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Post by codystarbuck on Feb 20, 2018 15:30:42 GMT -5
On February 19, 1968, Fred Rogers moved into the neighborhood and made it a brighter place. In 1969 he faced a cynical Senator, during testimony before the Subcommittee on Communications, defending $20 million in Federal funding for Public Television and educational programs. In 6 brief minutes, the Senator became his biggest fan. That is, after every child who watched his program. When he was given a lifetime achievement award, he asked all to take 10 seconds of silence, and think of those who had touched their lives and helped them. Take 10 seconds, and remember how Mister Rogers or someone else touched your life and try to do the same for someone else. Mister Rogers will watch the time.  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2018 15:40:05 GMT -5
I watched a lot of Mister Rogers with my Nieces and Nephews during my time of babysitting them on an irregular basis. We all loved that show and sometimes I watch the show myself coming home from work on certain shifts.
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Confessor
CCF Mod Squad
Not Bucky O'Hare!
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Post by Confessor on Feb 20, 2018 23:20:18 GMT -5
Am I the only one who thought this thread was gonna be something about Steve Rogers/Captain America?
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Post by codystarbuck on Feb 21, 2018 1:07:36 GMT -5
Am I the only one who thought this thread was gonna be something about Steve Rogers/Captain America? Well, Steve is older than 50. I think Fred would have considered Steve Rogers to be a good neighbor. Fred Rogers did get to meet The Incredible Hulk... |
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Post by EdoBosnar on Feb 21, 2018 3:49:17 GMT -5
I first saw that Mr. Rogers meets the Hulk episode only a few years ago, and absolutely loved it.
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Confessor
CCF Mod Squad
Not Bucky O'Hare!
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Post by Confessor on Feb 21, 2018 4:58:34 GMT -5
Am I the only one who thought this thread was gonna be something about Steve Rogers/Captain America? Well, Steve is older than 50. Oh yeah, I know, but that's where my mind went. I dunno, it could've been the 50th anniversary of Cap getting his own Silver Age comic or something (was that 1968? My memory's hazy). |
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Post by Prince Hal on Feb 22, 2018 20:54:32 GMT -5
Well, Steve is older than 50. Oh yeah, I know, but that's where my mind went. I dunno, it could've been the 50th anniversary of Cap getting his own Silver Age comic or something (was that 1968? My memory's hazy). Actually, you're spot-on. Captain America 100 came out in January 1968. |
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Post by Phil Maurice on Feb 23, 2018 21:01:49 GMT -5
What a wonderful thread! In my humble estimation, Fred Rogers was one of the most enlightened human beings ever to grace our pale blue dot.
I was listening to the Sirius radio today and a story was told about Mr. Rogers approaching a Black actor with the idea that he play a policeman on the show. It was early in the show's lifespan, late 60s, and the actor was hesitant to play a policeman given the social climate. Rogers assured him it would be fine and with some reservations, he agreed.
The premise of the show was that it was a very hot day in the neighborhood and Mr. Rogers was cooling off by soaking his feet in a small plastic pool when the "policeman" stops by. The pair chat for a bit and then Mr. Rogers invites the policeman to join him, which he does, shedding his shoes and socks and settling in for some blessed relief in the tiny pool.
We talk about the significance of the first inter-racial kiss on Star Trek, but this was something equally as powerful in its ease and simplicity. This banal act of kindness would be seen and absorbed by children both black and white across a nation, almost subliminally. With the dousing of a mere twenty toes, all of our differences fell away.
Their respite over, Mr. Rogers and the policeman exit the pool and, get this, Mr. Rogers dries the policeman's feet with his towel before attending to his own! (I'm not crying; you're crying!)
Thank you, Mister Rogers for demonstrating the highest ideals that humans can achieve, and for liking me just the way I am.
ETA: And here is the citation. It was "Officer Clemmons." I was too young to have seen it. Anybody remember?
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