Go Bills!

Imagine someone insinuating that the closest person to you in the world is dead. Now imagine that you are an interviewer on a national television show and your guest was the one who insinuating that your closest confidant was dead. Now imagine that your guest your loved one, a political agenda to fit the guest's motives.

Terry McAuliffe told Tim Russert that both of their dads were watching the Democratic primary race from Heaven and both were pulling for Hillary Clinton to continue. One problem, Tim Russert's dad, the subject of a book written by the famed journalist, was and is still alive.

Terry McAuliffe's comment must have weighed on Tim Russert. "What if dad actually dies? How could I possibly cope?" probably ran through Russert's mind. He recently moved his dad into a new facility. He must have sensed that time closing in. In that situation, the stress and anxiety can be unbearable.

Sadly, Tim Russert died of heart complications on Friday. Was it Terry McAuliffe's fault? No, not directly. But rarely do we realize the impact of our words on others. It's possible that his meanly ignorant comment played a role in Tim Russert's untimely death. We'll never know. Terry McAuliffe shouldn't feel guilty, but we all should learn to put things into perspective. It wasn't worth bringing up Bug Russ to further your short-term goals.

The same is true whether it is words or violence. I've often thought about Morgan Tsvangarai's family and the angst they must go through with his life in constant danger. I often think about the fallen MDC supporters. Is it worth it? Is it worth killing these people, depriving their families of a loved one over political differences, no matter how profound those disagreements? No.