Russert exemplified everything that is wrong with journalism in America

[greenman3610]

Russert became a hollow caricature of the hard hitting journalist, by
knowing exactly how far to go in any encounter, with a keen
eye for just which players in the power structure could be challenged,
exactly how much he could pretend to challenge them, and above all,
those lines that must never be crossed.

By following these rules, he defined the modern millionaire
media star journalist -less the hard bitten investigator, and
more the courtier in the palace - laughing the loudest at the president's
jokes about missing WMD - making sure always to
be one of the in crowd, the coolest kids in school, and making his program the place to go
for an administration that wanted "message control", - saying in
a moment of candor, "principles are for paupers.." --
the tenet he lived by to the end.

The reason his death became a media festival far beyond it's importance,
like Reagan's funeral or OJ's trial - is that the tight knit society
of like minded journalistic shills, for the last several years a dark sense
has been growing, despite all attempts to ignore it, repress it, of
having crossed into a dark area of the soul, betraying their country, their
people, the constitution, the truth, and even the planet in selling
their souls to the journalist-as-celebrity culture that has
taken over New York and Washington.

So, here is their idol, their model, their archetype,
all too soon being called to final account, whether
in a spiritual judgement, or even if only that final
heart clutching moment, where, for Tim, there might have been a
flicker of recognition of just who he was, and what
he had become.

[Benhurst]

1. ...

Recommended :kick: #2

Correct: "So, here is there idol, their model, their archetype," to "So, here is THEIR idol, their model, their archetype."

:hi:

[CODemocrat]

2. It seems to me....

that Russert is being 'canonised' (dango british spelling) to the likes of Reagan.

He was a good man, that did a good job, that died unusually, in the
company of others, that couldn't save him.

Oh well, the news is the 'news'.

[Joe Bacon]

84. Greenman, I cannot praise your remarks enough!

The truth is that NOBODY practiced the art of PRE$$TITUTION more that Tim Russert. He was the penultimate flunky, the ultimate brown-nosing asskisser and apologist to the rich. He was the Christian equivalent of Yevetschenko, and as that clown apologized for his Soviet politburo members, so did Russert do the exact same thing here in America.

I still loathe Russert's whoring for the impeachment of Bill Clinton over a blow job. That callous creep just slobbered over anything involving Bill Clinton's penis. It was the center of Timmy's universe, his raison d'etre for existence. Timmy did his Opus Dei masters real proud over that.

YET

We have an out of control insane religious freak in the White House, who Timmy repeatedly worshipped in the same manner as the brainwashed kids of Jesus Camp. No matter what crimes George W Bush has committed, Timmy and his fellow presstitutes such as Whoreen Dowd, Bob Whoreward, Whoreward Fineman and David Blowder sit at the "pundit" roundtable and ignore it. Outside of Olberman, name me ONE so-called "mainstream" journalist who has even discussed Dennis Kucinich's impeachment motion. Not one. They don't care, because it is in their Ayn Randian self interest to keep these fascist thugs in power.

They still float up there in their LAISSEZ-FAIRYLAND, thinking everything is just hunky dory and wonderful, AND they are totally ignorant of us here in the real world who know that they are full of shit. Let them continue to float, let them discover that they have been marginalized until it is too late. It's only a matter of time before what happened to Walter Winchell happens to them, just imagine, like Winchell they become a has been trying to pass out their mimeographed bullshit to passers-by and getting laughed at as passers by simply crumple their pages up and toss them away.

[happygoluckytoyou]

176. i dont get this ? ? ?

"He was the penultimate flunky, the ultimate brown-nosing asskisser"

WHO WAS THE ULTIMATE FLUNKY ? ? ?

Inigo Montoya: You keep using that word. I do not think it means, what you think it means.

[whathappened]

189. staight talk

i'm with ya on your reply , man this place is getting hit with alot of over the top grammer , i'm just a old country dummie who is to old to learn all these new words and besides that i just don't give 2 shits , but i did understand wht he was talking about i think

[burythehatchet]

3. Brilliant

:thumbsup:

[pretzel4gore]

4. perfectly phrased...

unfortunately, the loss of the singular man at a relatively young age is the tool used by the very forces that Mr Russert tried his best to serve in his career as a newsman, and the demand to be a fraud was dressed in so much finery it eventually got Tim to admit that 'principles are for paupers' and was his way of saying he knew, and 'these creeps can kill off a president, steal elections and demo the WTC complex and get away with it, so screw you until you figure out how to deal with them'

[rocktivity]

5. I feel very badly about HOW Russert died--how awful for the NBC News staff.

But I'm not sorry that he's no longer in business. His replacement (who will no doubt be ANOTHER Bush-kissing right-leaning hack) will need time to build and command the sphere of influence that Russert did--which can only be good news for Obama.

:(
rocknation

[sharesunited]

22. Makes me want to carry a defibrilator with me wherever I go.

And wear a big sign that says "please paddle if collapsed."

[greyghost]

32. Spot on. Russert was going to carry McSame's water in the GE.

[krkaufman]

56. Worry not. Brian Williams won't let that water just sit there and evaporate.

(I've twice seen Williams get choked-up talking about McCain and his Vietnam imprisonment, as though that alone qualifies him to be President.)

[cui bono]

60. When in fact it's a good reason to question his ability to be president. n/t

[Not Sure]

67. Care to explain?

Does that mean that holocaust survivors are unfit to be heads of state? Or that Japanese Americans held in WWII detention camps are unfit for the presidency? Not that I'm even remotely considering supporting McCain or anyone in the Republican party, but I'd love to hear the reasoning behind this claim.

[Terran]

96. I would assume the issue referred to is McCain's mental health

I'm certainly concerned about that, and have read a couple of things that indicate there are some lingering issue connected with his explosive temper.

[cui bono]

115. Exactly. n/t

[treestar]

134. They could be

Or at least, they have less chance of being able to handle it. What is wrong with pointing that out? Victimhood does not qualify one for anything.

[pokercat999]

182. Undiagnosed PTSD ?.........nt

[Joe Bacon]

86. Brian Williams graduated from the Ted Baxter school of journalism

All style, no substance. He does have that nice tan all the time :sarcasm:

[1Hippiechick]

184. ROFL

:rofl:

[krkaufman]

196. And he's such a funny fellow on Jon Stewart's show n/t

[kath]

74. aw, geez, there are far, far worse ways to die.

[riverwalker]

6. Russert's pre-war "research"

was passively waiting for the "phone to ring".

http://mediamatters.org/items/200802290020

"Last year, Russert was interviewed for a Bill Moyers report about how the Bush administration "misled the country" into the Iraq war with the help of a "compliant press ... pass on their propaganda as news and cheer them on." During the interview, Russert famously complained that, during the run-up to the war, nobody called him to tell him they had concerns about the administration's case for war: "My concern was, is that there were concerns expressed by other government officials. And to this day, I wish my phone had rung, or I had access to them."

Though the image of one of the nation's most influential reporters staring at the phone, waiting for it to ring rather than actively seeking out the news might strike you as appallingly poor journalism, it isn't the most self-damning thing Russert said during the interview."

[krkaufman]

57. Thanks for that reminder.

Here's my favorite clip from Moyers' 'Buying the War' program ... starting with a 30-second clip of Russert, as a set-up to Moyers' discussion with Walter Pincus regarding what's happened to objective journalism.

Moyers' 'Buying the War': The end of objective journalism (2min)

[kath]

76. Thanks for that MediaMatters link - very informative

wish it could be spread far and wide. Highly, highly recommend.
WIsh we could have a little education program for all the uninformed canonizers here, and that piece (and mediamatters as a whole) could be a centerpiece of the program.

I'm just banging my head at all the ignorance here.

[Raster]

110. "...I wish my phone had rung..."? It's called journalism. You don't wait for the phone to ring.

You pick up the phone and do the dialing.

[MindMatter]

112. No research was needed

It was all right there in front of him and the rest of the press. All they had to do was ask a question here and there, but none of them ever did. All they had to say was, "prove it".

How many of us watched Powell's speech at the UN, knowing full well that all of the major claims were seriously disputed, if not already disproved. Moreover, the administration never presented any proof for ANY of those claims, and simply presented them as "this is how it is".

Tim Russert was not individually the problem. He and hos fellow media whores were a big part of the problem then and now. A Capitol-full of Republican co-conspirators and a spineless Democratic opposition must also share this responsibility.

I'm sorry he died and I have great sympathy for those close to him, who I am sure will miss him deeply.

But I won't miss him one bit as a so-called newsman.

