A Man Who Loved People, the Gritty Nature of Life and All of the Human Comedy
By Juan Williams
NPR Senior Correspondent/FOX News Political Contributor
Tony Snow and I traveled parallel paths through Washington. We are a year apart in age –Tony is a year younger at 53 –and both loved politics and debate.
Our love of debate may have been due to the fact that we both studied philosophy in college (Tony went to Davidson, I went to Haverford). And before joining FOX News we both spent time as editorial writers. Tony wrote editorials at the Greensboro Record in N.C., and the Virginia Pilot in Norfolk before becoming the editorial page editor of the Newport News Daily Press and then writing editorials for The Detroit News. We got together when he came to Washington to be the editorial page editor of The Washington Times. I was working as a White House correspondent, editorial writer and columnist for The Washington Post.
But being philosophy majors in the news business and caught in Washington’s political storms didn’t guarantee that we’d be friends. After all, he was a true red conservative, a white guy born in Kentucky and raised in Cincinnati while I am moderate to liberal black guy from Brooklyn, N.Y.
It turned out none of that mattered because Tony and I loved to argue.
Tony was the first host of “FOX News Sunday” and I remember being one of his first guest panelists. We had done some local political discussion shows and even sat across from each other on CNN’s Crossfire. When “FOX News Sunday” got going he called me up and literally said he wanted a good argument. So off we went to an old stone house in a garden in the Georgetown section of Washington. It was an odd site for the first studio of “FOX News Sunday” but it fit Tony’s sense of politics as a good discussion among friends at the dinner table.
And the debates, the conversations, the needling that started even before FOX News did not stop until Tony died early today.
Once at an Orioles baseball game a man came over and stared at us as if he was hallucinating. Then he said our names out loud. When we nodded to confirm that yes, it was really the two of us he broke into a big smile. He said he thought it was us but he had told his friends that it couldn’t be because we argued too much on FOX News to spend time hanging out at a baseball game. Then he shook our hands and asked for pictures.
What the viewer couldn’t see by watching Tony on FOX News or in the White House press room is that Tony Snow, the human being, was bigger than the political arguments and debate that define Washington. He knew tough times and real grief. His mom was nurse who died of colon cancer when he was 17. His father was a social studies teacher and Tony followed that path when he traveled to the backwoods of Kenya after college to teach science and geography. He went home to Cincinnati to teach math and art and also to work with disabled kids.
That love of all kinds of people and life and arguments also included a love of music. He was no great shakes as a musician but Tony had no fear in getting on stage to play the flute (his best instrument, I think} the guitar or the sax. In fact he did play with Jethro Tull, which gave him one hell of a thrill.
It tells you something about Tony that his wife was not a fellow journalist or political player. Jill is a lovely, unpretentious and strong woman he met while working in Detroit. He loved his kids, obviously, but even when his Virginia house caught on fire he had funny stories to tell about reassuring the family about the wild, scary world behind the walls, — bad electrical wiring — and rebuilding and then deciding to find a house in rural Maryland so he could have more family time.
So, behind the sharp debate, Tony was a man who loved people, the gritty nature of life and all of the human comedy.
Oh, and I should mention we both loved basketball. Tony could dunk a ball from a running start while I could just grab the rim. He would rib me about being a black guy who couldn’t dunk although he was five inches taller. He also poked fun at my favorite but woeful pro-basketball team, the Washington Wizards and I would give it to him about his rag-tag home town football team, the Cincinnati Bengals.
One day when he became White House press secretary he had me over to lunch in his office. Half way through lunch I said to him that it was cool to have a job that gave him free lunches. What free lunch, he asked. He said he’d paid for it. After the laughter I told him he couldn’t buy lunch for me, a working journalist. He said he was buying lunch for a friend. I told him it was just like Tony to be looking out for a friend, even in a town where friendships tend to be matter of political convenience.
