Bound by mutual respect
With weeks to go before my longtime colleague and I part working company forever, the thing you wouldn’t know about Cynthia Tucker is something she doesn’t know herself. I’ve never brought it up.
It explains, though, why ideological differences never soured a collegial working relationship or a decades-long friendship.
For probably more than 20 years, we’ve disagreed. It’s not an act. It’s not contrived. It’s not a put-up to sell newspapers. She has one view of how to build a better America. I have another.
Yet the disagreements were very Southern. Always civil, always polite. Never personal.
Only once, as I recall, did we both simply lock down and walk away. On a weekend during the 2000 presidential election’s Florida recount we came to the office on Saturday to prepare a joint Sunday editorial. At the time, The Journal and The Constitution had separate editorial boards.
We argued our case jointly and apart with the then-editor, Ron Martin. The result was this notice in the Sunday paper:
“ The presidential controversy that has divided the nation has divided the AJC’s editorial boards as well. Since the core of their disagreement is the question of whether to include hand-counted ballots in the final Florida tally, each board offers its own take on that issue.”
When the boards merged a year later with Cynthia as the editorial page editor, she was as gracious as a boss as she had been as an equal. She listened respectfully to my arguments, modified her positions occasionally and sought always, in the Southern small-town tradition that is our mutual heritage, to avoid demeaning slights or public displays of authority during our frequent debates.
Neither she, nor anybody in positions of authority over me at this newspaper or in the family or corporation that owns it, ever direct me to write, or not write, about any topic.
While Cynthia could elect to edit my column or not after the editorial boards merged, she never once made a revision that changed tone, content or meaning. As a colleague, she sometimes offered friendly constructive suggestions and more often than not, I took them. But the choice, always, was mine.
I thought of our relationship as that of two Southern farm families who lived side-by-side for generations, our fate tied to the same rain and earth. We had our differences. We tended the soil differently. But yet, we couldn’t move the dirt and we couldn’t change the rain. So we didn’t play pointless power games.
Truth is that long before the Bush-Gore standoff in Florida or the merger that brought me into her dominion, I had already decided that I could never speak ill to or of Cynthia Tucker.
That moment came in September of 1995. She does not know this. I have never told her.
On that fall afternoon, I sat in a chapel grieving the first deeply painful loss of my life. Midway up, I saw Cynthia. She and some of my Journal colleagues had driven from Atlanta to Macon for my mother’s funeral.
In the South of old, where lives were layered in connections, people shared the joys and sorrows of each others’ lives. It seems to us an ordinary thing. To those who are mourning, as I discovered on that September day, nothing spoken in compassion is a cliche; no presence is ordinary or assumed. Cynthia on that day filled one of the thousands of voids that had come suddenly into my life.
She is a well-raised Southern girl of good heart and considerable talent who has enjoyed great success in this business, as a Pulitzer attests.
I’ll let her tell you what she wants about her life. In mine, she will always be the caring soul on a September pew.
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125 comments Add your comment
the evil rich
June 5th, 2009
8:57 pm
Oh come on, you don’t have to speak ill of her, but when it comes to politics, she’s just WRONG!
JimC
June 5th, 2009
9:07 pm
I agree, Cynthia is usually wrong when it comes to knowing what’s good about the US and what we need to keep to stay strong and free. But I’ve met Cynthia, and she’s a very charming and intelligent person. If only she hadn’t gotten turned to the Dark Side. And that is not a racial comment!
Mark
June 5th, 2009
9:20 pm
Cynthia Tucker ruined this newspaper. She should be deported.
catlady
June 5th, 2009
10:08 pm
Nicely put. In the South of old, however, she never would have been able to be at your mother’s funeral except as the “help.” Still, there are a lot of good people out there that don’t agree with you (or me).
retiredds
June 5th, 2009
10:12 pm
Jim, as you can see by Mark’s response, there are some people in this world that can only see what’s wrong in others. For people like Mark the glass is half-full. While I am on the opposite side of your views most of the time occasionally, like this time, I like and agree with what you have to say. Good piece of work.
wishing
June 5th, 2009
10:36 pm
I agree with retiredds
Tank
June 5th, 2009
11:20 pm
I believe Cynthia to be intelligent and passionate. However, her push to make the AJC an agent of liberal change rather than a means to report news has brought the AJC to it’s knees. Radio, television and the internet have taken their toll, but Cynthia and liberals like her have brought this once great estate to ruin.