[neuvocat]

169. And protests worldwide apparently didn't count.

He was just spouting off another talking point that came from the right-wing shills, the kind that apparently exists only in a rhetorical vacuum.

BTW greenman, good post. While Russert's passing was most unfortunate, it points out a career that was celebrated when it shouldn't have been.

[JohnyCanuck]

7. If the corporate media's stooges and mouthpieces (including Russert),

were doing such a fine job of informing the public, there would be no need for this: http://www.projectcensored.org/top-stories/publications

[kath]

77. good point, Johny. Thanks for the link.

[Buzz Clik]

8. Did it ever occur to you that his death is important because people actually like him?

Don't for one second delude yourself that this safe harbor of DU that allows you to spew this level of hatred is somehow representative of the rest of the world.

I didn't always appreciate Russert's interviewing style, nor did I think of him as a journalist. However, now that he has passed, my analysis of him is irrelevant. And so is yours; but your screed takes on special meaning considering the level of disrespect and the lack of demeanor you exhibit. Before you spend one more moment demonizing the recently deceased, I strongly suggest you clean you own house.

[izquierdista]

13. Nah, not even as a passing thought

All the grief we are seeing from his coworkers is just that, grief for a friend who died. This is no different from what happens in every workplace and breakroom when you find out that one of your co-workers was involved in a fatal accident at lunchtime.

[Buzz Clik]

44. That's not consistent with the OP, but it's an interesting thought.

I have trouble buying it.

[Raster]

111. Then don't buy it. But don't sell your shit either.

[burythehatchet]

14. a lot of people like the Bush family

[Individualist]

42. DLCers like them and their propaganda tools.

[Buzz Clik]

45. Yeah. And?

[Reterr]

66. Popularity doesn't shield you from criticism is the poster's point.eom

[tom_paine]

24. Of course people liked him, he was a celebrity. What does that have to do with the truth of the OP?

And when you talk about the "safe harbor of DU", it makes me smile. Why? Not just because it is true (why try to be all Bushie about it and deny the obvious?), but because it makes me think of other "safe harbors" where it was safe to spew "hatred" of a tyrant while the rest of the populace at large was clueless of "Principa obstis. Finem Respice." (Resist the Beginnings. Foresee the Ends.)

Also, using "hatred" as a term is something I could easily debate the validity or obviously misleading invalidity of, but which would take me off on a long-winded tangent - it's a topic for a thread of it's own, and I believe they are already here on DU. You should go seek them out and read for awhile before you judge.

But back to those "safe harbors" of old that makes me smile involunatrily at your comment.

The Red Dragon Tavern and other sites in Boston, where those crazy, hateful Founding fathers met to talk because in the beginning, such talk in public would have gotten them punished, perhaps hanged.

The quiet homes throughout Germany where like-minded people could quietly discuss what a horror Hitler and the German Bushies were, where they could be safe from the mass-mania that had taken over their society, a related "kinder and gentler" form which has also taken over our country.

(oh, and just in case you think my "German Bushies" comment is hyperbole, please listen to this link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/document/document_20070723.shtml )

Those two, and so many more. So you may sneer at the "safe harbor" that is DU, electronically-speaking (and it's not exactly safe, for unlike the Germans and the Founding Fathers, the Tories and Nazis can view everything we say, but it's close enough to be analogous to the pre-Internet Age), but I smile.

I say THANK GOD for such safe harbors as DU and the ones I mentioned, as well as all the rest throughout history. Because history has shown, often, repeatedly, and conclusively, that the great mass of people, the "rest of the world" has time and time AND TIME again been lead to perform or accept monstrous deeds in the service of evil tyrants. Time and time and time again.

And if you think this makes me superior (a common Bushie talking poiint which our own side uses far too often to close down debate) to anyone else, you are wrong. Like anyone else, I am smart in some areas, dumb in others; strong in some areas, weak in others. So are you. So is everyone.

I do agree that these discussions are a bit unseemly, coming so soon after his death, but what does that change, honestly?

"De Mortus Nihil Nisi Bonum" (say nothing buit good of the dead)

But where do we draw the line? Just how evil, how much in the service of tyranny and against the cause of Liberty does someone have to be before this rule need not be observed?

Tim didn't murder anyone, but he helped, immensely helped, with the murders of at least a million innocents, the destructions of the homes of millions of innocents, the deaths of 4000+ American Soldiers, the wholesale theft of the Public Treasury, and on and on and on.

No, Tim didn't get his hands dirty, but he is as much an accomplice as the lockpick who breaks down the bank's security so that the criminals can get in, rob and kill anyone who stands in their way.

[hfojvt]

38. not that safe either

since 3/4 of DU seems to be trashing the other 1/4 of DU for being 'disrespectful to the dead'. When it has not reach near the vitriol that it was for Gerald Ford or Reggie White or Jerry Falwell. Unlike those three, there are many threads here saying that Russert was "a good journalist" or "one of the good guys" or "one of ours" and then getting all huffy when others dare to disagree with laudatory assessments.

[tom_paine]

49. We, physically safe, anyway. That makes all the difference.

Speaking as a Jew who had two great uncles murdered by Stalin, I feel pretty safe in saying that.

I also feel pretty safe to say what I am saying here without fear of being beaten or murdered.

I do take your meaning, though, and your comments ae very much appreciated.

Thanks. :hi:

[Buzz Clik]

46. "Just how evil, how much in the service of tyranny and against the cause of Liberty ..." Russert?

Nevermind. A logical, objective discussion on this with you is out of the question.

[tom_paine]

47. It probably isn't, but for the opposite of why you think so.

But if you are interested in how I could make such a "wacky" :rofl: statement, please go to www.thedailyhowler.com and/or mediamatters.org and type "Russert" into the search engines on those sites.

Then sit down with a cup of coffee and get ready to do some reading.

You may not agree, but if you have even 1/10th of the respect for me that I have for you, even though we have disagreed in the past... and even though your reply to me suggests that you don't respect me or my opinion at all (that's OK, I will continue to respect you, regardless)...if you have even 1/10th the respect for me that I have for you, you may not agree but you will understand that my comment is not without reason and logic (and real life events substatiated with transcripts, audio, video, etc.) bolstering my belief.

OK? Just go check it out, please. And try not to sneer at me so much. As someone who has been known to lose his temper now and again, to smear and sneer back when smeared and sneered at (not this time, though), I can tell you it doesn't bolster your own position.

With Respect,
tom

[Buzz Clik]

50. For you, I'll do the reading.

Don't expect me to be convinced that he's evil.

And, try to keep in mind that my reactions here are not that Russert is some sort of special super reporter or the voice of America. I am experience a strong revulsion to the outpouring of, for a lack of better word, hate for a man so recently departed. How hard would it be to wait for the body to go cold?

[tom_paine]

55. Many who aid evil are not evil themselves. That is a fact of history.

How else is it, if the majority, usually the vast majority, of people we meet are good and decent people, yet human history is a barbaric charnel house of psychopathic evil, murder, and horrors with some exceptions no doubt, but few and far between.

Hell, even the beginnings of the Old American Republic are rife with them, slavery and the crushing (some say genocide) of the Native Americans.

I absolutely agree with you about the unseemliness of these discussion so soon after the man has passed away, and I have said so in some of my posts.

But the discussion is on and the "De Mortus Nihil Nisi Bonum" Police are out in force, so I have succumbed and participated to give some balance to the discussions to the beleagured 25% of DUers.

Call me weak or disrespectful, but there you have it.

And I will agree with you that Tim Russert was not an evil man, per se. But wittingly or not (and I can't see how it was unwittingly, what with his comment "principles are for paupers" and the allegation - if true - that he was hiding a Bush campaign button under his lapel in 2000) he served evil.

Because BushCheney and their henchpeople ARE evil. Too much evidence now to dispute that, IMO. But even if we bandy semantics and shy away from the word "evil", BushCheney are Authoritarian Totalitarians, which is the closest thing to "evil" a person can be, shy of base criminality (murder, rape, etc.), maybe even more so when one considers the scope of damage wrought by "evil" people like BushCheney throughout history.

Well, I'm off to have some fun in the sun! :hi: Hope you have a nice weekend, too. See you 'round the boards and thank you for your kind, civil response.

[tomreedtoon]

154. Ever hear of "invincible ignorance"?

It's a thing I learned coincidentally in Catholic school. It's not the sort of thing they talk about in grade school, but I overheard it. Basically, "invincible ignorance" is what happens when someone commits a sin, but does not believe he has committed a sin, and no amount of reasoning or explanation can convince him that he did commit a sin.

