SOME FINAL THOUGHTS Out Now

Carolynn says:

When I was editing Dave’s book for publication after his death, I searched through some of his writings to find speeches, etc. to add to his manuscript. One example, included in the published manuscript, ended on page 109. I made a note that the rest of the pages of this speech were missing. Well, I found them. SO, I would like to include them here because the advice Dave gives to the room full of Marine Corps Public Relations officers in this speech is relevant--and the humor in Dave’s speech writing is so well represented here.

∞

Lost pages continue as:

 “Here are a few things you could try  . . . you may not get far but you can try. Hockey player Phil Watson said this in a post-game interview:

            ‘Gentlemen, I have nothing to say. Any questions?’”

“White House press secretary Mike McCurry when asked if the President was going to veto a particular piece of legislation,

‘Some of our friends are for it. Some of our friends are against it. And we’re standing with our friends.’”

And, from the think before you speak department this from pro football receiver Rocket Ismail extolling the virtues of a McDonald’s hamburger named after him,

 ‘It’s cooked to make sure nothing else is living in there.’

“Some advice: don’t wait until the media are storming the gates. The best defense is still an offense. That’s why you’re here, right? You want to know what to do to prepare for the new enemy of the 90’s: The news media. I’m going to give you one word. It’s something that’s done thousands of times-a-day in this town. It’s a magic word. It carries with it a weight that, when it’s used, means that you’re on the inside . . . you’re on the A-list, you’re a mover and shaker. The word is . . .SCHMOOZE.”

“I don’t know where it came from but I’m sure people have been doing it since the cave man . . . probably with a different name. Schmoozing is networking, it’s making contacts, it’s getting to know you, it’s putting a face with a name (I love that one); it’s ‘tell me your story and I’ll tell you mine.’ But, most importantly, it’s ‘tell me what you need from me to make your job easier, and I’ll tell you what I need from you to make your job easier’. And it’s ‘let’s do it NOW before the you-know-what hits the fan.’’”

“You’re getting a chance to do that this week, but the follow-up is important when you get back to your commands. Chances are it’ll be different. The television and radio stations and newspapers will be smaller and fewer, but the process is the same. You’ll constantly be updating your mailing and phone lists as reporters and editors come and go, but so will they as you move from command to command.”

“Once again, even as I assure you most reporters are dummies, by and large, they are pretty good people once you get to know them. Keep in mind, you are the expert in your field. They know very little about what you do. If you can educate them ahead of time by inviting them to visit your base and give them a hands-on look at some of your weapons of semi-mass destruction and let them meet some of these fine examples of young Americans that the Marine Corps is creating; then you will be way ahead of the game.”

“Also remember, they are the expert in their field. The more you can anticipate their wants and needs, the more understanding they’ll be when it comes to crunch time.”

“At this point I’m reminded of a story US Supreme Court Justice, Antonin Scalia told when he arose to give a speech recently. He said he felt:

‘like the man who comes home drunk and tries to sneak into the house, but loudly falls face down on the carpet. Confronted by an angry wife demanding an explanation, the man says, I have no prepared remarks, but I will entertain questions from the floor.’

And that’s exactly what Justice Scalia did . . .  and in my remaining minutes, that’s what I will try to do.”