Posted on 07/19/2008 6:54:16 AM PDT by JACKRUSSELL
(Washington, D.C.) — Tony Snow was remembered as “a man of uncommon decency and compassion” by President George W. Bush at his funeral Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on the campus of the Catholic University of America on a picture-perfect July Thursday morning this week.
The president said it in tribute to Snow, his former press secretary, but he also set an underlying theme for the send-off for Tony: “Why so uncommon?” Call it “Tony’s challenge.”
Say what you will about the president, he is a man of faith who speaks with an obvious sincerity when he declares, as he did Thursday:
I know it’s hard to make sense of today. It is impossible to fully comprehend why such a good and vital man was taken from us so soon. But these are the great mysteries of life — and Tony knew as well as anyone that they’re not ours to unveil.
Bush said it like a man who, with a cautious optimism and a deep yearning, ultimately looks forward not simply to more time in Crawford, but after that, to the full revelation of those mysteries come his Judgment day. The president’s words demonstrate an awareness of his place — even as the leader of the free world — in Creation. And yes, that is somewhat uncommon — at least with consistency and confidence — in our pop culture.
Bush speaks as a man, who, amidst our cultural muddle, would know what do to with David’s charge to Solomon from Kings (1 2:1-3).
When David’s time to die drew near, he charged Solomon, his son, saying, “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord, your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances and his testimonies.”
Whatever you think of the president, it takes a good man with real humility to be a player in Washington but not of it. In this way, Tony and the president were a lot alike. You’ve never had the impression that Bush gets his kicks being president. Rather, the responsibilities of the office weigh heavily on him — and anyone who has spent time with him can see it emanating from his physical being. In the case of Tony Snow, a band mate’s eulogy (Tony played in a cover band called Beats Workin’) captured it well. He said of his relationship with Tony, “We didn’t talk about politics, that wasn’t our connection.” For Snow, there was a lot more to life than the very important policy debates of any given weekday in Washington. There was family and fellowship and fun to be had away from the office — and it doesn’t involve watching The Situation Room.
In an environment where man and manhood are often subject to derision, it’s important to celebrate good men who aren’t afraid to recognize there’s a power greater than their own. It’s important to celebrate good men who know the right order of things. It’s important to celebrate good men who have some clue as to what to do with a charge like King David’s; they know that ultimately it’s the charge of another King, who promises more than any presidential candidate — even Barack Obama! — can. And their examples are living moral compasses in a confusing world.
And Snow, like Bush, wasn’t holier than thou about it. They’re but men — that’s the point — and they’re men who love life, love love, love fun. They’re men not threatened by tears, especially if the topic is family, but with no interest in being feminized. Tony’s brother Jim said of their childhood, Tony was evidence that “you can get into a little trouble and still turn out okay.” What a relief to boys the world over. When the time came to put away childish things, we all saw Tony Snow as a protector (in a national sense, even) and provider (why he left the White House, to make sure he could give his family everything he could before he had to go obediently serve Him who promises “better…bigger” for eternity).
The president said: “Tony Snow has left the City of Washington for the City of God.” As he made his way elsewhere, he left behind an inspiring example of commitment to the eternal. May we all keep our hearts open enough so that light from the City of God can shine in, even on the chaos of life on the Potomac.
I hate this man did not get the recognition he deserved just because he worked for President Bush. The journalists of this country should be ashamed, the networks should be ashamed. Of course they aren’t, because deep down I have never seen a leftist who wasn’t a bitter, mean person who claims to want to fight for “the little people”, but when it comes down to it. They are angry mean people. Can you tell I’m upset at how Tony Snow has been treated in his death?
ping
President Bush will be missed when his presidency is over and he returns to Texas. He is a good man.
“Say what you will about the president, he is a man of faith who speaks with an obvious sincerity...
Though I have not always agreed with President Bush, I have consistently believed that the constant(and often senseless) attack by the left against him is rooted in the fact that he lives his Christian faith...as did Tony Snow. This puts me in mind of the following:
“The first effect of not believing in God, is that you lose your common sense.” ...GK Chesterton
You could measure Tony’s intelligence, character, knowledge and good spirit. He had great quantities of those virtues.
I can recall one time that he became emotional about someone’s bad acts, but he backed up his anger with immediate facts. That is something that the liberal press does not practice. They want to rationalize their hatred for those outside their tribe, so attacks on persons such as Tony Snow are necessary.
They do not believe they will be judged by God. Such a belief makes quite a difference, doesn’t it?
Thank you, Loud Mime.
People of faith, like Tony and like the President, have a concience that guides them. It is something to which they must always remain true.
Members of the media today are not bothered by such an “affliction.”
I miss the sunny presence of Tony Snow more than I can say, and I will miss the President too.
"Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets." [Luke 6:26]
These two versus just about sums my view of why all the vile hatred and venom towards Tony Snow and President Bush.
The treatment of Tony Snow and President Bush by the Liberal-Left and the "world" reassures me that these men are pi$$ing off the 'Evil in high places'.
Otherwise, if these men were doing the world's bidding, then they would receive the praise and adoration that was given to Jennings and Russert.
Being upset about something does not make me a mean and bitter person. Do you not understand the difference?
Darkness hates light, its enemy. Tony Snow was a point of light in this world, and the haters of the left just could not abide him. But, as the Lord Himself said, those who are of Him, in Him, are not of ‘this world’, and WILL be hated.
“...May we all keep our hearts open enough so that light from the City of God can shine in,....”
pattyjo
President Bush will be missed when his presidency is over and he returns to Texas. He is a good man.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I miss him already, Zell Miller is the last Democrat I have seen who is fit to be in the same building with George W. Bush.
The left never met a challenge that didn’t cause wet pants.
Tony said that Jimmy Carter was the worst president in our lifetime. He then went into detail about why. I have it on an MP3 file back home; I’m on the road until August.
mark for later
Likewise - on all counts.
Oh you are certainly right, there are plenty on the right who are just as bitter. Especially when pro-life is brought into the equation. I suppose it is just a worse attribute to me when you are in charge of what the public at large is in charge of. There is a responsibility to being “media” and they are being very irresponsible. I had a teacher in an english class that gave us an assignment to write an article. I chose abortion as the topic and after researching, decided I was definitely pro-choice. I wrote my article in the flavor or my beliefs. She said it was very well written except it was not an honest presentation to the public. It is a duty to present all sides and let the reader decide. Even If You Don’t Want Them To. I do not see that happening in this day and age, and I think she was correct to teach me that. Regardless if I wanted people to not do this terrible thing I had learned details about. I could present the ugly truth that I had learned, but I also had to show a balanced point. Believe me, I gritted my teeth through the “balanced” part, but I did the right thing I feel and revised my article.
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