The basic idea is that you have to know and understand something is sinful for it to be a sin.

It seems to me that, in the LSD-filled bubble that is Washington journalism, Russert didn't know what evil he had done. The kindest thing that I can summon up to say about his life is that he suffered from invincible ignorance.

[tom_paine]

175. No I hadn't. Thanks for letting me know about it. It is an accurate descriptor of many

in the bloated Toady Punditocracy. I would also like to note, Russert's type of job does not place him in the Punditocracy, IMHO, but it also applies to most of them.

The entire Cable TV and to a lesser extent the network TV Bloated Toady Punditocracy is the most shameful media creation in American History, IMHO, even worse than Hearsts' Spanish-American War propaganda machine, because while that helped start a war, also, it didn't abet wholesale looting of the Public Treasury nor shredding of the Constitution.

"Here's some people to tell you what to think about what you just saw."

Disgusting.

[Raksha]

201. I disagree. I know what "invincible ignorance" is,

and I think Tim Russert's situation was the complete opposite.

The basic idea is that you have to know and understand something is sinful for it to be a sin.

He KNEW he was a sellout better than anyone. The statement "Integrity is for paupers" is a tacit admission that he still knew what integrity means. He had to realize that he had sold his for a good deal more than 30 pieces of silver, but the price is irrelevant.

I posted something along these lines yesterday on another thread, in fact. Since I'm not Catholic myself, I don't believe in such horrendous notions as "the sin against the Holy Spirit" (i.e. knowing violation of one's conscience) in the conventional dogmatic sense.

But it's very possible--likely, in fact--that Tim Russert *DID* believe it. That would have set up an intolerable inner conflict that may have contributed to his early death.

[LaurenG]

88. He wasn't evil.

There are many shades of gray in all of us. A family member of mine lives in DC and works at the Capitol, she said that people really liked him there and that they are very sad.

I am deeply saddened for his family and friends.

[tomp]

139. oh, please! YOU'RE the blockhead here.

is there anything one of us could say that would sway you? really?

[Greyhound]

99. As ususal, you've summed it up very nicely.

Like religion, I just don't get it.

Who are these people that shed crocodile tears, not over the death of this corporate shill, whom they never knew and whom would have happily called security to remove if they had tried to engage him, but for their own mortality?

[OwnedByFerrets]

128. Great Post Mr Paine

[YDogg]

129. This is perhaps the most on-target post I've ever read here. Thanks for posting.

[go west young man]

181. Excellent response.

I'm glad someone is speaking up for the million plus that have been lost or been injured in the Iraq debacle. Russert certainly didn't. Had he practiced real journalism many lives may have been saved. Alas he did not.

[Better Believe It]

61. People Like George W. Bush And Richard Cheney

[emilyg]

64. I liked him.

May he rest in peace.

[jefferson_dem]

93. So did I and most people, emilyg.

Tim, You done good!

May You Rest In Peace.

[rhett o rick]

155. Yes may he rest in peace, but I didn't like him. nm

[ChazII]

199. I liked Tim, too.

He seemsed to be a down to earth kind of man. No snobby attitudes.

[Reterr]

65. Actually in the real world most people are shrugging it off

They are not grave-dancing, but they are not having a fit over it either. Most people don't seem that interested. Get real...
The majority of people have a lot more on their minds right now to care too much one way or another about beating their breast or grave dancing over this dude.
People die every day-this isn't some anomalous event that is rarely seen. The sanctimony and lecturing is nauseating :eyes:.

I really think this is much more about some people wanting to jump on the cross-"the hatred"...geesh :eyes:.

[Buzz Clik]

81. Amazing. You are so revulsed by my posting style that you had to tell me so on two different threads

Thanks, bub. I get it.

And, despite your well placed smilies that are oh-so-cutting, I'll continue to denounce those with the manners of lower species. Call it a hobby of mine.

[jefferson_dem]

92. Thanks for your sanity post.

I cannot even believe the bottom-feeding vulture mentality displayed by some on DU. Besides being demonstrably flawed in their accusations of right-wing partisan hackery by Russert (he was as "objective" as any of the "inside the beltway journalists), there's no disputing he was a good family man, a warm soul, and will be missed dearly by many.

To me, the crudeness we are seeing by some of our DU friends reeks of projection. It's sad, really.

[Buzz Clik]

130. Frankly, this doesn't surprise me. The ebb and flow of Olbermann's popularity here is an example.

Prior to KO's advent of his special comments, the people around here couldn't be sure exactly where he stood. If Olbermann was hammering Bush and Cheney for something incredibly obvious, he was a hero. If he ignored some minor dust-up involving a Republican, he was a traitor to the country. When Olbermann started his special comments, he was elevated to the status of a minor god. But, when he started criticizing one of the candidates, he was demoted to demon.

Meh.

[defendandprotect]

146. Right . . . because people aren't reacting to "CELEBRITY" ... they are reacting to CONTENT . . .

Olberman still works for NBC/GE . . . so this will always be a question as to what is actually
going on day by day -- and rightly so!!!

[Buzz Clik]

188. I'm assuming you did this intentionally.

Olbermann has not changed his style, ego, or politics during his tenure at MSNBC, but the attitude of some DUers toward Olbermann has has been totally schizophrenic. If he's criticizing a common enemy, he's deified. If he's not pounding the drum on some perceived insult, he's "jumped the shark" (do a search on that for Olbermann, and you'll get hundreds of hits). He committed the ultimate sin of pointing out the obvious during the primaries, and now he's lower that dirt.

All this throws a hot spotlight on the current hysteria surrounding Russert: Russert isn't evil, biased, or complicit in traitorous activities. He simply didn't always carry the water for DU that is mandatory and unending for the critics at DU. Which is fine and completely consistent. However, as happens every time when some perceived Enemy of DU sheds this mortal coil, the endless testimonies of hate continue until the Enemy is laid to rest. And that is inexcusable.

[treestar]

136. He couldn't have been enough liked for constant coverage

The media thinks of itself as the center of the universe.

People liked Harvey Korman - how much coverage did he get?

It's hard to think you aren't missing the point deliberately.

[Buzz Clik]

190. Constant coverage? No. Didn't happen.

MSNBC went full tilt during the prime political hours, but no other network followed suit.

[defendandprotect]

145. You "like" people you actually know or have a relationship with . . .

this is deluding yourself that you have a relationship with a "celebrity" ---

Or . . . you "like" people you don't know based on their beliefs, opinions,
or efforts to correct wrongs, perhaps ---
We are questioning how you imagine you found that in Russert --- ???

And, btw, something negative is not "hatred" . . . especially if it is truth.
And certainly not "demonizing" in anyone's book.
Get used to it; if you want truth, you are going to hear negative things.
If you don't want truth, then why are you here?

And, meanwhile, you're telling us you didn't think much of Russert, his style or his "journalism"!!

A lot of this looks like efforts to get some personal attention ---

[Buzz Clik]

192. Wrong on so many levels...

You "like" people you actually know or have a relationship with . . .this is deluding yourself that you have a relationship with a "celebrity" ---

Or . . . you "like" people you don't know based on their beliefs, opinions,
or efforts to correct wrongs, perhaps ---
We are questioning how you imagine you found that in Russert --- ???

Check the OP to which I was responding. The OP was talking about the media response. THAT was the direction of my response. The media -- particularly those at NBC and MSNBC -- seemed to have genuine affection for Russert, not because they were beholden to a political agenda.

And, btw, something negative is not "hatred" . . . especially if it is truth.
And certainly not "demonizing" in anyone's book.

Calling a man evil or traitorous is demonizing. It's the definition of demonizing, and these claims are unsupportable with respect to Russert. Truth? No. Just opinion. And very poorly timed.

Get used to it; if you want truth, you are going to hear negative things.
If you don't want truth, then why are you here?

So many of the posts at DU -- and this case is no exception -- are spews of emotion. And nothing more. "Truth" is not requisite for posting at DU. And, in your case, context is meaningless. Just say what's on your mind, ignore what's being said, and move on.

And, meanwhile, you're telling us you didn't think much of Russert, his style or his "journalism"!!

Amazing, isn't it? If you actually read this thread, you'd understand the context.

[ermasdaughter]

180. I could not agree more.

Russert was not a journalist in the sense that I think of a journalist. Those are few and far between. But he does not deserve the bashing he's getting on this thread. It feels like a 'glass house' situation to me.

[Phred42]

9. Exactly Correct. Russert was part of the Problem and the Selling out of America

I'm sorry he's dead. I feel for his family

But that does not change the fact that Russert provided a platform to lie to the Americna people.

