Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Just Because: Josh Campbell


I've been an admirer of Josh Campbell since first seeing him on CNN  a few years ago.  As much as I enjoy seeing Josh on my screen, it's usually a bad sign when he's on a lot.  Given his background and experience, Campbell usually shows up after a mass shooting or terror attack.  This week, thanks to the July 4th mass shooting in Highland Park, Campbell has been on the air quite a bit. 

Campbell is a former U.S. intelligence community official, and military veteran. He serves as an adjunct senior fellow and national security policy researcher with the Center for a New American Security. Campbell previously served as a Supervisory Special Agent with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation conducting national security and criminal investigations. His assignments included deploying in response to international terrorist attacks and kidnappings, overseas tours embedded with the CIA, U.S. Special Operations Command, and Department of State, crisis communication manager for counterterrorism, cyber and counterintelligence investigations, and was appointed Special Assistant to the FBI Director.


With his incredibly impressive resume, it makes sense he's now reporting on both domestic and international law enforcement issues for the cable network.  Having followed Campbell on social media for awhile, I knew he was married, that he loved dogs and that he was gay.  Campbell has always been open about his sexuality, yet I was still surprised yesterday when he mentioned his husband so casually while reporting on the Highland Park shooting.


I've never been someone who thinks celebrities, people in the public eye, or just regular citizens need to come out, especially loudly.  I believe people should just 'be' and 'live' out.  Any celebrity who publicly announces anything; their sexuality, a drug issue, a wedding, baby or new love, usually lives to regret it.  Just ask Tom Cruise about his Oprah couch jumping if you need further proof.  Still, even with the horror around him, I smiled a little at Josh's casual comment about his husband being only a few miles from the tragedy, just as anyone would mention if their spouse, or a family member was near a horrific new story.


Josh with fellow CNN'ers Polo Sandoval and Jason Carroll

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