Japan Art and Munakata Shiko: Son of Aomori (Buddhism and Shinto)

Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

The Japanese artist Munakata Shik (1903-1975) was born in Aomori prefecture. He became known for ssaku hanga (creative prints) and mingei (folk art) art forms.

The British Museum reports, Munakata was born in Aomori in northern Honshu, the sixth of fifteen children of a forger of steel blades. Leaving school at thirteen, he joined the family business, and moved to a lawyers office in the Aomori District Court at seventeen, which gave him time to sketch. In 1921 he first saw reproductions of Van Goghs works, which remained arguably his greatest inspiration throughout his life, and began to teach himself oil-painting.

The prints in this article by Munakata were completed in the late 1930s. Accordingly, the above art piece is an homage to Shaka Nyorai.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art says, Shaka Nyorai, or the historical Buddha Shakyamuni (the sage of the Shakya tribe who attained enlightenment), lived in India from about 563 to 483 B.C.

Munakatas early life witnessed poverty. His father was a blacksmith and brought up 15 children. However, despite Munakata only obtaining a primary elementary school education, he was blessed with great artistic attributes.

The Shingon Buddhist International Institute says, One morning while seated under a large Bodhi Tree, he attained supreme wisdom and understanding and became an awakened being, or Buddha. After his enlightenment experience, he devoted the rest of his life to wandering from place to place, preaching to all who would listen to him. The Buddha died at age eighty.

The Utoh Shinto Shrine was very important to Munakata. This concerns happy memories throughout his childhood when playing in the environs of this Shinto shrine. Also, the wedding ceremony to his beloved was held on the grounds of the Utho Shinto Shrine.

Shintoism was very important to Munakata. Accordingly, despite these images focusing on Buddhism, he vowed to be a successful artist at the Kifune Shinto Shrine.

http://www.shingon.org/deities/jusanbutsu/shaka.html

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Japan Art and Munakata Shiko: Son of Aomori (Buddhism and ... - Modern Tokyo Times

GUWAHATI:

Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu stressed that the Buddhist culture which thrives on the peaceful co-existence of every sentient being should not only be preserved but also propagated.

Speaking at the national conference on the theme of Nalanda Buddhism retracing the source in footsteps of Acharyas: From Nalanda to the Himalayas and beyond at the holy Gorsam Stupa, Khandu said that Arunachal Pradesh has a big chunk of Buddhist population and fortunately they have kept their culture and traditions safe with religious fervour.

The main pillar on which Nalanda Buddhism stands is the principle of reasoning and analysis. This means we can even bring the teachings of Lord Buddha under the ambit of reasoning and analysis. This logic is based on science and perhaps Buddhism is the only religion that gives its followers this liberty, Khandu said.

Welcoming the delegates from all the Himalayan states of the countrys northern border, Khandu reminded them that Arunachal Pradesh is a mix of religious followers.

Arunachal Pradesh is not home only to Buddhism but to several religions including those who follow their own indigenous faith. I believe that every religion and faith should flourish and exist peacefully. I am proud that we Arunachalis are doing just that, he said.

He expressed gratitude to the Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition (IHCNBT) for organizing the national conference at Zemithang in Tawang district, which is one of the holiest places of Buddhism.

Zemithang, as you might all know, is the last Indian border through which His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama entered India in 1959. Therefore, holding this conference here is significant, he said.

Admitting that while Buddhism is expanding globally and witnessing an important resurgence in a few traditional areas, Khandu pushed for the need to make its presence vibrant with roots connected to Nalanda Buddhism.

He insisted upon those attending the conference, especially the youths, to stay put for the three technical sessions as scheduled for the day. He specifically urged all to attend the session on Nalanda Buddhism in 21st century challenges and response, which he said would be of great importance for the young generation of Buddhists.

The one-day conference is being attended by 45 delegates of revered Rinpoches, Geshes, Khenpos and scholars from all the Himalayan states of Himachal Pradesh, Ladhak (union territory) Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir (Paddar-Pangi), Sikkim, North Bengal (Darjeeling, Doors, Jaigaon and Kalimpong), Densa South India Monasteries and 35 delegates from various parts of Arunachal Pradesh like Tuting, Mechuka, Taksing and Anini and others.

In total about 600 delegates are attending the conference.

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Buddhist culture not only to be preserved but also propagated: Khandu - The Meghalayan

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LAYTON The Wat Dhammagunaram Layton Temple is holding a Songkran festival on Saturday and Sunday to mark the Thai and Lao new year.

Activities go from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday with Buddhist merit-making ceremonies set for Sunday starting at 10:30 a.m. The Buddhist temple is located at 644 E. 1000 North in Layton and admission is free.

Songkran is a festival marking the new year and its traditionally celebrated in Thailand. Thai food, a beauty pageant, cultural dances and more will be featured at the Layton event.

