Are democrats not welcome at Reagan's funeral?

[RoundRockD]

They have made it known that only republicans will speak. And Margaret Thatcher has also been invited to speak at the funeral over Bill Clinton or Jimmy Carter. I feel like they are trying to make a political statement and further divide the country. I was going to watch out of respect for the president but now I feel like I'm not wanted.

[Ilsa]

1. I was thinking that there weren't any Repubs speaking at

LBJ's funeral, but i could be wrong.

It's not a big deal to me, but I'd be more pissed if they asked someone like Zell Miller to represent the Dems.

[kaitykaity]

6. Do you have a link for this LBJ story?

I'd like to see who said what when, because I AM pissed
that the Thugs are excluding Carter and Clinton.

[Ilsa]

12. Sorry, can't find a link, only that

the current sitting president (Nixon) spoke. I didn't find any other comparisons except about security.

[kaitykaity]

13. Oh, okay. Thanks for trying.

The Thugs can't use it, because a Republican spoke, so
that's all I need to know.

[BlackActivist]

30. When LBJ died, no former presidents remained alive.

You have to put it in context.

[k in IA]

2. I'm surprised they didn't even make a superficial attempt to make it

look non-partisan.

[Mistress Quickly]

5. Who is they?

Nancy and Ronnie? That's who planned the funeral.

Get a grip people.

[Bandit]

27. Nancy and Ronnie don't plan a STATE Funeral

It is done by the Government.

[KittyWampus]

28. Prove It. AFAIK, Nancy Made The Plans

this is the most absurd "controversy" yet.

[Bandit]

29. They participated in the planning ~ They didn't plan it

Soon after Kennedy's death, the Military District of Washington drew up a formal plan for state funerals that remains the template today. It spells out in exacting detail who marches where, how fast a funeral procession moves and who outranks whom in seating at services. (Visiting heads of state, for example, sit ahead of members of Congress.)

Reagan's family did request a state funeral in Washington, and had been participating in planning one since he left office in 1989.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/8872310.htm?1c

[KittyWampus]

34. Actually, Your Post Tends To Prove My Point

as the formal plan they used as a guideline dealt only with Protocol.

[Mistress Quickly]

3. Are you surprised Thatcher

is speaking? Or, as I should say, they are playing a tape of her speaking?

When Bill Clinton dies, if Bush* isn't President, should they ask him to speak?

[j1607760]

4. Republican play politics with someone's death? I'm shocked!

Would the GOP really use something as sacrosanct as the death of a human being to try to pull their usual political shenanigans? Of course not! Well, there was that aircraft landing after Bush slaughtered 10,000 Iraqis, and there was Bush using imagery from 9-11 (a national tragedy, mind you) in his campaign commericals, and that time the conservative talking heads tried to use Nicholas Berg's death to distract people from Abu Ghraib -that is until Berg's father publicly excoriated Dubya, and the time when...

[TexasSissy]

7. Thatcher & Reagan were close friends.

[sadiesworld]

9. She considered him a useful idiot.

[RoundRockD]

11. I realize that he and Thatcher were friends, but he was the President of

the United States, which, like it or not, includes democrats. I'm not surprised by their actions, I just wonder why they aren't being taken to task for it. I would expect more from the liberal media.

[Sequoia]

8. They can stuff their funeral

and we can get on with the real news. Reagan was old for sure but considering all the bad spotlight on the Chimp lately you gotta wonder if Ronnie had a vistor before hand who might've slipped something in his food so all the focus would be on him. Those polls were slipping and by golly we gotta do something.

[Raster]

10. just put his ass in the ground and get it over with...

...I grow weary of this world.

[arwalden]

17. Venn Shall Vee Return To Transylvania, HUH?!

[Raster]

31. Beautiful Transexxxual Transylvania....

[GA_DEM]

14. clinton and carter should have been invited

this is just another thing that has insluted the democrats and it sad that this country has come to this. wounder what R. Reagan would have said :kick:

[Shanty Oilish]

35. They're invited

And they'll attend.

[narcjen]

15. They remember when the Dems booed Trent Lott

when he came out on stage during the Wellstone Memorial. The Dems were apparently guilty of political grandstanding and exploiting death for politcal purposes during a memorial service. It was really bad form. There's a time and place for everything. The Dems did at least issue an apology for the foul behavior, but don't expect the Pubs to forgive and forget.

[VOX]

22. The "booing" at the Wellstone Memorial was hyped up by the right wing...

By the time they got done with their shameless spinning, they'd have you believe that Republicans were actually shouted down, or that Democrats were prompted by screen to jeer, which is **pure** fiction.

Check out Bob Summerby's outstanding Daily Howler on this:
http://www.dailyhowler.com/dh103102.shtml
...In a crowd of 20,000, the Star-Tribune reported “scattered boos.” But don’t worry. Twenty-four hours later, Carlson had Republican speakers “shouted down” as CNN’s viewers were deceived once again. But this is how our discourse now works. Our question: Why are people who dissemble so freely hired to go on our air?..

[dflprincess]

36. Trent Lott did not come out on stage at the memorial

His image appeared on the big screens as members of Congress came into the arena and took their seats. They did not parade across the stage. There was some scattered booing - but nothing like the applause when Kennedy and Clinton passed before the cameras.

The only member of Congress to speak was Tom Harkin who was Wellstone's closest friend in the Senate.

[Vickers]

16. Fuck 'em.

That's right, fuck 'em.