This re-birth of the AJC will be short lived and her departure is too little, too late.
the evil rich
June 5th, 2009
11:43 pm
retiredds, The glass IS half empty, what’s the problem?
Country Boy
June 5th, 2009
11:45 pm
Surely Ralph McGill didn’t hire Cynthia.
the truth...
June 6th, 2009
12:22 am
Cynthia…..please take Jay Bookman with you….
Dr. Craig Spinks /Evans
June 6th, 2009
1:05 am
EXTREMELY WELL-PUT by a son of The South about a daughter of The South.
BigMike
June 6th, 2009
2:37 am
Conservatives, Cynthia not thinking the way you think she should isn’t a bad thing. Judging by Fox News you guys should go be concerned with Hang em Hannity, and Plush Limboy tearing down any chance for the RNC. Oh! By the way Palin was on display again on Fox, that REALLY helps you guy’s. Hey if you stay tuned, maybe the other girl will be on her 1st baby by next election, and Ol’ Todd will be doing more than fishing while his wife wheres the Hanes. Come to think of it maybe Charlie Sheen, and Michael Jordan may have room in that commercial.
BigMike
June 6th, 2009
2:44 am
From South Carolina to texas John McCain won the electorial vote. Still the same old south! Preservative is the oprative word that is really preferred over conservative. THE good ol’ south!
Lou
June 6th, 2009
3:54 am
Nice column but misses the point. The trials and troubles of the AJC can be laid squarely on the shoulders of Cynthia Tucker. The paper was tottering before she assumed her head editorial duties but she pushed it over the edge. She was so very out of step with most of the people who subscribe (or used to subscribe) to the AJC that her appointment is beyond comprehension. Good riddance. Washington’s loss is Atlanta’s gain.
Bisi
June 6th, 2009
4:13 am
As a long time of resident of Atlanta and now living and working in Nigeria, I look forward to both of your articles even from far away Africa. You guys brought forth sound ideological views on state of affairs in the country and the State of Georgia. While I don’t always agree with Cynthia ‘almost personal’ take on issues, Jim’s approach is more though provoking and less emotional than Cynthia. Both have contributed significantly to just about all issue we have had to deal with as a nation in the last 20 years. Jim’s article on Cynthia is an embodiment of all that is good about America; fairness, eqaulity, justice and freedom of speech. I am glad to have been an avid reader of both Jim and Cynthia especially living and working in Nigeria where disagreements and differences of opinion may cost you your job or worse, death. Thank you, Jim and goodluck in your next endeavors.
J Moore
June 6th, 2009
5:07 am
Cynthia Tucker is a scourge. Simply put, she is a black racist. After all, isn’t that why she chose to go to Washington? “To share in an historic moment of the first black president” or some garbage like that. Not enough bad words can be said about her. Until conservatives find out how to truly combat the socialists like Cynthia, we will continue to lose elections. Cynthia never met a government handout she didn’t like. Let’s truly fight against the likes of Jay.
Mike
June 6th, 2009
6:23 am
Although I never agree with anything Jim writes, I am aware of the Cynthia he writes about in this article. She received that from her old black southern parents. It is a quality from them she must have learned, you dont hate, you can disagree and you most of all have compassion for people. Jim I know how you felt when Cynthia came into that chapel. In spite of the differences and the years of opposition. You felt really good at a bad time in your life. And I suspect no matter where Cynthia is, there will always be a special place in your heart for her. Reading the majority of your bloggers, isn’t it sad they most likely will never in their lives have the same feelings. Just think of what some of these bloggers are passing on to their kids today.
