Arnold Markowitz

After watching Arnold Markowitz struggle in a tough interview, even with all of his experience, it made me think about what I would have done.  Before he entered the house of the step-grandfather who just lost his grandchild hours before, he offered condolences.  I know that I would do the same, and it would probably be before I said anything else.  I wouldn't be able to ask someone for the favor of interviewing them before showing them that I sympathize with their situation.  I think the best thing to say would be something along the lines of: "Mr/Mrs. _____, I'm Elizabeth Velez from the Beacon.  I can't imagine what you're going through right now, but I'm hoping you would give me a couple of minutes to talk about what happened."  However, after Markowitz gets the interview, he mentions the organization that helps people overcome the loss of a murdered child.  I found the mention of the word "murder" to be a step to far, even as someone who was just watching the interview.  It wasn't offensive, just too shocking for the moment.  I learned from that to keep the human side to a minimum, and mostly stick to the interview you came for.