On Sunday we celebrated Father’s Day. While my hubby and I didn’t do anything special, we spent the day with our son and that was enough for him.
As I reflected on my dad (who passed away in 2005), I also thought about two other fathers that impacted my week – Tim Russert and R. Kelly.
I didn’t really pay much attention to Tim Russert until this year. I watched “Meet the Press” for the first time in January and watched it faithfully for the few weeks I was absent from church. I loved the diversity of his panel, his inquisitiveness, his sincerity without bias or malice and his humor. Then, as he moderated debates, he refused to let either candidate on the Democratic side off the hook during the tougher questions. When I learned of his unexpected death last week, I learned that he had a son and that his father, “Big Russ” was still alive. What a tragic way to bring in Father’s Day this week – a father mourning the loss of his son, a son mourning the loss of his father.
From all accounts, Tim Russert was a hardworking, honorable, devoted father and son.
Contrast that to R. Kelly, who was acquitted on all counts of child pornography. No, I’m not surprised, just disappointed. Like OJ, I believe Kelly is guilty – it just couldn’t be proven in a court of law. (Yeah, I said it.) But Kelly was able to celebrate Father’s Day as a free man. What does he say to his children? What example is he providing for them?
What’s even more shameful are all the parents – fathers and mothers alike – who brought their kids to the courthouse to celebrate. What message are they sending to them?
R. Kelly will continue to make his controversial music and videos and influence a generation of young children in a negative way.
Tim Russert won’t have that same chance. And that’s too bad.
donnad69
