Saturday, May 19, 2007
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Super-High Quality MSM Commentary!
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Posted by:
Dean Barnett at
12:28 PM
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This comes from a Tim Russert column yesterday:
September 11, 2001. I don’t think the English language has yet found the words to describe the pain and anguish we felt that day. And yet we learned much about each other. The bravery of the first responders who went up the stairs of burning buildings. The heroic selfless souls on United flight #93. The patience of tens of thousands of drivers who left the devastated areas in an orderly way.
I have not honked my car horn since September 11 as a gesture of respect to all of them.
The column leaves me with a lot of questions: For instance, does Russert persevere with this non-honking tribute even when an inattentive driver is swerving into him? If he sees someone he knows while he’s driving, does L’il Russ refrain from giving a friendly toot hello? How long will he keep giving this non-honking tribute? Are patient NewYork City motorists touched by this silent gesture? And lastly, is this not the most asinine tribute to 9/11 conceived by anyone, anywhere at any time?
While the article raises many questions, it also answers one. Now we know why Russert had a ghost writer for that moving tribute he “wrote” about his father.
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I watched Tim Russert on Meet the Press this weekend. It was the first time in a number of years that I had watched the program. After Bush captured the White House the interview shows just became to unbearable to tolerate. I watched Newt Gingrich debate Chris Dodd for half an hour. It was about the best 30 minutes of political television that I have seen in years. What made it so good, besides the polite and calm back and forth, was that Russert stayed all most completely out of it; he was content to allow the actors to engage each other and allow the conversation to evolve over time (time permitting). I gave it an A-. Newt proposed a series of such debates, I hope the networks take him up on this, he sounds like he is laying the groundwork for a run for the rose garden. |
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Russert shows such great respect, with his continued advocation for the Party which provided the Gorelick Wall...
At every turn he has used his public facade to undermine the GWOT, which is admirably trying to defeat those who created the 9-11 Horror.
All for some ugly Political Opportunism on behalf of the Democrat Party...
He even provided misleading, confused testimony at the Libby Trial...
The Man is a fool, who tries to pass his partisan slant as a form of Journalism.
Turning the once credible Meet the Press into a Democrat Joke.
Very sad indeed...
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I think Dean is getting uppity. It's not absolutely necessary to comment on or criticize every silly thing public figures say. Sometimes half as much criticism is twice as effective. This one said more about Dean than Tim. |
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When I was a kid, my dog ran out in the street and got hit by a car---it was killed.
I was devastated.
And for the past 20 years, I have not pet a single dog---not even my neighbor's golden retriever.
It's all out of respect for my dog.
In fact, out of honor for my dog, I won't even watch the "Charlie Brown Christmas" special on TV because I would have to look at that anthropomorphosized Snoopy.
I am so kidding.
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The level of this tribute (refraining from honking his horn in "gesture of respect", to the "patience of tens thousands of drivers...") merely exhibits the extent to which he values these folks. No more, no less.
And, he is damn sure he's going to let everyone know of the sacrifice he's willing to endure in not touching that part of his automobile, the horn.
It's a bit like the tribute to all of those I know who have died from tobacco related illnesses. I do not touch the cigarette lighter in my car. As a matter of fact, I do not even look at it. Well, that's 'cuz I pulled it right out of its sockest and stowed it away somewhere. How 'bout that. I am pretty doggone proud of the extent to which I have gone to pay my respect and recognition to those I value.
Whew, I am glad I shared that with you all. |
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Tim Russert is a public figure who wishes to express his remembrance. I remember my own experience, as we all do. It was my 9:00 am History class: on the video in a classroom down the hall, my class and I watched the buildings collapse. A student asked me, "Mr. M, did that really happen?" Yes, it did. So, honk your horn if you remember, or don't honk your horn if you remember. Makes no difference. |
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If Tim wants to really honor the victims of 9/11, his questioning of the Bush Administration mouth-pieces that use his show to spew their lies would be far more aggressive. |
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Thanks Tim for not honking your horn. I guess. I am glad you told us or otherwise we would not have gotten what you are up to. |
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Tim Russert's point. I think what Tim Russert is suggesting is that rather than getting annoyed and honking his horn in impatience when stuck in traffic, when he thinks of 9/11 he is reminded that we should be more forebearing about the petty annoyances of our daily lives, that we should have a sense of proportion. Actually, I think that reaction is a common one after a tragedy, such as 9/11, or after a traumatic event, for example, after the death of a loved one, or after recovery from a serious illnes. We see how unimportant these small problems are, and out of respect for those who are faced with true difficulties, we strive to face our mundane problems with greater patience and an appreciation of how blessed we are to be alive. I really think that is all Tim Russert was trying to say. |
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Mr. Russert Could turn his TV show around to help support our efforts to prevent a new attack, instead he make this improvable and nonsensical claim of not honking in silent tribute. Wow if that's respect I guess I really respected that guy who ran a red light just has I was going. But then again all the cursing might have undermined all that. |
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Here you have dumb rituals, like not honking, replacing meaningful things like supporting the troops, border security, or the dedication to never let this happen again. How about memorializing those brave people of 9-11 with a commitment to national security, proper surveillance of individuals with terror sympathies, following the money of terrorists' wire transfers, and enlarging Guantanamo? I'm not sure refraining from honking does anything remotely approaching this; but I'm sure he gets some self-absorbed satisfaction at being so understanding and patient at "paying his tribute". Again, like the post you wrote elsewhere, you have an example of emotional idulgence over rational thought and meaningful measures. |
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Maybe he just pinches his nose and shoots off his mouth!! Again. And again. |
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