Posted on 04/06/2005 4:27:30 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
All this adulation of John Paul II, a man of monumental moral stature, must be gnawing at MSM innards.
You could almost hear the command go out from the NBC honchos: "find me something we can use to bash a conservative. Make it Bush if you can."
And sure enough, Today managed to come up with a great two-fer this morning, managing to take swipes at both W and Condi over the exclusion of Jimmy Carter from the US delegation to the papal funeral.
Andrea Mitchell, reporting the story, clearly wasn't buying the White House line that Carter politely asked himself to be removed from the invitation list when he learned that space was very limited.
Tongues-a-clucking, Katie and Andrea wondered aloud at least three times why the White House didn't simply ask the Vatican for one more invitation, "especially because Pres. Carter was the first and only president to invite the Pope to the White House, and shared an interest with him in Third World issues."
Andrea surmised this was all pay-back for Carter's harsh criticism of the Iraq war, which he called a "quagmire," predicting the failure of the January elections.
Not content to snipe at W, Today also managed to get in a shot at Condi. Asked Katie "under the circumstances, wouldn't the right thing have been for Condi Rice to step aside and give Carter her place?"
Mitchell acknowledged that, after all, the Vatican is a state, and as the chief diplomatic official it was logical for Condi to attend. Nevertheless, Andrea opined that Rice should have ceded her seat to Mr. Peanut.
You could almost hear the sigh of relief on the set and in the NBC executive suites. After an intolerable week, Today was back doing what it does best: bashing Republicans.
I just hope C-SPAN's covering the funeral. I don't want a lot of yak.
With Reagan passing last year, I was wondering what kind of a ghost town it would be in Washington when Carter passes.
"I happen to know that Carter WAS invited to attend, and refused, because the flight was returning from Rome to Texas, and Carter did not want to appear to be supporting Bush in any way"
What a petty, small-minded man.
When Carter cashes in, maybe Dubya can send Dan Quayle to the funeral...
I remember that
"He is why I became a Republican!"
LOL~ just wanted to see that repeated~
Yep back of the bus Condi. You getting a bit uppity woman!
Who would Bucky designate to go in he stead THIS time?
Amy? Chip? Billy?
I don't get the big hubbub and wonder why no talking head is pointing out that TWO popes died while Jimmy was President and he didn't attend either funeral.
The dog years of Carter's presidency have unfortunately continued into his post-presidency. I don't blame President Bush for not wanting him on AirForce I. Making nice with this odious man would distract from the trip's purpose to pay homage to a true Christian leader.
Post of the day......LOL
I would expect that Ford has decided NOT to have a state funeral..all the inevitablecomparisons to Reagan's would be painful..Re Carter, I'll wager you even money that he won't even attend the 2008 Dem convention....he'll be "unable" to attend...
That bears REPEATING!
During Carter's presidency there were TWO papal funerals: Pope Pius VI and Pope John Paul I.
Carter CHOSE not to attend either ceremony. He sent Roslyn to the first and Lillian to the second. Now he acts offended that he won't be able to attend this one.
Simply unbelievable for Andrea et al to leave such a salient fact out of their reporting. Biggest insult: the inclusion of Douglas Brinkley in the Today report saying Carter should have been included.
Congratulations, Jimmah!
Your string of wrong predictions has set a new worlds record and remains unbroken!
Way to go!
I hadn't realized that. Thanks to you and a couple fellow FReepers for the info.
No Christmas lights???
You are correct, except that the first Pope was Paul VI, not Pius.
Ms. Mitchell left out a lot of things, didn't she?
I love the internet.
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