Call Him Ted
I Call Him Smart
I came across this posting from two years ago while browsing through my archives today. Because I have so many new friends and followers I felt compelled to re-post it.
When I watched Ted Turner being interviwed by David Letterman recently, a number of things struck me as quite smart. The smartest of all was when he was questioned about war. I do not recall his exact words, but his basic philosophy is to travel around the world and make friends with people in all countries. He commented that people do not want to kill their freinds, so if presidents would do that there would be no wars. That sounds pretty simple and brilliant to me.
Call Me Ted
In his autobiography, Call Me Ted, he describes what it was like being raised by a drunken father that beat him constantly. In spite of that, he loved his father, was motivated to succeed by him, and was devasted when he shot himself in the head.
Love Lost
In the book he describes how painful it was when Jane Fonda chose to leave him. It takes a lot to make a man like Ted Turner cry, and a big man to admit it publicly.
Always a Winner
An avid sailor, Ted won the America’s Cup at age 39. Later, his Atlanta Braves won the World Series. He is the only person to have won both the American and National Leauge titles.
CNN
He created the first 24-hour news station with CNN. He always saw opportunities where others saw nothing, and he had fun doing it all. His current focus is a promise to “care for Planet Earth”!
November 15th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Where was this guy when we were electing a president?
November 16th, 2008 at 7:49 am
Where was Ted? He was somewhere making money or doing good. He’s way too smart to even want that job.
November 16th, 2008 at 8:19 am
On not taking drastic action to correct global warming:
“Not doing it will be catastrophic. We’ll be eight degrees hotter in ten, not ten but 30 or 40 years and basically none of the crops will grow. Most of the people will have died and the rest of us will be cannibals.”
-Ted Turner
HMMM… have you noticed they don’t talk about “Global Warming” any more… it’s now PC to use the term “Climate Change”… why?
Because avg. global temps have actually dropped in the last 10 years…oops!
November 17th, 2008 at 7:45 am
I’m sure that onethatknows is right, and that a man like Ted Turner wouldn’t take that job. Considering all of the alternatives, and especially the presidents we have had since Kennedy, I am pleased that this local boy from Hawaii has won. While he is no Ted Turner (nobody is), he’s at least smart (nice change) and will most likely bring some long overdue Aloha into the office.
November 17th, 2008 at 8:43 am
It ceases to amaze me when hearing people talk about how stupid Bush is and how smart Obama is… ands when asked what their IQ is… no answer!
Can somebody back up these statements with facts?
I have even heard someone say that Bush is the stupidest President in the history of this country. REALLY?
Bush graduated from Harvard… and he is dumber that Lincoln who had 6th grade education???
come on people!
November 17th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Since Kennedy???
Kenedy was dopped up on drugs and screwing every woman in sight…and won the Presidency with the help of the Chicago Mafia!
Yeah, he’s a real good roll model for predsident!
November 17th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Bush isn’t the first idiot to get through Harvard. Go see “W”. Without his father’s influence he would have been nobody. If that’s not enough, just listen to him speak or look at the things he has done and not done as president.
Watch David Letterman’s clips of Great American Speeches. The evidence is overwhelming, so don’t be “amazed.”
Anyway, we only have little more than a month of him, and that’s the good news.
The American people got behind Bush when he was elected. We thought we had a winner. He had plenty of time to earn the lowest approval rating in history. Now it’s time to give the new guy the benefit of doubt, get behind him and hope for a better result.
November 17th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Ron Here:
Hey folks, I hate to pull the plug on Blog comments, but am very close to doing just that on this one. I don’t mind a little spirited controversy, but this posting is about Ted Turner; not opinionated politics. So, let’s keep it on message or I will shut it off.
Fair enough?
November 17th, 2008 at 9:24 am
…”to travel around the world and make friends with people in all countries”
Yeah Ted, we tried that in the Carter years and got our asses handed to us… remember the Iran Hostage Crisis?
It wasn’t until Reagan was elected and they knew there was a “New Sheriff in Town” that they were released.
And Reagan ended the cold war without going to war… but by strengthening our armed forces… speak softly and carry a big stick.
We need to come to grips with some countries will always hate us for what America stands for… FREEDOM!
IMHO
November 17th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Ted Turner was and is a true Southern Gentleman. The friends he makes are true friends, not fake political friends. There’s a big difference there. Even Jane Fonda still adore him. There’s not too many ex wives like that. He can do all of this and have a “big stick” at the same time, just never have to use it.
I just love listening to him talk. He is so calm, cool and collected. He does what others don’t think will work; he always has.
I’m not a reader by nature, but I plan to get this book and take it out into the yard with a big cigar and spend a quiet afternoon reading his words of wisdom.
November 4th, 2010 at 9:27 am
what is amazing about ted is that he is bipolar and he was able to acheive all that he did. jane fonda left him because it is next to impossible to live with an alpha male bipolar. I do not agree with ted or janes politics but admire his incredible achievements and his diplomacy with others.
November 24th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
I always eat more than once at his “Ted’s Montana Grill” in Naperville, IL. There are several locations (and some soon to be closed for under performing) across the US.
I love their attitude in Naperville, there is no question or hesitance to substitute, change or whatever to your order. The manager(s) walk around and chat with every table in a brief unobtrusive manner. When asked if he ever met Ted the MOD said “no, but I would love to. That man gives me a great job everyday and I am happy to uphold his service ethics and hospitality.” He was in fact doing all sorts of tasks around the restaurant supporting his staff all whom seemed quite happy and service driven by this team effort.
November 30th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Ron,
Thank you for the great inspiration today. I read your blog for the first time in weeks and realize that I’ve been cheating myself out of the humor, the reality checks and the darn common sense that your postings bring! In my world, where every day I try to inspire students, your blog has given me some inspiration to keep on.
Happiest of Holidays to you and Masae.
Cynthia Spencer