I agree with Mr. Schafer's higher theme of his article on Tim Russert's passing.

This country and its media love to mourn. It's become a national past-time, or more accurately a sport. News anchors, journalists, celebrities, anybody go on television during some tragedy and talk incessantly about the event without really saying anything of substance.

I don't want to seem cold, but it seems to me that we used to embrace a tragedy with quiet grace and self-reflection. Now we flaunt it by showing the people around us how much we can mourn. Media companies will setup a post at the site and stay there for days on end. Trying to get video of every person that is in tears. Is this all really necessary? Cover the event, tell us what happened, and let the people that have suffered, suffer in peace.