In the run up to the Invasion Russert's Sunday show was an open forum for Cheney and other Neocons to LIE to the public about Iraq, 9/11 etc.

Russert was NOT a friend to Truth, democracy or the Constitution - sorry kids.
Russert was part of the Propaganda machine and I worry about those fawning over him and his legacy now

[JohnyCanuck]

10. Exactly.

In Ex-Aide's Testimony, A Spin Through VP's PR

By Dana Milbank

Memo to Tim Russert: Dick Cheney thinks he controls you.

This delicious morsel about the "Meet the Press" host and the vice president was part of the extensive dish Cathie Martin served up yesterday when the former Cheney communications director took the stand in the perjury trial of former Cheney chief of staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby.

A national political reporter for the Post, Milbank writes Washington Sketch, an observational column about political theater in the White House, Congress and elsewhere in the capital. He covered the 2000 and 2004 presidential campaigns and President Bush's first term. Before coming to the Post as a Style political writer in 2000, he covered the Clinton White House for the New Republic and Congress for the Wall Street Journal.

Flashed on the courtroom computer screens were her notes from 2004 about how Cheney could respond to allegations that the Bush administration had played fast and loose with evidence of Iraq's nuclear ambitions. Option 1: "MTP-VP," she wrote, then listed the pros and cons of a vice presidential appearance on the Sunday show. Under "pro," she wrote: "control message."

"I suggested we put the vice president on 'Meet the Press,' which was a tactic we often used," Martin testified. "It's our best format."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/25/AR2007012501951.html

[pleah]

95. I have been avoiding these threads, but there are just so many,

I have to agree with you. I'm sorry he is dead, too. Some people are acting like he was Jesus or something. :shrug:

[defendandprotect]

122. . . . how little we understdand of "celebrity" . ..

some here are reacting as though they had a relationship with him ---

Does "celebrity" finally confuse people that much?

[pleah]

132. Apparently it does.

[Mist]

11. This is a refreshing post, greenman, after all the sentimental nonsense that's been

posted re: Russert. He was at the top of the heap of irresponsible celeb-media PR brigade.

[defendandprotect]

123. Agree -- and not only sappy "sentimentality" over a celebrity . . .

but I've read some vile INSISTENCE that we all just shut up if we have anything negative to say.

That fervor to try to control what others say and think is alive and well in many here at DU--!!!

[tabasco]

12. Russert was a mouthpiece for Cheney's propaganda.

Russert was a coward and can burn in hell for his service to the criminal Bush cabal.

[Bushfire]

15. With all respect to his family, and those present at NBC when he collapsed...

He chose to ask Kucinich about UFO's, and repeatedly ask Obama about Farrakahn instead of relevant questions that matter to average citizens. I'll never forget him getting a hug from Babs, and Bush Sr after a debate between Gore vs Smirk in 2000. He was no Greg Palast. He was no Joe Conason. He was no Amy Goodman.

[eppur_se_muova]

40. He was no Les Nessman ... mmm, OK, wait a minute ... nt

[tom_paine]

58. LOL for making me remember Les Nessman, and making me smile.

"There are turkeys falling everywhere! OH THE HUMANITY!"

[zehnkatzen]

82. You're right. He *was* no Les Nessman!

He couldn't have had a chance at the Buckeye Newshawk Award!

[eppur_se_muova]

83. Dang, you're right! I should have said "he was no Ted Baxter"!

Everyone knows the "Buckies" are biased against Buffalonians anyway. :silly:

[defendandprotect]

124. So true . . . and notice that Palast, Conason, Goodman still every day face a tough

battle to get the NEWS out ---

and they certainly do not garner the REWARDS of celebrity journalists like Russert.

For these people, we are fortunate that the desire for truth and the rewards of reporting
-- and the esteem they are held in --- seems to be sufficient for them.

[The Backlash Cometh]

16. This is an accurate eulogy.

Sad in many ways, but true.

[enough]

17. Very well said.

[tom_paine]

18. A little soon after his death to be saying it, but 100% true nonetheless.

n/t

[greyghost]

Brilliant op greenman3610, and spot on!

[greyghost]

19. Bravo! Bravo!

[boobooday]

20. This is beautifully written

And cuts like a knife.

I salute you.

:patriot:

[G_j]

21. you might spread this around

it would do a lot of people good to read it!
:applause:

[malaise]

23. And the 20 hour plus deification of him tells us even more

about M$M.

edit headline

[tom_paine]

25. What more do we need to know. They are horribly self-obsessed, care nothing for us peasants,

are as insulated from the lives of the Commoners as the Noblitity and Courtiers of old, and are controlled by the Corproations that now have many many MANY more rights than we human beings do.

One Russert is more than equal, in their minds, to massive cities of people who's lives are ruined by floods, or even killed. (except where the broadcasting of fear, as on 9/11, serves their corporate and Bushie Masters - it's a good thing Russert didn't die during Katrina, or the death toll would have been double, I think)

[malaise]

48. More than that

It is absolutely uncritical.

[niceypoo]

26. Finally, a non circle jerk about Russert!

I am sure he was a fine father and all, but the goodness stops there. He gave Dick Cheney a platform to sell us his war then kept bringing him back to lie to us about it some more, not bothering to snag him on his snearing lies. When it came to Democrats all he cared about was playing 'gotcha' and confronting them with the right wing talking point of the day. He tossed softballs to republicans, was an asshole to Democrats and he gets no masturbatory praise from me.

[greyghost]

30. Exactly. He was gearing up to carry McInsane's water for the...

entire GE.

[Patchuli]

34. Well stated truth!

I agree and all this "masturbatory praise" going on is just plain weird. Mr. Russert was no friend to Democratic Americans.

[SirDaddybear]

27. He was my friend

http://www.mamarocks.com/good_bye_tim_russert.htm

[defendandprotect]

149. You actually had a PERSONAL relationship with him . . .

your feelings are personal, not based on his work ---

We are reacting to his WORK --- because it effects America --- and all citizens.

AND, we are amassed here at a POLITICAL website dealing with those very questions.

[SirDaddybear]

197. Personal yes....

but as a newsman myself for over 35 years, I respected his honesty, fairness and professionalism.

[Kickin_Donkey]

28. Right on ...

He sold out his country, the Constitution, the American public, the hundreds of thousands who have died from Bush crimes ... all for General Electric's coffers and his own wallet.

He was not a good man and certainly not a journalist.

[greyghost]

29. Spot on. He had blood on his hands, PERIOD.

[defendandprotect]

125. Russert: "Principles Are For Paupers" . . .

[greyghost]

153. Indeed. I wonder if he had any last second doubts?

[grassfed]

31. k&r - thanks

[Jawja]

33. Excellent.

I concur. Recommended. :thumbsup:

[tabasco]

35. Well said. I concur.

Recommended.

[sshan2525]

36. I agree but....

now is probably not the best time to be having this discussion. 58 is to young to die and that is sad, no matter who it is. I feel for his family and friends. There will be plenty of opportunities to analyze his impact (good & bad) on 21st century media later.

[bvar22]

37. K&R

The canonization of Russert by the MSM is an attempt to legitimize their own failures as "journalists".

He was a good father.
He was liked by his co-workers.
He was part of The Problem.

[tblue37]

39. Thank you for a dose of truth to help counterblance the

hagiography in progress.

I am appalled that DUers promote and participate in doing to Russert what was done to Reagan: turning him into a "saint" that the RW can use to bash us with in order to throw obstacles in the path of progressive efforts.

[symbolman]

41. Absolutely spot on, Perfection, loved it..

All I could think to title my thread was that Russert was a Cheney Ass Licker, you've put into words what I Meant to say :)

Thanks so much, K & R, everyone read this..

NOW we marvel as his body is used, the empty shell still having use of by the Bush Admin to avoid Afghanistan, the Midwestern Mega Floods and more troop deaths.. Bush does not mind using the Dead, I Smell a Medal!

I smell Something, and if stinks...

Deathwatch now entering what, the 20 th hour?

[gulfcoastliberal]

43. Awesome post - K&R! nt

[Neshanic]

51. Wow! Perfection.

[TexasObserver]

52. You get a gold star for that excellent and accurate OP.

He wasn't a bad man. He was a weak man, who went along to get along, and always stopped short of demanding real answers.

[krkaufman]

53. A not to be forgotten revelation from the Libby trial ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3446454&mesg_id=3450867

[ElsewheresDaughter]

69. reynolds wrap time..now we will never know what Russets role was in the Plame outing

he did have one.

and with Scott McClellan's due to testify about it before Congress this week...makes me go ummmm?

