Tim Russert, RIP

While I think it bad form to speak ill of the recently deceased, Tim Russert was a public figure who, in my humble opinion, did infinite harm to the role of journalism in this former democracy. But don't take my word for it; here are some (slightly edited) comments that I consider to be spot on (from the Web Site Capitol Hill Blue):

1. "I am sorry that the man is dead, but I do not understand all the gushing homilies about him. He was just another media whore who capably guarded the status quo; he was just more skilled than most." --kmo591

2. "Tim Russert was a great man. That is why former Cheney communications director Cathie Martin during the "Scooter" Libby trial testified that "Meet the Press" was their first choice for Cheney TV appearances - Martin said it was "a tactic we often used" when they wanted to "control" their "message" because Russert's compulsion to suck up to power made his show their "best format."

When Dick Cheney appeared on Meet the Press on December 9, 2001, he said it was "pretty well confirmed that [9/11 hijacker Mohamed Atta] did go to Prague and he did meet with a senior official of the Iraqi intelligence service in Czechoslovakia last April, several months before the attack." On June 16, 2004, Gloria Borger, host of CNBC's Capitol Report, read Cheney the "pretty well confirmed" quote, to which Cheney responded, "No, I never said that. I never said that. Absolutely not." On the next broadcast of "Meet the Press," Russert rather than addressing this bald faced lie said absolutley nothing like the power suck up he always was.

He banned Arianna Huffington from NBC, and work to marginalize Kucinich by asking him if he ever saw a UFO.

Yep, quite a journalist he was." --kmo591

3. "kmo 591. Absolutely! I agree with you 100%. I have noticed that a whole bunch of people who made comments about timmah and the village are suddenly gushing about how great a person he was. The Daily Howler, no fan of timmah, did not praise him, but simply said that they would have no comment. He fed softball questions to all repigs, and never asked a followup. His appearence at the many debates showed him to be more interested in talking than asking actual questions about policy. Always a master of the trivial and the ambush question designed to make one look foolish. But never against the party in power. He also helped to push the sexist comments about Sen Clinton-while I am no fan, I did not think that his attitude was right for a journalist. But then again, he really wasn't one, was he?" --Timr

4. "Lets call a Spade a garden tool, shall we.

FACT of the matter is, Russert testified, UNDER OATH, that he gave the White House favorable treatment so he could maintain "exclusive access".

If Russert hadn't sold his soul to the Devil, he could have used his sizeable influence to hold GW Smirk and company accountable for their ramp up to war.

Thousands of American soldiers, and countless Iraqi civilians DIED, just so Russert could have his "exclusive access".

He should have kept his integrity and told the TRUTH.

RIP Tim...." --Baal

I'm afraid that there is more at stake here than the feelings of the Russert family; the man shilled for criminals when he was supposed to be interrogating them and publicly exposing their murderous lies. Tim Russert contributed substantially to the downfall of the American republic. That is his journalistic legacy.