My Brother, A News Guy

By Pat Curry

Mike, the oldest of my  two brothers, passed away one week ago Sunday sometime during the night. Those of you who know such passings may understand. Those who don't I encourage you to read anyway. There may be something for all of us.

Along with my other brother, Russ, I grew up with  awe and admiration for both of them.  No one is closer to those guys than to me, and I hope everyone can feel the same way about our siblings. or at least find some truths about one another that are positive.   My brothers and I didn't have love sit-ins;  we did our share of fighting and arguing, but in the end we were brothers and supported one another, minus the usual brother teasing.

So it's no surprise I think of Mike, and a zillion guys like him. They're the  ones  out  there  busting  their butts along with their loved ones getting things done--- to build not a shelter but a home and provide the best they can for their children.  It's not just about putting food on the table,although unfortunately many are preoccupied because of situations out of their control. We all want to pass our history along. To me, Mike was a real  patriot . He didn't  demonstrate in public or defect to Canada when his draft card was close to being picked, but he had an innate sense of what was going on out there. You could say he read and heard many views about events, and somehow fit them into a world view he could understand and express.  Between commuting, working, and commuting, as Mike did, how many of us have time to dissect the stream of information rushing at us?

My brother is important  to this story because  he  could be your  brother.  The  one  whose  job  it is to keep  you in line, honest,  and transparent. Believe me, for all the times we had our disagreements we made up just as quick, and no one had to lose face.  He's also the brother who kept an eye on me and on the news media.  He didn't let me forget what my duty was, and I couldn't always disagree with his opinions.

When I saw Mike, it didn't take long for a conversation about global warming, immigration, crime, and government to come up. Mike did a lot of reading and came prepared. So what if I work at the news station, does it mean I know more than anyone else ?  Journalism in many ways reports facts; truth is something the viewer must decide for themselves. Mike did that, and with all the sides presented, and complexities described, was able to know where he stood.  Amen!

Mike had an innate sense of right and wrong that runs strong in my family. Perhaps that's why I see a lot of things in black and white in many situations.  Crime, abuse, corruption, bigotry, etc, are all things I tend to have biases against, but gray has to be a factor in stories, and in life. Nothing is as simple as it seems. It's part of growing up.

I dedicate this to Mike, because he wasn't afraid of free speech, whether he said, "Blagoevich", or, "Bag--a-chips". Okay, never heard him say that, but close enough. The point is he wanted to know what was happening here, there, and everywhere.  And like him, making our job tougher is your job, just like Mike made mine. But what is tough when truth is at stake?

Yes, I dedicate this space to Mike, his wife, Cindy, daughter Stefanie, and son, Michael--who all continue to astound me with their humanity....and for delivering real news I can use.