[blm]

54. I agree with every word you posted.

.

[MinM]

59. "...the quintessential establishment journalist.”

Back in 1987, Newsweek noted a basic disparity between the image and function of Ted Koppel (this easily apllies to Tim Russert too):

“The anchor who makes viewers feel that he is challenging the powers that be on their behalf is in fact the quintessential establishment journalist.”

[Ikonoklast]

62. GE, the largest government contractor on Earth

Was his employer. Not only for the Defense Department, the entire U.S. Government.

Go on a national venue and bad-mouth your employer.

See how long it takes to become a former employee....


Tim Russert toed the company line. He did as he was told.


I take no joy or sorrow in the fact that he has died. I feel for his friends and family.
He was a news-talker on TV.
There will be more like him.
The company line must be projected to the masses.

[defendandprotect]

126. It's so frightening how many DU members seem to be watching NBC/GE ---!!!

Yeah --- they kinda get it that the MSM is betraying them . . .
but evidently they feel a PERSONAL connection to their favorite celebrity journalists????

[Warren Stupidity]

63. Yes indeed.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

68. Brilliant!

[specimenfred1984]

70. Well said, too bad there are so many brainwashed people around

that were duped by the very person they feel sorry for now.

[paulk]

71. very well said

especially the 3rd paragraph.

-------------------


It's one thing to respect the loss of Russert to his family, friends, coworkers, etc.; it's another to respect his loss as a "journalist". Russert not only represented the worst of modern celebrity journalism, he was it's progenitor - and the media's attempts to lionize him for that role need to be countered.

[Duncan Grant]

72. The antidote to an idealized moment.

Glad I logged on to read this. Recommended.

[Dollface]

73. You can all stop now. He is dead and won't offend you anymore.

His friends miss him and had the ability to do an on-air wake. More power to them.

[kath]

79. but it's not appropriate for them to use the PUBLIC airwaves for hours on end

in order to have their wake. They ought to do it PRIVATELY, not on our airwaves.
And FYI, there have been PLENTY of important events occurring around the globe in the past 24 hours. But you'd never know it, as they have their disgusting orgy of public grief.

[sandyj999]

98. I totally agree. They feel worse than we do because they knew him but

to have unending programming about him is getting out of hand. They can do that at his wake or whatever but for the rest of us life goes on. Talk about overdoing something!

[defendandprotect]

127. We can't see our dead SOLDIERS COFFINS, but we can have a 20 hour wake for Russert???

More power to those journalists who SHOWED the Vietnam war and its bloodiness ---

[1Hippiechick]

185. Right on! Jumping up and down! Woo-hoo! Great response! You rock!

:woohoo:



:applause:


:yourock:



:headbang:

[sandyj999]

191. Great Response!! n/t

[tom_paine]

170. You think this about being offended? It's about AIDING and ABETTING criminals and tyrants.

My God, will you stop trivializing it? Will you stop building your straw men?

Offend? Yeah, I guess in the broader sense, I guess I am "offended" at those who assist rank criminals to slaughter and/or cause the slaughter of more than a million innocent Iraqis, loot t he public treasury, violate the Constitution to the point it almost has no meaning, etc. etc. etc.

This isn't a simply matter of disliking the man. How can I dislike him personally? I don;t know him, and if I ever tried to speak to him he would most likely call security to throw me out.

I dislike what he has done. He had the chance to do his job, to stand on the side of Liberty. Instead, he was Dick Cheney's "go to guy", and with VERY good reason.

[mmm413]

75. Last night on MSNBC and even FOX

It was Tim Russert all night long. How much can any one person say about someone? It went on and on and on. As far as I'm concerned, Russert was adequate, but certainly not someone I'd consider a journalist. There was a reason MTP was the go-to show when the White House wanted to get a message out.

[DaveT]

78. My only quibble with this well written and insightful post

is to wonder, for the ten thousandth time over the last dozen years or so, why any progressive expects anything different from the Tim Russerts of the world. The job of mainstream media broadcasters, cablecasters and print reporters is to do what their editors tell them to do. In turn the editors do what the corporate heirarchy tells them to do.

This is elementary stuff -- Economics 101.

The "market" offers a way for leftish stuff to make a buck, and so there are a few leftish voices in the MSM. But the overall narrative that comes out of the idiot box is carefully controlled to serve the interests of the corporations that own the news platforms. That interest coincides with the interest of most of their sponsors and the result is painfully easy to understand if one just looks at the situation clearly.

The pervasive nostalgia for some mythic "good ol' days" of honest hard hitting journalism is preposterous. Check out Citizen Kane for a reminder of how noble the press used to be.

Fighting for justice includes fighting the entrenched media interests of the day. Always has been true and always will be true.

[kath]

80. Thanks for this -- way too many are in denial about this cold hard fact.

[1Hippiechick]

186. 'Fighting for justice includes fighting the entrenched media interests of the day. ' Well said!!!!

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

85. The spot on truth does indeed have a certain ring to it...

...and I believe I hear that ring in this OP. Thanks for posting.

[Swamp Rat]

87. That's it in a nut shell.

Props to Tahiti. :)

[Jax]

89. "principals are for paupers.."

Exactly.

Brilliant and spot on thread greenman.

Best thread out here today. Many thanks for the thoughtful post.

Alyce

:thumbsup:

[jefferson_dem]

90. Sorry.This is a fantasy polemic that only seems logical to folks living in the DU echo chamber.

"Final heart clutching moment"?

Dude. I hope your passing doesn't leave such crude, petty sniping in its wake.

[blues90]

91. Absolutely !

There were people who were into doing good for this country and got a small moment by this shill media. But when it comes to one of their own freaks who sold out america they get praise out of some drummed up respect.

What about Ed Bradly or Molly Ivans and many others who tried to be real and honest or all the un-known people who died doing good things.

[Straight Shooter]

94. I absolutely agree with your sentiments.

When Walter Cronkite passes on, I will mourn. When Bill Moyers passes on, I will mourn. But as for the pseudojournalists that permeate the media these days ...... pfffft.



A GENUINE JOURNALIST

[Disturbed]

97. “Integrity is for paupers!”

In 1992, shortly after being named moderator of Meet The Press, Tim Russert was having lunch with a broadcast executive. The mealtime conversation was about the pros and cons of working for General Electric’s NBC subsidiary. Russert expounded on how being employed by GE had brought him to the realization that things functioned better when Republicans were in charge.

“You know, Tim, you used to be such a rabid Democrat when you worked for Pat Moynihan,” said the executive. “But now that you’ve gotten a glimpse of who’s handing out the money in this business, you’ve become quite the Jaycee. Were you wrong about everything you used to believe so strongly?”

“I still believe,” Russert said, leaning across the table. “I believe in everything I ever did. But I also know that I never would have become moderator on Meet The Press if my employers were uncomfortable with me. And, given the amount of money at stake, millions of dollars, I don’t blame them. This is business.”

The executive agreed. “But are you concerned about losing yourself? You know, selling out?”

Russert pounded the table. “Integrity is for paupers!”

http://makethemaccountable.com/podvin/media/020109_Russert.htm

[SwiperFox]

101. Recommended!

Incredible. The fact is, RESPECT is not demanded. Respect is EARNED! Some people here appear to live in some kind of guilt-induced cosmic barter for good karma. You think that if anyone that dies is praised, you will get some sort of holy point for your own after-death benefit? Russert was a pawn for the criminal administration! Did he think about respecting the million+ dead iraqis or 4000+ killed american soldiers? All he could respect were dollars and a blind affiliation toward fascism. He lived a great life. Do the homeless veterans live a great life? They die way more horribly than he did! Worse off are the people that have to LIVE horribly because of the war he GREATLY helped to be a reality. People that are mutilated, living in utmost poverty. Men, women, CHILDREN! I bet many of you that praise that Russert individual are not parents. He was a powerful tool in so much carnage and misery. It is amazing that even beyond death he will continue to be an abilitator by having his despicable memory praised by people that should push the cause of liberty and truth. Lose the hypocrisy! Wake up! :banghead:

[countryjake]

120. Welcome to DU, SwiperFox!

I realize that you've been here awhile, but maybe you need to be encouraged to chime in more often...great post!

And I join you in the head-banging! :banghead:



:hi:

[bertman]

100. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!

[quiller4]

102. I couldn't disagree with you more.

I am so sick of "gotcha Journalism". I turned to Russert when I wanted a thoughtful interview and I was never disappointed.

