# Hey, Fucked News Channel--TIM RUSSERT JUST DIED!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 13, 2008, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-fucked-news-channel-tim-russert-just-died/452870 "2008-06-13T23:19:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![want2know](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@want2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2know)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-fucked-news-channel-tim-russert-just-died/452870/1 "2008-06-13T23:19:08Z")
As soon as I heard the news about Tim Russert, I started checking the news channels to get some details. I began on MSNBC for awhile–no surprises there, seeing as he was one of their own. I then moved to CNN and saw Wolf Blitzer doing interviews with friends and colleagues of Mr. Russert, pretty much continuously. Out of curiosity, I then switched to the Fox Noise Channel. I saw coverage of Bush’s trip to Europe, a story about some politician in Tennessee speculating that Barack Obama may or may not be “terrorist-connected”, and yet another story about illegal immigration. And for the entire 30 minutes that I forced myself to sit through this bullshit, there was not ONE mention of Russert’s passing. I couldn’t fucking believe it! NOT EVEN ON THE FUCKING NEWS TICKER! Which, BTW, was the only reason I stayed with it as long as I did–I wanted to see how little space they would dedicate to the passing of this giant in the news industry. How little? Zero. Zip. Zilch. THE SQUARE ROOT OF SWEET FUCK ALL! What are you fuckheads afraid of? Afraid your tongues might catch fire if you evoke the name of a _real_ journalist? Actually, you know what? It’s just as well. Not ONE of you Fox whores deserves to speak his name! Scumbags!!! ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-fucked-news-channel-tim-russert-just-died/452870/2 "2008-06-13T23:31:16Z")
It’s on the front page of their website: > **[Fox News - Breaking News Updates | Latest News Headlines | Photos & News...](https://www.foxnews.com)** > > Breaking News, Latest News and Current News from FOXNews.com. Breaking news and video. Latest Current News: U.S., World, Entertainment, Health, Business, Technology, Politics, Sports. ---
**Author:** ![Tabula\_Rasa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@Tabula\_Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabula_Rasa)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-fucked-news-channel-tim-russert-just-died/452870/3 "2008-06-13T23:31:18Z")
Invoke. Not evoke. ---
**Author:** ![Euthanasiast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Euthanasiast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euthanasiast)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-fucked-news-channel-tim-russert-just-died/452870/4 "2008-06-13T23:43:03Z")
[QUOTE=Captain Amazing] It’s on the front page of their website: > **[Fox News - Breaking News Updates | Latest News Headlines | Photos & News Video](https://www.foxnews.com)** > > Breaking News, Latest News and Current News from FOXNews.com. Breaking news and video. Latest Current News: U.S., World, Entertainment, Health, Business, Technology, Politics, Sports. [/QUOTE] And has been since the moment his death was known. ---
**Author:** ![ManiacMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b782af/32.png) [@ManiacMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ManiacMan)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-fucked-news-channel-tim-russert-just-died/452870/5 "2008-06-13T23:45:42Z")
[QUOTE=want2know] As soon as I heard the news about Tim Russert, I started checking the news channels to get some details. I began on MSNBC for awhile–no surprises there, seeing as he was one of their own. I then moved to CNN and saw Wolf Blitzer doing interviews with friends and colleagues of Mr. Russert, pretty much continuously. Out of curiosity, I then switched to the Fox Noise Channel. I saw coverage of Bush’s trip to Europe, a story about some politician in Tennessee speculating that Barack Obama may or may not be “terrorist-connected”, and yet another story about illegal immigration. And for the entire 30 minutes that I forced myself to sit through this bullshit, there was not ONE mention of Russert’s passing. I couldn’t fucking believe it! NOT EVEN ON THE FUCKING NEWS TICKER! Which, BTW, was the only reason I stayed with it as long as I did–I wanted to see how little space they would dedicate to the passing of this giant in the news industry. How little? Zero. Zip. Zilch. THE SQUARE ROOT OF SWEET FUCK ALL! What are you fuckheads afraid of? Afraid your tongues might catch fire if you evoke the name of a _real_ journalist? Actually, you know what? It’s just as well. Not ONE of you Fox whores deserves to speak his name! Scumbags!!! [/QUOTE] You are an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2008, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-fucked-news-channel-tim-russert-just-died/452870/6 "2008-06-13T23:59:12Z")
