June 17th, 2008
A Couple of Thoughts, news and sports
Tim Russert died on Friday. I love politics and business so I am familiar with Russert’s work. I have lived in Buffalo, New York and remain a fan of the Buffalo Bills. The media reaction of Mr. Russert death was one of profound love. It appeared to be deserved and Russert was a man of enormous talent. The lesson for all of us business leaders is; you can demand great expectations of your people, and when treated with love and respect combined with being a player coach, you people will morn your death. They will also love you when you are alive.
I remember when the great, Walter Cronkite was criticized when he choked upped announcing the death of John Kennedy. The past few days I was made uncomfortable by a giant of our times Tom Brokaw choking up talking about his friend Tim Russert. Times have changed but I do not suggest business leaders cry easily. I noticed other journalist crying and even though they were women, I found it distasteful.
Back to Russert, He loved his Dad, his son, his wife, his job, his country, and NBC Family. America is so much easier when you are white but I do think Russert is genuine.
I can tell you this, having grown up in upstate New York, Lived in Buffalo, managed a teams of locals, including a great guy, Tom Reen from South Buffalo, Tim Russert is not unique. It is the city of good neighbors.
Russert pissed me off during the primaries when he made Minister Farrakhan an issue during a debate. I was surprised and it was not one of Tim’s finer moments. Russert did have Farrakhan on his show, MEET THE PRESS one Sunday, the word is, it was the one Sunday Russert got his butt kicked.
I remember one afternoon when I was getting my shoes shinned in St. Louis and Russert sat in the seat next to me. There was lively conversation going on and everyone was black except Russert. The topic was politics, I knew who Tim was, but for some reason the gregarious man that loves people was mum and did not engage us. Once again, I was surprised. Having said that, I will miss him on meet the press, but I do wonder about his views regarding Black people.
TIGER WOODS IS A BAD MAN!
I loved the fact that Tiger won, I love his competitive sprit, his joy of winning and his excellent domination of his sport. The NBC announcers were cheerleaders of Rocco and minimally mentioned that Tiger was competing on one leg. Can you imagine if Jack Nicklaus was competing how often we would have heard the word courage. Having said that, I wonder, what Tigers feelings are about Black people. Keep Hope Alive
June 17th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Jim, I’m interested in what makes you uncomfortable about the honest showing of emotion of losing someone dear, or close to you…why is that distastful? Does that lesson Brokaws ability to do his job? I’m not suggesting either, that the regular showing of such emotion enforces your ability to lead, in fact in most cases it detracts from others being able to follow your lead, but you can’t fault a guy for showing a range of emotions over suddenly losing a what I’m sure was a very close colleague and friend.
June 17th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Hi Styleosophy, I hope your summer is going well, I understand the emotion involved in death and death of a close. I want my journalist to be strong and share the news, if Tom was unable to do so, he should have had someone different report on it. How many tears were shed by media types during Katrina? I know this is unfair but he is a highly paid pro. Thanks for your comment.
June 19th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Hi JD, since I live fairly close to Buffalo I appreciate the way Buffalo folks are loyal to their city and teams. They’re the most dedicated fans going.
Tim Russert represents some of the best of Buffalo and had he been black, I would feel exactly the same. The qualities you mention of love and player coach are what we respect in other humans.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
June 20th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Robyn, hi and thaks for the visit, Tim was loved for sure and anyone that knows about Buffalo people,understands why the city is special.
June 21st, 2008 at 4:45 am
Thanks for the Russert insight.
June 23rd, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I know it’s off-topic (wasn’t sure where to put it), but the exploitation has to end.
Didn’t know if you saw it. A petition has started regarding the R. Kelly verdict.
Full details (and badge) from a post I just put up.
10,000 Signatures for R. Kelly petition
Thanks,
Fredric
June 23rd, 2008 at 5:15 pm
fredric, thanks for passing the word, I will check it out!
June 24th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Hi. Having grown up right outside of Buffalo I can understand why the city is special. But I also know first hand being one of 5 black kids that were in my graduating class that the area while loving has a subtle undertone of racism. I can appreciate my time growing up there but when I turned 18 I was OUT and only go back to visit my parents.
June 24th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Michelle, I agree with your comment. I had a house on the back 9 of Glen Oak golf course, in East Amherst,good luck in your future and thanks for the comment
June 27th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
well i for one dont aggre with you comment Michelle,
see http://onapplestore.com to understand why.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:15 am
“I wonder what Tigers feelings are about black people”…
Its a bit early for me and i dont have my contacts in so i might have misunderstood or misinterpreted this statement…But its my understand that Tiger works hard to disassociate himself with black people and black culture. Saying things like hes not black, hes Ca-bl-asian.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Traci, thanks for your comment, it certainly appears you are right!
July 12th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
I’m a Buffalonian, African American and I love Tim. With that said I read a blog about him written by a fellow Buffalonia that you might want to check out. Buffalo is agreat city to live in, if you’re WHITE and thats the truth!
http://twistinado.blogspot.com/2008/06/tim-russert-and-south-buffalo.html
July 14th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Thanks Michele, I did respect Russert, what a life, having lived in East Amherst for 4 years, I found the blog you linked me to facinating and true. Having said that, the people in Buffalo were very good to me and my family
September 16th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Tim was great it was too bad that he had to leave us. But that is just how it has to be I guess. He lead a great life and thank goodness for that because now he will live in our memories and our hearts until the end of time. We miss you tim!