Bothered

So, I'm sitting here trying to figure why Tim Russert's death seems to bother me more than it should.

As a journalist, it's always sad to me when we lose one of our own. Russert was more than a big-name TV news guy, though. He was highly regarded as a political expert because he really knew his stuff. And Russert had style. I mean, everyone's familiar with "Meet the Press." Sometimes I watched it, but not as often as my parents, who are big Russert fans. Me, I tend to avoid the news when I'm off the clock. But I understand why Russert's death is a huge loss to our business, to educating the public -- especially about the workings of government and politics.

When the news broke about his death Friday, it cast a pall over our newsroom. We watched the news alerts on TV in near silence for about 10 minutes, then carried on with our daily budget meeting and got on with the rest of our workday.

Some of my colleagues here at the office now are wondering why such a big deal is being made, why Russert's memorial service is being aired live on MSNBC. It's not as if he was a U.S. president or something, right?

Right. But Russert was considered one of the top 100 more influential people in the world, an icon. And I dare say he's far more interesting to me than some of our presidents. Heck, just look at all the people -- newsmakers alone -- who are at the memorial service I'm trying to listen to and catch snippets of on the TV behind me.

I think Russert accomplished the things most journalists strive for: to tell the truth, to earn some degree of respect for it and to have a happy life outside of work. Most of us will never be as rich and famous or skilled as him, but many of us will try to be. A lot of us live for the news, regardless.

Maybe his death is bothering me because I'm seeing some of the things I have in common with Russert: both from cold, blue-collar pro football cities, both close to our parents, both Catholic.

But I think it's bothering me because he died at work. That gets me. None of us is too busy to die.

Posted by on 06/18 at 05:05 PM

I agree Jackie. It struck a chord with me as well. I’ve never actually been an avid watcher of the news once I go home, but I’ve seen Russert on numerous occasions and he was always sincere and funny in the way he presented himself. You could always count on him to break things down into easily understandable chunks of information anyone could understand. It’s a tragic loss for the new community as well as for his family and friends. He was great at what he did.

Posted by  on  06/19  at  10:13 AM

It was cool during the memorial service that Tom Brokaw busted out one of Russert’s icy cold bottles of Rolling Rock, which he said he would save to enjoy on election night in November and toast to Russert and Russert’s dad.

Yeah. I would have liked to had a beer with Tim Russert.

Now how’s that for a good time, Wolf? Tim Russert, Drew Carey and me sitting around drinking beer and yakking about whatever—probably about what it would take for the Buffalo Bills or the Cleveland Browns to ever win a Super Bowl. smile

Posted by  on  06/19  at  11:00 AM

It bothered me, too, that he died. One reason, other that what yall have already mentioned, is that he was young. I know 58 in not real young, but that’s just a few years older than me.

Life goes on.... is what I was thinking when I read your post, Jackie. (When you mentioned that is was quiet for 10 minutes, then meetings, etc.)

Posted by bewmson  on  06/19  at  11:58 AM

Good call. I think 58 is very young, too. It’s younger than my parents—but I think of my parents as young because they laugh a lot.

Something funny: When my Grandma Sapola was 90 and had to go to the doctor, my uncle said she looked around the waiting room and said, “Why do I have to be here with all these old people?” Nevermind that she was very likely the oldest person in the room! That still cracks me up.

I think anyone who hasn’t lost his or her ability to have fun is young. And Tim Russert always looked like he genuinely enjoyed his work.

Another bummer about his death: it happened right before Father’s Day. I don’t think Tim Russert’s dad thought he’d outlive his son. Both of my grandfathers died more than a decade ago, but it still feels weird not buy Father’s Day cards for them and give them a call on Father’s Day.

Posted by  on  06/19  at  12:15 PM

Came across this. Thought you might enjoy the quick read.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20207591,00.html

Posted by  on  06/20  at  10:08 AM

Thanks, Mookie. I may have to go out and buy a People magazine.

Posted by bewmson  on  06/20  at  11:10 AM

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