Brokaw's gone; Rather's on the way out; Get ready for DJ Ben Steele (DJ Superman)

This article below was written by a friend. It is about my son (Ben) when he was selected as a Disc Jockey in High School. The DJ positon and studio was housed in the J. Everett Light Career Center, the vocational arm of North Central High School (Indianapolis) where my son graduated (North Central).  The career center is located on the campus of North Central.

I found this article recently in my electronic files and wanted to post it to my blog.

Ben's on-air name as a high school disc jockey was "DJ Superman" chosen from (Superman - Man of Steel). Ben graduated from North Central High School in 2006 and went on to graduate from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business.

Newpaper Article:

Ben Steele, the 16 year old son of my friends David and Lynne Steele has been selected to be the DJ for his class at North Centreal High School from 6-9 PM on Saturdays on the 1000 watt radio station, WJEL, which serves Marion Country and the surrounding area. He won the honor for "displaying responsibility" by manning the station alon on Saturdays during that time slot. Any of you might be interest in catching his show can do so by clicking here for an audio stream of the show (during those hours, of course).

The call letters, WJEL, stand for the J. Everett Light Career Center, the vocational arm of North Central High School, and from the station's web site comes this bit of history:

WJEL went on the air on September 3, 1975. Prior to that date, Radio-TV students only pretended to be on the air while working in training studios. The station was first licensed as a 10-watt, Class D FM station, broadcasting in monaural.

By 1981, we raised our power to 125 watts and in 1986, WJEL began broadcasting in stereo. In the early years our students played albums and 45-RPM records from turntables. Later, we advanced to putting on music on tape cartridges.

From 1976 to the early 1980's, we broadcast various instructional programs on science, spelling and history, that were heard in the school district's elementary classrooms. From the beginning, WJEL has featured current music, news and North Central High School varsity sports.

In February of 1996, WJEL increased its power to 1,000 watts becoming the most powerful high school station in the Indianapolis area.

My congratulations to you, Ben. Who knows what these early working experiences might mean for your life? My friend, Al Dale, who grew up in Gainesville, GA, began his working career in a local radio station in his home town at about your age and later went on to become a news broadcaster for ABC News and traveled the world on many assignments before his retirement a few years ago. You've come a long way from the young boy I used to know (since about 1989, but more personally from the year I spent in your town in 1994) who loved playing with Legos and was a dyed-in-the-wool Pacers fan. I hope you enjoy the challenge and opportunity this assignment presents you. I'm confident you'll handle it well.

Caroline Kennedy's Short Run for Office 2008

When Caroline Kennedy announced seeking the senate seat from New York held by Hillary Clinton in 2008, she was less than supported.  I thought mostly for the wrong reasons. I felt this was largely unfair and decided to write an editorial to the New York Times.

New York Times

Here it is below.....

The Peculiar Case of Caroline

As a Midwesterner I have read from afar the many articles appearing in the popular press regarding the interest Ms. Kennedy has expressed in seeking appointment to a US Senate vacancy. Much of the rhetoric is clearly unfair, judgmental and lacks an objective view of her right to express an interest in this position, and then allowing for the state bureaucracy to appoint her or another person of the Governor’s choosing.

On the issue of qualification, have we forgotten the backgrounds of Gov. Schwarzenegger or Gov. Ventura? On the issue of family name, it seems nothing could be more patriotic than another generation continuing the many years of dedicated service this family has provided their country. On the issue of wealth, we should revisit Sen. McCain who had trouble recalling his real estate portfolio. On the issue of visibility, how many of us knew Gov. Palin or any of her accomplishments until she was placed in the national forum.

So the reality of this mean spirited campaign appears to be nothing about Caroline’s qualification, her commitment, her wealth, and her lack of visibility. The data points all suggest it is about something else much more troubling – machine politics.   At a time when Americans have seen some restoration in the America Dream with the rise of President-elect Obama, contrasted at the other end of the spectrum with no shortage of daunting global challenges - this is clearly a time when we need very bright, caring people in our elected positions. We cannot afford to continue allowing the progression and succession of those appointed by party machines and quid pro quo. It is disconcerting that we only look for fault and not for upside in those who want to serve, and certainly do not have to. The prospect of having someone fresh and in touch with the array of challenges we face, should become the norm and not the exception. 

It is a noble thing to serve one’s country in whatever manner we can, whether it is a small county supervisor in a Midwestern town, a private on security detail in Iraq, or occupying a US Senate seat. We should never forget one of the most basic principles our founding fathers designed into the architecture of our democracy, was the opportunity for any citizen to serve in office. It’s time we let Caroline be a citizen and support her right to express her interest in this position. If chosen, I believe the citizens of New York will be served in an extraordinary manner.

David E. Steele

Indianapolis, Indiana  

Presidential Reflection

January 27, 2008

Op-Ed Contributor

A President Like My Father

By CAROLINE KENNEDY

Over the years, I’ve been deeply moved by the people who’ve told me they wished they could feel inspired and hopeful about America the way people did when my father was president. This sense is even more profound today. That is why I am supporting a presidential candidate in the Democratic primaries, Barack Obama.

My reasons are patriotic, political and personal, and the three are intertwined. All my life, people have told me that my father changed their lives, that they got involved in public service or politics because he asked them to. And the generation he inspired has passed that spirit on to its children. I meet young people who were born long after John F. Kennedy was president, yet who ask me how to live out his ideals.

Sometimes it takes a while to recognize that someone has a special ability to get us to believe in ourselves, to tie that belief to our highest ideals and imagine that together we can do great things. In those rare moments, when such a person comes along, we need to put aside our plans and reach for what we know is possible.

We have that kind of opportunity with Senator Obama. It isn’t that the other candidates are not experienced or knowledgeable. But this year, that may not be enough. We need a change in the leadership of this country — just as we did in 1960.

Most of us would prefer to base our voting decision on policy differences. However, the candidates’ goals are similar. They have all laid out detailed plans on everything from strengthening our middle class to investing in early childhood education. So qualities of leadership, character and judgment play a larger role than usual.

Senator Obama has demonstrated these qualities throughout his more than two decades of public service, not just in the United States Senate but in Illinois, where he helped turn around struggling communities, taught constitutional law and was an elected state official for eight years. And Senator Obama is showing the same qualities today. He has built a movement that is changing the face of politics in this country, and he has demonstrated a special gift for inspiring young people — known for a willingness to volunteer, but an aversion to politics — to become engaged in the political process.

I have spent the past five years working in the New York City public schools and have three teenage children of my own. There is a generation coming of age that is hopeful, hard-working, innovative and imaginative. But too many of them are also hopeless, defeated and disengaged. As parents, we have a responsibility to help our children to believe in themselves and in their power to shape their future. Senator Obama is inspiring my children, my parents’ grandchildren, with that sense of possibility.

Senator Obama is running a dignified and honest campaign. He has spoken eloquently about the role of faith in his life, and opened a window into his character in two compelling books. And when it comes to judgment, Barack Obama made the right call on the most important issue of our time by opposing the war in Iraq from the beginning.

I want a president who understands that his responsibility is to articulate a vision and encourage others to achieve it; who holds himself, and those around him, to the highest ethical standards; who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in the American Dream, and those around the world who still believe in the American ideal; and who can lift our spirits, and make us believe again that our country needs every one of us to get involved.

I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president — not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans.

Caroline Kennedy is the author of “A Patriot’s Handbook: Songs, Poems, Stories and Speeches Celebrating the Land We Love.”

Excerpt verbatium from the New York Times, January 27, 2008