Webloggin » Remembering Tony Snow

I waited over the weekend to post this article because I wanted to collect my thoughts and let the news sink in. When I learned of the untimely passing of Tony Snow I was in my doctors office and immediately welled up with sadness. I have been privileged to meet Mr. Snow on a couple of occasions and he always exuded a warmth, humor and wit that was a signature trait of his character.

To say that Tony Snow was a nice guy would be a colossal understatement. He was gracious and inviting.

The last time I met Tony Snow was at the 2008 Media Resource Center’s Dishonors Gala where Mr. Snow was the honored guest in receipt of the William F. Buckley Jr. Award for Media Excellence.

Tony said many things in his speech but there was one segment that stuck with me about how we should approach reporting on the news and politics in general.

There’s a time when fury seems thrilling — Keith [Olbermann] — maybe even profound, but as we mature we start to see boisterous anger as nothing more than bratty exhibitionism. If we want to convert people, let’s do it the right way. Let’s make our case plainly, happily, confidently. After all, we do have truth on our side.

And here’s the most powerful source of truth: It’s our belief in liberty. You see, if you believe in freedom, you believe that each and every individual on this planet has been invested by God with an unbreakable dignity, and that dignity is something that you want to nurture and grow so you set them free to go ahead and explore their dreams within a regime of freedom. You say, we will try to protect you from fraud and all of these things, but we want you to be the creative engine.

And as a result, the United States of America is the one place where no matter how humble your birth, you still have the possibility to become an engine of destiny.

I could not have said it better. My heart felt prayers are extended to Tony Snow’s family and friends.

Pictures from the 2008 Gala.