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Bill Mandel celebrates a very happy 90th birthday among friends in Oakland
Despite hardship resulting from a car hitting him in January 2006, the man who is most famous for bravely standing up to Senator Joseph McCarthy's anti-communist witch-hunt in the 1950s-- today enjoyed a happy celebration of his birthday among friends and supporters at his home.
June 2, 2007
Oakland, California
Born on June 4, 1917, William Marx Mandel-- "Bill" to his friends and the wide public that listened to his broadcasts on KPFA for many years-- celebrated his 90th birthday two days early at a party given by dozens of friends just outside his home in Oakland.
In January 2006, the author, political activist, scholar, and broadcasting legend was seriously injured by a car that hit him as he was crossing a street. After a long and dicey convalescence, Mandel made an astounding recovery, and today appeared sound in every way-- especially in his ability to thoroughly enjoy the comradery of the dozens of people who came to celebrate with him. When asked about his health, Mandel described how he still has problems with his vision.
In 1999, the famous American folk singer Pete Seeger (b. 1919) wrote to Bill with advice which both he and Mandel appear to be following. Among the items, Seeger advised Bill to "stay alive and kicking" and "keep a sensayuma."
At that time Seeger also contributed a endorsement for the cover of Mandel's memoir Saying No To Power. He wrote: "Bill Mandel gives a good example to us all. Stay involved. Don't give up. Will we make mistakes? Of course. Grin and learn."
More on Bill Mandel:
Mandel Quotations noted by an admirer:
Useful links:
The Investigation of William Mandel by Sen. Joseph McCarthy (half-hour program available at Youtube)
Wikipedia Biography
Bill Mandel and KPFA
Saying No to Power: BillMandel.net
Bill Mandel's last KPFA Broadcasts in 2005 (mp3s to listen to)
Oakland, California
Born on June 4, 1917, William Marx Mandel-- "Bill" to his friends and the wide public that listened to his broadcasts on KPFA for many years-- celebrated his 90th birthday two days early at a party given by dozens of friends just outside his home in Oakland.
In January 2006, the author, political activist, scholar, and broadcasting legend was seriously injured by a car that hit him as he was crossing a street. After a long and dicey convalescence, Mandel made an astounding recovery, and today appeared sound in every way-- especially in his ability to thoroughly enjoy the comradery of the dozens of people who came to celebrate with him. When asked about his health, Mandel described how he still has problems with his vision.
In 1999, the famous American folk singer Pete Seeger (b. 1919) wrote to Bill with advice which both he and Mandel appear to be following. Among the items, Seeger advised Bill to "stay alive and kicking" and "keep a sensayuma."
At that time Seeger also contributed a endorsement for the cover of Mandel's memoir Saying No To Power. He wrote: "Bill Mandel gives a good example to us all. Stay involved. Don't give up. Will we make mistakes? Of course. Grin and learn."
More on Bill Mandel:
Mandel Quotations noted by an admirer:
The most important
human right is the right to live. It is also the most important civil
liberty.
Fascism is not openly terrorist to the mass of the people, but makes unprecedented use of social demagogy. [It] requires that a politically decisive mass of citizens is willing to use force to deny democratic expression to fellow-citizens...
Don't oversimplify. Life and politics and human beings are extremely complicated and internally contradictory.
Fascism is not openly terrorist to the mass of the people, but makes unprecedented use of social demagogy. [It] requires that a politically decisive mass of citizens is willing to use force to deny democratic expression to fellow-citizens...
Don't oversimplify. Life and politics and human beings are extremely complicated and internally contradictory.
Mandel's definition of courage:
...the sense of moral
indignation that overwhelms my fears.
Useful links:
The Investigation of William Mandel by Sen. Joseph McCarthy (half-hour program available at Youtube)
Wikipedia Biography
Bill Mandel and KPFA
Saying No to Power: BillMandel.net
Bill Mandel's last KPFA Broadcasts in 2005 (mp3s to listen to)
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