Joel Edge
June 6th, 2009
6:37 am
Classy column. She’ll be back in a few years after this Obama dog and pony show collapses.
Churchill's MOM
June 6th, 2009
6:43 am
Jim, it is nice that you are writting about a WOMAN for a change. Men have pretty well destroyed America. Monday would be a great day for you to write about our next President.
SENECA FALLS, N.Y. — Governor Sarah Palin paused Friday afternoon in front of a monument bearing the Declaration of Sentiments, an early feminist touchstone.
“We anticipate no small amount of ridicule,” she read, and remarked: “Some things never change.”
America’s most famous Republican elected official quietly took a commercial flight into sleepy Central New York Thursday and spent Friday on a private tour of landmarks of early feminism — Harriet Tubman’s house, the Women’s Rights National Historic Park, and the National Women’s Hall of Fame — for the low-key beginning of a week-long return to the lower 48 states and another step in the attempt to recalibrate her public image.
Palin, consumed by the media freak-show during last fall’s presidential campaign and its aftermath, is taking a deliberately low-key path, and making sure to link the visit to her responsibilities as governor.
She’s traveling with her husband, Todd, and her 14-year old daughter, Willow, as well as her sister and nephew, and the public events are deliberately focused and on a human scale. She has a single political aide, spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton, and two volunteer advance men. Her staff have scheduled no mass rallies or major addresses and made no attempt to court the media, or even inform it of her plans, which have been announced piecemeal by the groups hosting her.
She is to participate in a march to raise money for autism research Sunday in Westchester and accept an award on Long Island for her work on behalf of people with developmental disabilities.
But as the first woman on a national Republican ticket, the party’s top grass-roots star and an obvious contender for the 2012 nomination, she’s a sought-after guest whose every move will be studied for political intent. And for some, the buzz is too good to pass up. She’s expected to join former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani at a Yankee game. And though she riled Washington allies earlier this year by turning down an invitation to headline this week’s joint fundraiser of the House and Senate Republican campaign committees in Washington, she may now stop by the event, a source said, though Stapleton declined to comment on her schedule.
But Palin, whose popularity at home declined after the presidential campaign, is trying to keep the core of the trip focused on her native Alaska: She’ll be the headliner tomorrow at an event in Auburn marking the 50th anniversary of Alaska’s statehood at the historic home of former Secretary of State William Seward. Seward’s 1867 purchase of Alaska from Russia – Seward’s folly, as it was known at the time, though the label is discouraged around here – may have been the most controversial Arctic acquisition until McCain chose to add Palin to his ticket. Local authorities say they expect more than 20,000 people for the Founder’s Day event linking Auburn and Alaska. And Palin will be holding meetings in Washington, D.C., and Texas on a natural resources issue, Stapleton said likely negotiations over a key pipeline project.
Friday, though, Palin started her day at Tubman’s five-room house in Auburn.
“This is so good for our country,” she told the president of the foundation that manages the house, Karen Hill. She admired a 1960s-vintage painting of an angel hovering behind a young African-American boy.
“She knew something had to be taken care of and she stepped up and she did it,” Palin said of Tubman after leaving the house.
**********Handel 2010******Palin Mccain 2012**************
clyde
June 6th, 2009
6:50 am
You’re a class act ,Jim.
Eddy
June 6th, 2009
7:16 am
Well said Jim. Of course, I would expect such a tribute from you. Nothing but class. Best wishes to you as you retire.
Somewhere deep in her soul, Cynthia is a very good, kind and caring person. But on the surface she just cannot see anything except black vs. white and rarely right vs. wrong regardless of color. The shallowness is what we read in her columns. But you got a glimpse of her soul that September day.
Bitter EX democrackkk
June 6th, 2009
7:18 am
Ron Paul 2012
http://www.CampaignforLiberty.org
ooo
June 6th, 2009
7:26 am
When Palin was mayor over a little town ..6,000 and it had no debt when she took office and needed someone to come in an teach her what to do …even told her –let us get someone to teach you ..left it in $22 million in debt yah! Palin you know what you are talking about..