It was just that attitude that allowed Tony to change the role of press secretary in the Bush White House. He argued the president’s case with the press. He was not defensive about it. To the contrary he told me time and again that he was having a great time as Bush’s press secretary. Tony got the job at a time when the Iraq war was going badly, when the President’s party had lost control of both the House and the Senate, and the public approval ratings for the Bush White House were at an all-time low. Tony made the briefing his stage for taking President Bush’s case to the press and the American people. And you should remember that before he took the job Tony was critical of President Bush, describing him as “something of an embarrassment” among conservatives. Nonetheless, Tony was up to defend the President and make the case with his TV skills and his warm, persuasive and witty ways.
It went so well for Tony at The White House that he once called me up from the road to tell me he was getting “rock star” treatment from conservative audiences. He ended up on the front page of The New York Times because Republican candidates, aware of his popularity, had him appear at fundraising events for their campaigns. No press secretary had ever done that before — largely because no press secretary had that kind of following before Tony got the job.
We became friends when Tony came to Washington to work for The Washington Times and I was at The Washington Post. We met in a small studio at Howard University discussing local Washington politics with national politics as filler. The show had a heavy dose of black issues because most people who live in the city are black. What initially fascinated me about Tony was his total lack of fear in getting down and dirty on black politics. He never had a problem being the one conservative on a panel of pundits. To the contrary he loved the intellectual fight and usually was on the offensive even as a white guy talking about local corruption and political shenanigans among black Washingtonians. By contrast, most white journalists did not even accept invitations to come on the show.
It was that love of engaging the debate without fear that set Tony apart for me. He loved to argue and we became friends because we loved to argue with each other. He could argue without pretense or holding a grudge. To show just how human he could be despite his high rank as White House Press Secretary he loved to take time with kids. He had met my youngest son a few times at FOX’s Washington bureau and at a ball game.
One day while riding in the car the news came on and from the White House came the voice of the Press Secretary. My son, Raffi, and I were talking when he held up a hand and said: “That sounds like Tony Snow.” I told it was Tony. He said “Our Tony Snow is the Press Secretary.” I said that was right but in my mind I was wondering how many people felt that they were not listening to the press secretary but to “our” Tony Snow.
How very nice. I too felt like I was sitting at the kitchen table listen to Tony and Juan or who ever discuss and recuss their positions. I heard Tony one Sunday talk about his faith and that he had a relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit and what it all mean’t to him. I too, am a Christian and realized I had a lot in common with the very personable, sincere human begin. I know he is with God now and is probably arguing with Him.
Juan I always enjoy listen to you express your opinions. You are firm, but not obnoxious and so I can respect you and hold you up in high esteem. Hope you do not leave Fox News. Thanks
How very nice. I took felt like I was sitting at the kitchen table listen to Tony and Juan or who ever discuss and recuss their positions. I heard Tony one Sunday talk about his faith and that he had a relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit and what it all mean’t to him. I too, am a Christian and realized I had a lot in common with the very personable, sincere human begin.
Juan I always enjoy listen to you express your opinions. You are firm, but not obnoxious and so I can respect you and hold you up in high esteem. Hope you do not leave Fox News. Thanks
Thanks, Juan. Let me simply add my thanks for a job well done, and like other people I enjoy your comments on Fox even tho’ I am a conservative, and also find myself sometimes agreeing with them.
You did a very nice thing for all of us by writing this article!
very well written buy a true friend
Great tribute !!! Tony Snow was a class act !!
My condolences to family and friends .
You are a nice guy! It was pleasure to read your article.
Juan,
Thank you for your personal thoughts and insight into Tony Snow, a man who dedicated his life to his core beliefs and convictions while always as a gentleman. My wife and I are faithful Fox watchers so it hit close to home when we learned of his passing. It must have been very difficult for yourself and those who knew him to muster the strength it took to offer all of your private and public memories during the tribute to Tony this past weekend on TV. You and your associates certainly broadcast a very touching tribute to a man who will be missed by yourself, his close friends, and millions of viewers. If more poeple in this country were able to communicate with each other, similar to yourself and Tony, regardless of race and political philosophies, the world would be a beter place for all.
