Posted on 06/08/2004 8:54:12 AM PDT by lainie
Edited on 06/08/2004 11:18:28 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
Controversy develops over Reagan funeral speakers...
'President Clinton really held out all hope the funeral would be a nonpartisan event, like Nixon's was,' a top Clinton source said on Tuesday morning. 'He's angry and disappointed neither he nor President Carter have been asked to speak, as of yet'...
CLINTON DISAPPOINTMENT: LEFT OFF FUNERAL SPEAKERS LIST
Former President Bill Clinton has privately expressed anger he has apparently been left off the speakers list of Friday's Reagan State Funeral, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.
"President Clinton really held out all hope the funeral would be a nonpartisan event, like Nixon's was," a top Clinton source said on Tuesday morning. "He's angry and disappointed neither he nor President Carter have been asked to speak, as of yet."
The top source says Clinton has been critical that both Bush presidents will address the crowd gathered at National Cathedral.
Nixon's vice president Gerald Ford did not speak at Nixon's funeral.
Clinton's inner circle is convinced Nancy Reagan has personally shut out Clinton from any high-profile participation.
"It is a state funeral, using tax dollars," the top Clinton insider explained.
Former President George H.W. Bush, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney will join President Bush in eulogizing Ronald Reagan, Reagan's office announced. Presiding over the service will be former Sen. John Danforth of Missouri, who is an ordained Episcopal priest. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and the Rabbi Harold Kusher will give readings, while Irish tenor Ronan Tynan will sing.
The eulogy is being prepared by President Bush's chief speechwriter, Michael Gerson, who also wrote the president's moving speech for a memorial service in the same cathedral after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Developing...
How about that! Just in time for Broadcast News on the East Coast!
They certainly didn't give the impression Kerry would wait in line for hours along with the "regular" folks! Also, Bo Derek is coming!
President Nixon opened his memoirs with a simple sentence: "I was born in a house my father built." Today we can look back at this little house and still imagine a young boy sitting by the window of the attic he shared with his three brothers, looking out to a world he could then himself only imagine. From those humble roots, as from so many humble beginnings in this country, grew the force of a driving dream. A dream that led to the remarkable journey that ends here today, where it all began beside the same tiny home, mail-ordered from back East, near this towering pepper tree, which back then was a mere seedling.
President Nixon's journey across the American landscapes mirrored that of his entire nation in this remarkable century. His life was bound up with the striving of our whole people, with our crises and our triumphs.
When he became President, he took on challenges here at home on matters from cancer research to environmental protection, putting the power of the Federal Government where Republicans and Democrats had neglected to put it in the past, and in foreign policy. He came to the Presidency at a time in our history when Americans were tempted to say we had had enough of the world. Instead, he knew we had to reach out to old friends and old enemies alike. He would not allow America to quit the world.
Remarkably, he wrote nine of his ten books after he left the Presidency, working his way back into the arena he so loved by writing and thinking and engaging us in his dialogue. For the past year, even in the final weeks of his life, he gave me his wise counsel, especially with regard to Russia. One thing in particular left a profound impression on me. Though this man was in his ninth decade, he had an incredibly sharp and vigorous and rigorous mind. As a public man, he always seemed to believe the greatest sin was remaining passive in the face of challenges, and he never stopped living by that creed. He gave of himself with intelligence and energy and devotion to duty, and his entire country owes him a debt of gratitude for that service.
Oh, yes, he knew great controversy amid defeat as well as victory. He made mistakes, and they, like his accomplishments, are a part of his life and record. But the enduring lesson of Richard Nixon is that he never gave up being part of the action and passion of his times. He said many times that unless a person has a goal, a new mountain to climb, his spirit will die. Well, based on our last phone conversation and the letter he wrote me just a month ago, I can say that his spirit was very much alive to the very end.
That is a great tribute to him, to his wonderful wife, Pat, to his children and to his grandchildren, whose love he so depended on and whose love he returned in full measure. Today is a day for his family, his friends, and his nation to remember President Nixon's life in totality. To them, let us say: may the day of judging President Nixon on anything less than his entire life and career come to a close.
May we heed his call to maintain the will and the wisdom to build on America's greatest gift, its freedom, and to lead a world full of difficulty to the just and lasting peace he dreamed of.
As it is written in the words of a hymn I heard in my church last Sunday, "Grant that I may realize that the trifling of life creates differences, but that in the higher things we are all one." In the twilight of his life, President Nixon knew that lesson well. It is, I feel, certainly a fate he would want us all to keep.
And so, on behalf of all four former Presidents who are here - President Ford, President Carter, President Reagan, President Bush - and on behalf of a grateful nation, we bid farewell to Richard Milhous Nixon.
Clinton reminds me of the old classic John Belushi SNL skit, "The Thing that wouldn't Leave."
Oh, let Kerry just TRY to cut in line in front of a FReeper!
Clinton's "inner circle" are the biggest pack of hateful vipers imaginable.
"These people are determined to make this political, aren't they?"
I'm wondering if they are doing this to undermine Kerry. Nothing would surprise me.
Have it your way.
When the media starts running with the "Reagan funeral politicized by XYZ" stories day after day, you'll be the first one on there lamenting about it.
We know the media is biased and hateful - you can't hand them these kinds of issues on a silver platter.
Nancy is strong willed and protective of her husband. I can't blame her. I wouldn't want Carter and Clinton to speak if I were her. The Carters's were never able to hide their bitterness toward Pres. Reagan and Clinton made a mockery of everything Pres. Reagan held dear.
Many people plan their own memorials. Maybe he told Nancy whom to include and whom NOT to include.
There is one most important nonpartisan issue that has not been covered.
One of a plethora of reasons that we as a nation love about the Reagans is the deep love and commitment of both Nancy and Ron to each other. (for you a-h’s out there, read as apparent) Their devotion is what novels and fairytales are written. Where as clintoon’s relationship is pornographic.(a-h’s read as proven in court)
To have clintoon speak is a desecration.
clintoon shut the F-up and go away, you poor excuse of a human.
Cant believe any arrangement of DNA could come up with a despicable disgusting combination as this.
OK
Bill Clinton gets a quickie speech now:
http://pro.lookingat.us/ClintonChicken.wav
Yes but I'm sure there's a spot for him as keynote speaker at the next Adult Video News Awards.
.
CLINTON refused 3 Offers from the Sudan during the 1990's to give us our No. 1 Terrrorist Enemy OSAMA bin LADEN before he coudl hit us hard after CLINTON left the White House.
'Remember the Lost and Suffering on Septembe 11, 2001'
http://www.TheAlamoFILM.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=33
.
I wish they'd play Kerry's sound bites on his "real" attitude towards my President Reagan, as he stands by the casket. You just know he'll make the sign of the cross. I keep wondering if he'll kneel.
This is the Dem's trial balloon. If it looks like this strikes a positive chord, they'll go all out on it. If it bombs, they'll drop it.
B I N G O!!!
Former Canadian PM Brian Mulroney (sp?) will also speak, I believe.
You are right. According to protocol the President of the United States starts planning their own funeral. Someone mentioned that the Reagans started in 1981 (not sure about that) and have continually updated the formal plans throughout the years. And, rightly so that the Reagans should have the last word. I do think he would be touched by the outpouring of love for him and very humbled.
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