The Best of Andy Rooney
The other day, I started making a list of famous people I knew during World War II. I was prompted to do this because of the 67th anniversary of D-Day.
During the war, as a reporter for the
I interviewed Eisenhower at least 25 times in his office at 20 Grosvenor Square in London. Ike liked to talk to me because he knew I had a closer connection and more first-hand knowledge of his soldiers than he did.
I knew Gen. George Patton, too, but I didn't like him. Ike and Patton went to West Point, where they were in the same class. Everyone liked Ike, but few people except, maybe, Ike, liked Patton. George Patton was an arrogant ass. Some people considered him a good general but I never thought so.
I met the great actor Clark Gable in London during the war. Clark was an
The Stars and Stripes offices were in the
Because I covered the Eighth Air Force, every time they went on a raid over Germany I went to an air base to interview the returning fliers -- if they returned. I got to be good friends with reporters from all the London, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas newspapers. It was the experience of a lifetime for a young man who'd just come from editing his college newspaper.
The great Hal Boyle became my friend, as did Dick Tregaskas, Jack Thompson, Charles Collingwood, Bob Considine and Walter Cronkite. They took me in as one of them. The great advantage I had over them was that my stories appeared in the
As a reporter, you can't beat that because you have to be honest and accurate, but you're also appreciated. You know someone is reading what you write. If you were in France during the war and your story appeared in a Chicago newspaper, it could days or weeks before you knew. Every newsman wants to see what he wrote today in the paper tomorrow.
I think journalism is the most interesting and important work there is.
Most people think their business is interesting. My father sold the felts on which paper is run off on wet sheets and he thought this dull process was the most fascinating business in the world. I realized when I got to know this about Dad that everyone thinks whatever they do is interesting. (I think, by the way, that I have the most interesting job in the world doing commentary for "60 Minutes" and writing this column.)
The thing that interests people most about their job is often the money they make doing it. That seems wrong, and I feel sorry for anyone who works for the money alone. The only fun they have is when they get paid. I like the money, but I love my work.
Don't tell my bosses, but I've been working for a long time now and I like it so much that I might even do it for nothing.
The Best of Andy Rooney - Humor & Satire Classics
- There's No Joy in Junking Your Christmas Tree
- Food for Holiday Thoughts
- Warning: Antiques are Addictive
- Make Christmas More Like Christmas
- Christmas: Fugeddaboutit!
- Hard Choices in Store
- Try Some of Andy's Christmas Tidbits
- A Homemade Thanksgiving
- The Junk Building Boom
- Vive La French Food
- Is It Music or Noise?
- Presidential Debates Reveal More About the Candidates and Less
- Forget the Birthday Greetings
- Sort Well-Aged from Old
- Silence is a Wonderful Sound
- Politicians Have It Hard
- Time on My Mind
- Police Report
- We're Doing Too Much Kissing
- Home is Always The Best Place to Be
- The Glories of Maturity
- The White House? No Thank You
- An Appreciative Husband's Gratitude
Humor & Funny Stories - Why I Love My Job | Andy Rooney
Article: Copyright © Tribune Media Services