I must add that you did a great job as a temporary “Beltway Boy” this past Saturday and feel you certiannly have earned a place at their table as a permanent fixture.
Please pass along our condolenses to the Snow Family. God Bless.
Go with God Mr. Snow.
Juan … how lucky you are to have had such a friendship & wonderful memories of Tony … thank you for sharing.
I too will always remember him as ‘Our Tony Snow’.
Thank you so much for your lovely tribute to your friend .. I am glad you had time with each other. You have my condolences on your loss … good friends are a gift. I know from experience you will always have your memories and in time it helps.
Juan, what a wonderful story you took your time to write for us, your audience!
Even though I am Brazilian and Conservative, I always appreciate your imput in Fox News, as a liberal who makes sense.
Thank you,
Elsa C.
Though I do not often agree with his politics, I must commend Juan Williams for a well written tribute as well as for the example of how people who disagree on matters (and even passionately at times) can recognize the humanity in the other person apart from the issues of dispute.
I enjoyed Juan Williams’ recollection of Tony Snow. I was casually acquainted with Tony. I saw him in October 2003 when he came to Amarillo to speak at a fundraiser for a local hospital. During his visit with our editorial board, he confided that Juan Williams was his best friend on Fox News Sunday and said his mission each week was to get Williams and Brit Hume to argue on the air. He was a good and decent man who brought grace and humanity into an often-phony and self-important environment.
Mr. Williams,
Thank you for sharing your personal memories of Mr. Snow. I just finished reading some of the postings that appeared on the more ‘liberal’ web sites. I was a bit depressed by some of the things people said. Although as a conservative, you and I would probably not agree on many issues, you also posess the ability to express your opinions thoughtfully and without malice. Much like Mr. Snow. Thank you for that, it is becoming rarer and rarer. I will continue to listen to your opinions/comments with an open mind and a great deal of respect.
Beautiful piece. Thank you, Juan.
Dear Everyone at Fox News,
Thank you for teaching the world about what a hero is. Tony Snow came into my home every weekend and not only taught us about the world, but he showed us how to get involved, how every voice should be told and everyone mattered. He will be soarly
missed.
Thank you Juan for a very lovely tribute to an amazing American, he will be sorely missed. Just like the response from Johann, I too would like to know if there is anyway for us to help with Tony’s family to see his final wish fullfilled ? Please advise us if there is any conduit for this. God Bless, and our thoughts and prayers to Tony’s family and to yours Juan, Robert.
there are so few-perhaps 2 or 3- respected journalists who are obviously kind, unhateful human beings. Tony Snow was one, and Juan Williams is another. The media would be a better venue if there were more kind, insightful, rational people like the 2 of them.
A beautiful tribute Juan - thank you.
You are a man of class yourself.
This info is from Bill O’Reilly’s website:
Donations can be made by sending a check payable to the “Tony Snow Family Irrevocable Trust” at the following address:
Wachovia Bank
ATTN: Charles J. Beal
4321 Collington Road
Suite 160
Bowie, MD 20716
Juan,
Thank you for sharing your personal views and thoughts on Tony. We all felt like we knew him and you just proved that we really did.