The holidays main focus is about moving forward in fact, the word Songkran comes from a phrase in the Sanskrit language that means passage of the sun,' according to National Geographic. Water plays a major role in the festival. Symbolically it washes away the previous year so people can get ready for the next one.

According to Voices of Utah, a University of Utah reporting initiative, most of the founders of Wat Dhammagunaram temple are spouses of U.S. airmen stationed at Hill Air Force Base.

Many immigrants who go to this temple are Thai, although there have been members from Laos and Cambodia as well. Thailand, Laos and Cambodia are all predominantly Theravada Buddhist countries, which is why the Wat Dhammagunaram temple practices Theravada Buddhism, according to Voices of Utah.

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Buddhist temple in Layton hosting Songkran festival | News, Sports ... - Standard-Examiner

In the wake of a knee-jerk wave of social media outrage triggered when video footage filmed in Dharamsala in February showing the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama hugging and kissing a young Indian student began circulating online, Buddhist leaders and Tibetan communities around the world have raised their voices to protest against what they describe as the misrepresentation of an innocent interaction.

The incident, which is reported to have taken place during a public event at the Dalai Lamas temple in Dharamsala on 28 February, in the presence of 120 students, family members, and officials, went viral on social media earlier this month. As the video gained traction across media channels, the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama issued a brief statement on 10 April to apologize for any offense caused and to clarify the innocent intent of the interaction.*

In a separate video interview following the Dalai Lamas public event in February, the Indian student and his mother both expressed happiness over their audience with the Dalai Lama and receiving his blessings. The student who had asked to hug the the 87-year-old spiritual leader observed: It was amazing meeting His Holiness. I think its a really great experience meeting somebody with such high positive energy. Its a really nice feeling meeting him, and you get a lot of that positive energy.

In a public response to the recent social media backlash, Penpa Tsering, the sikyong or head of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), which represents the Tibetan community-in-exile, came out to publicly defend the Dalai Lama, noting that the incident recorded at the public event had merely demonstrated His Holinesss innocent and affectionate nature.

Tsering said in his 13 April message that the Dalai Lama had been unfairly labelled with all kinds of names that really hurt the sentiment of all his followers, and that the 87-year-olds innocent grandfatherly affectionate demeanor had been misinterpreted.

The CTA also issued a written statement, which shared in part:

His Holiness is the epitome of compassion. It is an all too well-known fact that whether you are a youngster, an adult, an elderly person, or whatever your national origin may be, He never belittles whatever questions you put to Him or whatever requests you make to Him. Rather, He makes utmost efforts to satisfy everyone to the best of his ability. On occasions, on an understanding of having developed a fellow feeling, His Holiness interacts in a clearly playful manner with others, such as by pulling their beards or touching His cheek or nose with theirs. And so, His Holiness has adopted numerous different ways to informally interact with people in a wholehearted manner.

Voices of support poured in from across the Buddhist world. The prominent American Buddhist author, educator, and founder of the Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies, B. Alan Wallace, who was ordained as a monk by the Dalai Lama in the 1970s, shared the following public statement on social media:

Dear sangha and friends,

We could not remain silent in the face of the outrageous slander being propagated against His Holiness the Dalai Lama, someone who could not have a more impeccable moral code, ethics, and values. His kindness, care, and love for all of humanity is unsurpassed.

We would like to share some videos that bring to light what actually took place, the cultural context for what happened, as well as the likely reason for this being taken out of context and spread virally in a most despicable manner, especially when journalists are complicit, and dont take the time to report on the facts but prefer to jump on the bandwagon to generate publicity. Lies often generate more viewers than the truth in this time.

It is no coincidence that when this event took place on February 28th, not a word was said about it, there was no outrage, only a joyful young boy who had the courage to ask His Holiness if he could give him a hug. In fact, His Holiness needed his translators to explain to him what the boy was asking.

A month later, after His Holiness announced that an eight-year-old boy had been identified as the reincarnation of the 10th Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa Rinpoche, the spiritual head of the Gelug lineage in Mongolia, the lies and twisted stories began to emerge. Those who are familiar with the policies of the Chinese government, and their desire to control the narrative around Tibetan Buddhism, expected a strong reaction since the CCP will only recognize Buddhist leaders who they approve of, as is the case with the Panchen Lama who has been in custody since 1995, when he had been first recognized at the age of six. China then designated another Panchen Lama with no evidence that this was the actual reincarnation.

These are the facts and the chronology of what has taken place.

Please take the time to watch the videos below to come to your own conclusions, rather than the clickbait stories being circulated in the media and the internet. For those of us who have witnessed His Holiness the Dalai Lama over many years and decades, and have benefited from his wisdom and compassion there is only one perspective, this young boy had the opportunity of a lifetime that most people would rejoice to have.

From all of us at Santa Barbara Institute, this is the only view that is accurate and true.

