NOT a debate. I feel it's wrong for Pres. Bush not to be there

[Eeyore1954]

I don't think it was "wrong" at all. VP Cheney represented the administration. President Bush is returning to Washington today and will visit Mrs. Reagan tonight and also pay his respects at the Capitol.

It is so incredibly sad that the funeral of former President Reagan has to be politicized so much. This is not the legacy he would want left behind. I hope this is not the point to which partisan politics has brought us today.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by Aristocath
He is giving the eulogy at the funeral. No disrespect to the former President, but there is a country to run. The world can't stop for all the Reagan ceremonies. I think the news coverage is excessive anyway. JMO

I think the news coverage is exactly right. It finally is taking the responsibility of correcting the Reagan record that they have tried to tarnish over the years. The nice words will last until Friday at Sundown and then you will hear what the liberal elites really think.

 

[Doctor P]

Sorry, Dawn, but if the news media was truly balanced in its coverage we would see a lot more negative being reported, but this is certainly not the time to do so. I disagreed vehemently with many of Reagan's policies and approaches and I feel that we are still paying for a lot of his policies. However, Mr. Reagan was a tremendous leader and had an outstanding positive effect on the mood of the American people. Though he was an intellectual midget as US presidents go, he surrounded himself with able advisers (I may have disagreed with most of them, but they were bright and passionate and articulate) to whom he listened. He was the leader of our country for eight eventful years. He deserves a dignified and respectful state funeral that should be accorded the former leader of our great nation (indeed, I would have had no objection whatsoever if Nixon's family had asked for a full state funeral--a former president deserves it). My last comment is that the politicization of the funeral is being done by both supporters and detractors (and fortunately it has been pretty minimal in both cases). Let's just sit back and "enjoy" saying goodbye to one of our most recognizable leaders and recall fondly the times in which he led us. Skip the discussion of legacies and changing US money (for political reasons). Let's show ourselves as united in our mourning.

 

[AirForceRocks]

Doctor P, though I disagree with your assessment of President Reagan and his legacy, I wholeheartedly applaud the rest of your post.

He was a President of the United States, and he deserves, as does EVERY former President, the honors of a state funeral.

 

[peachgirl]

Excellent post Doctor P, I agree completely.