Peter Jennings Dead per ABC news, 67 years old

Friends at network | MB26

[MindBender26]

From friends at ABC; Peter Jennings is near death. This is unconfirmed, but from usually reliable sources.

The ABC anchor, who was born in Canada but became a US citizen, announced a few months ago that he was suffering from lung cancer. He has not made a televised appearance since.

[Shazbot29]

I am saying that it does no good to speak ill of the dad or dying.

[mhking]

I am saying that it does no good to speak ill of the dad

I hope you speak no ill of your dad... ;)

[Shazbot29]

Make that "dead" not "dad." (pre-coffee typing)

[F16Fighter]

"Take a wild guess."

Well, based on the deletion of post #496 it's not such a "wild guess," is it? ;-)

[Amore]

I agree.

[Shazbot29]

I hope you speak no ill of your dad

Kids, don't let this happen to you. Friends don't let friends FReep before AM coffee ;)

[Wormwood]

I am saying that it does no good to speak ill of the dad or dying.

Now that is true. I'll admit my comment was in poor taste.

My point was: if I thought someone was a scumbag last week, I don't see the logic in changing my mind simply because they up and die this week.

But this thread is for y'all to mourn, so I'll leave you to it.

[mhking]

Friends don't let friends FReep before AM coffee ;)

Early in the morning, your coffeemaker is your best friend....

[F16Fighter]

"I am saying that it does no good to speak ill of the dad or dying."

That's not what you wrote, is it?:

"If you don't like the subject you can stay off the thread."

497 posted on 08/08/2005 7:21:26 AM EDT by Shazbot29 (Light a man a fire, he'll be warm for a day; light him on fire, he'll be warm the rest of his life)

Question: Is your request to not "speak ill of the dead or dying" based upon superstition?

Reminder: Free Republic is a forum of shared political opinion and conservative ideology.

[Shazbot29]

Clearly the mods agree with my assessment.

[Amore]

I agree even more with you. I've never understood this phenomenon.

[F16Fighter]

"My point was: if I thought someone was a scumbag last week, I don't see the logic in changing my mind simply because they up and die this week."

It'll be interesting to note FR's reaction when/if the Nacho-munchin', Frito-lovin' Saddam is executed.

[MindBender26]

Mods changed thehead last PM, but not the day-old body copy.

[Soul Seeker]

Saddam is an evil mass butcher. The reaction will be the same as it was when his son's were killed. Cause for rejoicing.

[F16Fighter]

"Clearly the mods agree with my assessment."

Then they ought to turn ALL the Jennings' threads into obituaries and demand Freepers refer to Petah as "Saint" Petah -- IF we dare post at all.

[F16Fighter]

"The reaction [for Saddam] will be the same as it was when his son's were killed. Cause for rejoicing."

But...but...Saddam is "still a human being"...and it would still be "speaking ill of the dead, " wouldn't it?

[Amore]

Speak no ill of the dying, ok, I can buy that because, as compassionate people we don't want to see people suffer. But speak no ill of the dead? Really what that means for most people is speak no ill of the dead for some unspecified period of time after they die.

Otherwise, we speak ill of the dead all the time for good reason. Who made the famous quote that those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it? We certainly, rightly, speak ill of Hitler, Stalin, Mao Tsung -- as well as countless others who affect politics and history -- for that very reason.

[F16Fighter]

"Speak no ill of the dead? Really what that means for most people is speak no ill of the dead for some unspecified period of time after they die...Otherwise, we speak ill of the dead all the time for good reason."

Some folks here are offended that Mr. Jennings death reminded people of his life -- which evoked memories of his liberal editorializing and subverting of the "news."

Apparently, that is considered "bad taste" -- even if he is a public figure and FR is a political forum.

[Shazbot29]

There is a loong distance between a touch of respect and dancing on someone's grave.

[finnigan2]

"We lost a very close friend from second hand smoke lung cancer"

- As an ex smoker (12 years ago), I've always viewed the "second hand smoke" scare to be just that - a scare.
I would love to see the difference in the rate of lung cancer between those who don't smoke but who have lived for years with spouses who did and those non smokers who have always lived in a smoke free home environment.
I suspect the reason is that insurance company tables would show the rate difference to be between insignificant and nil - a factor the anti smoking lobby is not anxious to have publicized.