who was respected, admired, enjoyed, and just plain
liked by conservative Republicans and other righties.
A longtime journalist, columnist, commentator, and
campaign advisor to several Democrats who sought
the presidency, Shields, who passed away on June 18
at 85, was a partisan but not a hard-bitten one, having
many friends on the opposite side of the fence.
A most unique and distinctive political voice, never
again to be heard across the field of political activity.
Shields had a sense of humor that had a sting to it, though.
An example: When televangelist Jim Bakker, husband of
Tammy Faye Bakker, she of the mask of mascara and lots
of other makeup, was sentenced to prison, the judge gave the
corrupt preacher a choice: either 40 years, or 20 years with
conjugal visits. I laughed out loud at that one myself
when I came across the joke in one of the tributes to Shields
I read over the last few weeks. His own political ideology
was not spared his sharp wit: Two liberals come across
a man lying in a ditch, bloody and unable to get up
after being savagely beaten and left for dead. One liberal
turns to the other and says, "Quick, we have to find
the people who did this. They need help!"
Shields was also an old-time pro-life Democrat on the issue
of abortion. Partisan, yes. Rigedly so, hardly. People loved
him, and he loved people. He also loved America. God rest
you, sir. You were a member of a noble but dying breed.
A charming Irish catholic, New Dealer, JFK and RFK
aficionado, and someone who always played fair in a
field of endeavor where not everyone does (especially those
on Shields' side of the political divide), you were magnificent.
Requiescat in pace.
MEM
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