Juan
Unlike the man at the ball game, I could easily see Tony and you enjoying a game together because I always was impressed with your professionalism and that you never are personal with your argumnets. As a conservative, I enjoyed listening to your arguments from the liberal side. Your arguments were rational and informative (I hate to admit that sometimes I even agree with them)
Thank-you fro your words on Tony and continue your great work on fox
American lost one great person in Tony Snow, we need a million like him. Our love and prayers go out
to his precious family. We feel so much grief for the loss of Tony and the loss to his family. Tony would
have made a great stateman if he would have had a chance to run for any office. He would out
beat anyone. HE WAS THE EPITOME OF A GREAT AMERICAN WITH SUCH WONDEFUL MORAL AND
ETHICAL values. We realize what a great guy he was and we will always miss him. A GREAT LOSS TO
AMERICA. We needed him so very much especially at this political challanging time. We needed his
common sense to speak the reality of truth in this political arena.GOD REST HIS SOUL.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful portrait of your friend and “our” Tony Snow. They say that great athletes are those that make the others around them better. In that regard, I believe Tony Snow to have been a great person and in no small part because of your comments here. I did not have the pleasure of knowing Tony, but after reading your comments, my hope is that someday someone who knew and loved me will be able to write something as sincere, heartfelt and kind. Thank you again. My prayers are with you on your loss.
Thank you Juan for taking the time to write this column in regard to Tony Snow. You were privileged to know the gentleman personally, and your words brought that relationship a bit closer to the rest of us in a very meaningful way.
We FNC viewers, radio listeners, newspaper readers, and fellow Americans in general, will truly miss one of the really good guys who left us way too soon.
All of us would be lucky to have the kind of courage and tenacity Tony showed the world all the way to the end. His life reminds everyone to live like they mean it. And he certainly did.
I rarely compliment any journalist or reporter that I see on television because it just doesn’t seem necessary since that is their job. But I did compliment Tony Snow several years ago because I was so impressed with his coverage of an event that was being tossed about in the news. I emailed him at Fox News and told him that he was what fair and balanced was all about. I don’t even remember what he was reporting on but I do remember that I was impressed enough to send the email. When I heard that he would be Press Secretary for President Bush, I thought, “Yes! Our Tony Snow! I could not have done a better job of selecting someone myself!” I never met him and I never had an opportunity to say anything else to him but I did have a respect for the kind of man that he obviously was.
America has lost within a month or so, two quality men, Tony Snow and Tim Russert. It is rare to see such intelligent, influential, and successful men who are also humble and unpretentious. It does seem sometimes that people are taken when they are needed the most.
Juan,
This was really beautiful and I heard you on TV over the weekend. I used to get to mad at you sometimes when I would watch you and Tony arguing. I am glad you were such good friends. I’ve followed him for several years. It sure looks like this world was a better place because Tony was in it.
Juan,
a fitting tribute to a good friend from a valued adversary and pal. I’d like to send my sincere condolences to the Snow family in this difficult time; Tony will be greately misssed and fondly remembered.
Robert.
Juan,
Thanks for contributing your insight into “our Tony.”
Such a remarkable man will be sorely missed in these contentious times. Since he had to leave his “fun job” at the White House to provide for his family’s future and had such a short time to accomplish that goal, may we ask what has been done to see that their needs will be met? I think many of us humble viewers would be willing to make our small contributions to a trust to make sure his kids have the education and opportunities that he would have wanted for them.
Lately, you have grown so much in my estimation that I feel safe entrusting such a request to you? How can we help accomplish his last goal of providing for his family?
Johann
Opelika, AL
Thank you, Jaun. You brought back good memories for me of you and Tony arguing across the desk on Fox News Sunday. Your right, Tony was a very good person and you are to. He will be missed
God Bless and Thank you.
Jeff
Beautifully put, Juan, and thank you. Tony Snow WAS our Tony, and I miss him already.
I will miss seeing Tony Snow on tv. His optimism is what I will remember most. He was facing a truly horrible disease and yet he remained in a positive frame of being the entire time. Perhaps more people should look at the example he put forth and apply it to their situation. I recently heard a portion of a speech he gave to Media Research in April,and it should be broadcast for all to hear. We will miss his smiling face . He was truly a man to be admired. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.
Thank you, Juan, for your moving personal tribute to your friend and a great man whom we will miss very much. God Bless the Snow Family in this time of grief and sorrow.