Jack
June 6th, 2009
8:17 am
Nicely done, good to be reminded that we can disagree without being disagreeable. Ms. Tucker will be missed and it helps me to be reminded that you conservatives can be compassionate.
jconservative
June 6th, 2009
8:29 am
The discussion over the years between Jim & Cynthia again points out that an intelligtent conversation cannot take place if name calling dominates. Anyone familiar with the issues should be able to discuss the issues without resorting to elementary school tactics.
I will miss them both.
Aquagirl
June 6th, 2009
8:31 am
Wonderful column, Jim. I miss the America filled with journalists like you and Cynthia Tucker.
stevew
June 6th, 2009
8:45 am
You’re a class act Charley Brown. Cynthia on the other hand is a Socialist..
gmc
June 6th, 2009
8:55 am
Really sorry to see you leave Jim. Your editorial has been my favorite for years.
Also glad you pointed out that Cynthia has a soul. You could never tell by her
comments. She always seems bitter about something. Best of luck to you Jim.
Howard
June 6th, 2009
9:41 am
Jim…Cynthia Tucker is a far-left loon who, along with Jay Bookman, Luckavich, etc., ruined your once great paper. Why subscribe to the AJC when you can read it on line and not have to even remotely see one word written by these out-of-touch humanoids who would gladly hand the keys to this country over to the Muslims in a second??? Cynthia Tucker and Cynthia McKinney…not one iota of difference between them, politics wise. McKinney might have made better copy, come to think of it!! Good riddance to her and her far-left looney-tunes journalism…she’ll fit right in among the residents of the capitol city of Obama-nation!!!
Marge
June 6th, 2009
9:57 am
I just read the government is going to officially re-name I-285 as ” RING AROUND THE CONGO .”
Aquagirl
June 6th, 2009
10:45 am
Speaking of “can’t agree to disagree without being an A-hole…”
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/06/04/smith-media-bias-threat/
Fulton
June 6th, 2009
10:48 am
Mr. Wooten. Thank you for having a level headed approach to this madness. Although we have different views, your candor is still very much appreciated. However, as I read the responses from most of YOUR readers…we can see the small mindedness, the namecalling, insults, the bomb-throwing-cliches, its always the same thing from THOSE TYPES…and that is EXACTLY a large part of what is STILL wrong with America today.
For example. ‘Liberals’ never hoped for Republican failure in the White House (they did a great job of failing on their own) because they realized, that failure would affect US ALL. Sadly, it doesn’t seem the other side can understand this very same concept…
Take Care, Jim W.
gatorman770
June 6th, 2009
10:48 am
Both Cynthias are like having hemorrhoids…..they’re a pain when you have them around, they’re a pain gettin’ rid, but you’re sure happy when they are finally gone!
MamaS
June 6th, 2009
11:07 am
I am truly astonished. I did not know that Jim Wooten could say anything good about any woman!
JD
June 6th, 2009
11:12 am
Aquagirl,
Is your point that Fox News has a conservative bias while attempting to compete in an industry with virtually every newspaper, the three major networks and MSNBC all spouting nothing but liberal drivel and promoting the liberal agenda?
Gee, seems with the newspaper industry effectively down the drain, the three major networks floundering and MSNBC losing in the prime time ratings – perhaps the public has spoken on the issue. Liberalism = Loser = Nonsense.
Could this be so? Oh, and please do not cite the ‘08 election as a rebuttal. Jimmy Carter was a fluke, Bill Clinton attracted the female vote and the biggest fluke of all – BO. You could even go back to JFK. What do each of these have in common? UNKNOWNS who ran against Nixon, Ford (an honest, caring man but not much of a politician) GHW Bush (see Ford) and Bob Dole. These four might have been surpassed in their lack of charism only by McCain. “Surpassed in their lack”? Well, you get the point.
