Comments - Latest Popular Stories, Instablogs Community by Goinglikesixty

Kim

Kim — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Russert was a hard core left-wing idealogue pretending to be something else. He was part of the ultra left-wing administration of Mario Cuomo and then served the bidding of the Democrats in the U.S. Senate. To think that he suddenly, magically became an objective ”journalist” by going on TV is laughably insane.

Rudolf

Rudolf — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Going,

Common now, let them mourn. If you cannot stand it, switch off.

I personally have watched him every Sunday for eight years or more. His death was a big loss to me too. And there is nobody in journalism today that I look forward to watching the way I looked forward to watching Tim. He is one of the greatest ever. Maybe you don’t know him because you don’t watch him or you allowed the fact that you shared the same time in history with him to minimize in your mind his importance. 50 years from now, when the Olbermanns, the O’Reillys and the Hannitys have taken over the world of journalism then you will appreciate the greatness of Tim.

This is what Rush Limbaugh said about Tim Russert. ”It’s just a shame. Tim was a regular guy with that perpetual smile he wore naturally all the time. He loved life and got everything he could out of it. Whether it was at dinner here in Florida while his son was taking golf lessons, or on the set of Meet The Press, Tim was always the same with me: genuine. He never condescended to anyone and was the consummate professional. He will be hard to replace. He was the closest thing there was at any of the networks to an objective journalist.”

If Rush could be this generous, who the angle are you to grumble?

The greatest quote I heard on his death was from a comment a friend of mine made. He said, “why didn’t death see the likes of Rush Limbaugh or Bill O’Reilly or that mad man, Sean Hannity.”

Well, we cannot command death. And we cannot decide for others how they are going to mourn their colleague. We have a wonderful option – to switch channels.

Going LikeSixty

Going LikeSixty — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0000

@Rudolf:

I did not change channels of Nightly News because I could not believe they would devote the entire program to Russert.

I did not watch any of the tributes. I heard the promos for them. Why would I watch? Why would I care.\

Some were unavoidable - the golf game cut-ins, but I did mute them.

Again: in the big picture - he was only important to his family.

The world is the same without him - he made no lasting contribution to making the world better.

Since when do we allow the public airways to be used for catharsis?

Aparna

Aparna — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0000

In a world where television journalism is increasingly dictated by corporate and political agendas, Russert was refreshingly tough, fair, and balanced as a journalist. If anyone has had the mind-numbing experience of watching local TV in the States, they will be aware of the complete minimization of critical analysis and investigative journalism that is the hallmark of domestic programming. In this context, Russert did what few serious journalists would have attempted - report, question, and analyse well beyond the superficial. It was for this that he received respect of his peers, an immense following, and the admiration even of his interviewees who reportedly vied for spots on his show.

Going LikeSixty

Going LikeSixty — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0000

@Aparna: I agree with what you said ...and that was his job.

He did an excellent job. No more. No less. But so what? What will his departure from this world mean?

Nada, zilch, nothing.

How was the world better with him in it?

This is my basic point: that he does not deserve on the ongoing adulation from NBC and insiders.

CNBC will carry his memorial service LIVE!

This is ridiculous!

Aparna

Aparna — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0000

And my point in the comment above is that he did make a difference. There are not many like him in the world of journalism - and his going does mean a loss. It is because fewer and fewer are willing to speak out that he has become a hero of the people. In other words - his was not just a job. Whatever else he may or may not deserve, he does deserve some respect - even by those who choose to minimise him. Every human is entitled to dignity both in life and after.

Going LikeSixty

Going LikeSixty — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0000

@Arpna: I am not disrespecting the man.

I am disrespecting NBC for going way over the top in covering his death.

Hero of the people? No. Questioning the insiders is not EVER heroic. NEVER.

NBC is giving his life/death hours and hours and hours of network and cable coverage.

When Peter Jennings died, ABC did maybe a couple hours.

As TV critic said, NBC is giving his death coverage like the Pope or President dying or the Challenger explosion.

NBC is the villian here. Not Tim Russert