Meanwhile, the respected American Buddhist academic, author, and founder of Tibet House US in New York City, Prof. Robert A. F. Thurman, also issued a public statement, which was shared on video, in which he described the interaction between the Dalai Lama and the Indian student as a traditional Tibetan expression of affectionnot sexual affection; grandparent to child affection:

As the media frenzy gathered steam, Tibetan communities in India and around the world took to the streets to protest what they describe as a misrepresentation of circumstances and manipulated video footage. Not least of which was the protest conducted in Dharamsala, which is home to the Dalai Lamas official residence and temple.

In the high-altitude region of Ladakh in Indias far north, where a significant portion of the population are Tibetan Buddhists, thousands of people took to the streets of the joint capital cities of Leh and Kargil in solidarity with His Holiness. The protesters, led by the Ladakh Buddhist Association, condemned the recent conspiracies to defame the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and demanded apology from media platforms for their role in defaming the spiritual leader.

Leh and Kargil both observed shutdowns on Monday in protest against the controversial video of the Dalai Lama, describing the Dalai lamas interaction with the Indian student as one of compassionate love and profound kindness toward a devotee.

In the US, Tibetan communities in several states held their own public demonstrations of loyalty. The Tibetan Association of Northern California led a march that culminated with a peace rally in San Francisco.

Meanwhile, in London, British Tibetans appealed to the BBCs news service to provide genuine coverage of the Dalai Lama. Community leaders gathered outside the BBC headquarters, where they read out a joint letter over the British broadcasters coverage of the news, as well as a recent statement issued by Tibetan leaders and activists from around the world. The joint letter stated in part:

As a world-class public-funded media broadcasting house, we were deeply dismayed that the BBC would give so much heed to a few seconds of ill-intentioned doctored viral footage. . . .

We are writing to draw your kind attention that the Tibetan Community has been deeply hurt by the BBCs recent coverage vis-a-vis His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his genuine compassionate greeting and interaction with an Indian student.

We would have expected that in being a respected world class media house, the BBC would have proactively engaged in ensuring a credible, clear-sighted, and serious investigative journalistic piece, rather than running the story in the same manner of a sensationalist wildfire, as the rest of the tabloid media did. . . .

As followers of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, we firmly believe in our spiritual leader and nobody can create the division they desired and hoped for. The truth will come out in due course. We condemn the perpetrators for their malicious act against our spiritual guru. (ANI)

* Dalai Lama Apologizes for Inappropriate Conduct with Young Boy (BDG)

Statement (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)It was amazing meeting His Holiness: The boy who asked a hug from The Dalai Lama (YouTube)Tibetan Parliament Issues Statement in Response to Misinterpreted Video of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Central Tibetan Administration)Dalai Lama unfairly labelled over tongue video Tibet govt-in-exile (Reuters)Dalai Lama unfairly labelled over tongue video: Tibet leader (Al Jazeera)Dalai Lama defended over tongue-sucking remark (BBC News)Tibetans urge BBC to provide genuine coverage on the Dalai Lama, hold protest outside Chinese embassy (ANI)Dalai Lama row: Thousands in Ladakh come out in support with the spiritual leader, condemn conspiracies to defame him (The Times of India)Leh, Kargil Hold Massive Protests Against Bid To Defame Dalai Lama (NDTV)Bid to defame Dalai Lama: Protests, shutdown in Leh, Kargil (rediff NEWS)HH Dalai Lama Archetype of Radical Innocence with Robert Thurman (Robert A. F. Thurman Facebook)

Dalai Lama Recognizes US-Born Boy as Highest Ranking Lama in MongoliaDalai Lama Expresses Sadness Over Loss of Life in Trkiye and Syria, Pledges Support for Rescue EffortNew Year Long-Life Prayers for the Dalai Lama Held in Bodh GayaJapanese Buddhist Conference Speaks Out on the Dalai Lamas SuccessionDalai Lama Lays Foundation for Dalai Lama Centre for Tibetan and Indian Ancient Wisdom in Bodh GayaDalai Lama Returns to Bodh Gaya for the First Time in Three Years

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Buddhist Leaders and Communities Around the World Protest ... - Buddhistdoor Global

Namo Buddhaya!

Members of the Union Cabinet present in the program Shri Kiren Rijiju ji, G. Kishan Reddy ji, Arjun Ram Meghwal ji, Meenakshi Lekhi ji, Secretary General of the International Buddhist Confederation, all the respected monks who came from India and abroad, other Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen!

All of you have come from different parts of the world to attend the inaugural Global Buddhist Summit. The tradition of this land of Buddha is- Atithi Devo Bhava! That is, guests are like gods to us. But, when so many personalities, who have lived through Lord Buddhas ideals, are in front of us, we feel the presence of Buddha around us. Buddha is beyond the individual, it is a perception. Buddha is a thought that transcends the individual. Buddha is a thought that transcends form and Buddha is a consciousness beyond manifestation. This Buddha consciousness is eternal, ceaseless. This thought is eternal. This realization is distinctive.

