The Man with the White Board
Tim Russert died today. He changed my interest in politics. He is the one who turned me into a news junkie. I first became fully aware of him on match name with face basis the night the 2000 elections began pouring in to the news room and America. History in action. The intelligence with which he turned on a dime to refigure his white board over and over again, as well as highlighting the profound ramifications of each possible reconfiguration changed the way I viewed news forever.
The haven't said much yet other than that he collapsed and died. I would have to suspect a heart attack. Last Thursday I was struck by how bad he looked. I actually had a moment where I thought the school must have upgraded to HD because I had never noticed those lines on his face before and I watch him all the time. But then the camera panned back to the other guy and HD wasn't it. How strange that I wish somehow that I had said something to someone. "Hey, I know this is bizarre but I watch Tim all the time, enough to feel like I know him but he looks terrible - he should go get checked out". But I didn't. Isn't it odd to feel guilt over the death of someone you never met? But that is the extent to which his life influenced me.
I am really sad about this. My superbowl isn't over yet and I feel like a guy who sits in the same box as me died and now I don't have anyone with whom to share my nachos.
The haven't said much yet other than that he collapsed and died. I would have to suspect a heart attack. Last Thursday I was struck by how bad he looked. I actually had a moment where I thought the school must have upgraded to HD because I had never noticed those lines on his face before and I watch him all the time. But then the camera panned back to the other guy and HD wasn't it. How strange that I wish somehow that I had said something to someone. "Hey, I know this is bizarre but I watch Tim all the time, enough to feel like I know him but he looks terrible - he should go get checked out". But I didn't. Isn't it odd to feel guilt over the death of someone you never met? But that is the extent to which his life influenced me.
I am really sad about this. My superbowl isn't over yet and I feel like a guy who sits in the same box as me died and now I don't have anyone with whom to share my nachos.