"We" didn't all share reagan's sunset, some people had a party.

[Truth]

After all why should the guy that pardoned the last of the people indicted over reagan's selling weapons to terrorists be denied a single day of a three day celebration.

-------------------------
The party kicked off in the palatial
River Oaks home of Nancy and Rich
Kinder, where close to 400 major
donors and friends to the "41@80"
celebration gathered for food and
photo ops.

"It's very exciting and overwhelming,"
Bush said between photo flashes. "Of
course, it's an emotional roller coaster
because we saw Nancy Reagan this
morning, had a nice visit with her. And
the church service was beautiful ...
And so life goes on and here we are
celebrating."
----------------
more here
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2623481

http://www.fas.org/news/iran/1992/921224-260039.htm

 

[Jimbo]

Are you saying that GHWB should have called off his birthday party? The man turned 80 years old, for God's sake! Let him enjoy the moment!

 

[N.Bailey]

Originally posted by Jimbo
Are you saying that GHWB should have called off his birthday party? The man turned 80 years old, for God's sake! Let him enjoy the moment!

What he said!

 

[shortbun]

I'm actually relieved people are going on with their lives.
Reagan's funeral, I thankfully was on vaca without TV for most
of it, went on and on too long. I know all the sentiment was
lovely and everyone cried but it was time to move on. A little
garish that the party was a fundraiser but hey, what do we
really expect? I'm just suprised the ante was only $200 per.

 

[Truth]

The moment ?
Did you read the link ?
The party on Friday was just the first of many
during a three day celebration.
His birthday was Saturday June 12, not Friday June 11

So had President Reagan been such a strong connection why not be there to see that final sunset and see him laid to rest ?

The small minor point is that Dan's post would be better titled " Some " rather than the more inclusive " We "

Taking nothing away from Dan,
just wanted to make sure that the record here reflected that while most of America
was involved in the splendor of that last beautiful sunset which was one of the very best parts of the weeks observance, some people who claimed to be so close to President Reagan had other priorities.

 

[N.Bailey]

Originally posted by Truth
So had President Reagan been such a strong connection why not be there to see that final sunset and see him laid to rest ?

My husband said he heard that Nancy asked them all not to go to California. I guess Lady Thatcher refused to listen her, stating that she promised President Reagan that she would be there. According to my husband, Nancy was ok with that.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Some people are going to find a way to slam GWB no matter what his reasons were. If it were a choice between my dad's 80th BDay and the second funeral ceremony for someone I had already been to services for, my dad would win too.
Robin M.

 

[N.Bailey]

Originally posted by Rock'n Robin
Some people are going to find a way to slam GWB no matter what his reasons were. If it were a choice between my dad's 80th BDay and the second funeral ceremony for someone I had already been to services for, my dad would win too.
Robin M.

Yeah, but God forbid ANYONE mention the disrespect Clinton showed by looking like he was asleep!

 

[dumboiu]

Originally posted by Rock'n Robin
Some people are going to find a way to slam GWB no matter what his reasons were. If it were a choice between my dad's 80th BDay and the second funeral ceremony for someone I had already been to services for, my dad would win too.
Robin M.

But.........who paid for this birthday bash, self-serving, sky-diving extravaganza..........??? The taxpayers, thats who.

 

[Planogirl]

Clinton wasn't asleep. The picture that is currently being used to slam the Clintons was apparently taken during a moment of prayer since the people behind them were also "asleep".

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by dumboiu
But.........who paid for this birthday bash, self-serving, sky-diving extravaganza..........??? The taxpayers, thats who.

Your source for this is what?

 

[Galahad]

Originally posted by Planogirl
Clinton wasn't asleep. The picture that is currently being used to slam the Clintons was apparently taken during a moment of prayer since the people behind them were also "asleep".

I think you're right, but we did watch a re-run of the ceremony and President Clinton as well as Prince Charles were visibly having trouble keeping their eyes open (you know that nodding off thing that sometimes happens to everybody.?). It wasn't just during the prayers. But it DOES sometimes happen to everybody. When it does happen to you (the generic "you") are you really disrespecting the speaker or just struggling against your fatigue, etc?

 

[froglady]

Originally posted by dumboiu
But.........who paid for this birthday bash, self-serving, sky-diving extravaganza..........??? The taxpayers, thats who.

According to the source, "guests" paid a MINIMUM of $200/head to attend; some as much as $1,000,000! Yes, it was a fundraiser, but PERHAPS some of the money raised paid for the event itself?

 

[Boo'sMom]

Clinton may not have been asleep...but Hillary certainly was joking and acting inappropriate for a funeral while she was waiting, prior to the services.

 

[wdwdvcdad]

Originally posted by Planogirl
Clinton wasn't asleep. The picture that is currently being used to slam the Clintons was apparently taken during a moment of prayer since the people behind them were also "asleep".

When Clinton was asked if he was asleep, he replied "it depends on what "was" means .......Bill Clinton...National Disgrace.

 

[Galahad]

Originally posted by Boo'sMom
Clinton may not have been asleep...but Hillary certainly was joking and acting inappropriate for a funeral while she was waiting, prior to the services.

I'm no Clinton fan, but I don't think it was all that inappropriate. Some family members seem to have light moments throughout the week as well. It was not as if this was a sudden, unexpected thing. All of the ceremonies were as much to honor as to mourn. It was, IMO, an entirely different perspective than, say the Kennedy funeral.

But again, I'm not sure I see any disrespect in the "falling asleep" thing either. I'm not offended if somebody yawns if I am speaking, etc. A yawn means they are trying to stay alert. If they really didn't care they'd just curl up and doze off.

 

[PamOKW]

Why are the "people behind the Clintons" not mentioned by name? They are President Gerald Ford and his wife Betty. They are both elderly, ailing people who had to make a great effort to be there at all. Rude behavior by the Clintons shouldn't be excused by trying to find someone else doing the same thing. What I saw happen was not really sleep but intentional facial contortions by Bill Clinton.

Why should the Bush family be expected to remain in mourning? The ceremony in California was to be for close personal friends and family. It was called "private" although it was aired on national television. It's unfortunate that President Bush's birthday celebration followed so closely but I don't think he needed to cancel his plans. Where did President Clinton spend Friday evening? I doubt he remained in a serious mourning posture. Chances are he was doing something related to his book launch.

 

[PamOKW]

The funds raised at this event were NOT political contributions. The fundraising was for the George 41 Endowment which funds three charitable organizations including one for fighting cancer. Here's a link to the details including the pricing of the tickets.

Birthday Bash

 

[Grog]

I'm sure the Bush event was planned well in advance. Considering the number of people attending, the celebrity guests, and the venue, I think moving it would have been a logistical nightmare. Also, keep in mind that it was held at Minute Maid Park, which meant it had to be done while the Astros were on the road. They start a home stand today so putting it off for a few days probably wasn't an option.

 

[Lanshark]

From what I read, the Bush party has been in the planning for a very long time. There were 5000 people attending for all over the country and some out of the country. I see absolutely no reason it should have been cancelled or postponed. The country mourned for a week. Life goes on. What better way to celebrate than with a party for someone close to him.