God Bless you, Juan. You are well-respected for being a very kind and decent man, too.
Mr. Williams,
Thank you so much for your excellent commentary about Tony Snow. I knew the two of you were friends but didn’t know to what extent. I always enjoy watching you when you appear on Fox News. Even though our politics differ, you always display courtesy and common sense which is missing far too much these days. You and Tony have always been two men I could always listen to at length. Keep up your excellent work. Tony Snow was a great man also and we will all miss him. Tony Snow was genuinely a good man and that is the highest compliment I can pay anyone.
Doug Stover
Thanks Juan…
Tony Snow will be missed. I never knew him personally…but felt his passion for life.
Take Care Juan…keep up the good work.
Juan,
I am a Conservative Republican who mainly watches FNC, with a little CNN & MSNBC thrown in (but not too much)….You are terrific and I love it whenever you are on a panel. I read your columns with relish and even though you are a self-styled moderate to liberal black guy from Brooklyn I find myself agreeing with your views more than I would like to admit. I am a white guy from Brooklyn, quite a bit older than you, and started out at Brooklyn College as a liberal, but changed by the time I got to grad school and out in the work place (in education) to a very strong conservative view. I loved to listen to Tony Snow and applaud your friendship and thoughts on his life, it was extremely moving. He was a GREAT person. Keep up the good work….I love it when you disagree with Brit Hume, because you always have a cogent argument and although I think he is one of best moderators and panelists (Fox News Sunday) you really hold your own and belong right up there.
One Sunday while flipping the TV channels, I saw TONY SNOW talking. And I became a big FOX fan eversince. And then when he became the White House Press Speaker, I starting watching him every morning…And even after he left the White House, I always looked forward to seeing him coming back to FOX from time to time. I know I will never see TONY SNOW on LIVE TV again but I never forget his radiant smiling face, amazing attitude, marvelous personality, eloquent speaking… We all love you TONY !!!!
Tony Snow showed us how to live & how to face adversity. The most important lesson is the job was not as important as his spirituality & family. Please pray for Jill & the three children, it is never easy to loose someone but when they are so special & his life was first about his family, it has to leave a large void. I pray for God to help them with that void.
Tony Snow and I were both born in 1955 and we both lost our mothers at the age of seventeen.
The death of a mother at that age changes a person’s direction in life. I know it did for me. I became “ambitious” for a serene and happy life. Tony Snow clearly had that inner gentleness that comes sometimes with a tragedy like that. He still had the strength of his conservative ideals but was able to enjoy the good fight.
Juan Williams, the fact that Mr. Snow chose to be friends with you speaks volumes about who YOU are.
Thanks Juan. I just loved Tony Snow. He will be really missed. God bless his family.
Thanks to Mr. Williams for his commentary on Tony Snow. Although I do not agree with all of Juan’s points of view, I respect the professional way he comunicates his positions. We need more people like Juan in Washington. On both sides of the issues.
Yes ‘our’ Tony Snow! I want to thank Tony’s wife and children as well as extended family for sharing such a wonderful human being with us. I’ll be looking for Tony went a cross that river one day.
Dear Mr. Williams -
Thank you for your eloquence and heart-felt tribute to Mr. Snow. I, too will miss him. His boundless optimism is what we need. I am so glad you serve as a role model in many ways. I thoroughly enjoyed “Enough” and am inspired to see people who can disagree but still have respect for each other. You can identify with people such as yourself who will stand for independent thought and action. In the end, most of us - regardless of background - really do have more in common and that is what binds us as Americans.
Thank you for your beacon of hope in the time of the tempest.
