August 08, 2005
Peter Jennings
Call me callous, but I've never met Peter Jennings, and so when I heard that he'd passed away I reacted much as I do to news that other people I've never met have passed away – sort of vaguely wishing people didn't have to die, particularly young. I don't intend any disrespect towards Mr. Jennings, but I don't believe his passing is such a remarkable "story." His contribution to this world seems best judged by his family and friends, not by his media colleagues, or by people who watched him on television. I know his face, but I didn't know him any better than I know Abraham Lincoln or Elvis Presley, nor would I "mourn" his loss (how could I?) Along these lines there's something distasteful about the reporting today. His death was "breaking news" announced with the solemn sort of pomp that seems appropriate for great moral leaders, and it seems misplaced here, a mistake made capable by the media's self-important belief that Peter Jennings' innate worth was enhanced by his media status. But Jennings' contributions were those of a mortal man, just the same as the millions who toil every day namelessly, working to improve themselves, their place and their kids' future. By this measure -- the only one, really -- Peter Jennings wasn't any different than the rest of us, whether the elites want to believe that or not. The world lost a mortal soul today, not an elite one. May he rest in peace, and may his former colleagues learn to understand God doesn't differentiate.
Posted by bill at 11:59 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
