Anyone else?

[coriolis]

I don't really care for all the media hype, so 'm just not watching it on TV.

I think that the US is going through a lot of emotion right now and mourning and remembering is in order. RR is an american hero, and people are coming to grips with that. Since he was out of the picture for many years, there were a lot of pent-up emotions that are coming out all at once.

What is different, is that he passed during a heated presidential race. I'm amazed that some people are starting to criticize his legacy so bitterly. Like anyone who accomplishes much, he made some enemies along the way, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. In a way, it's unseemly for the repubs to use this to their advantage, but on the other hand, this event, and the memory of RR does help remind us of what made America great. If that helps candidates that follow his philosophy, I guess that's a good thing.

Don't forget all the pagentry that followed Kennedy's death. He was also a beloved president.

[GalvestonDuck]

I don't have a problem with it.

*still wiping my eyes after Taps was played*

He died in California. They had visitation in CA at the Library. Then he lay in state at the Capitol Rotunda where others paid their respects. Then he had the State Funeral, was flown back to CA for the private (although televised) funeral, and is close to being buried now. It didn't seem that overdone to me, but that's just my opinion.

I hear cameras clicking. I think it's the flag part...gotta go see.

*sigh*

Just saw the part where the flag was presented to Mrs. Reagan and then she and her family were there saying their last goodbyes.

Uh....

...that was cathartic. I needed it.

[Brent]

Don't forget all the pagentry that followed Kennedy's death. He was also a beloved president.

The thing with Kennedy though was he was in office and was assassinated unexpectedly. Reagan has been out of office for 15 years and we've know this day was coming.

[CajunMama]

I wasn't able to watch alot of coverage but imo the funeral was not too much. This was a leader of our great nation. Pres. Reagan was a great and beloved president and many many people took his death personally. Many Americans were unable to personally visit DC and CA and through the wonders of television were able to be at his funeral and wake.

If those of you felt there was too much coverage all you had to do was reach for the remote control.

[Brent]

azsnowman, this columnist agrees with you.

The Daily Journal:

Just let Reagan rest in peace

By Andrew Lisa

Thank you, people. I am now officially one with Ronald Reagan.

Mercy. Uncle. I give up. I can't take it any more.

It's as if J.F.K. Jr. crashed his plane into the Columbia shuttle while Princess Diana was on board with Bob Hope.

Overkill is not a strong enough word to describe this week's media coverage.

And don't misinterpret this as a statement about the man himself. Yes, President Reagan deserved to be honored with a special and public tribute. Yes, the people who were saddened by his death deserved a time of mourning.

But if you think there's nothing wrong with cable TV crews going on tour with a coffin and working a celebrity funeral crowd like it's the Oscars during a weeklong media orgy, you have missed the loosest interpretation of the concept of good taste.

By Tuesday, the saturation coverage was somewhere between obnoxious and disturbing. By the end of the week, I felt like I needed a shower.

Like everyone else, I tuned in when the news broke. But about 16 hours after every channel on my television became the Ronald Reagan network, the point of nothing left to say was passed, and the breaking news became much less, well, breaking.

Breaking news: Nancy Reagan is ... walking past some steps. Breaking news: The plane carrying the body of President Reagan is ... still driving around in circles. Breaking news: Lester Holt is playing the Carter debate footage for the ten thousandth time.

And six days is a long time to play a broken record, so then they started with the special reports.

Special Report: A nation mourns. Special report: Bush speaks out. Special report: How Reagan's presidency changed America. Special report: The seventh caller wins free concert tickets if MSNBC, Fox News and CNN all show the cowboy hat picture at exactly the same time.

Well, I have some breaking news: If you're reporting on an absolutely stagnant situation that hasn't changed in three days, it's not breaking news. If every channel is doing the exact same thing as you, your report is, by definition, not special.

And then there were the politicians.

Even in mourning, there is a comical irony in hearing two men who have the combined verbal skills of Chewbacca compete to espouse the attributes of a man they called The Great Communicator.

I don't know what was more disgusting, watching John Kerry pander to swing voters by faking affinity and sadness, or watching Bush hitch his political wagon to Reagan's legacy the same way he hitched it to 9/11.

And then there was the chorus from Capitol Hill explaining what Reagan would have wanted or how Reagan would have handled this or that. From Iraq to stem-cell research to fiscal policy, every Washington politician and pundit who could get his face in front of a camera latched his agenda to Ronald Reagan's hearse like tin cans on a "just married" car.

Absolutely shameless.

But some took it a step further than assuming Reagan's state of mind. By the third day, they were telling me what I was thinking. I don't know how many broadcasters I heard say, "The memory of his presidency makes us long for a simpler time." Us? What us? I don't long for the '80s. AIDS, crack, hair bands and "Alf."

