Aaron Brown.....

I could see the handwriting on the wall, as the saying goes. I've been watching Aaron Brown on CNN since he began Newsnight, or shortly thereafter. I immedately felt drawn to him and the end of each day was made better by ending my evenings with him. His dry wit, his "velvet" voice, his way of making a point with a look, a slight smirk, a lifted eyebrow. PERFECT!!

Things seemed to be looking up and up for Mr Brown, or so I, Ms general public, thought. His Newsnight went international. The whip and all. It was Aarons. Then the whip was dropped. I wrote CNN to speak my thoughts. Subtle changes continued from there on out. Newsnight began to change and I had this gut feeling that all was not well in CNN land.

Two anchors are my very favorites. Aaron Brown and Anderson Cooper. Two men whom I could tell were polar opposites, but that is ok, better than ok. Anderson has his awesome reporting and more awesome wit that makes him so very enjoyable to watch. I make sure I never (rarely) miss him. And so my evenings went. Like clockwork. Anderson when I arrive home from work, to wind down, and Aaron to put me to bed. Perfect blend.

Changes continued in CNN land. Yes, I was saying for a good many months that things were not looking "up" any longer for Aaron. Then Katrina hit. It seemed Aaron was gone more and more. Anderson there, more and more. Then the two were put together for a new "two hour Newsnight". Oh oh!! MAJOR writing on the wall.

A week ago Friday Aaron informed us he was going on vacation. I thought, "oh oh" as he used the word "interesting" to describe his vacation. Initially I thought this meant the "vacationing" Anderson Cooper would be filling in solo. No Anderson either this past week.

Then it was confirmed. Aaron is out! Anderson Cooper is taking over the two hour show. Newsnight is gone, replaced by Anderson's 360, moved from 6 p.m. CST to 9-11 p.m. CST, beginning this upcoming Monday.

No wonder Anderson was "on vacation" this past week also. Awkward if he'd been hosting Newsnight when the head honcho at CNN told Aaron "bye bye".

And so it is a very sad day for myself and others. But speaking for myself, even more sad, and yes, ironic, in that CNN could not use two of whom I consider the best newsmen they had. (Wolf, you come in a close third).

I hope to see Aaron again. I wish it could be on CNN as that is the only cable/satellite news show I watch.

I had to write this. I want to say to Aaron, thank you for all the years, for all the nights you and your brand of covering the news made the end of my day complete, making things seem all right even at the worst possible times.