Dealing With Grief – Everyone Is Different
Oct 1st, 2008 by RSmitty
This is one of those stories on dealing with grief that is immensely sad and completely hard to comprehend if you have not experienced it (which I have not). I know not a thing of Matt Bryant other than the sporting world, but I want to hug him like he’s my brother.
Matt Bryant may not be different from any other parent who loses a child, but Matt Bryant is very much living this out in the public eye, given his job, which actually makes him a little different from many. I feel crushed whenever I learn of the death of a child, but statistics lead me to believe far more children pass away than I will ever know. That thought alone is deeply saddening and makes me want to allow the kids to snuggle up between mom and dad tonight.
Since I read this story last night, I have been taking those extra breaths before those stern moments with my children, but I have also given them extra dad time (hence the very late post). I have no idea what Matt Bryant feels, but I know I felt a loss on his behalf. I am sorry he has to live this out in the public eye, but everyone deals with grief differently. Maybe just getting on with life is what he is doing. Maybe we could all stand to get along with life, for whatever the reason.
God Bless and I wish you well, Matt Bryant and all parents and families who have endured similar tragedies.
He is a brave and spiritual man. May his family be blessed with the comfort of family, friends and support of their church.
ON ANOTHER NOTE, WHY AREN’T WE COVERING THE OUTRAGE OF GWEN IFILL’S BOOK AND HER MODERATION OF THE DEBATE!!!! IF THE R’S DID THIS, WE’D BE CRUCIFIED… SECOND OF ALL WHY DID IT JUST BREAK TODAY? WHY WAS THIS HELD BACK UNTIL NOW? THERE REMAINS NO DECENCY IN JOURNALISM ANYMORE. I’VE LOST ALL FAITH THAT ELECTIONS ARE BOUGHT AND SOLD WITH THE MEDIA…
It amazes me how people can cope. It is now almost 25 years since my 13-year-old nephew died. My sister still grieves, as do I. I look at his picture, and wonder what kind of man he would be today. I wonder what the world has lost, but more importantly, what his family has lost by not having him here.
My deepest prayers and sympathies are with Matt Bryant and his family. It is a grief that is unfathomable. It is just too much to bear.
But somehow, we do. A little sadder, a little more cirumspect, and perhaps a little more carefully. It is the cycle of life and death, and we’re all a part of it.
Very well spoken, Shirley.
Annie, anyone who has watched Gwen Ifil over the years knows full well that she will manage the debate fairly, without prejudice, without a partisan bias. She is the best! What is it the makes you question her integrity? I need examples, otherwise your credibility fails the test!
Perry: Catch up on current events. Ifill wrote a book all about Obama: http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl/9780385525015.html
She also wrote a flattering article about the Obamas for Essence magazine.
Now I know these don’t make one whit of difference to you; liberal dogma states that liberal journalists have an inherent ability to be objective no matter what! LOL!! Cheeyeah, right.
Hube, I am well aware of Ifil’s book on Obama. In fact, you didn’t notice that Annie referred to it. You younguns need to learn to read with comprehension!
I know it is hard for partisan extremists to imagine that a person like Gwen Ifil can take a non-partisan, neutral role as a moderator in the debate. I think she can and will. Let’s wait and see.
On the debate, since we’ve been told how great a debater Palin is, now she has the chance to prove it.
I predict that Biden will focus on McCain, not Palin, so it will be her challenge to represent McCain’s positions on the issues with well articulated understanding and communication.
Biden’s challenge will be to challenge Palin respectfully, without gaffe or foot in the mouth disease. I think he is up to that, as he is very knowledgeable and has demonstrated self discipline during most of the campaign.
McCain’s decision to pick Palin, that is his judgment, will be tested in this debate. If all Palin does is talk about Alaska, she will not have demonstrated herself qualified to step in as the POTUS, thus a poor pick for a 72 year old man having a history of cancer!
Hey you two! Do I need to pull out the rule book on Smitty’s posts again? Oh, I guess I need to include Annie, too. Let’s go get that beer and go over this again!
In fact, you didn’t notice that Annie referred to it.
Um, it was YOU who said the following: What is it the makes you question her integrity? I need examples, otherwise your credibility fails the test!
And yet you say that *I* missed Annie referring to Ifill’s book?? Are you serial? Better up that Geritol intake, dude.
I know it is hard for partisan extremists to imagine that a person like Gwen Ifil can take a non-partisan, neutral role as a moderator in the debate.
Exactly. Especially one that has penned glowing reports about one of the candidates! That sure is an “extremist” view, eh? Silly us!!
On a positive note for you, Perry, check out the current lead post on Colossus. It’ll make your day.
Hube, I was speaking about examples of Ifil’s behavior as a reporter and hostess of her own show, which yes, I should have said more clearly. Writing a book on Obama is not evidence, nor “extremist”, especially given that the book is not even out nor read by you or anyone else. As I understand it, the book is a historical piece on Obama’s rise as a politician.
I did check your piece on Colossus. I actually feel sad and sorry for Palin, as she has so little self-knowledge of her own lack of qualifications for the VP position. I wish McCain had chosen Romney, who would have been a well qualified VP, in which case his campaign would have focused more on the issues, less on personal attacks. Can you imagine Romney on the economy, and debating Biden? Much better!!! A robust campaign on the issues, all too rare, is what we need so badly. All this distraction on Palin has been a real downer, in my view.
McCain, if he wanted a woman as his running mate, had some good choices, Like Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Susan Collins, Olympia Snow, even Linda Lingle (Gov HI), all of whom are highly respected and much better qualified than Sarah Palin.
