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Family, patriotism and religion were very much in the news last week, as the country mourned the sudden death on June 13 of NBC's Meet the Press anchor Tim Russert. In a day and age when some people in the national spotlight seem bent on outrageous and destructive behavior in order to capture the limelight, the public got a glimpse - alas posthumously - of a far different person of true celebrity status.
Reaction to Russert's death from his co‑workers, friends and family, network competitors, and even politicians, government authorities and others he had grilled on his news show, revealed their respect and admiration for him. The huge outpouring from the public in response to his death is evidence of the impact his life had upon so many people. On camera, and off, Tim Russert was a good guy, and it showed.
As an active, practicing Catholic, Russert was not shy about talking about the impact his faith had on his life. He credited his blue collar family upbringing in Buffalo, N.Y., and his Catholic school education from grade school through law school, for helping make him the man he was. Time and again news accounts of his death on all the major networks and in the print media spoke of his love of family, country and his Catholic faith.
As the country prepares to celebrate the Fourth of July, the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress in 1776, there are many things to emulate in the priorities the late journalist set in his life.
Love of country, pride in its accomplishments and respect for the rights of its citizens does not mean a person puts blinders on, giving elected officials carte blanche to run the government. On Meet the Press, Russert interviewed elected officials, those seeking election to public office, and other newsmakers. He did his homework, asking tough questions, but listening to their responses. He treated them all with respect.
In the months ahead, as we prepare for the presidential election, there is no Tim Russert here to ask the tough questions and to listen to the responses of political candidates. But there will be others stepping forward to continue the line of probing questions. It is the responsibility of citizens to listen, to read and to become informed.
In a day and age when what is "politically correct" and "socially acceptable" takes precedence over what is morally just or ethically right, Catholics need to reaffirm their own commitment to do the right thing. The freedoms which we take for granted here have forged a great nation. Take a page from the Tim Russert life playbook - make family, patriotism and religion your priorities in your life, and other things will fall into place.
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