Another Sad Goodbye
At two different times, both Tim Russert and Tony Snow called me "kid."
When I first met Tony Snow during the early days of Fox News, he greeted me with that genuine and all-consuming grin of his and sent me out on camera with, "Knock 'em dead, kiddo."
When I first met Tim Russert shortly after joining NBC, he wished me good luck on my new MSNBC show with, "Go get 'em, kid."
I loved their calling me "kid." It was their way of showing me that they were pulling for me, the way a good coach would pull for a rookie. Unlike many others in the media business, they were incredibly decent men who truly wanted their fellow colleagues to do well, succeed, flourish.
Both presided over big-time franchises. For Russert, "Meet the Press;" for Snow, Fox News Sunday, and then, of course, the biggest franchise of all: the White House.
They were smart, insightful, thoughtful men who came into our homes every week with a list of questions, a smile, and a true love for their country.
I'm sure they're now competing for the big "get:" maybe Lincoln or FDR. Or maybe, given that they were both men of faith, they are jockeying for a sit-down with Jesus.
Death came too soon for them. I was grateful to have known them, however briefly, and we were all lucky to watch them do what they did so well, however briefly.
Godspeed, Tony Snow.
Did you just say that Tony Snow died?
I've been listening to radio both talk and sports all day and I somehow must have missed that.. or did they fail to mention it?
Posted by: Ummah Gummah | July 12, 2008 at 10:18 PM
I was sorry to hear that Tony Snow lost his battle with cancer. He was definitely a man who saw his "glass as half full" and he lived his life to the fullest.
Here is Brit Hume discussing Tony Snow's career:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxKuR4o0hgU
My condolences to Monica, Tony Snow's family, friends and colleagues.
Posted by: M/M | July 13, 2008 at 12:21 AM
UG, I first heard that Tony Snow died this morning, on "Good Morning America". Fox went into more detail and MSNBC reported it. The story was reported on my news radio station and it was also also the second story on the ABC evening news.
However, I didn't hear that Bobby Muncer died until the singer at the concert I went to mentioned it.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gaHIWPj3kZf10Fl9c1WiBQYyDrYQD91SMFS00
Posted by: M/M | July 13, 2008 at 12:30 AM
I saw Tony Snow on TV not too long ago and heard him on several radio programs. he looked and sounded fine..
I guess he's better off going out like a light then to suffer a slow road to debilitation and then on to death.
He actually got better after he left the White House and was able to speak more freely.
I think he knew what islam is all about too!
Posted by: Ummah Gummah | July 13, 2008 at 12:48 AM
Tony will really be missed. He was a rare talent and a decent human being. He did such a great job at the White House even though you could tell he was suffering from his cancer. He was much too young to leave this world, as was Tim Russert.
Posted by: SteveOk | July 13, 2008 at 10:27 AM
I've been watching some of the Fox's tributes to Tony Snow. I had no idea how religious he was. Here are his thoughts on life, his faith and his illness that I find quite inspiring.
From his address to Catholic University (great speech):
"And finally this: Wherever you are and whatever you do, never forget at this moment, and every moment forward, you have a precious blessing. You’ve got the breath of life. No matter how lousy things may seem, you’ve got the breath of life. And while God doesn’t promise tomorrow, he does promise eternity. "
http://publicaffairs.cua.edu/Releases/2007//07CommencementAddress.cfm
From an essay he wrote on "Cancer's Unexpected Blessing"
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/july/25.30.html?start=3
Cal Thomas writes about Tony Snow
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/CalThomas/2007/03/28/the_tony_snow_i_know
Here are Tony's fans:
http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/07/12/a-man-who-loved-his-family-and-his-god/comment-page-6/#comments
Posted by: M/M | July 13, 2008 at 09:13 PM
Tony Snow. Tim Russert. Jim McKay. William F. Buckley. Irreplaceable. In Seattle, we Mariners fans had our own "kid." Ken Griffey Jr. was "The Kid" back in the day. Thanks for reminding me of this.
Apparently both Snow and Russert understood and embraced the wisdom that "a rising tide lifts all ships" as they rooted for you to succeed and flourish. Rare indeed.
How about a sit down with The Messiah, Lincoln and Washington. Good stuff, that!
Keep gettin 'em, Monica. :)
Posted by: Atomic Dawg | July 13, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Gone also is fair finance. That kid is dead, and what of the future?
In the free market/banking system, it must be that Martha Stewart is nearly the only culprit, and that was only because it was rumored she was cruel to her ex.
As the huge banks go down, it is only because of aggressive people and nonregulation. According to Hoyle, these banks should fail and good-riddance. Congressional response is to throw more money after bad, with no actual reform until after the election. Scary, isn't it? And it is not even October.
Posted by: Truther | July 14, 2008 at 02:25 AM
The word on the street :
What is the value of money when the US government is handing out uncollaterialized loans without a bottom to it? Isn't that the same as the Iraqi prime minister handing out cash on the street?
Why does anyone work for it?
Posted by: Truther | July 14, 2008 at 05:04 PM
The world recedes; it disappears!
Heaven opens on my eyes! my ears
With sounds seraphic ring.
Lend, lend your wings! I mount! I fly!
O Grave! Where is thy victory?
O Death! where is thy sting?
The Dying Christian to His Soul,
Alexander Pope, 18th Century
Posted by: gringoman | July 14, 2008 at 05:50 PM