A week of events to mourn Reagan -

Boston Globe ^ | 6/07/04 | Susan Milligan

[kattracks]

WASHINGTON -- Ronald Reagan, the president who charmed much of the nation with his populist conservatism, will be remembered this week in the way his family said he wanted: a bicoastal week of mourning allowing both world leaders and regular Americans to pay their respects.

Following a private memorial service today, mourners will be permitted to say their final goodbyes at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, Calif., where the body of the former president will lay in repose until 9 p.m. EDT tomorrow, a spokesman for the Reagan family said. On Wednesday, Reagan's casket will be flown on Air Force One to the nation's capital, where the public will have the opportunity to pay tribute as Reagan's body lies in state in the US Capitol rotunda.

On Friday, a funeral will be held for the two-term president at the Washington National Cathedral. President Bush will speak at the service and former US senator John Danforth, a minister who was recently nominated US ambassador to the United Nations, will officiate. In addition, the federal government, except for agencies involved in national security, defense, or essential public business, will be closed Friday in honor of Reagan, the White House announced yesterday.

[martin_fierro]

"That will mean that the elite journalistic media will have gone through seven days of talking kindly about Reagan," said [Peggy] Noonan. "I would say that by next Friday night, they're going to blow."

[alloysteel]

And do you know what? The events of the week that would normally be welling up and consuming air time, are all set aside, to honor a truly great American. For a short time, the real priority of events is respected.

[Piquaboy]

I am sure that the Rats will be going nuts about all the press he is getting. John F-ing Kerry will miss out on another week of showing how stupid he is.

[rabidralph]

And by the time everyone is done hailing Reagan's brilliance, Bill Clinton will be starting his book tour. Kerry might as well take the next three months off.

[Piquaboy]

The problem is that when no one sees or hears from Kerry his poll numbers go up.

[kidd]

When Nixon died, the stock market was closed on the day of his funeral.

Does anyone know if the stock market will close for Reagan's funeral? Public schools?

[theDentist]

I expect a new commerciaal from Kerry shoing himself as voting in favor of SDI, of lower taxes, etc. any time this week.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Well, lets' see. Economy is coming back. Gasoline is going down. Why shouldn't Kerry take a week off and fundamentally rethink his entire campaign ?

[SF Republican]

Economy is coming back. Gasoline is going down. Why shouldn't Kerry take a week off and fundamentally rethink his entire campaign ? his campaign! heck he should consider a carrier change