For many years I have told myself that I am a writer. That
is what I was meant to do. Yes, I wrote scripts for broadcasts news at one
time. And I studied journalism, writing, the First Amendment and news ethics.
But I never seemed to have the time to pursue anything grander than making an
hourly wage.
And now, someone has attacked fellow journalists in a crazed
and demented state of mind. Only they were real journalists. Talented. Beloved
by their readers. A-number one at their craft and their dedication. Human
beings who had absolutely nothing to do with this madman's grievance against
the community newspaper that serves the public well.
These journalists did their jobs because they loved them.
They were involved and committed to them, and fully engaged in their lives as
citizens, as well as their desire and talent to share what they learned about
their neighbor citizens in the community with genuineness and respect.
They represent goodness in the profession of journalism at
every level. They will be missed by the people who loved them, knew them and
appreciated their contributions to their community.
Humbled and embarrassed to even have thought myself a peer
among the honorable victims of this tragedy, I can only hope to have learned
from this that we must rise up. Do what we love and have a passion for. And not
stand back and wait for life to come and get us. It is simply not long enough.
Rest In Peace, you honorable deliverers of newspaper stories.
