CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?

[Guest zipperzone]

I hope this does not get sidelined off into the politics forum as it is much more about the character of one man, that about his politics.

 

I heard today on CNN that although Geo W. intends to pay his respect to Pres Ford as he lies in state in the Capital building, he WILL NOT be attending the state funeral on Tuesday.

 

If this is true, and he does not change his mind before Tuesday, I think it speaks volumes about the character of the current President.

For a sitting president to boycott the funeral of a former president, to me is unthinkable. But then, what do i know ?????????

[+ ArVaGuy]

Note, there are two services, one a funeral in the Rotunda and the second the offical services at the National Cathedral. Also, President Bush has issued an Executive Order shutting down all government offices on January 2. Thus, no mail deliveries or other services. Interestingly enough, a friend of mine who works for Congress will be at work that day as Congress has not decided to shut down the legislative branch.

 

 

I lost the link to the article below.

 

WASHINGTON | Less pomp, more circumstance.

 

Gerald R. Ford’s state funeral will be missing some of the grandeur of the one for Ronald Reagan two years ago, a reflection of the 38th president’s modest ways and lesser imprint on the nation, according to further planning details released Thursday.

 

Part of it will be missing President Bush, too. The president will not attend Ford’s state funeral in the Rotunda on Saturday night, but will return to Washington from his Texas ranch on Monday, pay respects to Ford while his remains lie in state at the Capitol, and speak Tuesday at services for Ford at Washington National Cathedral.

[+ purplekow]

While I don't care for the pomp and ceremony of state funerals, it does seem as though Mr. Bush is being rude and disrespectful.

[Rick Munroe]

Well, he didn't show up for Katrina so why should he show up for a funeral? It's hard work bein' President, after all. :o

[Barry]

I think some may be reading too much into this. The national funeral service is held at the Washington National Cathedral and Bush and world dignitaries will be there. The Rotunda is the Lying in State portion of the funeral. I think Bush will pay his respects there as well.

 

http://www.mdw.army.mil/content/anmviewer.asp?a=1810&z=71

 

Barry

[+ ArVaGuy]

>I think some may be reading too much into this. The national

>funeral service is held at the Washington National Cathedral

>and Bush and world dignitaries will be there. The Rotunda is

>the Lying in State portion of the funeral. I think Bush will

>pay his respects there as well.

>

>http://www.mdw.army.mil/content/anmviewer.asp?a=1810&z=71

>

>Barry

 

Barry,

 

You are right on with this situation. People ARE reading too much into this and confusing the truncated state ceremonies with the offical services held at the National Cathedral. These ceremonies are supposed to be nonpartisan for God's sake.

 

Also, the Ford family determined the ceremonies, when they would be held, and who would speak as well as the invite list. These ceremonies are planned by the former presidents after they leave office. Bush has very little to do with the whole thing. The Military District of Washington has more say in how this goes off than the President.

 

Had dinner tonight with my friend who works on the Hill. Some Congressional offices will close, but several members have indicated they will be open. My friend's is one of them and he's not exactly pleased.

 

If I can find a block of time I will likely go to see President Ford lying in state. Histoic events like this are fascinating to observe. I stood in line for Reagan's for about six hours. Now before some one goes off, I also went to the lying in state for Rep. Claude Pepper and the Capitol Police that were killed a few years back.

[+ Tygerscent]

RE: Hard work as president...

 

I thought it was about wearnig a nice suit and speaking correctly/intelligently... oh wait... ya... I guess I am wrong. hey... did I spell that correctly~? Hope not... would not want to be a president these days~ LOL!

[Guest alanm]

"I think some may be reading too much into this. The national funeral service is held at the Washington National Cathedral and Bush and world dignitaries will be there. The Rotunda is the Lying in State portion of the funeral. I think Bush will pay his respects there as well."

 

I concur.

 

During the week of services surrounded the death of Ronald Reagan, C-Span showed Lyndon Johnson's service at the Washington National

Cathedral in 1973. That service was the major event, except for the burial in Texas. President and Mrs. Nixon attended as did Mamie Eisenhower. There were no living former presidents in 1973 and Bess

Truman was too ill to attend.

 

Lady Bird Johnson was only 60 years old and, in sharp contrast to Nancy Reagan, seemed determined to down play the grief and pomp of the service. Mrs. Johnson warmly greeted many people in the church as she walked up the aisle and outside.

[+ deej]

> These ceremonies are planned by the former presidents after they leave office.

 

They're actually planned earlier.

 

It's part of ensuring the orderly succession of government in case the President dies in office. Presidents have funeral plans in place when taking office. Weird job requirement, eh? Plan your own funeral before you even start!

 

And yes, it's completely run by MDW. The wikipedia article on state funerals is interesting:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_funeral#United_States

[BgMstr4u]

My impression is that Ford planned the part of his funeral at the Capitol building to reflect his many years as a Congressman and his roots as a member of the House of Representatives. If I am not mistaken, his body is being borne into the Rotunda, not through the great public entrance, but through the House chamber, where he served so many years as a loyal son of Michigan (where I was privileged to be a college student for four years) and a member of the House. As such, it would be inappropriate to highlight the current President, who will have his moment, along with former President Carter, at the actual funeral service. Neither of them served a moment representing a district or State in the Congress. Bush is certainly not being anything but appropriate in his appearances, acting according to Ford's wishes and the wishes of his family. If he goes to the Capitol, it will be as one who wishes to pay tribute personally.