Bill Leonard
I was first introduced to Tony snow through listening to the Rush Limbaugh Radio broadcast. He always proved to be an individual personality with his own style and approach to the audience. And although he would be filling in for Rush, Tony would never fail to make it his show, while at the same time never allowing the listeners to forget that he was filling in for Rush without saying as much. He was a true professional. I remember listening to one of Tony’s monolouges during the last segment of a Rush Limbaugh show that was inspiring and thoughtful, filled with hope and faith. It was then that I knew that he was a good and decent man. He was a classic example of the kind of person that we need in places of power, to help maintain a sense of balance and to remind us all that great people in positions of power can be good people too. Its true, you don’t have to know someone personally before you can consider them to be a friend. I too feel the loss of a friend in the death of Tony Snow. My thoughts and prayers go up to God, for Mrs. Snow,and the children, asking for comfort during this time of unimaginable grief. May God bless you and keep you, May He make His face to shine down upon you and give you peace.
It is a sad time when another great man in Washington passes on. I believe we are getting very thin on real human beings in Washington. First Tim Russert and now Tony Snow. Both are irreplaceable from the perspective of an Amereican citizen who wants to hear reality from a sincere individual who puts politics second and their love of life and America first. I also commend Juan Williams for being consistently non partisan and writing a very eloquent and respectful editorial on his relationship with a consistently sincere human being.
Nice Juan,
After the Sunday discussion I wished to hear Rush Limbaugh on his thoughts on his radio show…I was busy and couldn’t.
Rush had several links for his talks with Tony Snow …only one was available for the public in general….the rest required you to subscribe to his site…shameless to use Some GREAT person as Tony Snow to make money….reminds me of the guy who died in the north during the elections for the senate at the last cycle…lowers my respect a notch….bummer!
From the very first time I saw him, Tony Snow has been an inspiration. His humor, his wit, his charm, and his knowledge of what life was really about made him shine brighter than everyone around him. I so enjoyed the way he handled the press corp as Press Secretary and he was best radio and television commentator I have ever seen. I will miss him dearly and my heart goes out to his wife and children. My prayers are with the Snow family. Thank you for sharing Tony with me and the rest of the viewers who couldn’t wait for Tont to step up to the mike.
Sincerely,
Charles DeBrocky
Troy, NY
Well done Juan. You two were lucky to have each other as friends.
Thank you so much Juan for your beautiful thoughts about Tony, I loved him, too.
Tony Snow indeed was a jewel journalist and had such a gracious attitude. Some times we ask, why this happen to the good and decent people, but God knows. I’m not into conservatives, liberals, whatever political base we call ourselves. We are all Americans and much work the common goal to make this country better and responsible. We pray that God strength and comfort be with the Snow family.
Nicely written piece. I really felt Tony Snow brought a breath of fresh air to the White House, when it needed it most.
Thank you, Juan.
Tony Snow is a saint and will live forever in heaven and in the hearts of all good people. Please express my condolences to his family and to the entire grieving Fox News family.
Moving words in remembrance of a great man with closely-held values, a wonderful sense of humor and an irrepressible spirit. Washington and the national political arena will miss his warmth and humanity deeply. Tony’s example shows the depth of courage and clarity that are possible for human beings to exhibit when faced with severe challenges in life.
Without a doubt, Tony is in a better place. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.
Wr. Williams,
This is a wonderful tribute detailing a wonderful man’s life. Your insight has identified one of Washington’s core failures - politicians have forgotten what it means to be human. It seems they’ve lost the ability to debate issues - free of hatred and personal attack. Compromise and diplomacy seem to have disappeared.
It’s good to know that pundits like you and Tony Snow conducted your affairs differently and it seems both of you were all the richer for it.
It appears perhaps there is a lesson here. . . . Thanks for sharing your story.
Tom Walko
Hanover, PA
In addition to good humor and real humanity, Tony Snow and Juan Williams share another important attribute that I am sure contributed to the friendship that Mr. Williams so eloquently describes here: absolute intellectual honesty. They both have raised the level of discourse and made us better. Thank you.
