I'm probably missing a thread already started about this (surely!) but can't seem to find it. As I'm sure you already know, Tim Russert died of a heart attack. I just watched the special Meet the Press honoring him. I am truly, truly sad. What I like most about him is that as professional and great as he was, he managed to make everything assessable and understandable to the common person. He will be missed.
He was one of the best political reporters out there. Even those he shredded on his show admitted that he made them better candidates. His acuity shall truly be missed.
What will do without the white board?!? Sadly missed...teared up today as I watched Tom Brockaw get choked up!!! Then the end wishing his dad a Happy Father's day & how proud he was to be Luke's dad!!! Awww man...if you didn't shed a tear. So glad he got to have a wonderful vacation with his fam before this happened. Thoughts & prayers with all who knew this man!!!
sad I have been in tears on and off this weekend. He will be missed. Loved his take on the primaries this year. The election won't be the same.
I hadn't heard that - it's really a loss to journalism - so many people are in it today to report what fits their agenda. He was always fair and objective. He also had a great sense of humor which I think you have to have in such a serious business. A true loss.
The today show ended its broadcast today with a audio recording from his book about his dad, Big Russ and Me. It is the epilogue, a letter to his son, Luke. It's absolutely beautiful. And while it's tragic that this happened near Father's Day, maybe this is the gentle reminder many of us need to remember to honor our own fathers... Dear Luke, I wrote this book for your Grandpa. As I finish it, I realize how much it is also for you. Imagine. When Grandpa was just about your age, he left high school to help win World War II. When the war was over, he came home and took on another mission--raising a family and educating his kids. As you know, for most of his life he worked two jobs and never complained. I have never seen him bitter or cynical about anything, or anyone. To this day, Grandpa believes his glass is two-thirds full. Or, as he puts it, "I'm truly blessed." And so are you. In the fall, you'll leave for college. You'll never have to struggle through loans or card games to pay tuition. Your opportunities are unlimited, and with that comes a higher responsibility. As your namesake, St. Luke tells us, "To whom much is given, much is expected." Remember our Thanksgiving dinner a few years back when, because of a special Pentagon program that gave returning veterans academic credit for their military service, we presented Grandpa with his high school diploma--South Park High, class of 1942. I never saw him happier. He finally had it all--and honorable discharge and a high school diploma. Whenever you think your studies are tough, think about Grandpa. The example he set and the lessons he taught--work, respect and discipline--are as important for you as they have been for me. When I was around your age, I went off to Woodstock Festival with some friends and didn't call home for five days. Mom and Dad were worried, and I didn't fully understand their pain, or Dad's anger, until the first time you went away with your friends and didn't check in the moment you arrived. So please, call home. I'll even settle for an email. Lukeman, along the way you'll hit some hurdles and experience some setbacks. I will always be there for you, as Grandpa was for me. But remember, while you are always always loved, you are never, never entitled. As Grandpa likes to say, "The world doesn't owe you a favor." You do however owe this world something> To live a good and decent and meaningful life would be the ultimate affirmation of Grandpa's lessons and values. The easiest commencement speech I ever heard was all of fifteen words: "The best exercise of human heart is reaching down and picking someone else up." Off you go. I am so very proud to be your father. Study hard. Have fun. Keep your honor. Pursue every one of your dreams. They really are reachable. As Big Russ would say, "what a country!" Love, Dad
I think that letter just says it all. He so easily shared his love of his father and son with the whole world in that letter. He didn't believe he was special jsut because he got to meet these people. He saw it as his job, and he was special because he was a father and son. Such an unfortunate loss.
Did any of you see the Today show??? Luke was on there. Very touching interview with Matt Lauer as well!!
