June 11, 2004

Goodbye, President Reagan

I watched Ronald Reagan's funeral on television. I'm working today, but we have a breakroom with a TV. This is the first presidential state funeral in my lifetime, and I've found the whole week fascinating from a historical standpoint.

I work in a union shop which leans left politically, so I was able to watch the proceedings alone and mostly uninterrupted. Occasionally a co-worker would walk by and ask if I was a Reagan fan. The co-worker I make fun of on this site from time to time was heard to go on for about five minutes sarcastically that "a funeral is tops on (her) list of things to watch." I turned the volume up to drown her out until she shut the hell up. Other than that, I was able to view the proceedings in peace.

The speakers were all very good, although GWB's eulogy dragged on a bit for my tastes. His story about the kid's disaster of a room was my favorite.

My heart has broken for Nancy all week. When she was thanked (by Dennis Hastert?) in the Capitol Rotunda for sharing her husband with the rest of us, that really underscored the way I feel about all the First Ladies. They are dragged into the spotlight (some have danced into it, but that's the exception rather than the rule), and the spotlight has never shown brighter on Nancy than it has this week.

One of my favorite quotes comes from Nancy Reagan:

A woman is like a teabag--only in hot water do you realize how strong she is.

Posted by Jennifer at June 11, 2004 01:02 PM

Comments

Interesting... If I recall correctly, you said you are a Democrat. So, the union members at your workplace can't accept that regardless of party Ronald Reagan was President and worthy of at least the dignity of a State funeral?

I'm NOT a Republican... but I find it sad your co-workers weren't more understanding.

Posted by: Jack at June 11, 2004 01:40 PM

Yes, I am a Democrat. And it's unfair to say my co-workers weren't understanding. Most of them are out of the office today. The others had actual work to do. And the one annoying co-worker is just a colossal idiot. I don't think that has much to do with politics. She just has a very narrow world-view. For example, we should all give a sh*t about her daughter's marital troubles. But who cares about the war in Iraq?

Posted by: Jennifer at June 11, 2004 01:45 PM

I should clarify and say that disinterest (by my co-workers) was a big factor in my ability to watch it alone.

Posted by: Jennifer at June 11, 2004 01:47 PM

Ah, I misunderstood. My apologies to you and your co-workers.

Regarding your co-worker with the narrow world view, there's always someone who feels that they should be the center of everyohe's universe, isn't there?

Posted by: Jack at June 11, 2004 03:36 PM

Jen, did you not see Nixon's funeral (was his not a state funeral)? I'm not sure how old you are, but Truman passed as well in 1972 or therabouts and LBJ in '73?

Posted by: Todd at June 14, 2004 08:41 AM

Todd, I was born in 1974. Nixon's was not a state funeral, as per his wishes.

Posted by: Jennifer at June 14, 2004 10:32 AM

I will give Nixon points for having the grace to step down when he could have stayed on and fought. As far as I know he also kept his mouth shut once he left.

Posted by: Pete at June 14, 2004 10:49 AM

Thanks, Jen. Looks like I need to bone up on my presidential etiquette and knowledge.

Posted by: Todd at June 14, 2004 01:48 PM


Jew