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http://www.nypost.com/seven/12102006/gossip/liz/chewing_the_fat_over_lunch_liz_liz_smith.htm?page=0IF THERE'S one honor every journalist yearns for, it's the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute's prized "F.D.R. Freedom of Speech and Expression Medal." Last week they gave it to Mike Wallace, and a great "First Amendment/freedom of speech" man he is indeed. This conjunction also was rare, for Mike had known and interviewed Eleanor Roosevelt during her United Nations years. ....
When "60 Minutes"'s Steve Kroft got up to pay tribute, he wisecracked "Mike? Mike? Where are you sitting? Oh, there you are at Katie Couric's table - good for you!" Katie cracked up. So did Mike.
Don Hewitt, the "60 Minutes" man emeritus, stated from the podium that "F.D.R. once said, 'The only thing we have to fear is fear itself!' Obviously, he never met Mike Wallace!" Andy Rooney had the last word, saying he knew he was expected to be critical about Mike but he just couldn't do it. Andy seemed in a benign mood, maybe because he was with the attractive Beryl Pfizer. The latter reminded me that she and I once worked on NBC's "Home Show," which came into being at the same time they invented the "Today" and "Tonight" franchises. "Our show was the only one that flopped!" laughed Beryl. ....
Mike then saluted his wife, Mary, his attractive stepchildren and grandchildren and concluded by citing many of the legacies of F.D.R. He said, "This included Harry Truman as his vice president. Of course," said Mike, pausing, "Harry Truman was no Dick Cheney!"
The Metropolitan Club just about collapsed with good old liberal media laughter.
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