I can't help but wonder why any Freepers were listening to Chris. I watched it on C-Span and after listened to commentary on Fox. I was just inspired by all the entire broadcast and mentioned to my family this morning how touched I was by all the children's remarks although I was very impressed with Micheal. Now I sign on FR to read all of this controversy about something which I preferred to take at face value and thought was just beautiful. Yes, I know that Ron hates Bush, but I don't need to dwell on that right now, and I prefer to believe he truly was eulogizing his beloved father after some very controversial years of a strained relationship.
He shut up thorughout the ceremony and then afterwards started in with Howard Fineman and Pat Buchanan attacking GW. What a bad taste they created--after such beauty.
Maybe I am poisoning others on FR by even telling my experience, but, I do not know--I am ambivalent about whether thisis the place to talk about it, I certainly realize how you feel.
I didn't watch Chris Matthews (I didn't stray from CSPAN for literally hours--I didn't want to hear talk), I knew what Ron was saying all by myself. It was very obvious.
Now, does that mean it ruined the event for me? No.
Does that mean I want to make a big issue of it? No.
Does that mean we should organize against Ron Reagan? No!
There is nothing wrong with saying, "Wow, Ron slammed GWB in his eulogy to his father".
And that's all that is being said. It has nothing to do with Chris Matthews except he knows Ron Reagan and so some are using his comments to show their interpretation is correct, not relying on them to interpret the meaning for them.
I will add, I am disturbed by the desire of some to turn away from what was said and meant and ignore it. That is not good or noble or honorable. I understand people wish to adopt this attitude in an "extend the olive branch" type of way, but I do not think that is the wise course to take.
I wouldn't make a huge deal of it, but don't pretend it wasn't said, either.