All those who cried during the Service, chime in.

Ron's Day | Bob J

[Salvation]

Which one?

All of them?

[Cookie123]

Howard Fineman and Chris Matthews were positively gloating afterwards (along with Buchanan to some degree) as they explained to the American public how Ron Jr's comments about politicians and their religious faith really were a dissing of George W. I wanted to throw up. Then Fineman started in on this thing about how he was a good friend of Ron's at MSNBC, and how Ron was so much like his Dad, had the "gift" of storytelling and so on. Yeah, right. Again, barf-bag time. But the thought immediately passed through my mind....."Yes, and I wonder if you, Fineman, may have helped him write that speech, or plant some ideas in his mind." Not to sound too conspiratorial here, but nonetheless the thought crossed through my mind. Did anyone else notice how enthusiastic Fineman was in pointing out that part of Ron Jr's speech?

[Tunehead54]

Yep, I felt a little uneasy as if they should have turned off the cameras. It was such a private moment of grief and we (the viewers) were voyeur's (sp?).

---

Yep. I teared up several times that day. But when poor Nancy put her head down on his casket I had to leave. Every moment to that point had been so well choreographed (as a tribute to a giant of our time) but that moment was so private that I had to leave in tears.

Luckily I can smoke on the porch with my dog so I had a refuge but it took a little while to get over the camera's intrusion into that moment. They could have panned to the sunset. Other than that the whole day's coverage was phenomenal. What a send-off. I told my family that's exactly the way I want it done when I go ... you guys and gals are invited of course ... ;-)

[not_apathetic_anymore]

Dad was also a deeply, unabashedly religious man. But he never made the fatal mistake of so many politicians wearing his faith on his sleeve to gain political advantage. True, after he was shot and nearly killed early in his presidency, he came to believe that God had spared him in order that he might do good. But he accepted that as a responsibility, not a mandate. And there is a profound difference.

I guess if pushed I'd interpret the first sentence with a more political overtone, the 2nd and 3rd more spiritually. I'd go back to the political interpretation for the 4th sentence, relating it to the whole paragraph, but I can see where it could be interpreted in the more spiritual context.

Guess he was effective at being cryptic then:) The remarks could be interpreted either religiously or politically, and if political either Anti-Clinton or Anti-Bush. Everyone ought to be able to find something in there!

[not_apathetic_anymore]

I guess if pushed I'd interpret the first sentence with a more political overtone, the 2nd and 3rd more spiritually. I'd go back to the political interpretation for the 4th sentence, relating it to the whole paragraph, but I can see where it could be interpreted in the more spiritual context.

Dang it... I did preview and still messed it up.

Make that: I guess if pushed I'd interpret the first and 2nd sentences with a more political overtone, the 3rd and 4th more spiritually. I'd go back to the political interpretation for the final sentence, relating it to the whole paragraph, but I can see where it could be interpreted in the more spiritual context

[DeSoto]

I'll wager that you are not going to have to wait long to learn Ron Jr's meaning. Pompous jerks like Jr. can't wait to brag to someone (maybe like Salon) about what it all means.

There is little doubt in my mind that when he explains what he said, that none of us are going to like it.

I admire and respect President Reagan and Nancy very much, but they were lacking a little in parenting skills, Patti and Ron are both embarrassments.

[Libertina]

I'm so glad for you, Pod, that you were there in person. Thank you, for those who weren't able to be there! And what a memory you will carry! :) (Need pictures!)

[GretchenM]

Seeing Capt. Symonds presenting the flag to Mrs. Reagan did it for me.

No kidding. Do you know what the military presenter says to the widow when presenting the flag, if it's a standard speech, and what are the words, if it's standard? I've always wondered.

I've seen that reaction so many, many times at military funerals, where the gentleman kneels down to speak and present the flag and the survivor just melts. (And this witness, too.)

I wept many times, off and on, during the National Cathedral funeral and during the burial service. In DC, when the camera FINALLY showed Mike Reagan, with his hand over his heart and his face all broken up, I lost it big time. That was just one of the times. Seeing Nancy's face break at the final goodbye was another. She held up so wonderfully all week, but I knew she was going to lose it when it came time to part with the casket.

One thing that keeps going through my mind is that when a husband and wife take their vows, they become one spirit till death parts them, and the deceased spouse's spirit leaves this earth to be face to face with the Lord. Even though President Reagan's mind was not engaged, his spirit and body were still here and Nancy could draw strength from still being one spirit with him. But now, that is denied her, and with all the emptiness that results when the mourners leave the surviving spouse, I am sure she is feeling it more than she could have imagined. I've been praying for her in this regard.