at that picture, I know what we were thinking at the moment it was taken: it will forever be thus. Ever brothers. Ever young. Ever summer.
My brother Marcel died on Tuesday, January 17 [2006]. It was winter. He was 59.
— Charles Krauthammer, Things That Matter: Three Decades of Passions, Pastimes and Politics
Charles Krauthammer is still recovering from his surgery performed last August. I miss him. His writing, his dry sense of humor, his brilliance and his absence from a regular appearance on Fox News Special Report has created a hole in their commentary. I decided I wanted a quote that would remind us of a side of him that isn’t often seen.
In this essay, Krauthammer reminds us of those days when life was filled with carefree summers, sweet relationships, simple times and sometimes tragic losses. In spite of a diving accident that left him paralyzed, his life has been a testament to resilience and fortitude, as he changed careers from psychiatry to commentary. And we have all been blessed with his insights and conservative views. We can also send our prayers to a man who was also a brother once, is a husband and father, and a man who knows how to find his way through loss and heartache.
I hope we will see him back, and soon.
Published in Culture
Anyone have the inside skinny on his surgery and recovery?
Nice tribute to Charles, Susan. I could not imagine living my life as he has had to, since his accident. What grit and can do spirit. Much to respect in that man.
I no longer trust his political judgement though. He is a creature of the establishment class. I will never trust that class again.
He’s coming along. Bret Baer posted a statement from Charles–I’ll try to find the link–saying how much he appreciates the support of fans, and he’s definitely planning to return to Fox. No one seems to know when, however.
That’s too bad, Kevin. To write off a person completely, when he has thoughtful and insightful commentary, is a loss, I think. I haven’t written off anyone unless he or she harangues against Trump constantly; there are too many bright people who simply don’t agree with us across the board. And I often agree with their points of view, depending on the situation.
Maybe it was during my political imprinting period, but I’ve never gotten past Krauthammer’s vicious condescending harangues against Ronald Reagan. They were unfair and relentless.
That said, his personal courage and daily bravery are commendable.
I didn’t say I don’t listen to them. Yes, they have insightful things to say. I just don’t trust them.
I wasn’t following politics back then, but I can understand your feelings. Thanks for commenting @quakevoter.
Got it. Thanks for pointing out my error.
I miss him too – and thank you for this post. It is good, very good, to remember the people among us who exhibit true courage, true wisdom – and do it quietly and gracefully – like Charles Krauthammer.
Here is the Charles Krauthammer’s latest message, which Bret Baer shared:
“Things are progressing steadily slower than I would like, but steadily,” Krauthammer message said. “Still I wish I could give you — and myself — a better idea of when this marathon ends. I am sure it is strange for your viewers that a regular panelist should disappear for months without warning and without any real explanation. After my surgery, there were serious complications that took several months to stabilize,” the message continued. “My improvement has finally allowed me to concentrate on intensive rehabilitation to recover my strength and stamina. This too is progressing well but as usual is intense and slow. Nonetheless, I am determined to make it back. I’ve got to — I can’t let you guys have all the fun.”
I have to admit that this is mostly my issue. People change and change in a more conservative direction in Washington takes guts, which Krauthammer has in abundance. It’s just a bad taste in my mouth. Of course, if he weren’t so brilliant and clear in his liberal phase, I’d scarcely remember, right? Glad he’s on our side now.
Susan, I’m awfully glad you posted this. Krauthammer has always been one of my favorite commentators. For the longest time, I didn’t know he was paralyzed. I could tell that something was wrong, but I didn’t know what.
Unfortunately, I didn’t miss him because I didn’t know he was gone. I’ve turned off national news lately because it’s been either annoying or distressing. I like stories about crime, spies in London, big truck accidents, the Portland Rose Festival princesses—but not stories about Mueller (who seems to have something to do with something), what some Democratic senator has said about Trump, and the doings of the Secretary of State. The stuff bores me. I keep thinking that I ought to look into this Russian involvement in our elections, but when I start reading about it my eyes start to glaze over. The cast of characters is just too long, and the stories have too many twists. I just can’t do it. You have to be very mature and civic-minded to keep abreast of all that.
Good for you, QV. Those kinds of things are hard to acknowledge. It would be interesting to know if Charles has any regrets about things he said back then.
I’m not sure that’s how I would describe those of us who keep track of much of it, @kentforrester. Obsessed might be a better term. Bret Baer is the only show I watch regularly, and mainly for the panel. Most of the rest of it is a big yawner, although now and then when my husband plays with the remote (which is often), I’ll catch someone on Fox on another show that I want to see.
I’ve heard of Krauthammer. Does that count for anything?
Seriously?! Have you been living in a cave, @thereticulator? Just kidding. He also has a syndicated column when he’s well. I hope you have the pleasure of hearing him talk sometime. He is brilliant and funny, and his colleagues admire him a lot.
Yes, I live in a cave. I don’t watch television. I may have read a column or two of his when somebody linked to it, but it must not have made a big impression on me one way or another. I just don’t get into news media personalities and pundits that much. There used to be some interesting ones around, but not since James Taranto was kicked upstairs have there been any that capture my attention as must-reads.
I forgot that. Yes, you are wise to skip the boob tube and pursue your lovely bicycle trips. Well, if you ever come across him in some other venue, I’d check him out.
For those of you who might not have viewed Charles Krauthammer, here is a very good youtube video. It must have been one of his last public appearances, since his pre-planned surgery was in August.
Beautiful Susan. Beautiful.
Thank you. I miss him so much.
You put perfectly those qualities that I miss so much.
His book – “Things That Matter” is on a shelf nearby.
Thanks, SQ! I want to *be* Dr. K. when I grow up…I’m praying like mad for his ongoing recovery and return to us…I had to explain his quadriplegia to some family members who were put off by his “rigid, static” appearance on screen. :-)
Like Kent Forrester, I didn’t know he was paralyzed for quite a while, but wondered about his posture. But we’ll have to fight for the right to become him when we grow up, @nandapanjandrum. Or maybe we can be twins!
I cut the cable cord several years ago when I realized I was only watching Fox News, then only watching Special Report, and then only watching the panel. Krauthammer was always a bonus. Thanks for posting this reminder.
One tiny quibble – he is still a brother.
I miss him too, Susan. I watch Special Report every night, and it is not the same without him.
Thank you so much for writing this engaging piece. I wish there were more Charles Krauthammer’s around, to remind us how beautiful the world can be, and of the Things that (really do) matter.
I’d cut him a lot of slack too. I really don’t know what he said back then, but I think he’d take it back now. Like many of us, Charles was a liberal many, many years ago. But as we grow and (hopefully) mature, many of us see the error in our youthful ways. Right now, I only yield to the late Mrs. Reagan in my admiration for the late great Dutch Reagan!
He was a liberal then and tells the story in his book from which the quote was taken. There are vestiges but the man is an inspiration and he’s brilliant. Brilliant doesn’t mean always right but truth is important to him.. That’s all I ask in this age of run away nihilism.
The Hammer is almost always on target, and very thoughtful. An excellent writer. He has my condolences.
If I may inject a moment of levity:
With a name like Dr. Krauthammer, he sounds like he should be serving alongside in Captain America fighting the Nazis.
I didn’t know you were still around?!?!
Let’s leave class warfare to the left.
Yes, please/thank you…We don’t wear it well.