[ileus]

103. WE love and will miss you Tim.

[bbgrunt]

104. thank you. that was spot on.

[pjt7]

106. Here's a great quote that is smack on~

"it eventually got Tim to admit that 'principles are for paupers' and was his way of saying he knew, and 'these creeps can kill off a president, steal elections and demo the WTC complex and get away with it, so screw you until you figure out how to deal with them"

[cui bono]

116. Where is that from? n/t

[DaveJ]

105. "principles are for paupers"?????

I Googled this phrase and the only hit is to THIS thread.

So, I wonder what your source is for this allegation? Was this paraphrased?

[Disturbed]

108. “Integrity is for paupers!” This is the accurate quote.

In 1992, shortly after being named moderator of Meet The Press, Tim Russert was having lunch with a broadcast executive. The mealtime conversation was about the pros and cons of working for General Electric’s NBC subsidiary. Russert expounded on how being employed by GE had brought him to the realization that things functioned better when Republicans were in charge.

“You know, Tim, you used to be such a rabid Democrat when you worked for Pat Moynihan,” said the executive. “But now that you’ve gotten a glimpse of who’s handing out the money in this business, you’ve become quite the Jaycee. Were you wrong about everything you used to believe so strongly?”

“I still believe,” Russert said, leaning across the table. “I believe in everything I ever did. But I also know that I never would have become moderator on Meet The Press if my employers were uncomfortable with me. And, given the amount of money at stake, millions of dollars, I don’t blame them. This is business.”

The executive agreed. “But are you concerned about losing yourself? You know, selling out?”

Russert pounded the table. “Integrity is for paupers!”

http://makethemaccountable.com/podvin/media/020109_Russ...


In 1992, shortly after being named moderator of Meet The Press, Tim Russert was having lunch with a broadcast executive. The mealtime conversation was about the pros and cons of working for General Electric’s NBC subsidiary. Russert expounded on how being employed by GE had brought him to the realization that things functioned better when Republicans were in charge.

“You know, Tim, you used to be such a rabid Democrat when you worked for Pat Moynihan,” said the executive. “But now that you’ve gotten a glimpse of who’s handing out the money in this business, you’ve become quite the Jaycee. Were you wrong about everything you used to believe so strongly?”

“I still believe,” Russert said, leaning across the table. “I believe in everything I ever did. But I also know that I never would have become moderator on Meet The Press if my employers were uncomfortable with me. And, given the amount of money at stake, millions of dollars, I don’t blame them. This is business.”

The executive agreed. “But are you concerned about losing yourself? You know, selling out?”

Russert pounded the table. “Integrity is for paupers!”

http://makethemaccountable.com/podvin/media/020109_Russ...

[DaveJ]

113. Ok, I edited my post slightly

I took out the last line about reserving my opinion. Saying "integrity is for paupers" is inexcusable.

Rest in peace Tim. We learned a lot from you.

[caraher]

205. The more I check into it the more I'm convinced "Integrity is for paupers" is bogus

The original source for the quote seems to be a piece written by David Podvin, "Chocolates and nylons, sir?". Others on DU have asked for a source and this is where they all lead. Podvin himself gives no indication of how he came to know Russert said this - was he present? Who was there who told Podvin about it?

Googling David Podvin yields, in addition to his own writing, acounts on a few right-wing sites of futile efforts to make contact with the man. I'll spare you the links to those sites, but the author of this this relatively fair-minded blog has http://silverback.gnn.tv/blogs/309/Making_The_Left_Accountable">an account of utter failure in his efforts to verify this quote.

The bottom line is that Podvin's "scoops" might be too good to be true. We should, as members of the reality-based community, be VERY cautious about repeating these quotes, as they seem to be utterly unverifiable. I used that quote earlier today in an email and I now think that was a big mistake!:blush:

[pjt7]

109. dj

Russert did not have to say this, but his non-action of blowing the whistle, on 2 presidential voting frauds, 9.11 hoax, iraq war hoax.. say's it..

[acmavm]

107. You are absolutely correct in your assessment of Timmy and his open

betrayal of his country and the citizens of same. He covered for as long as he could, and when he had to he coughed up the truth about the people he helped.

Whatever.

[ClusterFreak]

114. Everything you said may very well be true.

But in my humble opinion it is wildly inappropriate to post such commentary before the man has even been buried.

Perhaps we're all "hollow caricatures" in our own way, and I sure hope that people will at least wait 3 or 4 days or weeks (or longer) after I'm gone before they make a cold, analytical assessment of my shortcomings. As accurate as that assessment may be. Don't we all deserve a grace period?

Geez.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

117. Spot on

I was at work yesterday when a bunch of people came down from the lounge in shock talking about
this man who was so wonderful who had just died. I asked who, they told me, and I just
kind of rolled my eyes. So many people have been taken in by the msm.

[kath]

118. yep, assimilation is nearly complete.

they've even assimilated a large number of DUers. Freakin' terrifying to contemplate how much of the Murkan populace has been taken in..

[AntiFascist]

119. K&R...

Russert was not as bad as some, but more often than not he chose to take the low road and we expected better of him.

[defendandprotect]

121. Really, really glad that you've said this -- and so well . . .

I was concerned yesterday when we pretty much had 24/7 Tim Russert going on in the "news."
And I was concerned again today when attempts were made here at DU to insist that everyone at
DU fall in line to make "nicey-nicey" over Russert ---

I agree with your analysis of Russert --- at first --- kind of like Matthews --- there was
a bit of a pretense, but obviously the rewards have been on the hard-right side and
these people have moved quickly to cash in.

For another, evidently we have a lot of people here who actually watch NBC/GE --- and Russert.
I find that, again, reason for concern.
Also agree that this is another "celebrity" journalist --

Russert: "Principles are for paupers . . . "

I wish that the time devoted to Russert yesterday could have been devoted to the very serious
issues our nation faces. 24 hours of the death and destruction, perhaps, that this administration
has brought us with the complicity of our "journalists."

"The myth of a free press died with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy."

[YDogg]

131. russert helped shape the environment that made the bush presidency possible.

that must have been a rather powerful feeling.

[NM Independent]

133. I think this is the first time...

I've been completely disgusted by DU.

:puke:

[Vickers]

138. Well, you've only been here 4 months...

...I'm sure you'll get disgusted a few more times.

:eyes:

[Radical Activist]

135. He was the gatekeeper for the limits of acceptable debate and ideas discussed in the media.

[treestar]

137. There are a zillion McSame water carrying replacements

True, his death will have no political significance.

[pattmarty]

140. MSNBC is right now trying to canonize "St Timmy".

[bonito]

141. Journalism has become like a www commentator

all show, all fake, all the time.:(

[defendandprotect]

142. recco

[downindixie]

143. When I heard that he died

I immediately turned off the news and started watching movies on T.V. to keep from hearing all the things that the media would be saying about him!

[Pierzin]

144. RIP for Media Whore #1, U mean there's other news out there?

Lets be honest here.
Russert was Media Whore #1. I just turned on my TV. MSNBC is still looping Russert junk. 24 Hours later! Who is this, the pope, or the president, or what?

Amen Greenman, kick and rec!

Journalism is not hitting truth to power hard enough, or often enough, or tough enough. There should be a constant drumbeat on all the networks to remove the current cancer from the oval office. And yet only Keith Olbermann is going in the right direction.

There's some other butt kisser waiting in the wings to take Tims place.

Can we move on now please?

[Divine Discontent]

147. this could have been uploaded after he was buried eom

[ladym55]

148. Thank you for adding some perspective here

Although I'm very sad that the man died and left behind his father, a son, and a wife, I have been very uncomfortable with his sudden canonization.

It was less than 2 months ago, I learned of another of a long line of things that disturbed me about Tim Russert. I was trying desperately to figure out WHY NO ONE was covering the Pentagon analyst story broken by the NY Times. Then I learned of the "media blackout." If the powerful media people DIDN'T want a story to develop legs, it didn't. And the military analyst story made the administration and the msm look bad, so it was left to wither:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/shameful-days-why-wont-th_b_99496.html

Add that to reading the transcripts of the many softball interviews of Dick Cheney on MTP leading up to the war (see Frank Rich's The Greatest Story Ever Sold) ... the gotcha questions in the Democratic debates. (Was asking Dennis Kucinich about UFOs remotely relevant?)

Real journalists (like Amy Goodman) struggle to survive. Tim Russert made a different choice. He became the ultimate Washington insider ... made tons of money, knew all the right people, had the season tickets to all the right events ... and had no problem promoting a war where more than 4,000 Americans have died, thousands more have suffered life-altering injuries, and untold Iraqis have been killed or injured. It always disturbed me that it didn't matter to him ... his son was protected by his father's power. There would be no four tours of duty to Iraq for Luke Russert. Instead there would be a radio show on XM before finishing college.

