The newsman bravely bucked the establishment with his 1968 stand about the senselessness of the Vietnam war. He made it plain that U.S. generals and politicos were pulling a fast one on America. The war was not winnable. Or as Cronkite put it: "For it seems now more certain than ever that the bloody experience of Vietnam is to end in a stalemate."
His simple words exposed the folly of the U.S. build-up in Vietnam and ultimately set the stage for "Vietnamization" of the conflict. Cronkite's "truth to power" honesty saved thousands of American lives. NASA also is in debt to Cronkite. USA Today credits Cronkite today for telling "the story of space" to a generation of Americans. "I'm speechless," said Cronkite 40 years ago today with the Apollo 11 landing on the moon. That led Vice President Spiro Agnew to later retort: "If Cronkite doesn't know what to say, don't expect me to do any better."
Cronkite's death clearly shows the divide between young and old[er] Americans. There will never be another "voice of God" like Cronkite's. The massive splintering of the media makes that certain. Who would care if Katie Couric tonight loses faith in Afghanistan?
While watching Cronkite tribute coverage over the weekend with my 14-year-old daughter, Emma said: "He must have been pretty important." She made that remark while listening to her iPhone, checking out Facebook and taking a peek now and then at the tube. Depending on a TV broadcaster to find out "the way it is" isn't in her future. Emma's information world is always on. There is no need for Uncle Walter to give her the scoop on what is and what is not important.
Cronkite's own experience during the past few years illustrated the demise of old media's clout. As a syndicated columnist, Cronkite opposed the invasion of Iraq and likened U.S. occupation there to the mess in Vietnam. Walter was rudely dismissed by some Bush Administration II backers as a cranky old kook.
The reality: Cronkite's warning was barely heard. His a single voice was lost in the cacophony of the Internet.