Why Reagan's flag-draped coffin and not those of our children?

[wellstone_democrat]

Really, I want this question asked across the country:

Why isn't it "upsetting" for me to see *this* flag-draped coffin of Ronald Reagan but "too disturbing" for me to see those of the sons and daughters of my neighbors brought home from the Middle East?

Aren't the American men and women who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan worth public tribute? Don't their parents, spouses, children and friends worthy of our pausing to sympathize no matter how remotely or ineffectively within our day?

If I can see this flag-draped coffin, I want to see those coming through Andrews Air Force Base.

edit: clearer title

[rucky]

1. no doubt n/t

[boxster]

2. I have to admit that they are very different issues.

If we consider Bush's claim for why the coffins aren't shown (troop and public morale), then showing Reagan's coffin is unrelated. Showing his coffin will not negatively affect troop or public morale re: the war in Iraq (according to Bush).

I'm not saying that Bush's claim is accurate or that it's justified. All I'm saying is that the reasons implied for showing one and not the other are very dissimilar.

[wellstone_democrat]

5. Yes, they are but that can be flipped around

after all, we are talking about public opinion here. The question can be asked in the midst of the public ceremonies that will emphasize honor, glory, and virtues deemed worthy of emulation. Just as the false reasoning behind the claims of morale being manipulated by Bush* so too can be presented in a way that builds a certain level of public conciousness about the issue.

I suspect that they are erring in letting this memorial go on for a week. A certain amount of compassion fatigue is going to set in among the TV addicted (their favorite docile crew) who will see one swooning commentator or one endless parade of "dignitaries" filing by the coffin one too many times. At that moment, it becomes useful to ask "why this man receives a public mourning and our sons and daughters don't"---

[Jim Warren]

7. I understand the point you are trying to make

I reply not to be argumentative but rather to respond that just as well as saying "the reasons implied ......."
could be "the rationalization intended......."

[boxster]

10. Agreed.

And, as I stated, I'm not defending Bush - I think his rationale for hiding the soldiers' coffins is ludicrous and 100% politically motivated. I meant only to point out that the situations really aren't all that complementary.

[Justice]

8. My take

Allowing people to pay their respects to the deceased is a bedrock principle in this country. Among other reasons, it typically helps us to accept the truth (that the person died). So the death and the need to show the coffin are no different - what is different is the interest of Bush to change perception, and truth.

Reagan's coffin is shown to permit people to pay their respects in memory of what he was/did. Showing the coffins of troops is paying respect to the people who were killed in Iraq. In each case, the coffins are powerful, and reveal the truth.

Bush is attempting to hide the reality of death by hiding the coffins. That is not healthy for Americans. It is odd that someone who believes that death is not the end but the beginning would be so anxious to hide death.

By hiding the reality of death, Bush also dishonors the troops killed in Iraq - by marginalizing them.

[dogman]

3. Bush has nothing to hide.

While he actually hopes to gain with this show.

[mike1963]

4. I believe they come back to Dover AFB, but your question is valid.

:grr:

[wellstone_democrat]

6. Sorry, I should have gotten that one right

being as I served there once upon a time. Duh.

[mike1963]

12. No biggie...I've never been there myself though I was in the AF in the

60s. In CO Springs what was then called Ent AFB. Smack in the middle of the VietNam debacle. My boss, Col. Mendendez was a fairly good guy but basically an idiot (and drank too much...one night we were at the dog races and he wandered out onto the track right before a race. His wife was embarrassed, I had to go down and drag him back to our "VIP" location. Jeezus, I should write a book. :D )

[TahitiNut]

9. One gets votes; the other loses votes.

This is the Ghoulish Orgasm Party in the throes of necrophilial ecstacy.

JFK got four days, death to burial.
LBJ got three days, death to burial.
Princess Diana got six days, death to burial.
Raygun gets six. (After 10 years of premature canonization.)
All orgasm; all the time.

[Jim Warren]

11. I agree

It's a question that should be asked, it exposes the sham.
Just don't expect any real answers.

[wellstone_democrat]

13. Absolutely, that is my point

If ---especially once that novelty wears off under constant right wing eulogies bombarding the TV watchers-- the question gets raised, it might make more people demand to pay their respects to the young men and women who have died this week, and next week and the next week.\

If there is ever a concerted demand for this, Bush* is screwed so badly he will never recover. The bonus, of course, is that we get to honor them publicly and universally for what they have suffered.

[shance]

14. Powerful point you make.

Its a pretty nonsensical time we live in, isnt it?

[BrotherBuzz]

15. No argument from me...

[yelladawg]

16. You are right

Good Point.

[Downtown Hound]

17. Hey Reagan is a great war hero

who showed uncommon valor in the face of many enemies and all in the name of freedom and democracy. Wait a minute, those were movies, never mind!

[Forkboy]

18. Some deaths make for good PR

some dont.

[vetwife]

19. As the wife of a vet, I sure don't recognize this country and

haven't in a long long time but saw a glimpse of it in the nineties.
This new millenium has brought us nothing but grief and this New America is a scary place to be. In this small state of Georgia today it looked a lot like Nazi Germany and tonight I am feeling a bit like Anne Frank with a puter. I am a christian and feel like my faith has been hijacked. Those people in power are claiming faith know nothing about faith. Blessed are the Peacemakers not bombmakers.
Who are this people?