I had a narrative for this post. But it’s too raw, even for this blog or whatever it is, where I seem oblivious at times to how much self-revelation is appropriate. Anyway, I figured the Toastchees were just going to be a phase when I came up with the silly idea 35 days ago as a way to…well…it was somewhat therapeutic for a little while. It’s not anymore. The posts were a reaction to the paralysis I felt a few days earlier, when a friend asserted to me, “You’re a coward”. Friend was right. But forty days later, I’m still a coward. Oh, yeah, I was gonna keep a lid on raw self-revelations. I’ve heard a few (hundred) times from those who know me well and those who don’t, “You’re too hard on yourself”. Thing is, I continue to screw up in such royal ways… Enough with this cryptic stuff. Enjoy the song. Or not; I suppose it’s not a song one enjoys. I think I’ll take a little break from here now…
I saw the “breaking news” headline five minutes ago and went straight to YouTube to find a clip or two to watch. It gives me a very queasy feeling to watch this rant on religion so immediately after his passing. But it seems a fitting queasiness.
I do think George Carlin was brilliant, but perhaps a bit too caustic even for me. I’m not overwhelmed with grief as I was when Tim Russert passed away last weekend. But I thought this news warranted some pause and some mention.
(audio NSFW…and Carlin probably had a lot of influence on what is considered NSFW…)
Yeah, I know this is old news. 16 years old, to be exact. And it’s “gutter politics” to bring it up. But I don’t think “the American people are smart enough to reject” gutter politics, so every bit helps. In particular, if there really are disaffected Hillary voters who think a sexist media doomed their candidate, I surely hope Senator McCain’s now-infamous public remarks to his wife give them pause before they throw their support to him.
And it’s kinda amusing.
NSFW if you’re not using headphones. Contains liberal use of the c*** word.
I’ve moved beyond music video piracy. Now, I’m supporting the blatant piracy of movies still showing in theaters. But it’s just so friggin’ brilliant.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (9 of 10 toast slices)
Tom Brokaw will anchor Meet the Press this morning (airing locally here in the Triangle at 10AM on NBC-17).
In the meantime, over the past 72 hours, I’ve been watching a lot of remembrance clips online (I’m still lacking lacking cable). You could certainly find these on your own. I just wanted to have a representative set collection of clips that I found to be particularly informative or moving in reflecting on Russert’s life…
Dead. I’m stunned. Usually the New York Times alerts in my email inbox aren’t anything I dwell on. This…this is tough news. I have read nothing other than the subject line of my news alert. Dead at 58, sudden heart attack. It was just a few weeks ago that a manic Terry McAuliffe erroneously joked on Meet The Press that Russert’s father “Big Russ” was looking down on them from heaven. Big Russ is still very much alive, but I’m sure most didn’t imagine he’d outlive his son. Obviously, what a loss for his family, but it’s a huge loss for those who follow politics. Tim Russert was one of the keenest political minds out there in the media, perhaps in the entire television age.
58.
An original.
UPDATE“Explainer-In-Chief”. An apt description from Senator Joe Lieberman on the legacy of Tim Russert. I’ve been watching MSNBC’s live coverage over the internet. There is such tremendous sincere respect in these spontaneous reactions from colleagues and competitors. Most of those commenting don’t have scripts; they’re speaking from the heart, and it’s clear they are stunned and crushed.
For me, whenever I’ve gotten down on politics in my adult life, it’s usually been a jolt of Meet The Press that’s been able to revive my interest. There was no b.s. with Tim Russert and MTP.
Election Night 2000 was agonizing, but I fondly recall being up until 4AM watching Russert and Brokaw and Russert’s whiteboard…
“If there has to be a weekend to mourn Tim Russert, it would be Father’s Day,” NBC’s political director just said. It sounds like Tim Russert, in addition to being an extraordinary journalist, was a tremendous friend, mentor, philanthropist, father, son, colleague, comforter, and teacher.
I’m not so good at the impromptu remembrances…this news has really shaken me. There aren’t many public figures whose sudden passing would sadden me so much.
If the “mainstream media” leaves you feeling cynical, read what people are saying about Tim Russert. You might feel a little less cynical.
UPDATE #2
Tom Brokaw announcing Russert’s passing earlier today. Tom Brokaw wouldn’t put the anchor hat back on for just anyone. Tough to watch…
Tom Brokaw will anchor Meet the Press this morning (airing locally here in the Triangle at 10AM on NBC-17).