Mr. Rogers goes to Washington

An old mentor of mine and I used to take turns assigning all the trouble in society to singular causes and, although we knew full well the real reasons were manifold, our futile, reductionist stabs usually led to engaging discussions.

While I bemoaned egalitarianism gone too far, the old professor kvetched about individualism taken to the extreme. As he saw things, Americans were becoming too selfish--they were losing an important sense of civic duty and concern for others and the greater good.

The following video of Mr. Rogers pleading his case at a 1969 Senate hearing leaves me recalling the claims of my wise friend now long gone. Sadly, it seems people like Rogers are getting rarer.




YouTube caption: " In 1969, the US Senate had a hearing on funding the proposed Corporation for Public Broadcasting, but President Nixon wanted it cut in half for the Vietnam War. Sometimes nice guys do win some."