Posted on 06/11/2004 8:44:32 AM PDT by dirtboy
LOG ONTO www.georgewbush.com, the president's campaign Web site, and find - on the front page - a big picture of Ronald Reagan, and links to his speeches on the front page.
It's rather pathetic, the attempt to use the death of the former president to change the subject from Iraq, torture, and investigations into faulty intelligence. It's also opportunistic, given that reminding people of the important issues still confronting the nation looks like dishonoring the dead.
John Kerry understands that: He canceled five days of campaign appearances during the mourning period. Republicans, on the other hand, have used the time to pump up their candidate.
We honor Ronald Reagan today because he was president of our country. We have no problem whatsoever with the pageantry of the state funeral and the closing of most federal offices in a National Day of Mourning today. All presidents are entitled to this honor.
We do have a problem with the obvious attempt to conflate this with honoring the conservative ideology that Reagan championed.
More landmarks probably should be named for Reagan. But something called the Reagan Legacy Project has set as its goal memorials in all 50 states and 3,607 counties. Its biggest push is for Reagan to supplant Alexander Hamilton on the ten-dollar bill. The sponsor of this project is Americans for Tax Reform, Grover Norquist's uber-conservative interest group. So the memorials stand not only Reagan, but for Norquist's politics.
Thankfully, Pennsylvania is not one of the 15 states that also have shut their offices today, following our own historical precedent, but also saving tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Rendell has called for a moment of silence and reflection at 11:30 a.m. This is an appropriate gesture.
The outpouring of tribute from thousands of ordinary Americans who lined up to see Reagan's flag-draped coffin is real. It comes from people who supported Reagan's philosophy and those who liked him regardless, and simply those who want to be a part of American history.
We honor that as well. Reagan's funeral would be a fitting time to bring Americans together to share the grandeur of our nation's rituals. But the undercurrent of political one-upmanship is making that hard to do.
Yeah, the nerve of Bush -- actually paying tribute to a Republican politician. Doesn't he know we're only supposed to remember Reagan for his sunny optimism, not his politics?
"It's rather pathetic, the attempt to use the death of the former president to change the subject from Iraq, torture, and investigations into faulty intelligence."
OMG....I must refrain from entering my exact thoughts at this time. This country has many enemies within. I see a huge split and a bitter fight coming in the not so distant future.
I found the most hilarious thing at a lefty site. We can't post it here so freepmail me if anyone wants it and I'll send the link.
.... and went to California to cut line and grand stand and get his photo op.
Bush should 'Win one for the GIVER".......of Tax money that is..........
Please do ... the truth shall set you free.
I smell fear!
My tagline has already anticipated this.
How hypocritical and cowardly that he politicizes President Reagan's death by accusing the Republicans of politizing his death; then leaves the editorial unsigned.
Since the complaints about the Bush campaign using pictures of 9/11 in its ads, the left wants to dictate what Bush can and cannot say in his campaign. Kerry, of course, never gets such scrutiny, and is free to campaign on the graves of the war dead in Vietnam, the dead in Iraq, smear all veterans with his false 'war crimes' accusation, exploitation both of receiving and returning medals of dubious merit. Bush receives the most criticism when his approach is likely to resonate with voters. What the press is doing is abusing editorial license to engage in partisan politics. They're the ones who should be ashamed.
You forgot the projectile vomit warning. Or to change methaphors, the steaming pile alert.
SHOUTING to the Phil. Daily News...of course. :)
They make it sound as if President Bush was seen at the funeral jumping up and down shouting "We will win! We will win!". No one would stoop that low. Well, no one important anyway.
Lady Thatcher sure did a number on these folks attitude, didn't she. :)
"I see a huge split and a bitter fight coming in the not so distant future."
I thought this ever since the all-too-close election and the ludicrous, irrelevent nattering over that same election.
Anyone remember what these brave editors said about the Wellstone memorial?
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