This is the reason why today people from so many different countries and from so many different geographical and cultural environments are present here. This is the expansion of Lord Buddha, which binds the entire humanity in a single thread. We can imagine this power of crores of followers of Buddha in different countries of the world that when they take a resolution together, how limitless their energy becomes.

When so many people work together with one idea for a better future for the world, the future is bound to be monumental. And therefore, I believe the first Global Buddhist Summit will create an effective platform for the efforts of all our countries in this direction. I heartily congratulate the Ministry of Culture of India and the International Buddhist Confederation for organizing this event.

Friends,

There is another reason for my intimate attachment to this summit. Vadnagar in Gujarat, where I was born, has a deep association with Buddhism. Many archaeological evidences related to Buddhism have been found in Vadnagar. Once, Buddhist traveller Hiuen Tsang also visited Vadnagar. And all the things have been put up in the exhibition in detail. And see the coincidence! I was born in Vadnagar and I am the MP from Kashi, and Sarnath is also situated there.

Friends,

The Global Buddhist Summit is being hosted at a time when India has completed 75 years of its independence and is celebrating the Amrit Mahotsav of its independence. India also has huge goals for its future as well as new resolutions for global welfare in this Amrit Kaal. Today, India has taken new initiatives on several issues in the world. And our biggest inspiration behind those initiatives is Lord Buddha.

Friends,

You are all familiar that the path of Buddha is Pariyatti, Patipatti and Pativedha. That is, Theory, Practice and Realization. India is moving fast on all these three points in the last nine years. We have continuously propagated the values of Lord Buddha. We have worked with a sense of dedication to take the teachings of Buddha to the masses.

Patipatti is at the forefront whether it is the development of Buddha Circuit in India and Nepal, efforts to rejuvenate pilgrimage centres like Sarnath and Kushinagar, the construction of the Kushinagar International Airport, the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage in Lumbini with the cooperation of India and IBC. It is the legacy of Lord Buddhas teachings that India considers the grief of every human being as its own. Be it peace missions in different countries of the world, or calamity like the earthquake in Turkey, India stands with humanity in times of every crisis by exerting its full potential. Today the world is watching, understanding and accepting this sentiment of Indias 140 crore people. And I believe that this forum of the International Buddhist Confederation is giving a new extension to this feeling. It will give new opportunities to all like-minded and like-hearted countries to spread Buddhism and peace as a family. The discussion on how we handle the current challenges is not only relevant, but also holds a ray of hope for the world.

We have to remember that the journey from problems to solutions is the actual journey of Buddha. Buddha did not leave the palace because he had any problems. Buddha left the palace, gave up the royal luxury, because he felt that he had all the comforts available to him whereas there was misery in the lives of others. If we want to make the world happy, this Buddha mantra of totality is the only way to go beyond the idea of self and narrow mindedness. We have to think about the poverty-stricken people around us. We have to think about the countries dealing with a scarcity of resources. This is the only way to establish a better and stable world, it is necessary. Today, it is the need of the hour that the priority of every individual and every nation should be the interest of the world, the Global World Interest, along with the interest of the country.

Friends,

It is universally accepted that the current time is the most challenging time of this century. Today, on the one hand, two countries are at war for months, while on the other hand, the world is also going through economic instability. Threats like terrorism and religious fanaticism are attacking the soul of humanity. Climate change is looming large over the existence of the entire humanity. Glaciers are melting, ecology is being destroyed and species are becoming extinct. But in the midst of all this, there are millions of people like us who have faith in Buddha, who believe in the welfare of all living beings. This hope, this faith is the biggest strength of this earth. When this hope gets united, the Buddhas Dhamma will become the worlds belief and Buddhas realization will become the belief of humanity.

Friends,

There is no problem in the modern world whose solution we could not find in the teachings of the Buddha hundreds of years ago. The war and unrest that the world is suffering today, the Buddha had given solutions centuries ago. Buddha said:,,,i.e.,Conquest begets enmity; the conquered lie down in distress. The unconscious person lies down in happiness, dismissing victory and defeat alike. Therefore, we can be happy only by discarding defeats, wins, fights and quarrels. Lord Buddha has also told the way to overcome the war. Lord Buddha has said:,,,i.e.enmity does not calm down enmity. Enmity is pacified by affinity. Lord Buddhas words are:,i.e.happiness lies in the unity between the unions. There is happiness in living together with all people.

Friends,

Today we find that imposing ones thoughts, ones faith on others is becoming a big crisis for the world. But, what did Lord Buddha say? Lord Buddha said:,i.e. one should practice good behaviour before preaching to others.In the modern era, we see that whether it is Gandhiji or many other leaders of the world, they got inspiration from this spirit. But we have to remember, Buddha didnt just stop there. He went a step ahead and said: :i.e. be your own light. Today the answer to many questions lies in this sermon of Lord Buddha. Therefore, a few years ago, I proudly said in the United Nations that India has given the world Buddh, not Yudh (war). Where there is Buddhas compassion, there is coordination and not conflict; there is peace and not discord.

