Cornelius J. Hannon, Jr.
The O. J. Simpson trial was the staple of the daily news for most of 1995. It riveted public attention, the must-see constant in news accounts from January to October. O.J. Simpson: World News Anchor is a unique peak at the trial, but more importantly, concurrent world happenings, many possibly overlooked by a public obsessed with its daily OJ fix.
Consider this published quote from CNN’s Larry King: “If we had God booked and O. J. was available, we’d move God.”
Consider that a reported 23 print and 27 broadcast companies, and upwards of 2,000 journalists, were on-hand. One poll showed three out of four people knew who OJ’s sidekick, Brian “Kato” Kaelin, was, but couldn’t name the vice president, Al Gore. It’s estimated American businesses lost more than $20 billion because the proceedings diverted the attention of on-the-job employees.
The book’s daily quatrains highlight the world’s human drama as this American judicial spectacle unfolded.
Cornelius J. Hannon, Jr., a career journalist, should have known he was in for a special spin on life’s curve by his first job. Christened a literary editor, he found places to put commas in technical manuals for the F-111 aircraft, not understanding a word in them. But it was a start, and began a trip through a cross-section of the journalism profession, eventually settling in his own communications agency. Along the way, he helped more than 200 businesses grow, established an ethical fund raising program for police associations and was pulled over by some of the same officers who benefited, possibly because ethics can interfere with campaign totals. He started a regional newspaper, possibly burdened by wealth, appreciably depreciating his tax bracket status. Regardless, he always found time to write for numerous publications, newspapers being his first love.
O.J. Simpson: World News Anchor is a reflection of the appreciation Connie Hannon has for the information contained in the pages of local newspapers everywhere. “I only can hope, however, readers of this book won’t hold it against the newspaper community,” he said.
O.J. Simpson: World News Anchor is a well-versed look at the news that made the world turn while much of America turned to a California courtroom for its news. Two excerpts:
OJ hounds sniff Snoop Doggy Dogg trail
Baghdad fat cats nix UN oil-for-food sale
Easter in Soul comes and souls don''t go
Texas death next to life in row with foe
4/16-17
Author Notes
4/16-17 — Evidence in the Snoopy Doggy Dogg murder case is mishandled by LA police, getting OJ’s lawyers attention; Iraq rejects UN offer to allow oil sales to buy emergency food; sect believers in Korea expected this Easter to be doomsday, but wakeup to another day; abortion’s poster child, Jane Roe (Norma McCorvey), and her abortion clinic get a new next door neighbor, a right to life group.....
Leak law shields Savage from unraveling sock news
Mother Saddam forgives those with opposing views
Russia’s pullout is disarming to rebel Chechens
Land seized by Serbs in crosshairs of Croatians
7/31
Author Notes
7/31 — TV Reporter Traci Savage, who announced that bloodstained socks found in OJ’s bedroom had traces of Nicole’s blood, says she will invoke California''s Shield Law to protect source that leaked news to her; Saddam offers the mother of all pardons to political prisoners; Russians agree to leave Chechen territory and Chechen rebels agree to disarm; Croat army poised to reclaim land Serbs took in 1991…..
