I was writing about Veteran's Day when I got the news of the death of Harvie Jordan. If you didn't know this man, you missed out. You missed out on one of those people who, when his name was mentioned, you would say, "Hey, I know Harvie Jordan...", and you were very proud of that.

A great number of folks who receive this newsletter knew Harvie. Harvie, himself, received these little essays, and I always looked forward to his little quips of response. Witty and funny. Thoughtful. Well, just "Harvie".

Harvie Jordan was a news reporter in Austin, Texas, among other things. I got to know him in that role more than 35 years ago, and I and a number of our fellow journalists are better for knowing him. When I look at a reporter, I ask just one question. Would he or she be a good and fair Judge in a Court of Law -- able to put aside all of those things which spoil good judgment. On those counts, Harvie would have made the Supreme Court. He was that fair.

The last time I spent some real one-on-one quality time with Harvie was earlier this year, and it was special. We were shopping for a gift to present to a comrade of the old radio days at a reunion, and even went together to the old radio station studios - now, converted law offices - to try to find some artifact. And in that one afternoon, we had a wonderful back-and-forth about the old days, the new days, and everything in between. I shall never forget that wonderful afternoon.

Harvie signed many of his emails with the little expression ... "Upward and Onward" ... no matter what the subject. I've gone back to read a number of them in the last day or so. Man, I'll miss that guy.

HOME WEBSITE OF THE FORTNIGHT WEEKLY NEWSLETTER