Dear Juan, The words and stories you have so kindly shared about your college and dear friend, Tony Snow were so touching and uplifting. My husband, Rick and I are regular viewers of Fox and have followed Tony for several years. Our hearts were truly saddened when we first heard of his diagnosis and he continued in our prayers. My husband’s Dad, and both of his parents died of Colon Cancer. This a disease that hits close to home for us here.
Juan, the friendship you and Tony shared is very touching and when you shared on Saturday and Sunday this weekend, you honored your friend Tony. I loved the story about you and your Son driving along and him hearing about Tony working at the White House - “our Tony, Dad???” You are so right Juan, I believe there are many of us out here that feel an empty place in our hearts for our Tony, that we knew. I cannot imagine how very difficult it must be for you and the others who are his friends - and then the most difficult of all - his wife and children. Our love and prayers go out to them. I know Tony is with his Heavenly Father now and he’s maybe even playing in Heaven’s Rock Band! The journey ahead for his wife and childen that he so lovingly talked of at the end of so many of his shows has just begun a new and difficult path. I have no doubt that Tony’s spirit of Love will be there to guide and watch over all four of them in the days, weeks, months and years ahead. As was said so many times over this weekend of the words that could describe Tony Snow, “Love” came up over and over again! I was reading I Corinthians 13, just to quote in part starting at verse “4″ Love is patient, love is kind: It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps not record of wrongs. It does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Tony Snow was someone who you could not help but respect and love! We so enjoyed watching him on Sunday mornings and really missed him when he left. We do Love all of you Guys and Ladies that remain and watch faithfully every Sunday, taping the show so we never miss it
Juan, may God Bless you and give you peace also as you heal in the loss of your good friend. What a gift you where given in your life to have had Tony as a friend and also for Tony, what a gift for him to have known and shared a friendship with you. I do not believe there are coincidences when it comes to lives crosses pathes. Just like you shared - how unlikely it would have been for you and Tony for have become friends considering your backgrounds and politics. Golly, in light of the way many politicians and Americans sadly are behaving in general by speaking in such ugly and condencending ways toward each political side…. It seems we have lost site of the great principles this great country of ours was founded upon and has come so far on. There is disagreement and debate with respect! No name calling. It is kept at the issues, not taken to a personal level. Tony Snow got that! What did I hear over the weekend - Tony Snow would disagree without being disagreeable. He was a true gentleman, family man and country man. He is respected, loved and missed. May we all honor this wonderful man in learning by the example he so beautifully lived before us.
Blessings to you and yours, Cindy Sykes
I hate to be a curmudgeon here but…. yes Tony was a great guy, he was truly a class act and the public owes him a BIG debt of gratitude but… this talk about him such a great family man, come on. The guy was on national TV for more than a decade, I’ll bet that took a lot of time away from his family. I have a regular job, nice house, I have breakfast every day with my wife and daughter, and get home every day at 5, and never work weekends. Oh, but Tony has ‘lots of pictures of his family in his office and always talks about them with colleagues at work’. Gee, I feel bad that I don’t have lots of pictures of my family in my office, but then again I see them EVERY night at 5, since I don’t have to go out to work related dinners/functions/events every other night to talk even more about politics and such with other people who also aren’t at home with their kids. Of course after FOX he becomes press secretary, gee that must really have brought him closer to his family, what with the 5 am wake up calls to leave the house, oh but he thought of them when he returned home at 10 every night. Great family man, come on, sure they probably lived in plush surroundings, sure they knew famous people, saw dad on TV, but a career path like his is not for someone who’s primary motivation is to be with his family, it’s for someone who is intensely self motivated, who has the talent and desire to move up, way up, but I’m sure this was only possible because his wife took care of the family so he could do whatever he wanted away from them. That’s the reality that I see. My guess is that his wife was the one devoted to his family, and he to himself. Oh and God Bless Tony…
A testimony of three words: “Our Tony Snow”. Out of the mouths of babes.