Well, that went well, didn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![buttonjockey308](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@buttonjockey308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buttonjockey308)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2008, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-fucked-news-channel-tim-russert-just-died/452870/7 "2008-06-14T00:01:31Z")
As a fly-off-the-handle-on-occasion guy myself, I get it. I’m sure NO one EVER jumps to a conclusion based on having too little evidence, not around here, nosiree. Your ignorance has been fought W2K. Man up. ---
**Author:** ![ArizonaTeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2008, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-fucked-news-channel-tim-russert-just-died/452870/8 "2008-06-14T03:10:49Z")
I was watching Fox on Thursday, and they didn’t mention a damn thing about this. Fuckers. ---
**Author:** ![Indyellen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/indyellen/32/4176_2.png) [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2008, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-fucked-news-channel-tim-russert-just-died/452870/9 "2008-06-14T03:28:04Z")
[QUOTE=ArizonaTeach] I was watching Fox on Thursday, and they didn’t mention a damn thing about this. Fuckers. [/QUOTE] I’m not sure if I’m being wooshed here, but Tim died this afternoon, Friday. Of course there was nothing on Thursday. If I’m being wooshed, however - nothing to see here, move along. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2008, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-fucked-news-channel-tim-russert-just-died/452870/10 "2008-06-14T03:36:04Z")
Fox News mentioned this incident as a possible “terrorist infarction attack” before referring to Maureen Orth as Tim’s “BabyWidow” ---
**Author:** ![Lok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e8c25b/32.png) [@Lok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lok)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2008, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-fucked-news-channel-tim-russert-just-died/452870/11 "2008-06-14T03:37:55Z")
OTOH, CNN pissed me off with their coverage. They announced Breaking News and Wolf Blitzer came on and told about Tim Russert. Then they spent 3 hours talking over and over about what a great guy and outstanding journalist he was. No news about the floods in the midwest, nothing on Bush in Europe, the only thing they had from Obama and McCain was their reactions to Russert’s death. It was good they had something about him. He was a pretty good journalist and it was a sudden death. But for those 3 hours, it was like there was nothing else in the world going on. It pissed me off enough that I sent them an email about it. If I was a Daily Show writer, I would be all over this. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2008, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-fucked-news-channel-tim-russert-just-died/452870/12 "2008-06-14T03:57:19Z")
[QUOTE=want2know] As soon as I heard the news about Tim Russert… [/QUOTE] Unless you are family, what _more_ do you need to know? Oh, right. Your Username says it all. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2008, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-fucked-news-channel-tim-russert-just-died/452870/13 "2008-06-14T04:30:12Z")
[QUOTE=Lok] But for those 3 hours, it was like there was nothing else in the world going on. [/QUOTE] It was Friday afternoon. Nobody watches the news on Friday afternoon; that’s why the White House dumps any bad news there to generate as little reaction as possible. Nobody cares if there was other news. ---
**Author:** ![Long\_Time\_First\_Time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@Long\_Time\_First\_Time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Long_Time_First_Time)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2008, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-fucked-news-channel-tim-russert-just-died/452870/14 "2008-06-14T11:30:54Z")
The huge chunks of time paid to Russert’s passing are what is wrong with cable news, IMHO. Does any reporter at any time really justify having 5+ hours of coverage? Even if his passing was an unexpected event? What happened to the guys on TV reporting the news rather than being the news? The tone wasn’t “it was shocking, we would like to take a few minutes to remember one of our own.” Rather it was “one of the most influence figures in the upcoming election has passed. It will affect EVERYTHING.” Making these TV personalities into celebraties who influence current events is one reason they shade stories and always opt for the easy RO stuff rather than discussing the things that affect the country. It is shocking and sad for anyone to die suddenly. He was well know so it is, indeed news. But to devote an entire day to the guy was incredibly self-important and self-indulgent. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2008, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-fucked-news-channel-tim-russert-just-died/452870/15 "2008-06-14T11:48:20Z")
