Barbara Walters: A Life Well Lived and Dynamic

    To better frame the life and impact of Barbara Walters, I think it is important to recognize the role that journalism plays in all of our lives. Journalism and the press is huge in any free society; it is vital to hold all of us accountable for what we know, how we act, how we call out our leaders and social norms, how we morally, economically, intellectually, organize ourselves. The press is the fourth branch of our respective governments, at all levels. Local communities and their reporters and observers, states, regions, federal levels. Papers, radio, television, Internet and social media. We absolutely need free speech and good reporting, free thought and critical thinking. We have to have the freedom to share information and opinions, facts and alleged facts, accusations and moral indignations.

    All of it. Debate, controversy, allegations, assumptions, opinion editorials, all kinds of data. We need good journalists, of all backgrounds.

    Barbara Walters was an outstanding journalist. She fought to be where she made it in broadcast journalism, especially through television. We all knew her, respected her. She was a part of our great project of freedom and thought.

    I would like to share more about her influence and groundbreaking presence as a woman in the press and the public sphere of the United States (and the world, for what it is worth).

    Suffice it to say: Barbara Walters has been grand, important, and really, really, good!

    Bravo, Barbara! Life excellently lived.

    We celebrate all that you have done for us. You were a part of my life, and so many others.

So long and thanks for living so long! Love you. I think I really do.  I love almost everything that you were about. Quite a legacy.

Gilda Radner: Your Barbara Wawa was hilarious. Because the original subject was so classy, cool, and collected.