I'm curious why you felt the need to point out Tim Russert's political leanings in you eulogy of him even though Mr Russert always tried to remain neutral and would skewer politicians from either side. With Mr Snow you fail to mention his willingness to ignore the truth to make a point for his side.
It's sad to see two such young, intelligent, good men lost from the public arena. It seems like this should be a time to reflect on the fragility of human life, not a time to express our dislike for those who think differently from us.
I wasn't expressing dislike on Mr Snow. The writer of this blog started Mr Russert's eulogy by saying 'Despite his political leanings'. That sounds like he is diminishing Mr Russert's accomplishments. I was wondering why he was not consistent or is it only people on the left that are less worthy due to their political beliefs.
BP - This was a post tossed off minutes after I heard the news of his passing. Sure, I may have my biases - who doesn't? - but I'm just a dude with a personal blog. It's not like I'm bound by a set of journalistic ethics.
It was not my intention to diminish Russert's accomplishments at all. I found him to be the most evenhanded of all the TV politicos (yes, moreso than Snow). I even stated so much in my tribute to him. And when one is involved in an atmosphere and industry where beliefs can easily be broadcast, the fact that Russert didn't is a testament to his standards. I just found the fact that he could be so impartial given his political background interesting, that's all. It's certainly not a sentiment I'd share with, say, Chris Matthews, who also came to journalism from the political arena (I sometimes enjoy watching him, but he does infuse his bias into his work).
This post wasn't meant to imply that journalists with Democratic backgrounds can't be fair. Most are.
Regarding Snow's "willingness to ignore the truth to make a point for his side," I didn't think that was necessary for a blog post giving my respects. If you want some subtle grave tapdancing, just check out the AP obit I linked.
Anyway, I figure that sentiment you have is effectively communicated by the picture of him in his role of White House Press Secretary. That's pretty much the job description, regardless of whatever administration's in power.
And, to be honest, I liked Russert more than Snow. I definitely watched "Meet the Press" more than Snow's program. But Snow made his press briefings entertaining.
I appreciate you taking time out of your day to read my blog (especially since I assume you are a fan of Bloom County!). Just don't expect me to strive for fairness in all of my posts.
Most every one has a bias, some more than others. When I read your piece on Russert I kept going back to the first sentence and thinking 'he seemed to like him but really started out with a caveat that really seemed to be diminishing to Russert.' While it stuck in my craw a bit I didn't comment then (maybe I should have) and would have forgotten about it had Snow not died so soon after. So there you go and there I commented.
I am going to go sit in the dandelion patch now and have a glass of wine... :)
It's all good. The day these comments start resembling the crass bickerings of the Daily Kos and Free Republic folks is the day I shut this blog down.
Okay, maybe not because that'd mean that I'd have way more readers than I do now and I'm such the comment whore. :)
BTW, "Bloom County" really deserves the comprehensive deluxe treatment that "Calvin & Hobbes" and "The Far Side" received. Not that I've bought those two yet (or the comprehensive volumes of "Peanuts" comics), but they're on my wishlist.
And my very first avatar on Blogger was a pic of one of my most prized possessions: my stuffed Bill the Cat doll.
Wayyyyy back in the day I used to drive around with an Opus in showercap and Holiday Inn towel in the back window of my car... yep, I was a geek (still may be).
Was about to comment on you leaving Supertramp's Breakfast In America off your list. Looked up the year of release and realized it would be up against London Calling. Basically an argument I couldn't win....pplvp
10 comments:
I'm curious why you felt the need to point out Tim Russert's political leanings in you eulogy of him even though Mr Russert always tried to remain neutral and would skewer politicians from either side. With Mr Snow you fail to mention his willingness to ignore the truth to make a point for his side.
It's been a tragic couple of months for that profession. Sad indeed.
I liked Tony Snow. He had a sense of humor and was well liked, especially among the press. I'm sorry he's gone.
It's sad to see two such young, intelligent, good men lost from the public arena. It seems like this should be a time to reflect on the fragility of human life, not a time to express our dislike for those who think differently from us.
I wasn't expressing dislike on Mr Snow. The writer of this blog started Mr Russert's eulogy by saying 'Despite his political leanings'. That sounds like he is diminishing Mr Russert's accomplishments. I was wondering why he was not consistent or is it only people on the left that are less worthy due to their political beliefs.
BP - This was a post tossed off minutes after I heard the news of his passing. Sure, I may have my biases - who doesn't? - but I'm just a dude with a personal blog. It's not like I'm bound by a set of journalistic ethics.
It was not my intention to diminish Russert's accomplishments at all. I found him to be the most evenhanded of all the TV politicos (yes, moreso than Snow). I even stated so much in my tribute to him. And when one is involved in an atmosphere and industry where beliefs can easily be broadcast, the fact that Russert didn't is a testament to his standards. I just found the fact that he could be so impartial given his political background interesting, that's all. It's certainly not a sentiment I'd share with, say, Chris Matthews, who also came to journalism from the political arena (I sometimes enjoy watching him, but he does infuse his bias into his work).
This post wasn't meant to imply that journalists with Democratic backgrounds can't be fair. Most are.
Regarding Snow's "willingness to ignore the truth to make a point for his side," I didn't think that was necessary for a blog post giving my respects. If you want some subtle grave tapdancing, just check out the AP obit I linked.
Anyway, I figure that sentiment you have is effectively communicated by the picture of him in his role of White House Press Secretary. That's pretty much the job description, regardless of whatever administration's in power.
And, to be honest, I liked Russert more than Snow. I definitely watched "Meet the Press" more than Snow's program. But Snow made his press briefings entertaining.
I appreciate you taking time out of your day to read my blog (especially since I assume you are a fan of Bloom County!). Just don't expect me to strive for fairness in all of my posts.
Most every one has a bias, some more than others. When I read your piece on Russert I kept going back to the first sentence and thinking 'he seemed to like him but really started out with a caveat that really seemed to be diminishing to Russert.' While it stuck in my craw a bit I didn't comment then (maybe I should have) and would have forgotten about it had Snow not died so soon after. So there you go and there I commented.
I am going to go sit in the dandelion patch now and have a glass of wine... :)
It's all good. The day these comments start resembling the crass bickerings of the Daily Kos and Free Republic folks is the day I shut this blog down.
Okay, maybe not because that'd mean that I'd have way more readers than I do now and I'm such the comment whore. :)
BTW, "Bloom County" really deserves the comprehensive deluxe treatment that "Calvin & Hobbes" and "The Far Side" received. Not that I've bought those two yet (or the comprehensive volumes of "Peanuts" comics), but they're on my wishlist.
And my very first avatar on Blogger was a pic of one of my most prized possessions: my stuffed Bill the Cat doll.
Wayyyyy back in the day I used to drive around with an Opus in showercap and Holiday Inn towel in the back window of my car... yep, I was a geek (still may be).
Was about to comment on you leaving Supertramp's Breakfast In America off your list. Looked up the year of release and realized it would be up against London Calling. Basically an argument I couldn't win....pplvp
I only have a Supertramp compilation and have never heard any of their full albums. Good singles, though.
Gun to my head, London Calling may be my all-time favorite album. I found a used vinyl copy at Goodwill years ago and framed the cover.
Post a Comment