[Dying Eagle]

18. All I can tell you is that....

Senator Feingold is going to the funeral, so i doubt that they are stopping Dem's from going. I figure most choose not too.

[fujiyama]

19. I would have been interested

in watching Carter or Clinton speak, but I definetely won't even watch the clips on the news.

[KharmaTrain]

20. It's Their Party...Let 'Em Swill

I don't remember seeing a Repugnican speak at Wellstone's Memorial, nor did I want one. I thought it was a bit tacky at the time that there were some GOOPies who were booed by the crowd, but emotions ran high that night.

Remember that Raygun himself scripted this show...a 300 page plan! Just like how you'd like your loved one to be toasted by those who mean the most, Raygun should get the same treatment. Unlike Ford or Dole, who have reached across the political divide, and I'd expect to see a more non-partisan showing at their passings, Raygun had few Democratic friends. Can anyone think of any?

Also, this script was written 15 years ago, and it's being subverted by the RNC as not a celebration of a great American, but a "great Repugnican".

Listen to all the Carter and Clinton trashing that's gone on during this coverage and you tell me that you'd want either of those great men anywhere near this crap? Should Carter thank Raygun for holding the hostages on the ground until AFTER he was sworn in as one more slight at Carter? Or Clinton recite Raygun's nasty shots at him at his Farewell at the GOOP Convention in '92 (the one that put one more stake in Poppy Bush).

I keep hearing from people how they're tired or disgusted by all the coverage and idol worship. Many see this as a political show and aren't too happy seeing all the hoopla given to this.

Even more interesting, and worth a string of its own, I spoke with a black friend in Florida...very connected and he said there's a lot of rumbling in the black community there about two things. First, the latest purge in the voter roles (as noted in other strings) and then outrage at the coverage of Raygun's death. He said when he thinks of Raygun he thinks homeless, crack cocaine, welfare queens, racial quotas and economic restraints...many others of his age group (he's in his 30's) feel this way, too and it's reminded them how important it is to get rid of Bushyboy...and all Repugnicans.

I kinda like the hornets nest this thing is stiring up. It unites us further (if that's possible) and brings even more over. Let's not be like the GOOP...and overplay it. Let 'em Swill!

[LTR]

21. Why should Carter and Clinton speak?

There will be four eulogies. Thatcher and Mulroney were his counterparts in GB and Canada at the time.

Poppy Bush was his VP. Seems fitting.

And W. Well, he is the sitting president.

Four eulogies. Do we really want to suffer through any more than that?

I think this lineup makes sense. I'm also sure Clinton and Carter weren't making a big stink about it. They're mature adults, and also highly intelligent. It was just a bunch of Drudge bullshit (notice any source besides his, or that he pulled it completely from his site?). BTW: Both Clinton and Carter (as well as Kerry) will be present at the funeral.

Nothing to get worked up about.

Let 'em have their party. I doubt it will do Shrub any good being compared to a guy who was everything he isn't.

[GA_DEM]

23. WHAT GIVE BUSH THE RIGHT TO SPEAK

Good thing i,m not in the media because ever since this happen bush has politicize it for is own politics. huh to compare Reagen to bush is like compare the pope to Hitler.

[VOX]

24. Airtime and sound-bites. It'd be nice to have some Democrats speaking...

to keep their faces in the public eye -- a reminder that ours is still a two-party system.

[LTR]

25. I say let 'em have their day

I certainly wouldn't want any of the Bushes speaking at Carter's or Clinton's funeral.

Let the family do what they want. It's their day.

[Sugarbleus]

26. I saw Dems in the audience during

the opening memorial. Pelosi, Farr, many others. In terms of speaking over RR, I don't know if thats necessary since he was a hateful anti liberal anyway. But I don't think they will disallow the former prez's to at least come and sit in attendence...do any of you?

One thing did really get to me though, and that was when the Hastert and Cheney and the other one were making their remarks yesterday--they "alluded" to RR being "stronger" than those before him. RR 'stepped forward while others stepped back'. hmmmmm There were other surly remarks like that and I found them insulting in the extreme. They were totally unnecessary. This is suppose to be a neutral "State" funeral for a fallen leader, not a partisan bash fest! So, if that's the way they want to play, then let's rip 'em a new "orafice". :}(:


edited to add content

[Leilani]

32. The sitting President speaks at these things

just like Clinton did for Nixon.

The other 3....Bush Sr, Thatcher, & Mulrooney all served with him, & Thatcher & Mulrooney were close friends.

Remember, this is when Canada & U.S. were still friends.

This all makes sense. Clinton & Kerry barely knew him.

Jimmy Carter & Reagan were not close...when Gerald Ford dies, I bet Jimmy Carter will speak, because they are good friends.

Besides, let both Bush Sr & Jr speak... they are both terrible speakers. People will yearn for a speech by Reagan or Clinton.

[Dees]

33. If Repukes don't want Dems at the funeral so be it.

Dem dignitaries should make their obligatory appearance and that's it. It is time now to step up the rhetoric of what makes us two totally different parties. Rupuke lite won't get us the WH in NOV. Loud and clear now...WE ARE NOT REPUBLICANS. We Dems, almost to a crossed "T" do not share any commonality with the Republican party. None. WE ARE NOT REPUBLICANS. Let them have their heroes and mourn. It's not like we don't have any heroes in the Democratic Party. WE ARE NOT REPUBLICANS.