Daniel Elsberg on Howard Zinn

[BrklynLiberal]

Daniel Ellsberg for Truthdig on why Howard Zinn was one of his heroes: "A Memory of Howard."for Newsweek

A Memory of Howard
By Daniel Ellsberg

I just learned that my friend Howard Zinn died today. Earlier this morning, I was being interviewed by the Boston Phoenix, in connection with the February release of a documentary in which he is featured prominently. The interviewer asked me who my own heroes were, and I had no hesitation in answering, first, “Howard Zinn.”

Just weeks ago, after watching the film, I woke up thinking that I had never told him how much he meant to me. For once in my life, I acted on that thought in a timely way. I sent him an e-mail in which I said, among other things, what I had often told others: that he was, “in my opinion, the best human being I’ve ever known. The best example of what a human can be, and can do with their life.”

Our first meeting was at Faneuil Hall in Boston in early 1971, where we both spoke against the indictments of Eqbal Ahmad and Phil Berrigan for “conspiring to kidnap Henry Kissinger.” We marched with the rest of the crowd to make citizens’ arrests at the Boston office of the FBI. Later that spring, we went with our affinity group (including Noam Chomsky, Cindy Fredericks, Marilyn Young, Mark Ptashne, Zelda Gamson, Fred Branfman and Mitch Goodman), to the May Day actions blocking traffic in Washington (“If they won’t stop the war, we’ll stop the government”). Howard tells that story in the film, and I tell it at greater length in my memoir, “Secrets: A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers.” But for reasons of space, I had to cut out the next section in which Howard—who had been arrested in D.C. after most of the rest of us had gone elsewhere—came back to Boston for a rally and a blockade of the Federal Building. I’ve never published that story, so here it is, an outtake from my manuscript:

<snip>

to read the rest of this heartfelt tribute you have to go to:
http://readersupportednews.org/off-site-opinion-section/123-human-rights/855-a-memory-of-howard

[asdjrocky]

1. My hero too.

And I don't use the word lightly.

Howard Zinn was a giant.

[BrklynLiberal]

2. Elsberg's words....they gave me goosebumps....

“in my opinion, the best human being I’ve ever known. The best example of what a human can be, and can do with their life.”

[asdjrocky]

4. And by the way, this is priceless.

Thanks for bringing a great Howard story from yet another icon for peace.

[malaise]

3. Truly beautiful

:cry:

[G_j]

5. if I had a flag, it would be at half mast.

[Binka]

8. Me Too

I am sitting in my office silently weeping. :cry:

[jonnyblitz]

6. I am curious about the documentary mentioned in the first

paragraph that is to be released in february.

[asdjrocky]

9. I'm with you on that.

Would love some more information.

[jonnyblitz]

13. if i ever read or hear more about it i will let you know via PM,.

I will be "on it" you can be sure. I just re-watched the one about Howard last night. it's a must see if you haven't seen it already.

here's some info. I apologize ahead of time if you already are aware of it:

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/2178/Howard+Zinn+You+Can+t+Remain+Neutral+On+A+Moving+Train

[asdjrocky]

16. Thanks!

Always in my cue on Netflix. There's the only known footage of the scene of the Ludlow Massacre in that movie.

Needless to say, I'll be watching it again soon.

[asdjrocky]

7. For those of you like me,

who often don't read the whole story at the link, don't make that mistake this time.

The story is worth it and can inform us all on what courage means.

[BrklynLiberal]

11. I second that emotion.

I was just reading some words of Noam Chomsky in praise of Zinn. They were close friends.

I am totally wordless at the thought of the two of them sitting down together and having a conversation.
I would think there would have to be incredible light and electricity around them. It would be more than
the meeting of two mere mortals.

Reminds me of that JFK quote..

"I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered together at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."

* Address at a White House dinner honoring Nobel Prize winners (29 April 1962), quoted in The White House Diary, at the JFK Library

[G_j]

12. +1000

definitely a must read!

[jonnyblitz]

15. Ellsbergs book which part of this is excerpted from is a good

read as well. The documentary of Howard I watched last night had the Boston Common speech where he called out the undercover police in the audience.

[Echo In Light]

10. K&R

[leftstreet]

14. Well worth reading

Thanks for posting that

[earthboundmisfit]

17. K&R

Fine journey to you, Howard Zinn - and THANK YOU.

[Martin Eden]

18. Thanks for posting that n/t

[BrklynLiberal]

19. a little kick for those who may have missed it.