I had a harder time with Tim Russert than the fools of Fox. Fox is not subtle. They are unashamedly right wing. Tim Russert, however, promoted himself as fair and professional when many times he was anything but.

He was smart, personable, and a good family man. I'm sad for his family, especially his father. But I cannot suddenly make Tim Russert a saint, especially as I hear him lionized as the epitome of journalistic integrity. He is responsible for too much damage

[Uncle Joe]

150. Excellent post, greenman, I couldn't agree more and

the journalist celebrity sentence was perfect.

If it hadn't been so tragic, it would have been funny, but last night on "Washington Week in Review", Gwen Ifill had to actually ask the round table of journalists, I'm paraphrasing here, "Is the economy that bad"? Later she would amend that by saying we all have jobs so maybe it's more difficult for us to tell. I thought the point of their job was to tell.

Thanks for the thread.:thumbsup:

[Skittles]

151. absolutely correct

I am particularly dismayed by the accolades insisting that Mr. Russert "asked the hard questions" - well, no he did not.

[mcollier]

152. More McCain flip flops

* McCain has changed his economic worldview on multiple occasions.

* McCain has changed his mind about a long-term U.S. military presence in Iraq on multiple occasions.

* McCain is both for and against attacking Barack Obama over his former pastor at his former church.

* McCain believes Americans are both better and worse off than they were before Bush took office.

* McCain is both for and against earmarks for Arizona.

* McCain believes his endorsement from radical televangelist John Hagee was both a good and bad idea.

* McCain?s first mortgage plan was premised on the notion that homeowners facing foreclosure shouldn?t be "rewarded" for acting "irresponsibly." His

second mortgage plan took largely the opposite position.

* McCain vowed, if elected, to balance the federal budget by the end of his first term. Soon after, he decided he would no longer even try to reach that

goal.

* McCain?s campaign unveiled a Social Security policy that the senator would implement if elected, which did not include a Bush-like privatization

scheme. In March 2008, McCain denounced his own campaign?s policy.

* In February 2008, McCain reversed course on prohibiting waterboarding.

* McCain used to champion the Law of the Sea convention, even volunteering to testify on the treaty?s behalf before a Senate committee. Now he opposes

it.

* McCain was a co-sponsor of the DREAM Act, which would grant legal status to illegal immigrants? kids who graduate from high school. Now he?s against

it.

* On immigration policy in general, McCain announced in February 2008 that he would vote against his own legislation.

* In 2006, McCain sponsored legislation to require grassroots lobbying coalitions to reveal their financial donors. In 2007, after receiving "feedback"

on the proposal, McCain told far-right activist groups that he opposes his own measure.

* McCain said before the war in Iraq, "We will win this conflict. We will win it easily." Four years later, McCain said he knew all along that the war in

Iraq war was "probably going to be long and hard and tough."



* McCain said he was the "greatest critic" of Rumsfeld?s failed Iraq policy. In December 2003, McCain praised the same strategy as "a mission

accomplished." In March 2004, he said, "I?m confident we?re on the right course." In December 2005, he said, "Overall, I think a year from now, we will

have made a fair amount of progress if we stay the course."

* McCain went from saying he would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade to saying the exact opposite.

* McCain went from saying gay marriage should be allowed, to saying gay marriage shouldn?t be allowed.

* McCain criticized TV preacher Jerry Falwell as "an agent of intolerance" in 2002, but then decided to cozy up to the man who said Americans "deserved"

the 9/11 attacks.

* McCain used to oppose Bush?s tax cuts for the very wealthy, but he reversed course in February.

* On a related note, he said 2005 that he opposed the tax cuts because they were "too tilted to the wealthy." By 2007, he denied ever having said this,

and insisted he opposed the cuts because of increased government spending.

* In 2000, McCain accused Texas businessmen Sam and Charles Wyly of being corrupt, spending "dirty money" to help finance Bush?s presidential campaign.

McCain not only filed a complaint against the Wylys for allegedly violating campaign finance law, he also lashed out at them publicly. In April, McCain

reached out to the Wylys for support.

* McCain supported a major campaign-finance reform measure that bore his name. In June 2007, he abandoned his own legislation.

* McCain opposed a holiday to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., before he supported it.

* McCain was against presidential candidates campaigning at Bob Jones University before he was for it.

* McCain was anti-ethanol. Now he?s pro-ethanol.

* McCain was both for and against state promotion of the Confederate flag.

* McCain decided in 2000 that he didn?t want anything to do with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, believing he "would taint the image of the ?

Straight Talk Express.?" Kissinger is now the Honorary Co-Chair for his presidential campaign in New York.


Share with all your contacts my friends...

[rhett o rick]

156. good post. k & r

[MadBadger]

157. You had me up to Reagan.

You may have thought Reagan was a grotesque figure in American history, but nonetheless, the death of an American President is an extremely large event in America, especially one that was loved by so many people, even if you and other absolutely hated him.

[asteroid2003QQ47]

183. Reagan...

fuck'em and those who loved him, decent people hated him.

[beachmom]

158. How a man treats his family is so much more important than his work.

Yeah, with a handle like "Beachmom", you can see my bias toward the family. But once I heard all the little stories of how Tim would drop everything for his family (let's not be naive here -- most highly successful people put their family second. Not so with Tim), and what he does for his Dad (not to mention for friends' families), I'll never view him the same. He is a role model parent and son to his father, I hope that more of us will be able to emulate.

Looking at this story, I just won't think of the things you speak of, but rather this:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17116264

(Video at the link)

For the Russerts, caring for Dad is a team effort

Still independent, ‘Big Russ’ gets help from family, friends and neighbors

By Tim Russert
Washington bureau chief
NBC News
updated 7:38 p.m. ET, Tues., Feb. 13, 2007

BUFFALO, N.Y. - My Dad, Big Russ, is a fiercely independent man — always has been.

He left high school to fight in World War II and was badly injured when his B-24 Liberator crashed.

Back home in Buffalo, N.Y., he raised four kids with my Mom, who sadly, died a year and half ago.

He always met every challenge, working round the clock with two fulltime jobs, but living alone is hard.

Big Russ: It gets lonely, but I have a lot of people helping.

Tim Russert: You got a great team.

Now, at 83, Dad has slowed down. Still, he won't ask for help and won't consider a retirement home.

Russert: When I tried to talk to you about going to the assisted living place, you wouldn't get out of the car.

Big Russ: Nah, nah, don't get them going. They'll be calling me up.

A lot of responsibility falls on my sister, Kiki, who lives nearby. Things like replacing batteries and solving the problems of daily life.

Neighborhood friend Mike Shea can be over in a matter of minutes if the power goes out.

Shea: I know when he needs something even if he doesn't need it. I'm a step ahead of him a lot of times.

My sisters and I call several times a day, too many times according to Dad, and there is a frequent care package from me.

Lunch and dinner are lovingly prepared by neighbor Jean Passafiume.

Big Russ: It's enough to feed two.

Passafiume: You have to feed the soul and brain. You feed both and you have a good life. Remember that.

My Dad's favorite — corned beef and cabbage at the Blackthorn Club, where old buddies raise their glasses once a month.

Patrick the poet (reads a poem to the men): When you are young, it's not hard to write, but as the years pass along sometimes words, that once were there, are just not right.

Russert (to the men): I want to thank you so much for embracing him. It means everything to him and everything to me.

On this night, all I had to do was help Dad with his coat. But tomorrow it's support from a team who gives my Dad the love and dignity he deserves.

© 2008 MSNBC Interactive

There was no conspiracy for why there was such an outpouring over his sudden death. Clearly, this man had a huge impact on everyone he worked with as well as acquaintenaces, friends, and family. He was pretty down to Earth and had a big heart. So you're not a fan of his work. Well, luckily there were other facets to him which were most praiseworthy. The most important in how he raised his son and took care of his Dad in his old age. For me, this is the #1 measure of a man or woman: do they put their family at the top? Tim passed that test. And for that, I am so very sad to see him gone from this earth way too soon.

[jefferson_dem]

187. Thanks for the perspective.

You are so right. The efforts by some to demonize this good man on the day of his death is beyond shameful.

Not DU's finest moment, to say the least.

[Digit]

159. Although I feel for his family and friends,

I also had problems with nobody calling out his complicity in allowing this administration to continue their free ride.

