Robert Scheer
Robert Scheer: A Life of Journalism and Activism
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Robert Scheer is a renowned American journalist, author, and radio host. He is also known as Bob Scheer.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on August 30, 1936, Robert Scheer is still active in his career today.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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American, Journalist, Author, Radio Host
Early Life and Background
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Robert Scheer was born in Brooklyn, New York, to a family of modest means. His father was a socialist who instilled in him a strong sense of social justice from an early age. Scheer's early life was marked by a keen interest in politics and a desire to make a difference in the world.
Scheer attended Columbia University, where he became involved in student activism and began writing for the school newspaper. After graduating, he worked as a journalist for various publications, including the _Los Angeles Times_ and _The Nation_. Scheer's early work was influenced by his socialist upbringing and his desire to expose social injustices.
Major Accomplishments
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Author: Scheer has written several books on politics and social issues, including "Thinking Twice: Two Minds One World" (1977) and "Playing with Fire: The 1968 Election and the Transformation of American Politics" (2008).
Journalist: Scheer's reporting has taken him to hotspots around the world, from Vietnam during the war to the Middle East in recent years. He has written extensively on topics such as government secrecy, corporate power, and social inequality.
* Radio Host: Scheer co-hosts the popular radio show "The Bob Scheer Show" on KPFK-FM in Los Angeles.
Notable Works or Actions
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Scheer's most notable work is likely his book "Playing with Fire: The 1968 Election and the Transformation of American Politics". This book examines the 1968 presidential election, which saw the rise of Richard Nixon to power. Scheer argues that this election marked a turning point in American politics, as it saw the emergence of conservative ideologies and the decline of liberal values.
In addition to his writing, Scheer has been involved in various activist causes throughout his career. He was an early critic of the Vietnam War and has continued to speak out against US foreign policy interventions.
Impact and Legacy
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Robert Scheer's impact on American journalism and politics cannot be overstated. As a journalist and author, he has brought attention to numerous social and political issues, from government secrecy to corporate power. His commitment to social justice has inspired generations of activists and journalists.
Scheer's legacy extends beyond his own work as well. He has mentored many young journalists and has helped launch the careers of several prominent writers and commentators.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Robert Scheer is widely quoted and remembered for his tireless advocacy on behalf of social justice causes. His commitment to exposing government secrets, corporate power, and social inequality has made him a respected voice in American journalism.
Scheer's influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary journalists and activists. He continues to write and speak out against injustice, inspiring new generations of thinkers and doers.
Quotes by Robert Scheer
And new people come in, and it doesn’t go along with their politics, and they fire me, end the column, silence a voice in Los Angeles. They can’t silence it nationally, but they are able to do it there.
At least 3% of the signers of the Constitution must have been gay, since that’s the low estimate for any population sample. It was probably higher, given that they were a pretty talented bunch and wore wigs.
It had run as a column – I had worked at the paper since 1976, but the column had been running for 13 years, and I think it was a strong column, criticizing the war when the paper was supporting it.
I teach at USC, and it’s obvious to anyone who teaches college students that they don’t cover much modern history and certainly not the modern presidency.
The journalist’s job is to get the story by breaking into their offices, by bribing, by seducing people, by lying, by anything else to break through the palace guard.
We talk about a free press. These people hide, they make a lot of money off the media. They hide behind the slogans of free press, and then they can come out with crap like that. It’s just garbage. It’s insulting to the readers.
What passes for investigative journalism is finding somebody with their pants down – literally or otherwise.
The publisher Jeff Johnson, who has offered not a word of explanation to me, has privately told people that he hated every word that I wrote. I assume that mostly refers to my exposing the lies used by President Bush to justify the invasion of Iraq. Fortunately 60 percent of Americans now get the point but only after tens of thousand of Americans and Iraqis have been killed and maimed as the carnage spirals out of control. My only regret is that my pen was not sharper and my words tougher.
The fact is ... that when totalitarian nations like China and Saudi Arabia play ball with U.S. business interests, we like them just fine. But when Venezuela's freely elected president threatens powerful corporate interests, the Bush administration treats him as an enemy.