Thank you, Tim Russert...

[Subdivisions]

Hearing of your death shocked and rocked me to the core. A heart attack. The thing I dread most and a pale fear that is always there, just under the surface. That is until I have a pain in my chest or arm. Which happens often. I am overweight, as you were - but not obese. I've heard tell that you had other health problems that may have contributed to the fatal heart attack you suffered. I also believe that you smoked cigarettes. I'm 44. I don't smoke and I am otherwise healthy, knock on wood. Never the less, I am scared.

I work for myself I can't afford insurance as you had. Despite your health and medical resources you died anyway. I can't afford to go have blood work done or be checked for heart disease or plaque. That scares the hell out of me. I could be a ticking time-bomb just as you were.

So, if it would make you feel better about leaving Luke and Maureen and Big Russ and your colleagues and those who loved you and called you friend, just know that as a result of your untimely death, I am going to change my life. I'm going to find a way to get that check-up, I'm going to excercise to within an inch of my life. I'm going to change the way I eat and the way I rest. Rather than sitting at this desk all day working and posting to DU, I'm going to walk - fast - and get my heart beating. I'm going to lose this gut and I'm going to live.

Perhaps your death at the age of 58 can help save my life and the lives of others who are shocked and saddened by the suddeness of it. For this and for my new attitude concerning my own health and well-being, I thank you Tim Russert. Rest well.

[Lex]

1. Kind of hard to believe that Crash-cart Cheney is still alive.

Considering.

[warren pease]

13. He is? Why wasn't I told?

[ailsagirl]

21. LOL!! Doesn't Randi say he sleeps in a coffin??

:smoke:

[AlCzervik]

2. not to pick nits but he was 58.

[Subdivisions]

3. Typo! Fixed. Thanks dear! :) n/t

[tularetom]

4. And pretty damn close to morbidly obese

And in a highly stressed job.

And probably on a very unhealthy diet.

And from the looks of him not very active physically.

Nobody should be shocked at his death but if he provides some of us some inspiration to clean up our acts, perhaps his life was not a total waste.

[AlCzervik]

5. and he was a diabetic as well.

[ailsagirl]

22. His doctor said he used the treadmill daily and watched his

cholesterol input. Even if he had collapsed in the ER,
they couldn't have saved him.

[babylonsister]

11. Nits?

[AlCzervik]

12. have you never heard the expression, Nitpicker before?

wow, am i that old, yes i am that old.

[babylonsister]

14. Yes I have, I'm just busting your chops.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Let me recommend something for the weight loss part

I can make you thin

Paul Mckenna

Go here and read and follow those rules, you will be surprised

http://www.mckenna.com/

As to the blood work et al, it is a good idea that you get it done, Look for a community clinic

[Subdivisions]

9. Thanks! I'll bookmark the source in case my plan fails =). It's not

really that losing the weight will be difficult. I've simply made bad choices. I will attempt to make the right choices and if that falls short, perhaps I'll need some encouragement! \=)

Thanks again!

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. Intuitive eating works

:-)

[oldtime dfl_er]

16. Are you serious?

I don't mean to sidetrack this thread but I saw this guy on tv and thought he was just a nutjob. Are you saying he's selling something worthwile? Cuz I'd be willing to try it...

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. Go to the site, his method is there for you to try for free

I didn't realize it had a name (intuitive eating) he didn't invent it by the way.He is just a hell of a presenter. I've been doing that for a year, and lost quite a bit of weight already, and have still ways to go... but it does work

I incorporated some of his to what I was already doing.

Google intuitive eating, if you are truly skeptical. Studies are controversial... but trying it... so far his method is free.

And the four golden rules, as he calls them, just make sense

Eat when you are hungry.

Eat what you want.

Eat consciously and enjoy your food (chew 20 times, put your fork down)

Stop when you are full

[oldtime dfl_er]

20. thanks

I'll check it out.

[lxlxlxl]

7. I think a big part of the shock is...

Realizing how poor his counterparts are...even if you are a serious progressive who sees disgusting flaws in TV Media, you have to recognize that losing people like Russert in an era of Glenn Beck, Lou Dobbs, FOX, Hannity, and all those other pretty people who don't seem to believe in anything other than a teleprompter, we are even closer to the bottom of the abyss as far as TV News is concerned. He wasn't great by any means, but progressives need to stop painting broad brushstrokes when its convenient, we are getting farther away from truth, which wether you see or or not, is really on our side.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. This may sound strange, but actually that is good

I expect a reaction to this, and not the good kind...

People have realized just how much of empty air and empty suits the media (in general) is

Expect even more people to just stop watching... perhaps then the vapid personalities will go away

Then again, that will not happen until the media is broken up into itty bitty sectiions

[Gabi Hayes]

19. unfortunately, the flaw in this POV is that Russert is WORSE and more dangerous, much moreso,

than those you name, because serious people don't take those jamokes seriously, but, among socalled serious 'journalists' and many news consumers who don't take the time to find out what's really happening (how many Russert worshippers have any idea who Cathie Martin is?).

given Russert's phone mantle of credibility, the typical, uncritical consumer thinks his pronouncements are from God's mouth to his, and their, ears. they think that he's a relentless, yet FAIR, interrogator of any and all guests

they just don't know the real story...just as they've never been allowed to know the real story of the MYRIAD depredations of the crookedest regime in the history of the solar system (being generous there, not having seen the Drake Equation borne out yet)

you get the drift.....people feel comfortable in the secure knowledge that charlatans like Russert, or Ted Koppel, are anything other than water carriers for those that sign their obscenely huge paystubs

as Eric Boehlert writes, they're just ACTORS, playing the role of journalist.

nothing more, nothing less, and that's very bad for democracy, or what's left of it.

[Skittles]

15. you can work and post on DU and still exercise and eat right

ya know?

[SeattleGirl]

18. I just watched the late night replay of this Sunday's MTP.

I thought I was gonna lose it when Brokaw started to break up.

I know that a lot of people on DU don't like Russert, and that's fine.

For me, it was something of a love/hate kind of thing.

But his sudden death really got to me.

And so did the reactions from his colleagues and people from other stations who also admired him.