[+ deej]

>Lady Bird Johnson was only 60 years old and, in sharp contrast

>to Nancy Reagan, seemed determined to down play the grief and

>pomp of the service. Mrs. Johnson warmly greeted many people

>in the church as she walked up the aisle and outside.

 

Lady Bird was also 20 years younger and didn't need assistance just to make it through the damn STANDING that was required of the occasion.

 

Nancy Reagan has balls of brass, but that much standing at attention (not to mention the travel) is a lot to ask of an old lady. In pumps.

 

It will be interesting seeing Betty Ford present herself to the public. She always has been her own woman, never afraid to show who she is independently of her public role. She's earned every right to be a cranky old bitch and I hope she will be and will focus on her own grief over ceremony.

 

My mother had trouble getting through Dad's funeral and that was just one day. Imagine having it last SIX DAMN DAYS with cross-country flights!

 

Oddly, in this case it's Betty that's more a public figure/hero than her husband.

[+ Charlie]

I just got back from the airport, where I watched the plane take off with Ford's body and the family. I was surprised at the number of people who were waiting there with me on a side street that ends near the middle of the airport runway, not a spot for seeing any pomp and ceremony, but just a place to say good-bye to someone who was a well-loved neighbor here. I didn't vote for Ford--and probably wouldn't if he were running today--but I was nevertheless touched by the quiet tribute of the common citizens waiting there to pay their respects by waving at the plane as it slowly taxied past us.

[+ glutes]

Where's Rummy?

 

Another view:

 

 

The funeral has created some interesting political dynamics for the Vice President. The honorary pall bearers include Cheney, Brent Scowcroft and Paul O'Neill. Scowcroft has trashed the Bush/Cheney administration. O'Neill, who Cheney fired as Secretary of the Treasury, trashed the administration. And, of course, we all know now that Ford himself trashed the decision by Bush and Cheney to go to war in Iraq.

 

Rummy is supposed to be an honorary pall bearer but CNN keeps noting the he's no where to be seen.

[Chuck50]

Let us remember a great man... One who did not seek the office but answered the call!! A man who was a humble servant who did not ask or seek the office but came forward to give us a great gift. He also had a great wife who was not afraid. Thanks Gerry and Betty Ford. I am lucky for having a friend who was his Private Secretary. Many things I or she won't reveal, many special moments. Thanks DD. Love ya and I being a true friend to GRF one of the greatest Presidents of our time. CDK

[Louis]

RE: Where's Rummy?

 

I just heard the news and Cheny spoke at one of the funerals today.

Louis

[alanalt]

RE: Where's Rummy?

 

>Another view:

>

>

>The funeral has created some interesting political dynamics

>for the Vice President. The honorary pall bearers include

>Cheney, Brent Scowcroft and Paul O'Neill. Scowcroft has

>trashed the Bush/Cheney administration. O'Neill, who Cheney

>fired as Secretary of the Treasury, trashed the

>administration. And, of course, we all know now that Ford

>himself trashed the decision by Bush and Cheney to go to war

>in Iraq.

>

>Rummy is supposed to be an honorary pall bearer but CNN keeps

>noting the he's no where to be seen.

 

You know that you 'can' have differences in opinion on political issues without affecting friendships that go back for decades. You might even be surprised to know that many politicians, in your country and elsewhere, who 'trash' (i.e. have expressed differences of opinion, sometimes rudely) one another publicly are close friends privately who will routinely attend each others' family events (weddings, funerals, christenings, etc.). There's a certain bond that exists between those who live directly in the political pressure cooker that often (though not always) transcends partisan or political differences.

 

And I wouldn't really trust CNN to find a camel in the Sahara...

[Samai139]

RE: Where's Rummy?

 

According to ABC's coverage of the service in the Capital Rotunda, Rumsfeld (sp?) was unable to attend as an honorary pallbearer because of a snowstorm in New Mexico. Why he was in New Mexico, I have no idea, and since Susan Ford also lives in New Mexico, I'm a little puzzled. Maybe Susan Ford left New Mexico long before the storm settled in. Whateve happened, he, Rumsfeld, was supposed to be there.

Henry Kissinger and President Ford, also had "trash" thrown in the press and yet maintained a relationship of respect.

I can find almost nothing good to say about V.P. Cheney, and yet I was very impressed with the euology he gave in the Capital Rotunda. He was sincere, eloquent and articulate. Good job Mr. Vice President.

I agree with those who have posted details above about why Pres. Bush did NOT attend this service. He and Mrs. Bush, and I suspect former Presidents Carter, Bush and Clinton will also attend the services at the National Cathedral---that is the memorial service which is for ALL public officials. The one yesterday, was primarily Congressional.

[Guest alanm]

Betty Ford often appeared frail and overwhelmed last night.

 

I agree with Deej that Lady Bird Johnson at age 60 was best prepared of any president's widow in my lifetime to deal with such a difficult situation. LBJ had been gravely ill during the last few years of his life. They both knew the end was near. Just days before LBJ's death in 1973, Lady Bird, not her husband, met with student demonstrators at the University of Texas and listened to their angry & lengthy comments about Vietnam.

[BgMstr4u]

RE: Where's Rummy?

 

Rumsfeld owns a ranch outside of Taos, as well as several other properties and businesses in northern New Mexico. He has lived there for years.