By Stephenson Brown
Andy Rooney, the legendary long-time commentator on 60 Minutes, died yesterday at the age of 92, only a few months after giving his last commentary on the show.
I learned of Andy’s death on Twitter this morning, not on TV or in the newspaper. I wonder what he would’ve thought about that.
I don’t know how much time he spent on the web, but Andy was a blogger before there were blogs. His telling-it-like-it-is style is an inspiration to me. But a blog will never compare to the pulpit Andy enjoyed every Sunday night, in front of millions of television viewers.
I especially enjoyed the essay he gave on Memorial Day 2005 in which he invoked memories of the buddies he served with in World War II who never came home. Andy was there to say the things that needed to be said. I can think of no other journalists who possess his candor.
He was famous but never enjoyed fame. It’s a shame, really, because had I met him I surely would’ve been one of those fans that irritated him when I interrupted his meal at a restaurant. Though he might’ve barked at me, it would’ve been worth it for a chance to say thanks to a hero.