A Final Farewell

Okay, so now that it's all said (and said and said and said) and done I can make my final (I promise) Reagan death entry.

Of course, there is still my funeral party tomorrow. I taped one of the funerals and will be playing it for entertainment.

Onwards we go! I do have a few issues to cover.

I understand that every president is entitled to a State Funeral. The last full State Funeral was for Eisenhower and Johnson before that. Nixon did not have a Washington funeral, but did have a ceremony in California. My question is, who pays for this and how much does it cost. In these days of the Bush controlled media there has been little discussion about such things. CNN.com did put out ONE story out on the Wednesday before the end of the week wrap up funeral on Friday. Putting aside the estimated 2.3 million for the cost of extra security and paying the military involved, I'm sure there are many other extras that weren't mentioned. How much did it cost to fly that presidential plane across the country 4 times to haul the body to and fro? How much do those 21 gun salute howitzer shells cost apiece? Who takes care of all the diplomatic Corp? Let's not forget the closing of the ENTIRE federal government at an estimated cost of 450 MILLION dollars. I thought flowers for funerals were expensive.

As for the funeral itself, Margaret Thatcher looked fabulous. I did find it odd that she was seated next to Mikhail Gorbachev, considering that her eulogy was particularly harsh where he was concerned. She did look frail, often on the arm of an escort, but her will still iron-clad, she spoke eloquently.

Over the last week of two, okay over the last 20 years we have been completely flooded with the love story of Ronnie and Nancy. We have seen Nancy hold her head high this last week or so, keeping to the time-table set out and revised over the years. I despised the Reagans when they were in office, Nancy included. This week I have softened on her, not because of some mis-placed sympathy that her husband wasn't a first class bastard, but a human compassion. 83 year old Nancy lost her husband and for that she deserves some sympathy. I actually felt sorry for her at the private family funeral. The video shows her breaking down surrounded by her children and all you hear is the click of cameras. I just thought that was a shame. I won't and can't forget the terrible things done by his administration, but forgiveness for Nancy, well I can take a step in that direction. Now, back to the love story. During the funeral we heard that all Ronnie needed was the love of his wife to keep him going. What does that say about his children? His daughter Patti was very outspoken about this issue and was often at odds with her parents. I suppose it's understandable. Does anyone remember that Ronnie was married once before? She has been silent these many years about her ex husband but did release a small statement after his death. Ronnie had three children with that marriage, one of whom died shortly after birth. His daughter Maureen died a few years ago.

it's all over now, the bitterness of the Reagan years will die too, eventually. Nancy has come out against Bush's anti stem-cell research program, a devastating blow to his campaign I'm sure. All the spirit of Eleanor Roosevelt (when she's not talking to Hillary Clinton)as the fiery widow takes her sorrow filled case to the American people.

I see in recent polls that Bush is losing in almost all of them to Kerry. Thank god the tide seems to be shifting. Perhaps the shadow of stupidity that has hung over this country since the Warren commission will lift.

That's it for now, I am off to work.