A Sad Day

[tarotgal]

I grew up watching Peter every weeknight. He's the only news anchor I've really ever known. He got me through wars and 9-11 and he and taught me about fantastic people every Friday. He was always calm and sensible. He was incredibly knowledgeable and always put things into perspective. And I would have been a complete mess this last election if he hadn't been there all night long with us. I cried when I found out he had lung cancer and I was shocked tonight when I heard from my e-mail alert that he'd died. I sat in front of the TV crying tonight while watching the coverage. He was the only one I ever trusted completely to give me news and it's going to take me a long time not to feel lost without him, or at least without hearing his name at 6:30 every night when World News Tonight comes on. It won't be the same but I can hope that his incredible standards and style will still be felt in the network and in journalism in general. I'll miss you Peter.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

I know what you mean, the whole thing has me really bummed out. I didn't think the cancer was at that stage already, so I was really shocked. He'll be missed.

~A

[tarotgal]

He will indeed.
Apparently the type of lung cancer he had was very quick, and it was quite advanced already when they found it. He had stopped smoking but started up again after 9-11. When he was diagnosed a lot of talking heads on tv were saying he wouldn't last very long, even with full courses of treatment. But I was still hopeful. So sad to see him go so young, but I'm glad he was at home, surrounded by family, and that he wasn't in any pain.

[(Anonymous)]

Yes, it's good to know that the circumstances with his family and how he passed were peaceful. And you're right, I loved him too and def. saw more of him than my own father. It's strange how he's almost become a father figure to the younger generation of americans and a comfortable face for our parents. sigh.

[(Anonymous)]

~A

[vatergrrl.livejournal.com]

The first thing my DH said to me this morning was, "Oy, Peter Jennings!" I remember watching him report during 9/11 and in the days after, and in the midst of such chaos, fear and pain, Jennings seemed to make it, if not "okay," then a hell of a lot easier to live through. He was also the first anchor I recall *choosing* to watch when I first got out on my own. Although he was first derided in the 1960's as an "anchorboy" recruited more for his good looks than for good brains, he took that experience to heart and learned more about the Middle East than any other news anchor, and probably more than most other journalists, print, radio or television. A bright beacon of class and intelligence has been dimmed.