Friends,

The path of Buddha is the path of the future, the path of sustainability. Had the world followed the teachings of Buddha, we would not even have faced a crisis like climate change. This crisis developed because some nations stopped caring about others, about the future generations in the last century. For decades, they were of the view that the effect of this tampering with nature would not affect them. Those countries blamed it on others only. But Lord Buddha has clearly said in the Dhammapada that as a water pot is filled with drop by drop, so the repeated mistakes become the cause of destruction. After alerting humanity in this way, Buddha also said that if we correct mistakes and do good deeds continuously, then solutions to problems are also found.-,-,--,-,,i.e.do not ignore the good deeds thinking that the fruit of any work will not come to me. The pot gets filled drop by drop of water. Similarly, a wise man, accumulating little by little, fills himself with virtue.

Friends,

Every person is affecting the earth in one way or the other. Be it our lifestyle, our dresses, eating or travelling habits, everything has an impact, it makes a difference. Everyone can also fight the challenges of climate change. If people become aware and change their lifestyle, then even this big problem can be dealt with and this is the way of Buddha. With this spirit, India has started Mission LiFE. Mission LiFE means Lifestyle for the Environment! This mission is also influenced by the inspirations of Buddha, furthering the thoughts of Buddha.

Friends,

Today, it is very necessary that the world should come out of the definitions of materialism and selfishness and imbibe this feeling of (May all be well). Buddha should not only be made a symbol, but also a reflection, only then the resolution of will be fulfilled. Therefore, we have to remember the words of the Buddha: ,-! i.e. Do not turn back. Move forward! We have to move forward, and keep moving forward. I am sure together we will take our resolutions to success. Once again, I express my gratitude to all of you for coming here on our invitation. With this belief that humanity will get new light, new inspiration, new courage, new power from this two-day discussion, my best wishes to all of you.

Namo Buddhaya!

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PM's Inaugural address at the Global Buddhist Summit, Delhi - PM India

The latest episode of Demon Slayer has finally started the long-awaited battle between the Upper-Rank Demons and the Demon Slayers. With each passing episode, Koyoharu Gotouge, the writer of the series, manages to intrigue fans with exciting new weapons and Blood Demon Arts, and the same can be said for the most recent addition, Hantengu. However, it's the unique weapon wielded by Hantengu's Demon personality, Sekido, that has captured the attention of viewers - the Khakkhara.

RELATED: Demon Slayer Season 3, Episode 3, Unveils Genya's True Weapon

The Khakkhara is a uniquely designed staff that has become synonymous with the Demon Slayer series. We haven't seen much of it yet, but now we at least know that it's a powerful weapon that's been used by Upper-Rank Demon, Hantengu's personality, Sekido. As Sekido wields the Khakkhara in battle, it's clear that this stuff is not only visually stunning, but it's also incredibly versatile in combat. In this article, we'll delve into the origins of the Khakkhara and explore its use in the Demon Slayer series.

In the Demon Slayer series, most Demons fear decapitation as it means the end for them. However, Hantengu is a unique case where he allows the Demon Slayers to take his head. This action helps him unleash the Demons born out of his multiple personality traits. When Hantengu was beheaded, Sekido, and Karaku emerged, and their further decapitation led to the emergence of Aizetsu and Urogi. All four Demons wield impressive weapons that demonstrate their power and skill.

During the battle, Karaku displayed the strength of his maple-leaf-shaped weapon; however, it was Sekido's uniquely designed staff that caught the attention of the viewers. Tanjiro addressed the staff as a Khakkhara, and it immediately piqued the interest of fans.

Sekido is the representative of Hantengu's anger, which can easily be seen in his appearance and personality. Without wasting any time, Sekido attacked Tanjiro and Nezuko by thumping his Khakkhara staff on the ground and unleashing deadly bolts of electricity, which left the siblings helpless for a moment. The staff called Khakkhara, used by Sekido, is a long stick with a candelabra-like design in the middle, surrounded by a gold ring. The gold ring further has six smaller rings within it, three on each side. However, before Tanjiro could lose consciousness due to the electricity bolts, he was saved by Genya.

Demon Slayer draws heavily from the Buddhist tradition, and its influence can be seen throughout the series. With references to Buddhism evident in various elements of the story, such as Hanafuda Earrings, Breathing Forms, and Hinokami Kagura, it is evident that the series has been heavily influenced by this tradition, and Khakkhara is no exception.

Khakkhara is the staff that Buddhist monks used to carry for multiple reasons. From announcing their arrival in a particular place for collecting food to scaring away animals, Khakkhara has multiple uses. The monk warriors and martial artists also used the staff as a weapon, while the others used it for their spiritual purposes. The designs at the top of Khakkharas are not specific and can be found in various distinctive patterns, including the one depicted in Demon Slayer.

