Thursday, August 20, 2009
Robert Novak's Enlightened Advice to Students [Candace de Russy]
The fiercely independent Robert Novak, whom I knew personally and greatly admired, passed away this week. He likely broke more top stories throughout his career than any other journalist. But don't expect his memoir,
The Prince of Darkness, to get its due on college campuses anytime soon, as Mal Kline
remarks. For, as Novak commented, “I was too much of a right winger for most of America’s institutions.”
Novak's sage counsel to students, "Always love your country — but never trust your government," has been widely cited following his death. Here (from Kline) is Novak's clarification of that advice:
“That should not be misunderstood,” he explained. “I am not advocating civil disobedience, much less insurrection or rebellion.”
“What I am advocating is to not expect too much from government and be wary of its power, even the power of a democratic government in a free country.” Practicing what he preached, Novak . . . questioned authority no matter which political party was in power, in columns, books, speeches and television appearances.
08/20 11:29 AM
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