Studs is Dead
There are days a man doesn't want to sell a paper. Not in Chicago.
This day was coming since the moment he was born. It took 96 years to finally close shop, but I'll bet he was at a typewriter at the last possible moment.
Studs Terkel lived a life that was about everyman. It didn't matter that he was wealthy beyond belief, hob-nobbing with the literary elite. He still had class.
So that's the news. It might be why you are here. Now, it's true. I got papers to sell, and it is Saturday. Used to be the working man grabbed a paper, got some coffee, and read the news. Now he logs on, and clicks through. So do I. Me too. But Studs was a writer and radio guy. Today, now, he's on the front pages of the Daily Herald, Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune. He's on PBS, and every local station.
He knew everybody, and met everyone else. I even shook his hand once. Short little Jewish man with a big mouth. Won't ever forget that. Good guy, now gone.
Sure, I don't want his face on every paper, not for this. But this is what I do. I sell papers. Buy one, would ya? I think Studs would approve. Even if he didn't, he'd understand. Besides, I'm tired of seeing Barack Obama's mug everywhere. At least Studs' face was honest.
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