Blogcritics: Comments on Reagan's processional

Comment by JR

Fri, 11 Jun 2004 12:36:01 EDT

...it's only the 37th time ever (I think), and the first since LBJ. The odds are not very high that it would happen again in my lifetime. 37 in about 200 years? That would be on average every five-and-a-half years. If I weren't planning on living that long, I'd have FAR more important things to do right now.

Comment by Casper

Fri, 11 Jun 2004 11:37:39 EDT

Dirtgrain: I never said it was life changing or that this funeral would somehow change the world. What I did say is that it's historical. Besides the banal statement this event will be entered in to history (well, everything is, so no big deal), it's only the 37th time ever (I think), and the first since LBJ. The odds are not very high that it would happen again in my lifetime. Shark: You can show respect in the privacy of your own home. To me, it seems that making the effort to go somewhere out of your way is a stronger statement.

Comment by Shark

Fri, 11 Jun 2004 07:18:51 EDT

BTW: Dirtgrain: I've heard the following soooo many times in the last few days: "...a historical event" and "...a way to show respect for the office (or 'man')" --and they both struck me as the most meaningless, underexamined cliches I've heard in a while. I'm not sure that either line actually holds up under examination. What is it about touching a flag, a coffin, or standing in line for 8 hours to see same that constitutes a "showing of respect"? Is it the sacrifice one made to be there? ie, the long ride? The leg pain? I dunno. Can one "show respect" in the privacy of one's own home? Can one pay "tribute" without standing in front of what is essentially a symbolic box? I dunno. But then again, I've always felt that cemetaries are for the dead -- and flowers should be for the living.

Comment by Shark

Fri, 11 Jun 2004 07:11:52 EDT

It would have been both memorable AND life-changing had the band starting playing "Smoke On the Water". -- but hey, the funeral is *still going on, so maybe there's a chance. *written in Dec of 2006

Comment by Dirtgrain

Fri, 11 Jun 2004 01:19:02 EDT

How is this a historical event? Sure, people are making a huge deal over it, but am I going to remember the death of 94-year-old ex-president as a moment that changed the world? Maybe you mean that it's an event that you will never forget. But is it life changing? If so, why?