Yesterday I had a conservation with someone. As it went on longer (and I had less and less to say about the history of Fleetwood Mac) the conversation turned towards deeper and less important (and interesting) subjects. On this this occasion, the discussion eventually gravitated towards death (in the sense we talked about Death, not that the conversation itself died).
Now, we had to be careful. Death wasn't there to defend himself, and I hate to talk to someone behind their back, but that's just the way that the conversation went. It wasn't an intentional 'Hey, let's be morbid because we're young and have a romantic notion of dying.' kind of thing, the conversation just kind of turned that way.
Anyway, eventually one of us (probably me, as it was exceptionally stupid) posed a question. Basically, once my fumbling over words finished, it leveled out to something like 'Upon hearing of their death, what people who you don't personally know would you cry over?' At the time, it sounded like a nice kind of pie in the sky way to pass time while we walked. I could have kept talking about how the currently touring Fleetwood Mac isn't technically Fleetwood Mac (No Christie Mcvie? No thanks.), but I think that may have bored even myself.
In retrospect, it was a stupid question, which is probably why I didn't really answer it with much thought. I didn't think for more than thirty seconds- I just rattled off the names of a few people who I admire and tried to change the subject to something that wasn't as crappy (luckily, a van with a pro-Abortion sticker drove right on past, opening up a whole new can of worms). I didn't think about the question. Honestly, I was more concerned about how pissed off/relieved I'd be if I died, not some stranger who is hot/makes me laugh/makes me jealous.
So, imagine my shock when the first thing I read on the internet today/tonight is this:
http://www.avclub.com/content/newswire/rip_tim_russert
I'll admit, I teared up a little bit when I read this. That's sad for two reasons:
a) Tim Russert is no longer alive. That one really sucks on any number of levels. His family, informed debate and the television community have suffered a great loss.
b) I didn't even think of him when answering that question yesterday, which makes me think I'm an asshole.
Although he never made me hot/laugh/jealous1 , he was a brillant journalist and orator, and- from what I've see in the limited interviews where he was the subject of the questions- a total stand up guy with a acute understanding of both politics and life.
As a cornerstone of Sunday Morning 4.00 AM T.V in Australia, Mr Russert was right up there with Jim Lehrer in teaching me about coping with insomnia (and also American politics). Without his polite and tolerant demeanor and austere methods of questioning, then I'd probably have failed every Political Science class that I ever took.
Plus, as much of my viewing occurred during the 'glory' days of the 2nd Bush administration I'd have no idea who all those 'Rock against Bush' musicians were so pissed at.
My viewing of Meet the Press eventually faded, but I'd always internally smile when I saw him verbally kicking the ass of some Left/Right Wing Lunatic with a big mouth and shitty disposition on some news highlight reel. Russert was the quiet assassin- adept at cutting any adversary down to size. They wouldn't have to go back to Washington with their tales between their legs, as once Russert was finished, they would have any to stand on2.
If I were a little more religious then I could make a crack about how he could now moderate debates between God and Abraham over the merits of killing your first born. Sure, both sides may not have the best arguments (potential lack of existence may be defining factor in that) but I'll still tune in.
1. Okay so maybe a little to all three of those. I mean, the man had a sense of humour, and looked damned fine in a Pinstripe.
2. As your can see, I never quite grabbed his grasp on the English language. Fuck, I did it again.
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