"Charles", The Original
June 6th, 2009
11:26 am
If Jim Wooten were a black man, I would simply say, N….. Please! Jim Wooten’s respect for Cynthia Tucker and vise versa is one derived from a controlled environment.
If the dear leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-Il, and the leader of South Korea, Lee Myung-bak, were placed in a controlled environment, and both are depended upon the Atlanta Constitution for money, food, clothing, shelter, education, and employment, their ideologies would become incidental to their survival and friendship. They would be bound by mutual respect because the will to survive trumps ideology.
Tama
June 6th, 2009
11:42 am
Tucker all but set up the decline of the Atlanta Urinal Constipation bed wetter. So much liberalism, so much left wing bias, so little time to waste on bird cage lining. Top that off with the bed wetter liberals bed wetting over Faux News, and you’ve got a recipe for idiocy. It’s proven on this blog on a daily basis: libturds calling conservatives “trolls” on a conservative blog. Priceless.
John
June 6th, 2009
12:17 pm
Class column about an editorialist with class. Although I disagree with Cynthia McKinney more than I agree with her, I always respect her. She lays out reasons for her positions. This is the same thing you have always done. And, after all, she is an Alabama native and an Auburn graduate. With those backgrounds alone, she can’t be bad.
Aquagirl
June 6th, 2009
12:55 pm
JD @11:12 No, my point was an elected Republican thinks “liberal media” is a bigger threat to this country than terrorists. First, creating a “liberal media” (such as you have done) encapsulates a paranoid, divided thinking. Second, considering a large number of Americans as enemies to be personally degraded guarantees social insanity. It also displays breathtaking egotism and arrogance–the kind you display when you analyze and dismiss the ‘08 election according to a whimsical pseudo-expert worldview.
I don’t know about the public, but Jim has spoken on today’s subject and it’s lack of class. Thanks for unwittingly weighing in on the topic.
JD
June 6th, 2009
1:33 pm
Thank you but I was well “wittened”.
Perhaps in the context that the media becomes nothing more than a shill for one point of view or another, then the media does pose a threat. Bigger than terrorists? That would be a subjective measure at best but as long as there are those here who believe the media and government have the people’s best interest as motivation for action, then the media is a threat.
In all regimes who attempt to limit freedom and dissent, the first two steps are to control the media and ban individual gun ownership. Now that seems to sound familiar.
I did not “create” a liberal media, the media accomplished that on their own.
By the by, I read recently the State of Missouri (that bastion of rednecks and those awful Christians clinging to their guns and religion) passed legislation requiring any candidate on the ballot, for local, state or federal office, be certified by the Secretary of State as being eligible under the State and US Constitutions to hold the office they seek. That should be interesting in 2012. Assuming of course the Democrat ticket is the same as 2008.
“Whimsical pseudo-expert worldview”? About time to rebind and cover the old thesaurus for you it would appear. So can you refute my comment regarding the unknown nature of JFK, Carter, Clinton and Obama?
You, and obviously a large number of Americans, can easily be deluded by the media and the purely political rantings of an unaccomplished, unknown, Chicago- Mafia produced egomaniac who is clearly in over his head, or in his words, making decisions well above “his pay grade”.
Shammed
June 6th, 2009
1:43 pm
Sorry to jump in here on Aquagirl’s yammer, but I have to:
“JD @11:12 No, my point was an elected Republican thinks “liberal media” is a bigger threat to this country than terrorists.”
And you liberals think the same thing about anti-abortion activists. Why, how much liberal media cast the light on that while all but ignoring the radical muslim who murdered a US military recruiter?
“First, creating a “liberal media” (such as you have done) encapsulates a paranoid, divided thinking.”
Laughable! A liberal, from a group that thrives on class warfare and group classifications, has the gall to talk about divided thinking! Second, we didn’t “create” the liberal media. They created themselves when they left objectivity. Their fawning over Obama says it all.
