Clinton at Reagan's Funeral - Sleeping
Posted on 12/31/2006 3:25:11 AM PST by trumandogz
Edited on 12/31/2006 4:23:27 AM PST by Sidebar Moderator. [history]
It just drives them off the deep end that President Bush spends any time at all in Crawford, doesn't it?
President Bush will be attending later services in these several-days-long funerary rites.
I totally agree that we, and in particular our nation's leaders, should respect the office of the presidency. I also agree that Gerald Ford was a gentlemanly and honorable man. But he was an accidental president, never elected by the American people, who served less than three years. He has been out of office for 30 years and didn't do much of note during those 30 years. So I think a more scaled-back, subdued send off is warranted in his case.
The above is the entire statement about the rotunda state funeral from Wikipedia. Notice their quotes about the title, implying that it is not the main event. I do not have their source.
Part of the problem here is relying on sources like Wikipedia, the Washington Post, and unfortunately, even the White House web page. All of these sources have implied that the ceremony at the Capitol is The State Funeral . However, if you go to the Military District of Washington web page on the funeral, they make it clear that all of the ceremonies, including the portions in California and Michigan are all part of the State Funeral. That portion of the State Funeral held at the Capitol is referred to as the Lying in State portion.
(see MDW Schedule )
I point this out because it has become a pet peeve with me. No one cares about getting it right anymore. Certainly not the media, and increasingly, government officials are just as bad. They play fast and loose with people and events that have titles embodied in law and custom. Newpapers and government offices used to have people who were educated in such formalities and who checked to make sure that the terms were properly used. We don't do that anymore - make it up as we go, do whatever feels good. Sloppy, in my opinion.
So? I won't be there, so it really won't matter will it? I have never understood the pomp and circumstance of funerals. Granted if you don't believe in anything, I suppose it's your last hurrah and you want everybody to see how important you were in life. But I want a party at my funeral. Celebration of life, etc. James Brown sort of funeral. If they're going to show up, throw a party and celebrate my life and more importantly celebrate where I've gone.
That brings up another euphemism that's always annoyed me. The whole 'lost' thing. You know, we 'lost' Uncle so and so, or we 'lost' Grandmother Smith. No you didn't. You know where the body is don't you? So you didn't 'lose' them did you? They died. Sounds like you've got to go out on a body hunt looking for them every time I hear that
Sec. Rumsfeld was prevented from traveling to Washington because of bad weather.
Hope he makes it by Tuesday. He must have been very sorry not to be there yesterday. He and President Ford have a long history.
In my part of the country, when a funeral procession goes by, no matter who it is, people pull over and get out of their vehicles .
Bush never attends the Capitol service. He will speak at the mainservice at the National Cathedral. Same for Reagan's funeral.
There are a lot of stupid Freepers, as in all other walks of life.
As well they should. Course NC is being infested of late by other sorts (yankees). Try that now in certain parts of the state and you can get run over. I tried explaining it to them one time that it was out of respect for the family and not the person, but they didn't understand
Your memory has not failed you.
Now ............ do you remember what you were going to get when you walked into the kitchen?
;-)
Happy New Year, Fellow FReeper
First .. the Ford's do have a say in the funeral since President Ford plans his funeral .. as for the worried part, BS
Truman received FDR's casket, Nixon recieved both Eisenhower and Johnson, and yes, even Clinton received Nixon at Andrews...so who's ignoring tradition here, hmmm?
Truman was also the VP .. FDR died in office
As for Eisenhower .. Nixon was his VP .. so I'm assuming that is why
As for Johnson .. I was only 10 yr. old and the time and don't remember why, maybe it had something to do with Agnew and that whole Watergate thing
As for Clinton .. he's a camera hog .. need I say more
Clinton at Reagan's Funeral - Sleeping
6. At approximately 10 a.m. EST, President Ford’s remains will be received with ceremony at the Washington National Cathedral. A national funeral service will then be conducted at approximately 10:30 a.m. EST.
The Lying in State portion of the state funeral is the exact wording on the official list of events. It is a more honest description of the formerly brief ceremony. Thanks for posting it, Garvin.
The MSM is so despicable.
Perhaps you did not understand this was a Congress affair even though some noted democrats did not attend. Your next opportunity to bash the President will be Tuesday.
That was Michael Ford .. I thought it was odd too .. but it could also be that he just wanted to help and be there for his mother
Sorry--You are quite incorrect. The Official funeral is on Tuesday. President Bush did not receive President Reagan's casket. He payed his respects , as President Bush will do tomorrow.
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