Quote of the Week

"We Must be Willing to Give Up the Life We Have Planned, So As to Have the Life that is Waiting for Us."
-Joseph Campbell
Week of Aug 12, 2013




Saturday, June 14, 2008

In Memory: TIM RUSSERT

As I sit here and watch the coverage of the life and death of newsman Tim Russert, I feel small.

He was journalism with a capital J.  I once touted the capital J with pride and righteousness.  Not so much anymore.  Now it's more about ratings and the bottom line.

I used to follow politics with great interest ... and other "issues" ... but not so much anymore.  Much in the way a death reminds folks to hold people closer ... the death of Tim Russert - the "everyman" journalist -- reminds me of the true purpose of journalism.  It makes me want to step back and remember from where I came.

"Wise shall be the bearers of light."  It's inscribed in the walls of the greatest journalism school in the world.  The journalism school where I learned and embraced the ideals.  Walter Williams wrote "I believe in the Profession of Journalism" to begin the journalist's creed that I have framed in my home ... but have not looked at in so long.

The man Tim Russert was - as a journalist and dedicated father and son -- set the standard.  Now if only all journalists could attempt to work to rise to that standard...and attempt to reach the bar that he set so high.  Maybe the general public would finally gain interest .... and there would  be shift from info-tainment back to news gathering/reporting.

He's one of the few journalists I did not get to meet.   Probably because he worked so hard -- instead of going to conventions.  But he had impact.

God Bless Tim Russert.
Our prayers are with his family ... and his news family.

4 comments:

Maricar said...

Great commentary Kelly.

Shawn said...

I agree with Maricar, he will truly be missed.

Anonymous said...

Hey Kelly,
Haven't checked your blog in a while but I'm glad I did. You said everything I feel about our business and the loss of such a great representation of what we SHOULD be doing rather than what we END UP doing. Thanks for putting it into such eloquent words. Love, Karlyn

Micki said...

Too too true Kelly. Thanks for putting what I've been thinking into the perfect words.