There was a lot of discussion on the "live thread" yesterday about the applause for Mrs. Reagan. Some thought it inappropriate - especially the news media who had been blabbering for over an hour about the total silence that would occur.
My sense was that people were applauding Nancy because they knew the living hell she had been through these past ten years, and because she not only survived it (many spouses don't), but she survived the ordeal with both poise and dignity.
Personally, I think President Reagan probably smiled down from heaven at that spontaneous outpouring of "thank you"s for his wife.
I'm sorry to report that the TV reporters tried to cast the crowd as just a bunch of yahoos who had nothing better to do so they thought they'd head over to DC to see the carnival. The bubble-headed blonde - Molly Hannenberg - at Fox News interviewed two couples like that, "Oh, we were on vacation and decided to pop over here...", or, "We knew this was important [but we don't have a clue why] so we wanted to bring the kids to see history being made".
Out of fairness, later on Fox interviewed a man who said he came to pay his respects to a great man and a great president, as did you and your entourage.
Thanks again for the report. I flagged you to my little personal ceremony here in the mountains.
I don’t give a hoot (nor do you, I know) about how the applause were interpreted by the media. Anyone who was there knows beyond a doubt that they were offered for precisely the reasons you cite. And Nancy was deeply moved.
This woman endured ten long years of agony (the last three of which were especially trying), watching the man she adored slip away from her into a realm to which she had no access. And she stood, literally, by his side every day of those ten years. I have read several books, and many articles, on their relationship, and am convinced that their marriage was one that should serve as an example for us all. Complete devotion to one another – consistently raising the needs and well-being of the other above their own – and incomplete without the other’s emotional presence.
I'm sorry to report that the TV reporters tried to cast the crowd as just a bunch of yahoos who had nothing better to do so they thought they'd head over to DC to see the carnival. The bubble-headed blonde - Molly Hannenberg - at Fox News interviewed two couples like that, "Oh, we were on vacation and decided to pop over here...", or, "We knew this was important [but we don't have a clue why] so we wanted to bring the kids to see history being made".
The TV reporters were apparently, as usual, painting their own picture, which bore no relation to reality. We met no ‘yahoos’ yesterday, and we met hundreds of true American patriots, who know exactly where this country has been, and who are seeking (in spite of the media’s determination to steer her even more dramatically to the left) to place her back on that glorious liberty-centered path.
(I arrived home at 3 AM this morning, but managed to check out your tribute to him before hitting the pillow. It’s absolutely beautiful (are they silk or real?) If they’re silk, I hope you’re planning to display them for several weeks yet.)
~ joanie