Once again, Nietzsche got it right. The statement above is a very poignant reminder that there will never be another Tim Russert. As he was often introduced, 'the NBC News Washington Bureau Chief and moderator of Meet the Press' was truly one of a kind. After passing away suddenly on Friday of an apparent heart attack, the realities of his passing have really hit home for many Americans, who, like myself, had come to consider Tim a friend. Who will tell us the truth about the burning political issues of the day? Who will explain the ever complex scenarios to the general public in plain English; in a way that the common man can understand even the most complicated of topics? While some people will read this and think 'Yeah right! Like Tim Russert knows THIS guy!', I want to be the first to say, respectfully, that although I have never met Tim Russert, I know quite a few people in the news media, and ALL of them loved him. That is a powerful statement in the very competitive world of broadcast journalism, and based on the industry wide respect he commanded, I have often felt that, by extension, I knew and admired him as well.

Today was a very difficult day for the NBC family, and although my news affiliation was with a rival network, the friends I have at NBC in the Washington D.C. market are stunned by this loss. My heart goes out to them, and the family of their friend Tim. Although I have not been introduced to the Russert family, I can say definitively that his widow, writer Maureen Orth is devastated, but still 'a rock'; a class act, and that Luke Russert is a very impressive young man who is secure in the fact that his father loved him more than life itself. The poise displayed by Luke on the Today Show on Monday was incredible. At such a difficult time, I can only say 'Bravo young Luke. Your father would be very proud of you.'

Although today's memorial services at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts were extremely emotional, the funeral services at Georgetown's Holy Trinity Catholic Church were understandably closed to the public. I want to send my condolences to the family and friends of Tim Russert. I hope that 'Timmy' (as he is affectionately called by his close friends) is at peace in a better place.

Farewell, my friend. Sundays won't be the same without you.