Like him or hate him, integrity demands that you respect him. Unfortunately, the dishonesty, disingenuity, and disillusionment of our collective populace in 2016 is sufficiently viral to vibrantly support the slander and vitriol as long as Bill remains in the public eye, but when this media giant finally does retire (hopefully not for a very long time), fair-minded persons everywhere will respectfully pay homage to this journalist among journalists.
Schooled by Catholic Nuns, little Billy was far from being a perfect child or student, but this "Bold, Fresh, Piece of Humanity" was always authentic. Along the way he learned several life lessons that would be keys to his future success.
1. STAY SOBER. In Bill's book, "A Bold, Fresh, Piece of Humanity," he describes going to a party with a girl as a young man. After arriving at the party and discovering drugs were being used there, his date replied, "Far out," to which Bill responded, "I'm out," and forthwith left the party. All Americans would benefit from following Bill's disciplined example regarding the use of drugs and alcohol.
2. GET EDUCATED. While not always a model student, Bill endured the strict tutelage of the Nuns to eventually study abroad, successfully graduate from college, and earn two master's degrees from Boston University (broadcast journalism) and Harvard (MPA).
3. WORK HARD & PLAY BY THE RULES. As a kid and teenager Bill was an avid athlete who played hard in all the childhood games and sports that he and his fellow Long Island urchins cherished. Playing hard as a youth evolved into working hard as a man. As a young kid supporting himself through college, Bill became an entrepreneur painting houses on Long Island where he worked long hours and raked in handsome amounts of cash for his lowly station in life at the time. As a journalist, he took nothing for granted. Through grit, hard work, persistence, and a determination to pursue opportunities he was passionate about, he eventually worked his way to the highest levels of his profession -- a level he has maintained for an unprecedented 15 years and running.
The formula for success in America, while rarely easy, has never been particularly complicated. If you stay sober, get educated, and then work hard and play by the rules, you are, with very few exceptions, guaranteed to eventually find success in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
While it is true that the American success formula has been more complicated for some individuals and groups of people throughout our spotted history than others, the United States remains the greatest provider of collective opportunity in the world -- especially if you are willing to focus on individual effort and personal potential rather than collective grievances. And no one is more courageous in calling out those who promote the latter over the former than Mr. O'Reilly.
There are many reasons I admire and respect Bill O'Reilly. I suppose my admiration stems in part from the fact that I see some of myself in Bill. After all, I am a middle-class kid from rural Utah who loves history, is passionate about education, and had to work my butt off to earn everything I've achieved both personally and professionally.
But there are other, more important, reasons I venerate this titan of television news commentary. First, I admire Bill's authenticity; second, I respect his integrity; and third, I revere his generosity and compassion towards those in need.
First, a word about Bill's authenticity. In employing the term, "authenticity," I am not referring to mere uniqueness or originality, but to the integrity one exercises towards oneself as well as to one's principles. Thank you, Bill, for being a classic authenticist. I believe an AGE of AUTHENTICISM is is the early stages of eclipsing the morally perilous postmodern era that has so dramatically wounded the ethical vibrance of our nation, and you, Mr. O'Reilly, have been a leading voice -- if not the leading voice -- in this movement. My work is yet unknown, but when I am your age and the Age of Authenticism is credited with changing the course of American History, your name will appear among a short list of powerful authenticists that made this welcomed shift possible.
Second, a word about Bill's integrity. Anyone who watches the O'Reilly Factor consistently will know that Bill stands as ready to critique and, when necessary, criticize a Republican as he is a Democrat. He is just as willing to lecture President Bush or Speaker Boehner as he is President Obama or Senator Reid. My company, Freedom Focused, champions an aristotelian Golden Mean as one means of accessing the truth about a given matter. Thank you, Bill, for being the Golden Mean of the American media, and for giving such a powerful voice to Independent Americans.
Third, a word about Bill's compassion and generosity. While Bill is known for an impassioned and spirited vocality, and what some consider to be an intimidating and bellicose demeanor and presentation, none of this can mask the remarkable compassion Bill feels towards those in need. And he puts his money where his mouth -- and heart -- is by regularly extending portions of his considerable fortune to a variety of worthy philanthropic causes. He is especially conscious of supporting our Troops, whereby he shares his prodigious platform and microphone with others who are also eager to help. And I know Bill's giving does not end on the air. I often wonder how much money Mr. O'Reilly gives away without ever telling his audience about it -- and he tells his audience about it on a regular basis. A genuine Christian man, I doubt anyone will ever know the full extent of Bill's generous giving.
As an A-list journalist, he is perhaps unmatched in his courage and willingness to criticize pop cultural icons, politicians, and others who proliferate media content and support policies that are harmful to children and others--even when he knows doing so will be unpopular, and that his comments will be crucified online and elsewhere. Adore him or despise him, in this age of moral opacity and entropy, everyone always knows where Bill O'Reilly stands--something you can't say about many high profile journalists and leaders in this country. Thank God someone in the USA with enormous power is willing to consistently stand on the side of modesty, propriety, and integrity.
In a world dominated by political correctness and ideological loyalty (often at the expense of honesty and decency), Bill O'Reilly -- ever worthy of his famous moniker: A Bold, Fresh, Piece of Humanity -- remains ever true to his principles. You may not like his principles, but how can you not admire someone as successful, rich, and well traveled as Bill, who, after all these years, remains true to the same code of ethics and principles he was brought up with in Levittown. Perhaps ironically, it is this integrity to principle that has led to his unprecedented success. A successful project, job, or year can be lucked or timed into. But a successful career at the very top of one's industry that leaves a positive, lasting legacy attached thereto must always be earned the old-fashioned way, and YOU, Bill O'Reilly, have earned it.
As a way of expressing my gratitude, I referenced you via one of your self-appointed titles in the opening line of a recent public address I gave on EDUCATION at Lone Star College of the Woodlands (North Houston, Texas). Click HERE to view Dr. Jensen reference Bill O'Reilly in the opening line of his groundbreaking speech on Education.
