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...
Payback's a bitch, ain't it, Nancy Botoxi?
To: onyx
I have Time Warner cable tv's latest digital box. It lets you record programs on two channels simultaneously. So I recorded Fox and CNN yesterday. Jayne Wyman was there, standing off to the side with a military escort as Mrs. Reagan came in. She didn't sit with the family group for the brief service. She was dressed all in black, and looked frail.
There was an awkward moment when the minister had finished and the family group sat there almost seeming not to know what to do. After a couple of minutes, Patti asked her mother if she wanted to go up to the casket. So she and Nancy stood up, followed a heartbeat later by Ron. They went up to the casket first, followed in a few moments by Michael and his family.
They gathered around the casket, which is when those touching moments occurred with Nancy putting her cheek to the casket. The minister came over and put his arm around Mrs. Reagan, and she turned to him and said, "I can't believe it." (Amazing, isn't it, that one is NEVER really prepared for the death of a loved one, no matter how long they may have lingered with an illness.)
The two sons briefly stood at either end of the casket with their hands on it. Then Mrs. Reagan turned to her daughter, clearly in tears, and it seemed like she said, "Can we go now?" Or something close to that. (She seemed exhausted, and I had the feeling she didn't want people to see her break down.)
Shortly after that Mrs. Reagan's army escort (who I think was a major general, although I couldn't quite catch his full rank ensignia) gave her his arm, and she and her kids filed out, followed by the pall bearers and Maureen's widower and his fiance. Michael and his family stayed behind for awhile. They moved to the head of the casket with their hands on the field of stars.
His children appear to be teenagers. (But the boy's head is completely shaved, which I thought odd.) Michael spent some time talking to his daughter, seeming to be explaining something. Michael's son looked particularly devastated. Then they left, because they had to rejoin the motorcade.
Hope this little report gives you a full picture of what happened. :-)
57 posted on 06/08/2004 3:58:52 PM PDT by Wolfstar (He slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God. Thank you President Reagan.)
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BUMP
Yes, Michael Reagan and his family were with Nancy, Patti and Ron at yesterday's ceremony at the Presidential Library.
There was some confusion when it appeared the front row was one seat short for Mike's family. His wife, Michael and son sat in the front row, and a young woman (daughter?) quietly sat at the end of the second row.
Just before they left the room, Nancy, Patti and Ron briefly conferred, held hands, then counted to three and stood up together and left for the limousine. CBS ended its coverage with a camera shot of the limousine driving off. I switched to ABC where their ceiling cam showed a lone Michael Reagan touchingly having his last moments in that setting with his Dad.
I can't get Fox News Network. I hope you were able to watch last night and tonight. Sean Hannity said he had a very touching interview with Michael.
Michael is truly carrying on his father's legacy. God bless him. My heart goes out to him and his family this week.
Clinton needs to realize that this is not about him and shut his mouth.
Agree (about the birds comment, I mean). One other note about x42 speaking at Nixon's funeral...I believe that Bubba was the sitting president at the time (not because I wanted him to be, that's for sure)
Sorry, x42 and mrs. x42...all the money in the world won't get you into heaven.
Sorry if this has posted:
why should he be allowed to speak.
President Reagan "Mr Gorbachof - tear down that wall"
President Clinton "Ms Lewinsky -take down my pants"
F Clinton!
Wanted to second that statement. I find the support of Clinton and Kerry on here irritating as heck and mind boggling at the same time. Looks like we have a lot of Freepers who signed on after the 2000 election to come back to haunt us in 2004!
and "Ms Paula Jones - kiss it"
LOL Good comment!
And just what are the friends, family, and supporters of Ronaldus Maximus supposed to do? Invite a cretinous, lying gangster who is the living embodiment of everything he worked against to his funeral?
Imagine Billy-Jeff biting his lower lip for the cameras - again. Followed by more "Ah feel yore pain" BS. The results of the policies of the Reagan Administration were the direct cause for the economic boom of the '90s, NOT anything done by the Clinton Administration or its gang of Constitutional outlaws.
Isn't that something? And she's his former speech writer/administration member. She could probably get a private moment with him if she really, really wanted to.. and she's choosing to congregate with Reagan's American extended family. That's class!
Thanks for this detailed account. I am curious about whether Jane Wyman was actually there, however. According to the PRESS-ENTERPRISE:
"Oscar-winning Actress Jane Wyman, Ronald Reagan's first wife, remained inside her Rancho Mirage Country Club home Monday...Michael Reagan has been keeping in touch with his mother by phone over the last few days..."
Just passing on FYI...
The article mentioned that it was hard for Jane to see Maureen in the TV news clips.
The DESERT SUN added the information that Wyman has spoken to Nancy numerous times about Alzheimer's over the last few years.
Ford attacked Reagan in 76 as someone who would start a war. I can see why he wouldn't be speaking either.
Wolfstar taped it and I specifically asked
if she was sure Jane Wyman was in attandance.
This wouldn't be the first time
the press erred.
William Jefferson Criminal can deliver the eulogy at Osama Bin Laden's funeral.
Ken, I hope someone else who knows will respond to you. I don't know the answers to those questions.
And I would rather hear from either of them at Reagan's funeral, than Bubba, Hillary, or x39.
What funeral? The pigs won't leave any scraps.
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