When Tom Brokaw opened Sunday’s somber edition of "Meet the Press" he showed a large wooden sign Tim Russert had displayed in his office, that said "Thou shall not whine.’ And Brokaw addeded ‘Thou shall not weep or cry this morning.’ This is a celebration, a time to remember."

But that edict proved hard to observe as Russert’s colleagues eulogized him on the NBC political talk show he moderated for nearly 17 years until his unexpected death from a heart attack Friday.

And, I assume, that the edict was also difficult to observe by those watching for the program opened silently, with the camera focused on a darkened set and the moderator’s empty chair. Brokaw and a gathering of Russert’s friends sat in a semicircle in front of the stage, reminiscing about the man and his passion for political discourse.

For three straight days, NBC News devoted its resources to memorializing him on the air. And, if I may editoralize:  This was, other than letting Tim Russert have his head (as cowboys do to their best horse), the only thing NBC has done with decency in the past 5 years.

Of course it wasn’t just his own employer that lionized Russert. CNN, CBS, ABC, Fox, and, especially, that Icon of Conservatism, Rush Limbaugh, dedicated messages of admiration.

There was not much laughter at NBC this weekend, but is there ever?