Yeah, let me gas up the Delorian.

Breaking news: Things other than the Berlin Wall coming down happened in the 1980s.

So, let's move on. I think it's safe to deliver mail again. No buildings need to be renamed. And certainly, under no circumstances, are we stenciling anyone else into Mount Rushmore. I know we all really liked Ronald Reagan, but Mount Rushmore is finished, people. It's not a work in progress and it's not J-Lo's wedding album: There isn't always room for one more.

So, now it's time to move along. At the end of any healthy period of mourning, there is closure. And by closure, I mean let it rest. Let him rest so we can get back to the business of living.

Like the Gipper said in 1984, it's morning again in America.

[GalvestonDuck]

As far as I can tell, we've moved on.

I saw Nicole Kidman interviewed on Fox News this morning, talking about "The Stepford Wives." I'm watching Rachael Ray cook up some barbecued chicken now.

The funeral and burial is over, although some will still feel sadness over time. No one can deny, they did release the schedule of funeral arrangements at the beginning of the week. We KNEW how long it was going to last and that by sundown Friday, it would be over. Personally, I don't get the complaints. It's not like the O.J. trial, which dragged on and on with no end in sight.

I'll admit it was odd seeing it as "Breaking news" when most of it was all scheduled. "Breaking News: I'm going to the grocery store" *gasp!* That was kind of silly.

I liked having the choice to tune in a grieve with the nation or to tune elsewhere if I needed to do so.

By Andrew Lisa

What is it they say about never trusting someone with two first names for their name? Andrew Lisa...John Kerry...Michael Douglas.

http://www.thedailyjournal.com/news/sto ... hotos.html

It's Ross from Friends!

[Stephanie]

Ed - I agree with your post.

I think that what I admired most about President Reagan was his optimism and for the most part, our country was optimistic. Certainly, there were problems and issues during his Administration just like all of those before and after. I believe that they ALL cared for the American people and they all served America for better or worse.

[azsnowman]

Brent, that sounds JUST LIKE the columnist from the Az Republic a few days ago, I'll try to find it and post it!

Ya know, like I said, I, in NOWAY, SHAPE or FORM meant ANY disrespect for the family of Ron BUT dang!

Eric, that's exactly right, I DO NOT want a funeral, I have left instructions that upon my untimely departure from this world, there is to be NO funeral services what so ever, just a GOOD OLD Irish WAKE....with lotsa beer and Margaritas. Death to me IS a celebration, sure......we're all sad when our loved ones, friends leave us but......they've gone to a FAR better place, no pain, no sorrow, no grief, why should we sad over this? Yes....I mourn for a lost loved one, friend etc. but NOT like most people do......like I told Chad today, I'm the ODDBALL of Storm2K "LOL!"

Dennis

[stormie_skies]

Az, I'm with you on this one .... not only because, given Reagan's physical condition when he left this world, I think this should be more celebratory than anything ~ but also because I seriously question the motives and taste of those perpetuating this media feeding frenzy. Its all about ratings and money and political gain (that goes for BOTH sides), not respect nor honor.
The state funeral needed to be covered. The life summaries were unavoidable. But do we really need a casket cam? I dont think so....

[Josephine96]

He at least was peacefully laid to rest last night.. Maybe the news media can shy away from it now..

[GalvestonDuck]

Death to me IS a celebration.....

....Yes....I mourn for a lost loved one, friend etc. but NOT like most people do......like I told Chad today, I'm the ODDBALL of Storm2K "LOL!"

Hoooboy, you've lost me, Dennis. *HOW* do you mourn? And is it a celebration to you as a survivor or do you mean it will be a celebration for you when you die?

Lots of Muslims celebrate death (ours), but I know darn well, you don't mean that way. I know a lot of times, death angers us -- when it's senseless, violent, or when it's a baby. We don't celebrate it then. Sure, Reagan's death relieved him of the pain of Alzheimer's, but it was still sad to know that such a strong symbol of American optimism and patriotism had passed away. We hurt for Nancy, for the family, and for our nation.

You explained how you want others to "celebrate" your death and I get that. I'm just curious about how you mourn the loss of other loved ones.

And, yep, you're an oddball. I'm just hoping to understand your oddball-ness better.

[j]

**sighs....and bites tongue

[j]

The ONLY thing that bothered me about the coverage was to hear a gazillion camera's clicking when Nancy hugged the coffin at the sunset burial.

I know we need pictures to preserve this historic moment, but that was a bit much.

[GalvestonDuck]

Agreed. There should have been a handful of designated photographers there, maybe with some high-quality digital cameras (aren't those usually quieter since there's no loud shutter?)