Anyone who watched MTP knew he softballed questions for right-wingers and this administration and would nitpick the left on quotes taken out of context without allowing them to get their message out.
I often had to switch channels just to lower my blood pressure.

Whenever I knew he would be moderating the debates, I knew we would be sunk, at least if he had his way.

Maybe I am speaking out as well because they are going overboard in saying how objective and saintly he was. I am glad he did not have a lingering illness, as I would not wish that on anyone.
Thinking of him since he passed, I wondered if he "got the picture" since he passed, and realized that integrity is worth more than money.

[Disturbed]

162. I don't get it. Just because a person died, the living cannot

voice their honest opinions about them?

[Raster]

167. Yep. All the "he was so fair and professional" bullshit is way to much.

No he wasn't. This is the American corporate-controlled media whitewashing one of their own. NBC can keep the sackcloth and ashes. I'm not dancing on any graves, but I'm not sending flowers either.

[Political Heretic]

160. Thanks for setting my straight. In my desire not to stomp on the man's grave, I had really ignored

...these excellent points, that serve as a good reminder.

I don't condone the people who have chosen to express themselves in vitriolic ways regarding the man. And I don't have to say anything negative about Tim as a person, especially since I don't know him like his friends and family do. But you're right - we watched Russert lose the skepticism that is essential for political journalism. It is not required that every journalist be a hard and fast liberal and work those personal convictions into all reporting. But it is at least required that journalists see it as their professional duty to be skeptic to power.

Political Journalism must represent the people, and ask the skeptical, demanding questions that the American public would ask if they could. It must not represent political leaders of any stripe. Journalisms job isn't to be "press secretary" to the administration - any administration. And that's what we saw from Russert and others throughout the Bush administration - they functioned as an arm of the administration instead of as representatives of the people and defenders of the fourth estate.

So Tim, rest in peace. But thank you to the OP for reminding me that just because I do not wish to stomp on a man's grave does not mean I should forget how far political journalism has fallen away from its responsibilities to the public, nor the role that even Tim Russert played in that fall.

[Mind_your_head]

161. Let's REMEMBER the Russert/Libby Connection

Russert exemplified everything that is wrong with journalism in America

Great title/great post!

:kick:

[SwiperFox]

163. ..

Thank you for the warm welcome :)

[Swagman]

164. it's true-the medium has become the message and the messanger

more important than the message.

[seemslikeadream]

165. EXACTLY

THANK YOU

[Swagman]

166. I'll give you the reason why greenman3610's post is CORRECT !

Tim Russet's death was been reported on mainstream television and newsapapers in AUSTRALIA !!

We don't even get his program unless you are in the small minority that subscribes to Foxtel-Rupert Murdoch's cable channel.

The vast majority of Aussies don't have a clue who Tim Russset is.

Meanwhile 4 US troops died in Iraq ( and God only knows how many Iraqis)-there is no report in our news on that. I have to come to DU to find that out.

[leftofthedial]

168. I couldn't agree more

he was the prototypical corporate media whore and member (and protector) of the ruling elite.

[Joe Bacon]

171. Well, if there is a Heaven, I hope Virginia Kelley is there!

And I hope that Bill Clinton's mother gave Timmy the whipping he richly deserved for the way he lied about her son!

[Rex]

172. Amazing.

[leftstreet]

173. K&R

Excellent!

[MattP]

174. Russert was as middle of the road as you can get

I told my friends to come here to get the real political news and info, well they came to the site today and told there was alot of nonsense about Russert and how he had blood on his hands for not giving tougher interviews to Bushco. I think he did go soft on Bush and the rest of them on the run up to the war but who didn't in the media it was sick with patriotic fever I also remember harder questions after when Powell had his camera turned off by a aide and Cheney stopped going on his show and only went on Fox. I think alot of the shit here is really counterproductive and putting down a dead man is going to get us nowhere.

[Swagman]

179. perhaps some are kicking a man after his death-but the heading

of the thread is quite correct. The coporate media is in a woeful state and doesn't give us news anymore..it's spin spin spin.

But when would be the right time to talk about Russett...he's be forgotten in a year but the problem with the media will still be there.

[happygoluckytoyou]

177. so rather than wait until they die....

let's kick their asses while they are alive

[Richard Steele]

178. Simply, utterly perfect. The eulogy he deserves. K&R

[Frank Lemadeer]

193. Wow. Amazing OP and thread

So what's being said here is that their eulogizing him as an unflawed saint is a palliative for all among them who play the game the way he did.

"Courtiers."

And if he was the corporatists' example of a model soldier then they stand to gain by canonizing him so all the other soldiers will willingly conform to the pattern--or continue to.

If this is the case, then, comparatively, journalists like Bill Moyers and Glenn Greenwald will get an "Oh. Sad. See ya" when their times come. Unless a big show is made just to prevent such a perception.

As for those saying this is the wrong time to point out such things, I would think there's no better time to try to shine light on someone's behavior than while they are doing it. Waiting until later would make it ineffective.

[GeorgeGist]

194. Tim's a pauper now...

and his integrity is restored; thanks to his non-pauper colleagues, like Olberman and Fineman.

[Auggie]

195. "Defined the modern millionaire media star journalist" -- that so nails it

Thanks for your post. It's perfect.

[mzmolly]

198. 148 recs?

This place confuses me at times.

[theboss]

200. It's best to remember that you will never meet anyone in your daily life like the people here

Think of it like visiting a village in the Amazon or something.

I think both my fiance and my mother cried when they heard about Russert.

[truebrit71]

202. Abso-fucking-lutely.....

...all of this worshipping glosses over the fact that he was a HUGE bush cheerleader for the war. He allowed Darth to come on his show and REPEATEDLY LIE about WMD and nukes in Iraq...

He was a sorry excuse for a journalist....

[JohnyCanuck]

203. I agree with wsws.org's assessment of Russert.

The treatment of Russert’s demise, in its own peculiar fashion, speaks more eloquently about the state of American journalism and the milieu of which he was a part than it does about Russert. No doubt there is shock over the abruptness and unexpectedness of his death, for it is a troubling reminder to the social elite that success, celebrity and immense amounts of money do not bestow immortality, or even, necessarily, a long life.

In the end, after all, Russert was a celebrity, little more than that. Was he an important or insightful journalist? Or a serious political thinker? There is no evidence to support such claims. In spite of his lengthy tenure as anchor of a major news program (he was the longest-serving moderator of “Meet the Press”), it is not possible to link Russert’s name to a significant journalistic work or even an instance of acute political analysis. On the contrary. He was a typical representative of what passes for journalism in the United States’ corporate-controlled media: conformist and philistine in his views, a purveyor of received wisdom who had no doubts whatever about the values and legitimacy of the political establishment.

One has only to consider certain of the events that occurred “on his watch”: the Clinton impeachment, the stolen 2000 election, September 11, the Iraq war and its aftermath. None of these events evoked from Russert a critical examination of the claims of the state and its representatives.

snip

As the WSWS wrote in 2000, in a survey of television personnel: “Russert was one of those who claimed to be taking the moral high ground, castigating Clinton’s behavior, while spreading the salacious gossip put out by the right wing. (Typical Russert sound-bite: ‘There are lots of suggestions coming out of people close to Ken Starr that perhaps the Secret Service ‘facilitated’ for President Clinton. Remember that code word—it was used by state troopers in Little Rock.... Was the Secret Service—was a Secret Service agent—an accomplice in trying to cover up a relationship with Monica Lewinsky?’ The fact that this story, and dozens like it, attributed to ‘unnamed sources,’ proved to be false, never stopped Russert and his media cohorts.)”

More at:
http://wsws.org/articles/2008/jun2008/russ-j16.shtml

[liberalla]

204. I had to search to find this thread again. It was one of the

first I read on Friday, and still the best, in my mind. There were several 'hits' for me, but the first one (and the one I keep reflecting on) was this:

"pretend to challenge..."

And what a pretense it was. Very well done, judging from all the accolades.

"...by knowing exactly how far to go in any encounter, with a keen
eye for just which players in the power structure could be challenged,
exactly how much he could pretend to challenge them, and above all,
those lines that must never be crossed."

BINGO!

There are so called 'journalists' and 'reporters' searching for his formula, in the hope of emulating the great Russert.
_________________

The suddenness and untimeliness of his death is what shocked me, and I do send condolences to his family and friends.

I disagree with the manner in which he is being canonized, and that people are characterizing his work as true journalism or reporting. In this regard he fell short. Also, I would hope that not too many 'journalists' and 'reporters' turn him into their role model.