Fox News was waiting for NBC to break the news, because his wife and son were vacationing in Europe. Once NBC broke the news, then Fox News knew the family had been informed. I have no idea if CNN extended the same courtesy. I saw Neal Cavuto spend a solid 45 minutes (before I switched off) no commercial breaks, talking about Tim’s death. Chris Wallace was on set, and John Gibson looked like he had been or was about to cry. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2008, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-fucked-news-channel-tim-russert-just-died/452870/16 "2008-06-14T15:16:40Z")
Yeah, there’s a vast right wing conspiracy intent on hiding the fact that Tim Russert died. ---
**Author:** ![SanibelMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@SanibelMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanibelMan)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2008, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-fucked-news-channel-tim-russert-just-died/452870/17 "2008-06-14T15:32:36Z")
Here’s Tom Shales’ column in The Washington Post: [Tim Russert: The Smile That Lit Up Journalism](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/13/AR2008061303865.html?hpid=topnews) > [@](#): > > Although former NBC anchor Tom Brokaw’s voice broke when he reported the news of Russert’s death at 3:40 p.m. – then joined current anchor Brian Williams for reminiscence and tribute – the plaudits and encomiums proffered by Russert’s competitors might have been even more impressive. Fox News Channel went wall-to-wall with coverage just as MSNBC was doing, and among those weighing in with praise was FNC Chairman and Chief Executive Roger Ailes, who said, “It’s hard to find a picture of Tim where he isn’t smiling. He was just a guy who enjoyed life.” > > “He really was the king of the media here in Washington,” said Fox commentator Chris Wallace, whose own Sunday interview show airs opposite “Meet the Press.” Wallace admired Russert, he said, even though when it came to ratings, “he beat me like a drum.” There’s plenty of reasons to hate Fox News, but they were respectful in this case. ---
**Author:** ![ArizonaTeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2008, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-fucked-news-channel-tim-russert-just-died/452870/18 "2008-06-14T16:10:14Z")
[QUOTE=Indyellen] I’m not sure if I’m being wooshed here, but Tim died this afternoon, Friday. Of course there was nothing on Thursday. If I’m being wooshed, however - nothing to see here, move along. [/QUOTE] Are you accusing me of manufacturing outrage against Fox News? How **dare** you! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Indyellen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/indyellen/32/4176_2.png) [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2008, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-fucked-news-channel-tim-russert-just-died/452870/19 "2008-06-15T03:48:30Z")
[QUOTE=ArizonaTeach] Are you accusing me of manufacturing outrage against Fox News? How **dare** you! 😃 [/QUOTE] Hmmm. I think I feel a draft… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![want2know](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@want2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2know)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2008, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-fucked-news-channel-tim-russert-just-died/452870/20 "2008-06-18T15:55:03Z")
[QUOTE=buttonjockey308] As a fly-off-the-handle-on-occasion guy myself, I get it. I’m sure NO one EVER jumps to a conclusion based on having too little evidence, not around here, nosiree. Your ignorance has been fought W2K. Man up. [/QUOTE] I have just done that on CS, and am now coming over here to do the same. I have been informed that Fox did dedicate a good chunk of time to the story, so I am admitting my error. I think it was the lack of any mention on the ticker that, ahem, “ticked” me off. I jumped to an incorrect conclusion based on, as you say, “too little evidence”, and felt the need to vent immediately. Guess that’ll learn me, huh? 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-fucked-news-channel-tim-russert-just-died/452870.md?page=2)