US Senators, a Vice President, a Camera Man, and a Cop

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US Senators, a Vice President, a Camera Man, and a Cop

March 10, 2007 by Jim Parker in humanity, media

Former US Senator from Missouri Tom Eagleton passed away March 4th.

I was raised a Democrat so when I was a kid, in 1980, when my mother was working for his campaign, I met him. I vaguely remember the fund raising event.

Over the years, through my mother’s connections (and some of my own) I’ve gotten to meet or shake hands or be within speaking distance of many interesting people.

The first important one was Jimmy Carter in 1976. Then again in 1980. Later it was Senator Ann Richards, then Bill Clinton. A few years ago, Senator Hillary Clinton.

Today was another good day for me. While on my way to work (on a Saturday no less) I decided to take a drive past the new “green” research building being built at Saint Louis University to see how it was coming along. I was going north on Grand Ave, heading towards College Church. The research building looks cool.

As I got closer to SLU’s Church, I saw more police than one would expect on a Saturday afternoon. Then I remembered that Eagleton’s funeral service was today. Well, I wasn’t dressed to attend, but I thought I stood a pretty good chance of seeing some US senators. So I found a parking space as quickly as I could 3 blocks away. (police had put no parking signs on all the streets within two blocks of the church).

Anyhow, I walked up to the corner with the fountain at Lindel and Grand across the street from the church. I watched for a little while. A very nice catholic sister came up. It was 11:30 and she was on her way to 12:00 mass - and didn’t know that Eagleton’s ceremony, which started at 11:00, had nixed the noon mass. I told her I was trying to see if I could see Ted Kennedy. She mentioned that she had met Ted Kennedy when he visited her home state of Connecticut.

I finally went across the street to the church and stood and talked to a camera man who had been covering St. Louis news for 30 years. We spoke about the state of news media and Rupert’s influence over Fox’s local news production operations. We also spoke how neither of us watches local news any more.

I then wandered down the sidewalk along the church towards the side entrance (near the altar) to ask the secret service where the senators would be exiting. Obviously they were not forth coming with that information, though did point to a street light pole across the street 60 feet away that would give me a “perfect view”.

I then went back to the main entrance of the church were my camera guy and his producer/reporter were talking. They asked what I found out. I told them about the street pole on the other side of the street. At that point they moved their camera to the side entrance I had just visited.

I spoke to a policeman who offered that the senators would indeed be coming out of the side entrance and getting on the bus parked there. I then joined my camera guy with a couple of still photographers at that side entrance.

And I waited….about another 30 minutes. During that time a Secret Service agent approached me and asked what I had in my Starbucks cup. I opened it, told him it was empty, and said I was looking for a trash can. He offered to take the empty cup for me. That was nice of him!

Now, with all the secret service and police around I noticed that I was absolutely the only person who didn’t have a good reason to be there. I was after all, standing among the press, police, and secret service wearing shorts! Nevertheless, I did my best to look like I was “supposed” to be there. Thus, I started fiddling with my phone, reading my blogs. I even sent a text message to a buddy, telling him where I was.

A policeman (the one I had spoken to earlier) saw me with my phone and approached me. He kindly suggested I keep my phone in my pocket when the senators come out. I obliged. We then talked about these “security details” of policemen that handle St. Louis events. It was good work he said - especially the festivals and events with drinking - as there are so many people to look at. He said events having to do with politicians and such aren’t as much fun because everyone is so uptight. “Guard this door, don’t let anyone in - stuff like that,” he said. And then added, “but it beats chasing stolen cars or busting drug dealers.” He was pretty cool. Strangely enough, he reminded me a lot of my college roommate Gerard who happens to be in the NYPD.

Then Senator Dodd came out and walked directly over to the cameras - five feet from where I was standing. He said a few words about what a great man Tom was. He left immediately.

Then Claire McCaskill came out. She didn’t want to talk to the cameras. She also left immediately.

Then a whole group of people came out and lingered for a while. Senator Ted Kennedy was amoung them. A reporter called him over to where we were standing. He spoke very kindly, affectionately, and remorsefully about Tom Eagleton. They were friends.

Next Joe Biden stopped by. He talked about Christmas’s with the Eagletons over the years and mentioned that he and Tom spoke often. There was something very likeable about him.

Then I think I saw Senator Kit Bond, but he didn’t speak to the camera’s. Senator Harry Reid was around but I didn’t see him.

And finally Vice President Walter Mondale spoke to the cameras in a very heartfelt manner. He seemed like the most easy going guy in the bunch - a man who had no worries and who was living life to its fullest.

So, I was within conversation distance of all these people. What an exciting day!

I ask my camera guy what it was like to always be able to see important people and events up close and personal. He said it was really no big thing. “After all, I am just an observer - watching these people do their work. I’m not actually participating. If I was participating, then maybe I would feel differently.”

Well said, don’t you think? I suppose I should get to work myself. We have serveral large systems that we are rehosting tomorrow morning for my company. I doubt my camera guy will be covering that. Maybe I should be working on something else? …because I sure would like to see the camera guy again…..