rick dunham, washington bureau chief, one of our former presidents here with hearst newspapers and glad to have rick here as well. finally, r.e.m. writer editor and publisher with american journalism and review. and now you can give your applause. thank you. >> it may come as a surprise to some of you here today as you've watched our speakers luncheons over the years that we do not intend to site members of the press to speak at the podium. for one thing it would get way out of control if we start letting those doors open, right? but we have a special cause to do that today because our speaker is truly a special individual. but generally we think that journalists cover the news and we try not to perhaps put them in a spotlight they might otherwise feel uncomfortable in. but as i said, today's guest is an exception. david simon, a long time journalist at the baltimore sun, honed his skills reporting on the streets of one of the the most dangerous cities of our country. and after years of reporting the realities of inner city life it, wasn't the murder, drugs or other horrific crimes that