“Second, considering a large number of Americans as enemies to be personally degraded guarantees social insanity.”
Only you liberals would make that stretch. But we already know you fascist liberals want to shut up the voice of dissent, or at the least, call it “hate” speech.
“It also displays breathtaking egotism and arrogance–the kind you display when you analyze and dismiss the ‘08 election according to a whimsical pseudo-expert worldview.”
Breathtaking egotism and arrogance – like the DEMOCRATS have displayed for two years running congress, and more recently, four months in the White House. Again, laughable! You liberals would be pathetic if you weren’t such fine entertainers of hypocrisy.
Jackie
June 6th, 2009
3:47 pm
@Charles
Something has emboldened you enough to crawl out of your hole. You just could not wait to inject you vile and not-so-subtle racist attitude.
Jackie
June 6th, 2009
3:48 pm
@Wooten
I do not agree with your politics, however, I am of the STRONG belief that you are a decent and caring human being. Often times, you allow the mellow in you to emerge. Congrats.
getalife
June 6th, 2009
3:49 pm
Thanks for supporting 8 years of destruction of our country Jim.
Perhaps you should apologize and admit all the times you were dead wrong to try to save your soul.
Jackie
June 6th, 2009
3:59 pm
News reports indicate 8 of the banks were repaying the stimulus loans early with the Federal Government getting back more than they were loaned.
Most economists are saying the economy has bottomed or will bottom by the next quarter indicating a rebound.
Job losses have slowed – more than 7 million people have lost their jobs – with some economists predicting positive job creation numbers by the end of the 3rd quarter this year.
It appears all this good news will put to rest those charges referring to President Obama is being a Socialist. Frankly, this glimmer of good news will make this country economically strong again and HELP EVERYONE, even those naysayers.
ENJOY!!!
@@
June 6th, 2009
4:24 pm
Dang, Jim! I wasn’t planning on tearing up today. You are a kind and gentle man.
Aside from her political philosophy, it sounds like many of your liberal contributors could learn to emulate the compassion and respect Cynthia has for you.
Thanks for sharing.
"Charles", The Original
June 6th, 2009
5:02 pm
Jackie,
I’m a servant of God. And a servant of God is obligated to tell the truth. Yes, the truth is perceived to be divine and color blind or it can be viewed as vile and racist depending on your level of maturity. So now you know what people mean when they say, “you can’t handle the truth.”
Jackie, if Jim Wooten or Cynthia Tucker had maintained their cherished principles, the AJC would have fired them without warning. Both would have replaced with two columnists willing to sell their souls for money etc… And it’s plenty of those available. Amen?
Bubba Gone Wild
June 6th, 2009
5:32 pm
Nice read Jim. It’s funny reading all the howevers, buts, and althoughs. Southerners appear to be very closed minded. It’s amazing to see the overwhelming dislike for Cynthia Tucker. I have one question though. If she wasn’t present at your mothers funeral, would the gloves come off if there was a disagreement at the AJC? We’ll never know. It continues to amaze me that the same people that continue to drive this country in the dirt refuse to change or compromise. There’s no credibility in any of your comments. None of you people have anything intellegent to offer other than the usual Southern chatter.
Shammed
June 6th, 2009
5:36 pm
The fact that no economic expert knows where the “bottom” is, the fact that no housing expert knows where the “bottom” is, and the fact that this nation’s economy started tanking after the Pelosicrats took over Congress more than two years ago refutes any candyassed claim Jackie made about how great things are. Things WILL get worse under these neo Marxists. You can bank on it.
Shammed
June 6th, 2009
5:44 pm
Oh, and let us not forget how the Chinese laughed at our Tax Cheat In Chief Of US Treasury:
http://www.gold-speculator.com/appenzell-daily-bell/7254-chinese-laugh-geithner-says-assets-safe-public-private-partnerships-best-way.html
By the way, everyone pay special note to the Google liberals showing a Tetris logo today instead of something honoring our D-Day men. What pathetic liberals.