NEXT: Demon Slayer: Most Hated Characters, Ranked

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Demon Slayer: What Is Khakkhara - DualShockers

Don Lemon, left, and Tucker Carlson both lost their jobs as cable news anchors Monday. (Evan Agostini / Invision / Associated Press; Richard Drew / AP)

Two of the most recognizable faces in U.S. television news fell within minutes of each other, both unceremoniously dropped Monday by the cable networks that once championed them.

Before news of their unrelated dismissals rocked the mediasphere, Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon had little in common save for their positions as high-profile hosts in rival newsrooms. Now, they share the fact that their misogynistic behavior cost them those jobs.

Otherwise, it's hard to imagine two men more diametrically opposed in their beliefs than the former Fox News star and the former CNN personality. There's simply not enough room here to unpack the myriad differences it'd be like trying to explain the Mideast conflict in three easy sentences. But in short, Carlson promoted racist ideology, bogus election-fraud conspiracy and anti-vax propaganda, and he sided with Vladimir Putin regarding Russia's attack on Ukraine. Lemon did the opposite.

Regardless of their differences, the media's dramatic and ongoing reaction to the news of both firings points in the same direction. It's a signal of just how powerful TV news and anchors remain, even in a world that's supposedly all about streaming and social media.

No matter how much social media has outflanked cable news as the 24/7 news source of choice, cable still has the potency to create and promote the personalities that become the "face" of the news. Monday's sackings exposed the extent of cable television's influence, as well as the limits of its instability.

Millions of Americans still rely on trusted voices to deliver their nightly news, and in todays bifurcated views on politics, culture and even basic facts, that often means whomever best reinforces what we already believe. Whether its the Big Lie or Black Lives Matter, cable TV has it covered with hosts who can interpret the news through any given lens. Its a far cry from the comparatively objective broadcasts of Walter Cronkite or Judy Woodruff, or the dispatches from an early CNN pioneer, anchor Bernard Shaw.

Story continues

Much of todays cable news is front-loaded with opinion, various levels of bombast and, if youre Fox News, intentional misinformation. (Read about the Dominion lawsuit.) It's a programming model designed to help it survive and thrive in a highly competitive field, where deeply partisan "news" sites, TikTok, Facebook and everything else that pops up in our feeds and notifications vie for our attention and cut into time that could be spent watching Fox, CNN or MSNBC.

But the erasure of the line between reportage and commentary, between host and journalist, means cable stars are much more prone to flaming out in controversy, and thats partly what we saw Monday. And, let's be clear, the cases are very different.

Carlsons bully tactics were his on-air superpower. The more he targeted Nancy Pelosi, immigrants or Dominion voting machines thus touting ideas like the "great replacement" theory and election fraud the higher the ratings. But behind the scenes, his bluster and hubris were not a financial boon. In fact, they turned out to be a liability.

Sources told the Los Angeles Times that Carlson was forced out by Fox Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch over a discrimination lawsuit filed by Abby Grossberg. A producer, Grossman was fired by the network last month after she alleged she was bullied by the host and subjected to sexist and antisemitic comments.

Lemon's firing appears to have been connected with an ongoing pattern of misogynistic comments and actions. His downfall began last February, when, on CNN This Morning, he commented on a speech made by Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and United Nations ambassador. Haley, 51, a Republican presidential hopeful, called for mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over the age of 75.

This whole talk about age makes me uncomfortable," said Lemon. "I think its the wrong road to go down. ... Nikki Haley isnt in her prime, sorry. A woman is considered to be in their prime in their 20s and 30s and maybe 40s.

"Prime for what?" asked co-host Poppy Harlow. "Are you talking about prime for, like, childbearing? Or prime for being president?"

It's unclear what transpired at CNN in the months leading to Monday's announcement, but no doubt that will emerge somewhere in the deluge of coverage.

The shockwaves from both firings are likely to reverberate for some time. After long tenures on the air, Carlson and Lemon were dropped at the snap of a finger, during a particularly rocky time for TV news outlets that aren't taking advantage of the relative lack of competition among those that cater to the right and far right. After Chris Licht took over as CEO, CNN has been trying in recent months to pick up more red-state viewers, and it has been an awkward, uncomfortable dance at best.

However, prophecies about cable news taking its last breath have not come true yet. Last week's story about the demise of Buzzfeed News, a digital outlet that promised to modernize the way we gather, disseminate and consume information arguably a more consequential event in the industry garnered far less media coverage than the tumble of Carlson and Lemon.

