Tim Russert, host of NBC's Meet the Press, died today. According to the network, Russert collapsed while recording voiceovers for Sunday's edition of the show; he was taken to Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, where he was pronounced dead. He was 58.

Hailed as one of the leading journalists in political journalism, Russert took the reins at Meet the Press in December of 1991. 'Press – now in its 60th year – is the longest-running program in the history of television. Tim was also NBC News' Washington bureau chief and a vice president of NBC News.

Russert was a recipient of numerous awards for his contributions to broadcast journalism, among them the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, the shared honor of Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence in Television Journalism, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society Journalism Award, and – most significantly – the Joan S. Barone Award, and the Annenberg Center's Walter Cronkite Award. Also, Tim was awarded an Emmy in 2005 for his coverage for the funeral of Pres. Ronald Reagan.

In addition to his distinguished work as a television journalist, Tim Russert was also a noted author, and had penned two books – the best-selling biography Big Russ and Me, and Wisdom of Our Fathers

Tim Russert is survived by his wife, pop culture reporter Maureen Orth, and their son Luke. His calming presence in the hustle-'n-go world of political coverage will be sorely missed.

Categories: Tim Russert; NBC News; Meet the Press

CNN is reporting that the California ban on same-sex marriage has been struck down. The California Supreme Court today ruled that the ban was unconstitutional. This ruling makes California the second state to allow same-sex couples to marry legally. You can read all about it here at CNN (and also at TIME).

I must say – these are truly exciting times in America! For one thing, we may very well have our first black president in November. Indeed, the all-but finished Democratic primaries have given us a glimpse of a glorious future (perhaps) as both a woman and an African-American have shown promise as future Heads of State and given us hope for a break from the biased and discriminatory traditions that have colored America since its founding – well, at least Barack has run a clean campaign!

It is my sincere hope that America doesn't degenerate into the predictably divisive trends that all, but, insured George W. Bush his second term in 2004; California has shown us the way – let's move forward.

Categories: same-sex marriage; gay rights; California; California Supreme Court; LGBT