last week they said the “Meet the Press” show chair would be empty, in honor of Tim Russert’s unexpected passing. That’s good cuz I would’ve been freaked out if they had placed his body in the chair and continued on like all was normal. It’s what they do with Larry King on CNN each night. The 4th branch of government (media) is so in love with itself that it is embarrassing. And what does it say about politicians who treat the death of a journalist as though it was one of their own. Politicians (public servants) are elected by the people, and are supposed to be accountable to them; this being done usually through the reporting done by ‘objective’ journalists. But pols know they are protected by the bigger media, and whenever one of them dies, especially one who protected their asses, they grieve because there’s always the chance that the dead journalist will be replaced with a real reporter who will ask real questions and expose them as the power-hungry incompetents they really are. All those Sunday morning talk shows are bullshit spin rooms selling soap and cars. And television journalists are the least important and effective journalists working today. There’s better reporting done in the PennySaver’s in each small town. When is the last time any on-air personality investigated anything other than child predators or Britney Spear’s legal battles. I’m sorry Tim Russert’s dead – it sucks for his friends and family (believe me, I know – my own dad died suddenly of a heart attack – didn’t you catch the 72 hours of news coverage about it? Neither did I.), but a little perspective, please. Is the big media gonna get this hysterical everytime now one of their own dies? Barbara Walters? Dan Rather? and any other ‘journalist’ over 60? America will continue on just fine without any media person who’se primary job is to allow politicians to excuse their behaviors and decisions each week.
Why did I write the above? It’s been covered just as well elsewhere but why not. Good writing exercise, I guess.
MARK WIBERG 
Re: the Russert overload – I think it’s just a symptom of the Baby Boomers’ obsession with themselves. Witness the thousands of AFI tributes that take place every week. They honor people who aren’t even old! What the fuck is *that* about! They have no sense of perspective on what is a long time or what is a great career or when it is appropriate to celebrate someone’s life and work. They just want to throw as many parties as possible and reflect on the “amazing changes” they “made” to society in the 60s. Right, like everything that came out of that was a dream come true. And then you all abandoned it like Dennis Hopper doing retirement fund commercials – what the fuck is that??
Agreed!!! Everytime I see Hopper standing in a street or field of flowers telling me about dreams and insurance I think, “did he lose a bet?” Easy Rider: I think that’s a document you sign for Ameriprise Financial.