(un-proofed entry.)
Tim Russert passed away on Friday so suddenly. It was like someone just sort-of yanked a rug from under me. Another pleasant person suddenly gone. I didn’t realize how much I was affected by this. Of course, I didn’t know him personally but what a !@#$^x%x downer. I watched tributes to him on Saturday and Sunday and on the Today show his son was interviewed by Matt Lauer.
What a great example and reinforcement of the type of person Tim Russert seemed to be, reflected in his son Luke. Watching the attitude displayed by his son, was just inspiring and even uplifting.
Luke Russert’s confidence and his demeanor and poise exuded on the today show. Confident, “at-home”, demeanor just like his dad. He was very positive and when this young man talked about his dad, he had that same way of just enjoying the experience and good-hearted memories of his father. – What I saw today is how I envision my children to be.
Tim Russert was so hugely respected and widely appreciated for his personality, attitude and standards of reporting news. Every single “rival” news network ran a considerate piece on Tim Russert’s life (Larry King, Donny Deutsch, Chris Wallace….) It was pretty amazing to know – ok: other people admired this man as well.
To see how the effect of a good positive, straighforward, fun-loving attitude can even indirectly affect sooooo many people was also inspiring and touching. I wish to have that affect.
Why Tim Russert left an impression:
It’s a disappointment that Tim Russert has left. As I wrote on Youtube – “I remembered the 2004 elections…” (I said in error – I meant the 2000 elections) when Tim Russert had all of his markers and little board tallying his stats on the election to the audience. It was evident to me in that time, that this was not just a job for him, this was something that he really loved -Because of this – I think in retrospect, an unconcious high level of trust for his reporting and journalism evolved in me. I knew since he took so much pride in his work that the end product would be “quality”.
In addition, It may sound weird, but It was actually a small pleasantry seeing how much this journalist completely thrived, excelled and purely enjoyed breaking down, explaining and clarifying politics for us.
You’d look at this guy and say – Wow, he really loves this stuff – that’s really nice. -and so for me, the thorough Tim Russert kind of became, “EF Hutton” – when he spoke: I listened. with him, you were getting, “complete, concise, accurate, “
So I cannot lie; this was just a sour bit of news for me. I’m also surprised that I’m discovering a large sense of disappointment here in his death. The competence, level of professionalism and solid sense of integrity from Tim Russert in working with holding these politicians accountable, boiled down to be a level of protection and care for people of America – and the world. Asking the questions that TRULY mattered…
AND so it just completely SUCKS – that such a good person -a “gatekeeper”, if you will, has had to depart from us.
Again, I am still discovering how much the passing of Tim Russert has left a void – for more political crap and nonsense to go un-checked, as far as I’m concerned. It’s just particularly disheartening that Bush and this administration can commit so many wrongs and be so corrupt (I’m not being “leftist”...etc. It’s just based on all the events.) and yet someone, a seeming force of integrity, has had to depart.
I say to Tim Russert:
Thank you so much Tim for your hard work, thorough questioning, standards and examples of professionalism, sharing the pleasure taken in your work with the audience, always striving to get answers to the RIGHT questions and being a solid source of information.
Blessings to you and your family. I never knew extent to which thought so much of you – but when I look at what I have seen of your persona and the very personal stories from colleagues and politicians, I’m not surprised.
-Two weeks ago was the final time I saw a Tim Russert, in a multiple interview with Brian Williams, Keith Olberman, laughing, engaged and committed to the work in this election, seemingly excited about the history and events occuring and passing along great information to viewers – with a great, winning personality – and always a smile.
Best.