They are (or were) among the most recognizable faces of national television news, a medium that has been declared dead countless times yet still holds more sway than everything that has arrived to replace it. At least for now.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Commentary: Cable news remains powerful. The reaction to Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon proves it - Yahoo News

Veteran TV news journalist Judy Woodruff has earned many honors over her lengthy career in TV news, including the Peabody Journalistic Integrity Award, the Poynter Medal, an Emmy for Lifetime Achievement and the Radcliffe Medal, among others. Woodruff can now add another honor to her resume: Fred Dressler Leadership Award.

Woodruff, the former anchor and managing editor of the PBS NewsHour and now a senior correspondent for the newscast, will be honored by Syracuse Universitys Newhouse School with its Fred Dressler Leadership Award. The Dressler Award is given at the schools annual Mirror Awards ceremony to individuals or organizations that have made distinct, consistent and unique contributions to the publics understanding of the media.

One likely knows Woodruffs backstory at this point: She and the late Gwen Ifill joined PBS NewsHour in 2009 while the late Jim Lehrer was still anchor. Lehrer retired from NewsHour in 2011, passing the baton to Woodruff and Ifill, who were named PBS NewsHour co-anchors on a permanent basis in 2013. The duo remained co-anchors of NewsHour until Ifills passing in November 2016. Woodruff became the solo anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour in 2018, a role she kept until the end of 2022.

She remains engaged with NewsHour despite no longer serving as its anchor. This year and next, she is undertaking a reporting project, America at a Crossroads, to better understand the countrys political divide.

Prior to her time at PBS, Woodruff co-hosted CNNs Inside Politics along with the late Bernard Shaw. She covered national politics and the White House for NBC News in the 1970s and 80s before that, and her coverage of politics goes back to 1972 for Atlanta station WAGA-TV.

The 2023 Mirror Awards will take place Monday, June 12 at New Yorks Edison Ballroom.

Past Fred Dressler Award recipients have included Univision Noticias anchor Jorge Ramos; former HBO Documentary Films and Family executive producer and president Sheila Nevins; former NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw; and former New York Times executive editor Dean Baquet.

Excerpt from:
Judy Woodruff Is Being Honored at 2023 Mirror Awards - Adweek

Do you know someone who is perfect? Of course not. Do you know someone who thinks he is perfect? Probably. George Bernard Shaw was in characteristic vein when he said, The longer I live the more I see that I am never wrong about anything, and that all the pains I have so humbly taken to verify my notions have only wasted my time.

At bridge, it is sometimes possible to play perfectly: to find the line that always works, whatever the distribution. South had the chance in todays deal, but when his ship came in, he was standing at the train station.

Against three no-trump, West led the spade 10. Since his contract was in danger only if East won a trick and switched to a diamond through the king, declarer called for dummys spade king and immediately ran the club queen. West played perfectly, ducking his king smoothly. Now, of course, if South had led a heart to his 10, nine tricks would have been assured. South had been fooled, though. He erred by playing a club to his 10.

West happily took the trick with his king and exited with a club. Now Souths goose was cooked (unless he had X-ray vision). He cashed the heart ace-king, hoping to drop the queen. Then he took his three spade tricks, the dummy and East discarding diamonds. Finally, declarer led a third heart, hoping West had the queen. (If so, West would have had to lead a heart to Souths 10, or play a diamond around to Souths king.) However, East won with the queen and switched to the diamond 10. The defenders took the last three tricks in diamonds to defeat the contract.

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Bridge: The purity of perfection | | hastingstribune.com - Hastings Tribune

Jerry Davich 219-853-2563

Have you ever ridden a motorcycle at 118 mph while swerving through lanes and dodging traffic? I have, and Ill never forget that feeling of dangerous exhilaration.

I was coming back to the Region from Michigan after already receiving two traffic tickets for not wearing a helmet in that state stupid helmet law, I told myself.

After the second ticket, I figured the odds were high that a third Michigan state trooper would be parked between me and the Indiana state line on Interstate 94. So I twisted my right wrist back as far as it would go and I reached almost 120 mph in a few seconds. My arrival a few minutes later at the state line was a blur.

Only after slowing to 90 mph, then 80, then 70, did I realize my stupidity for even trying it. And, I should note, I have never reached that speed again, whether on my bike, in my car or in my dreams.

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Individuals stand at the scene of a fatal crash involving a motorcycle and a vehicle in 2021.

If you're shaking your head in disbelief or disappointment, keep in mind that I was young, dumb and oozing testosterone. Looking back, maybe I did it so I could simply say "I did it." Maybe I did it out of anger at those traffic tickets. Or maybe I did it while under the influence of, well, youth.

I'm not sure if this helps explain why a motorcyclist traveled at a high speed on the Borman Expressway last month, passing vehicles along the skip line before making contact with a truck at the 7.3-mile marker between Burr and Grant streets.

This resulted in the operator of the motorcycle losing control and crashing, the Indiana State Police said in a news release. The motorcycle caught on fire, while Good Samaritans stopped and immediately began to render first aid and CPR to the unconscious rider. The rider succumbed to their injuries and was declared deceased at the scene by the Lake County Coroner's Office.