Smitty, I like your mediation style!
Writing a book on Obama is not evidence, nor “extremist”, especially given that the book is not even out nor read by you or anyone else.
Who said anything about “extremist?” Only you, since you have Karl Rove on the brain. The question is one of objectivity, and I guess you missed the part about Ifill’s glowing article for Essence magazine.
So much for reading, eh Perry?
The point is that Gwen Ifil has an excellent reputation as a broadcast journalist. It is only those on the right wing extreme who are raising this issue, like you Hube and Malkin. Even McCain has made approving remarks about Ifil. As Ifil says, watch the debate and draw your own conclusions. And I say, you extremists are really stretching, preemptively casting doubt on the debate, fearing that Palin will continue making a fool of herself and the McCain campaign, ready to blame the moderator. Your “Rovian” games are quite well known now and very transparent.
I knew you couldn’t resist throwing a “Rove” in there. You’re obsessed.
Gee, let’s see — Ifill never bothered to mention the book to the debate commission NOR the McCain campaign. Y’think if McCain knew about the book he’d still be so “approving,” Perry? http://hotair.com/archives/2008/10/01/ifill-i-never-told-the-commission-about-the-book/
If I’m an “extremist” for doubting Ifill’s objectivity, so be it. I’d rather be that than what you are, Perry — naive and plain stupid.
Disagree with Hube, and you’re “naive and plain stupid”, one more indication of the weakness of your arguments, Hube. You simply cannot resist the ad hominems, can you?
I rest my case on the long, stellar reputation of Gwen Ifil. The book which has not even been published, is a non-issue, except to Malkin and the like.
Again, as Ifil herself said, watch tonight and decide for yourself. Who but extremists like Malkin and Hube could quarrel with that statement?
Here is a reasonably minimal expectation for Palin tonight:
“Gov. Palin needs to demonstrate a real understanding of complex issues. Simple talking points won’t cut it. She needs to make clear she grasps the difficult policy challenges that the next administration will confront. if she doesn’t the debate will quickly turn into her own version of Thursday Night Live. “
You simply cannot resist the ad hominems, can you?
As opposed to, say, “extremist,” Perry? Why can’t you control your very own ad hominems, Perry? Is it b/c you’re … a hypocrite??
I rest my case on the long, stellar reputation of Gwen Ifil.
How can rest your case when you never HAD one?
Again, as Ifil herself said, watch tonight and decide for yourself.
Well, sure. As I’m sure you’d state if the moderator was, say, John Fund or someone similar? Cheeyeah, RIGHT!
I happen to respect John Fund. Although I often do not agree, I would hardly characterize him as an extremist like you and Malkin are re Gwen Ifil, Hube.
I would hardly characterize him as an extremist like you and Malkin are re Gwen Ifil, Hube.
Why do you constantly resort to ad hominems, Perry?
You did not read my statement carefully enough, Hube!
You called me an “extremist,” Perry. Why do you resort to ad hominems? Could it be that you’re … a hypocrite?
karlrovekarlroveswiftboatswiftboatstrawmanstrawman …
No.
It couldn’t? Well, that just shows how pathetically dishonest you are now, doesn’t it?
Karl Rove.
The Columbia Journalism Review has a problem with Ifill moderating the debate. Must be “extremists.”
http://www.cjr.org/the_kicker/drudge_raises_a_point.php
As I expected, Gwen Ifil did a great job as moderator, as even the radical Right will have to acknowledge.
Palin did her job trying to divorce McCain from Bush, but Biden countered many of her assertions. Considering the pressure she was under, and the low expectation for her, she stepped up very well, therefore should make the Republican base feel more at ease, as I imagine they expected a disaster. It is as if we have two entirely different Palins, the one with Katie Couric, and the one with Biden. I find the contrast remarkable. – Is it possible it was planned that way? If so, it wouldn’t surprise me!
On substance, I found Biden to have done an exemplary job, very specific compared to Palin’s many generalizations. Considering the context, debating a woman, he handled himself very well. Palin’s demeanor and cordiality made Biden’s task easier.
It was a fast paced, intense debate, quite enjoyable to watch.
I’ll be interested to see the fact check result, which is important in evaluating the performances.
I am looking forward to John Feroce’s and Hube’s rave reviews.
As I expected, Perry refused to address whether the Columbia Jourmalism Review are “extremists.” Of course he didn’t ; it’d really screw up his distorted view of the world.
BTW, didn’t Ifill wear a sky-blue jacket at the debate? Hmm….
Ifil’s highly regarded reputation for integrity was confirmed once more by her performance as moderator last night.
She even permitted Palin to not answer some of the questions asked, or stray onto a topic of her own choosing, like energy, leaving it up to the observer to note well Palin’s diversionary, sripted tactics.
In contrast, Biden stayed on topic and proved himself to be much better informed on the specifics of the issues, as expected.
I do give Palin credit for stepping up in the context of maximum pressure. She also got many of the McCain talking points out there, which was her assignment.
I find her a much better communicator than McCain himself. Why she even looks at her opposition, something McCain was unable to do with Obama, as his hatred and anger showed just beneath the surface in their debate.
Palin personally is a likable and approachable individual, charming really – can’t help but like her.
Biden personally is also likable and approachable, and very knowledgable.
All that said, regarding substance and clarity, I think Biden was more impressive.
Hube, that’s my unbiased opinion!
Translation of Perry’s above: “You really aren’t an ‘extremist’ if you thought it proper to question the ethics of having Ifill moderate the debate. I just won’t admit it out loud, though.”