Today in Washington I was in the room as the greatest living American received a medal. George W. Bush, Nancy Pelosi and others were present. But will you ever hear this event occurred? To judge from tonight's major network evening newscasts, perhaps not. Cameras were allowed at the ceremony but I saw none from the major networks, though the international press was significantly represented. And will you recognize this great man's name when I say it?
Here is the only clip I have found so far from the event, it's from Norman's local Texan news station, KCEN-TV.
Here is another clip I found about Norman Borlaug. It should give you a good idea about what type of work this fella is up to. His Wikipedia page is also a great place to start.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 6)
1. The greatest living American ignored. It is worth while to bring attention to Norman Borlang a biotechnology expert who saved millions of lives across the planet. Norman is an accomplished expert who uses his talent to do good for others. We might also recognize someone who
“Who being the brightness of his glory and the express image of his person and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purges our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”
Jesus who died for our sins and lives with millions of people who have the hope of eternal life.
Alan Klaus at 12:26PM on Jul 18th 2007
2. I did not recognize the name Norman Borlaug, but I appreciate the fact that Jeff Hoard had the courage to inform us of this great American.
Ralph Waldo Emerson defines success...'to leave the world a bit better, by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived...'
In this respect Mr. Borlaug's success story deserves a spot on every newscast in the country.
Devvie at 9:05PM on Sep 7th 2007
3. maybe he's not recognized because his great contributions were to famine relief in Mexico, India, and Pakistan, not here.
Caterina Pryde at 2:08PM on Jul 18th 2007
4.
I did see a mention of this on one of the nightly newscasts, but it was quite brief. I knew enough of the name to connect him with the "Green Revolution".
Debpa P. at 2:12PM on Jul 18th 2007
5. Good job Jeff--Norman Borlaug is said to have saved over 1 billion people through the development of high yield crops and disease resistant wheat; the liberal media doesn't want to discuss it because genetically-modified farming is not politically correct. Borlaug cares more about saving lives than being politically correct: God bless him for it.
Ben at 2:45PM on Jul 18th 2007
6. THE EVENT OF HONORING THE GREAT AMERICAN, NORMAN BORLAUG, HAS NO SENSATIONALISM, THUS THE MEDIA IGNORES OR ALMOST IGNORES IT. THEY ARE LOOKING AND WAITING FOR PARIS HILTON AND THE LIKE.
PT TEITEL at 3:12PM on Jul 18th 2007
7. We have a local gentleman from the Philadelphia area, Hal Taussig. He owns UNtours, owns 1 suit, cares for his wife of 61 years and gives away every penny of his millions.
Try google or wikipedia. Interesting fellow.
rhodalee at 3:24PM on Jul 18th 2007
8. In response to Ben (5):
"the liberal media doesn't want to discuss it because genetically-modified farming is not politically correct."
Right, that totally biased, corrupt and conspiratorial Liberal Media!
I'm so glad I heard an (almost) entire hour interview with him recently on NPR! It was great to hear him in his own words...unlike what you'd certainly hear via those Liberal Media.
CHEERS to Bourlag!
Liz at 3:32PM on Jul 18th 2007
9. Yo Jeff,
If you start writing about people like Norman Borlang, soon you'll be asking the question "filler up with high test or regular?"
What did Dan Rather say about CBS and Katie Couric...the news was tarted up and dumbed down...
Well,the "dumbed down" part is understandable. Network news anchors; their production staffs and the major print media most likely have never heard of Borlang and may believe biotechnology is most likely a food additive rednecks put on their hot dogs at a NASCAR event.
Yep, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Anna Nicole Smith, Cuba's world class health care system... world news tarted up and dumbed down for us.
Willet at 3:34PM on Jul 18th 2007
10. Het RhodaLee!
I KNOW Hal personally. Traveled with him and worked for his organization.
He's an amazing example of selflessness and humility. He's helped a lot of people start small businesses both in impoverished areas of the world and here at home in the US.
(BTW, I live in Philadelphia, too.)
Liz at 3:36PM on Jul 18th 2007
11. Look up the World Food prize. It has honored Norman Borlaug for several years by honoring others who have done great work
Dale Cremers at 4:47PM on Jul 18th 2007
12. Effing cry about it dude. I read it in the LA Times this morning. No, I haven't heard of Norman Borlaug, and I'm not likely to remember his name tommorrow, but I hate you whining--"arm chair" liberals, they were called in the day when you read a newspaper in an armchair. Since you fools abandoned the written word I guess you'd have to be called "rolling desk chair" liberals--or do you even have the balls to own that title, liberal?
Greatest American Living? Effing Wah Wah Wah. I'll not deny that a scientist could be the greatest american living, but a great man takes part in what is going on around him. Albert Einstein was the greatest American living, after Franklin Roosevelt died, Martin Luther King Jr. was the greatest American living, and I'll even allow as how Reagan was the greatest in his time, under the heading "TERRIBLE, but great!" If you want a hero, grab John McCain or Al Gore, men who STAND BY THEIR PRINCIPLES, don't crown an ass and call him emperor (or a sheep, because I do admire Borlaug). Take a stand for something. Anything, and at least I'll respect you (reference Reagan, McCain).
Oh, and I just saw your rediculous lead at the top of the page. Maybe if you stopped thinking history began in 1997 or whenever you might not make such rediculously declarative statements. Maybe you'd get a job working for a real news service.
George at 8:10PM on Jul 18th 2007
13. Good job Jeff! And I'd always thought you were just a pretty face! And since I think you're as dumb as a box of rocks- yes, I am being facetious!
Nothing like a pedantic rant about an obscure story you saw on CNN at 2AM while you were knitting doilies with the lint from your navel!
Go get your GED, go to "J-School", lose the ballcap, shave your nappy face, stop embarrassing yourself!
It is more honorable to be a good pizza boy than to be a really inept blogger!
Mike at 5:09PM on Jul 18th 2007
14. For a breif moment Jeff I got excited. I thought, "Finally after all these years of being swatted, the Bush Fly has been found." Imagine my heartbreak when you were talking about some scientist. How would you like to have my resume. Led the drive to impeach President Clinton. Al Gore's secret Internet advisor. Poet/Activist who sent Elian home and "The Bush Fly." I thought the Democratic Karl Rove was about to get paid! For now, I'll keep screaming and dreaming like a troll.
Cecil Jones at 5:13PM on Jul 18th 2007
15. Jeff Hoard’s Education
Fanshawe College
2000 — 2002
This may seem like a modest education, but it's actually 2 years more than Martin Sheen (President Josiah Bartlet on WestWing), Charlie Sheen, Rosie O'Donnell, Sheryl Crow (1square), Barbra Streisand, Alec Baldwin, Rob Reiner, Janeane Garofalo, Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Ed Asner,George Clooney...
Mike at 5:28PM on Jul 18th 2007