It's legal in some states for a motorcyclist to pass other vehicles while riding the skip lines, which divide lanes. In Indiana, it is not only illegal, but it is extremely dangerous, the release said.

Five passenger vehicles and a motorcycle were involved in a wreck on West Ridge Road at Clark Road in September 2022.

With spring's arrival and summer weather on its way, motorists will begin seeing more motorcyclists on every type of road. We need a reminder of the common safety slogan: Be aware, motorcycles are everywhere.

Its true. But many of them are operated by thrill-seeking knuckleheads who dont understand the fragility of life and obliviousness of motorists.

Ive owned and operated several motorcycles since my teenage years. I had my share of dangerously close calls. Fortunately I avoided any crashes or accidents through the years. But lately I have seen several motorcyclists especially younger drivers on crotch-rocket sport bikes driving recklessly and carelessly on their way to nowhere in particular.

I know it looks-cool-feels-cool to pull off such a thing while going 80 or 90 mph. Ive done it many times.

But all it takes is one brush against a vehicle or a patch of gravel or oil slick and its lights out for any biker.

A violent motorcycle crash last summer at the corner of Lincolnway and Campbell in Valparaiso caused the bike to split into two.

Yes, motorcycles are everywhere, as the familiar yellow bumper stickers say, but sometimes their owners take liberties that make it dangerous to other motorists. And to themselves.

Were already reading newspaper stories and obituaries for bikers who were intoxicated on high speeds and stupid decisions while riding under the influence of perceived invincibility. We will see more of these deaths. Its as inevitable as putting gasoline into a tank.

Last week, two motorcycles crashed, leaving two people hospitalized. The driver of a 2012 Harley-Davidson was trying to turn onto 117th Avenue near Wicker Avenue. A motorcyclist behind him reportedly failed to slow in time and swerved to avoid collision but still struck the side of the Harley. Officers said no one was wearing a helmet, causing head injuries.

Last summer, I just missed witnessing a violent motorcycle crash at the corner of Lincolnway and Campbell in Valparaiso. Seconds earlier, I heard the biker revving his engine. And then it got hit by an SUV, causing the bike to split into two pieces.

Police investigate a violent motorcycle crash last summer at the corner of Lincolnway and Campbell in Valparaiso that caused the bike to split into two.

The male driver and female passenger lay motionless on the street. Both were transported by medical helicopter to a trauma hospital. They survived the crash but required hospitalization and surgeries, police told me.

I have no idea who was at fault. It doesnt much matter when youre on a motorcycle. All it takes is one slip-up, one blind spot, one mistake, one deadly twist of fate.

Ive wanted to own a motorcycle since my teenage years in the Glen-Ryan subdivision of Gary's Miller section. My neighborhood was home to a few Invaders motorcycle club members, and I clearly remember them riding down my street. Their incredibly loud choppers rattled my house and stirred my testosterone.

I bought my first motorcycle at 16, riding it to school every chance I could. It gave me a sense of power I couldnt get anywhere else at that age.

As I got older, I still enjoyed twisting back my right hand and showing off the power of my motorcycles. It was definitely an adrenaline rush to reach 100 mph or faster within seconds. I can still feel that sort of euphoria to this day.

I was lucky. I had several close calls but never a crash or an accident. These days I have no desire to push such speed limits on a motorcycle. And when I see motorcyclists do such a thing, they are typically younger guys on built-for-speed crotch rockets.

A part of me wants to warn them about the dangers of reckless riding helmet or no helmet. But thats only a small part of me. I know exactly what theyre feeling while tossing aside such silliness as caution and concern. Theyll learn it soon enough, if they make it that long without incident or accident.

As George Bernard Shaw once quipped, youth is wasted on the young. The trick is staying alive long enough to appreciate the irony of this timeless line.

Episode 10: Seventeen years ago, Jamie Fankhauser transformed the life of an autistic baby she adopted at birth. That baby eventually transformed the life of Jamie, who opened Buns Soapbox in Valparaiso to provide meaningful employment opportunities to autistic adults. Buns Soapbox opened in 2018 with a mission statement written on a wall near the entrance: Employ extraordinary people in the community to discover and empower their gifts. Nowhere on that wall, or anywhere else there, are the words special or autism or disabilities. Together, Jamie and her teenage daughter, Ava, are now transforming the lives of others with a broader vision thats soon becoming a reality. On this weeks podcast, Jamie shares her inspirational story of love, faith and parental devotion. The Lord has changed us drastically, Jamie told Karen and Jerry. Were now the better versions of ourselves.

Contact Jerry at Jerry.Davich@nwi.com. Watch his "She Said, He Said" podcast. Find him on Facebook. Opinions are those of the writer.

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JERRY DAVICH: Yes, 'motorcycles are everywhere,' but so are ... - The Times of Northwest Indiana