As opposed to the AP writer, who gave a short obit, stating that he (Tony) didn’t always have his “facts” right as press secretary. I felt sickened when I read it on the very day of Tony’s passing, in what amounted to nothing more than a disrespectful cheap shot. Rush Limbaugh commented on that AP obit on his newscast today. Who else would even notice and have the courage to say it!
Juan,
Nice piece about Tony. Although on opposites sides on many matters both you and he are an example of how political discourse should be in this country. Both of you are class guys, too bad one is now gone.
Greg Hill
Juan– Thanks for your moving piece on Tony Snow. For many of my fellow conservatives, Tony was a hero because he could articulate and defend conservative policies far better than most of our “conservative” Senators, Congressmen, and (unfortunately) our President. But to me, his personal integrity, honesty, and good cheer perhaps will convince our liberal brethren that true conservatives are anything but “mean-spirited”. Your tribute to Tony was a breath of fresh air. We will all miss our Tony Snow.
This was truly beautiful. Thank you, Mr. Williams, for sharing!
Mr. Williams - once again you display the grace, class and pure humanity that is always evident in your television appearances. It is no wonder that you and Tony Snow were friends - too classy guys of intelligence, grace and humor.
It is, to me, an infinite sadness that there has been so much hateful commentary on the left wing blogs about Tony Snow, who was a human being first (a man who loved God, his family and his country) and an ideologue second. Those hateful people should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves for their vitriol and vicious comments. That is not what liberals used to be. YOU are what liberals used to be - human beings just like us who had a different approach to the matter. Tony Snow knew that; you know that.
We have lost two honest voices in the political discussion within a very short while. Please take care of your own self since you possess one of the few other honest voices on the airwaves.
How did we come to this?
Great article Mr Williams and thanks for sharing your friendship with Tony, with us! I enjoyed listening to Tony anytime he was on TV. He was a very classy, special person. This country needs a person like Tony. I only wished I’d met him in person! I pray that God will watch over his family during this time. God has brought a special angel home.
Tony Snow was truly a great gentleman. He showed us kindness and civility, even in disagreement. He was a role model to all of us and will be greatly missed.
Thank you Juan for the article you wrote on Tony Snow. When I first read of his death at 7am Sat. I felt such a loss and this is a person who I never met. This being the third day since he died I have yet to hear or read one bad comment. Everybody just loved the guy. You know he would probably be embarrassed if he knew of all the wonderful things being said about him down here!! (other than some of ugly comments from the left-wing sites who would denigrate Jesus Christ were to appear today).
Also Mr. Williams let me tell you when I first heard you years ago I thought you were just other left wing liberal. But through the years you have come to the right (I know this because I HAVE NOT gone left!!). I enjoy listening to you on Fox with Brit Hume.
I am so glad that Tony Snow was a Christian. The most important thing in one’s life is where will you your soul go in death. I wish his death could have been postponed. BUT today there is no more physical suffering for Mr. Snow but his family and friends like you will really mis him.
God Bless.
Ruth, Colorado Springs, CO
Beautiful tribute to a beautiful man. You were so fortunate to have known him.
Two of the greatest gifts we can give to another is a smile and our time, and neither costs us a cent! Tony spent his gifts wisely. Sympathies to his family and friends. Humanity has lost much with his passing.
Juan:
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on your friend. I too am one who was deeply saddened by the loss of “our Tony”. Tony Snow was truly an inspiration to us all both in the way he lived his life and also in the way he faced death with dignity. Tony was a very kind and courageous person. He will definitely be missed. My condolences to Tony’s family and to his friends.
Tony Snow was and will always be an outstanding American. I pray for his family at this time of grief, but he leaves an outstanding legacy.
What a beautiful article! It’s sad to see someone pass away in the prime of life, but with tributes and memories such as yours passed on, he will live on in the hearts and minds of family and friends forever. Thank you for sharing this with us.