PETER JENNINGS
I was distressed to learn last night that Peter Jennings has passed away from lung cancer! What an incredible loss. I don’t know of any other news commentator/journalist who was as articulate as Peter Jennings. Right after 9-11 he was on air for many hours and his voice was very comforting and informative. He seemed to be able to speak endlessly with apparently no script. Of course, he was always meticulously well prepared and set the bar very high for others to follow. I remember two broadcasts in particular. During one story he was covering he had an overseas operator on the line who only spoke French; confusion followed until he broke effortlessly into French and completed the connection. The other broadcast was his last when he effectively said goodbye in a voice now raspy and strained. It was heartbreaking and touching but still elegant as always. I think that best sums him up - an elegant man!