Bill Moyers Journal: Bill Moyers' Ridenhour Courage Prize Acceptance Speech

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Bill Moyers' Ridenhour Courage Prize Acceptance Speech

(Photo by Robin Holland)

On April 3rd, 2008, Bill Moyers accepted the Ridenhour Courage Prize from the Nation Insitute and the Fertel Foundation.

To read the speech Bill Moyers delivered at the event, click here.

Tag(s): journalism
Posted by Bill Moyers Journal on April 7, 2008 2:42 PM | Permalink

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Mr. Moyers, you are my hero. I really enjoy and appreciate your show, and also appreciate being able to catch up watching on your website if I should miss a show. I recommend your text archives to my brother who doesn't watch video clips online. I was struck by the article, below, and couldn't find a way to comment, or even write to the author, though I did learn he is listed by AP as being "news staff" in Topeka. So I found a place on your blog I thought it fit. at the end of this blog post, please find a link I think you and other readers and writers here will appreciate. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080426/ap_on_re_us/army_atheist_speaks;_ylt=ApgWs4RU6TtHmVs_7h7TZu9H2ocA Fort Riley atheist soldier speaks out on lawsuit This AP piece by John Milburn deserves a mention of Pat Tillman. In the article Mikey Weinstein is quoted as saying the average American doesn't have the guts to ask a yakker in the movie theater to quit yakking. I say the average AP journalist doesn't have enough cojones to write about Pat Tillman, atheist sports celebrity possibly fragged by his own men in Iraq, leading to a major cover-up scandal by the military. When a professed...

Posted by: AJJax | April 26, 2008 9:54 AM

The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah was told to "seek the welfare of the city" (29:7). In the ancient Greek language, this could also be translated as "seek the peace of the earth." Tonight I heard Jeremiah Wright speak the Truth as much as some people do not want to hear it. I can certainly heard how he has sought the welfare of his environment in this time and place. Another Greek word for city is "polis" from which we get the word politician. The ancient Christians were instructed to seek the welfare of the city. Politicians and pastors are not mutually exclusive when they seek the welfare of the city and the peace of the world. Thank you, Mr. Moyers, for giving Jeremiah Wright an opportunity to be heard as a prophet of today.

Posted by: Brent | April 25, 2008 11:35 PM

The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah was told to "seek the welfare of the city" (29:7). The Hebrew work translated as "city" is certainly accurage. In the ancient Greek language, this could also be translated as "seek the peace of the earth." Tonight I heard Jeremiah Wright speak the Truth as much as some people do not want to hear it. I can see how he has sought to answer this call in his context. Another Greek word for city is "polis" from which we get the word politician. Politicians and pastors are not mutually exclusive when they seek the welfare of the city and the peace of the world.

Posted by: Brent | April 25, 2008 11:28 PM

Congradulations Mr. Bill Your pursuit of all the wrong doing within our society and government should be hailed as a total wakeup call to ALL. The Journal is ultimately the most informative venue throughout. PBS should be honored to have such a great journalist as yourself. Thank you so much. Wally

Posted by: Walter S. Fritsch Jr. | April 13, 2008 10:44 AM

Mr. Moyers I saw your show on hunger last night. Thank you. Scary truthful information is difficult to watch but absolutely necessary. I really appreciated the power and compassion in the voice of the minister at the end of the show who works to feed people, inspiring. While it's planting time I encourage you to have a show on what is happening in local food. There is a lot happening in Kansas City and I believe also across the country. These is much urban and suburban land that will grow food and has access to water. I wondered how many of those people at the food pantries that were shown also had a garden. We have a Harvesters program that encourages gardeners to grow food for the hungry. Kansas City Community Gardens http://www.kccg.org offers low cost seeds and tilling to low income people. The Growing Growers http://www.kccua.org program is encouraging local people to become growers on urban land. The Food Circlehttp://www.kcfoodcircle.org is connecting local food producers with local consumers through subscription services and local market promotion. I have created a no-till organic garden at Niles Home for Children as a way to keep and increase carbon in the soil, feeding...

Posted by: Marty Kraft | April 12, 2008 9:26 AM

I was reading this document and later I see your program on hunger. http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL33222_20080102.pdf I wonder how many of us know where our tax money is spent instead of helping our own citizens in need. thank you for your outstanding program.

Posted by: anon | April 12, 2008 8:44 AM

Mr. Moyers, I've been amazed at your curiosity and intelligence for many, many years. You have investigated the best of humanity and have warned about the worst. May your voice be an inspiration to new generations...reaching out to the curious (but so uninformed) youngsters of our country.

Posted by: Mary Crane (middle school teacher) | April 11, 2008 5:49 PM

Congratulation Bill Moyer; like my dad used to always remind me when I was discouraged. "Any dead fish can swim down stream but it takes a live fish to swim upstream". Courage is one of the four cardinal virtues. If our country could adhere to the four cardinal virtues Wisdom, Justice, Temperage and Courage what a better world it would be. I wish you the best. David Eddy

Posted by: David Eddy | April 11, 2008 11:49 AM

Way to Go Mr. Moyers, Imagine that we live in a society where it takes courage to simply tell the truth. WOW! = MJA

Posted by: Michael J Ahles | April 10, 2008 11:29 AM

Bill, Congratulations, I really enjoyed your acceptance speech, but there is a very disturbing error in the transcription at "The Nation Institute" web-site. You lauded the courage of some of the current crop of war reporters, and compared their bravery to that of Ernie Pyle - but the transcription reads - "Ernie Powell"... I've written them in hopes of getting the error corrected, thought I might try here as well... Thanks, Bill Orr

Posted by: Bill Orr | April 9, 2008 9:47 AM

Congrats to my favorite journalist-this is well deserved!

Posted by: Deb | April 8, 2008 6:35 AM

You do have courage, like the cowardly lion: It surfaces when needed. Enjoy your medal. I pick at you but I understand there are practical limits. Unregulated derivatives, impending famine and false flag attacks are, after all, lethal sidewinders and not chicken snakes. Save your bullets for a clear shot. Our beloved and irreplaceable Bill Moyers has now been a hostage for 66 days.

Posted by: Grady Lee Howard | April 7, 2008 9:20 PM

Congratulations, Bill! You are a most worthy recipient.

Posted by: canucklehead | April 7, 2008 8:14 PM

Congratulations, Bill!! You are a most worthy recipient of this prestigious award.

Posted by: canucklehead | April 7, 2008 8:12 PM

Dear Bill, Congrats on the award and a great speech. Thank you also for your journal every week. It certainly makes a difference in my life. Warmest regards, pat

Posted by: Patrick T. Cahalan | April 7, 2008 5:32 PM