Bush at the Pope's Funeral

[Brown]

Story here from AP and Yahoo.

Bush called the Pope's funeral "one of the highlights of my presidency." Perhaps he meant that it was one of the most memorable events, albeit a sad one. "Highlight" has a positive connotation, and Bush's remark suggests that he was in some way pleased that the Pope was dead.

Bush also reaffirmed his role as clergyman-in-chief:

"No doubt in my mind the Lord Christ was sent by the Almighty," Bush said. "No doubt."

Curiously, the last time the Bush administration stressed the phrase "no doubt" was in describing the existence of certain threatening weapons in Iraq. We now know that such weapons were non-existent, and that there was considerable--if not overwhelming--reason for doubt. So one wonders what the Almighty must think of the President's endorsement. One also must wonder about a remark from a person who is supposed to be "president of all the people" that citizens who believe in a different way are certainly wrong in their religious beliefs.

Bush also made the following observation:

"Faith — it's a walk, not a moment, not a respite," he [Bush] said.

The meaning of this remark is obscure. Perhaps this was intended as an insult toward those who do not share his faith, as they are not working hard enough at it. If you're lazy, then you start to doubt, I guess.

Bush was close to the front of the section reserved for world leaders, who were seated in alphabetical order — in French. The United States in French is Etats-Unis. A parallel section seated Catholic leaders. Bush sat on the aisle in the second row, next to his wife. Beside them were French President Jacques Chirac and his wife, Bernadette. The two presidents shook hands.

When Bush's face appeared on giant screen TVs showing the ceremony, many in the crowds outside St. Peter's Square booed and whistled.

Considering that the late pope was a strong opponent to little Bush's military policies, one can understand how those in attendance might deem it somewhat insulting that a person who showed utter disrespect for the pope's views was present to "pay his respects."

The lead of the story is that little Bush did not like it that former President Clinton said the late pope's legacy was "mixed." Little Bush thought the legacy was "clear," "excellent" and "strong" (except perhaps for the part about the pope being dead set against little Bush's military policies).

 

[Cleon]

"Faith — it's a walk, not a moment, not a respite," he [Bush] said.

See, now I get that statement. Bush is trying to be eloquent, but no matter how he tries, he can't come close to Aerosmith's succinct phrasing:

Life's a journey, not a destination.

Anyway, I wouldn't give the Twit in Chief too much flack over his being at the Pope's funeral. An outstanding orator he ain't, but we already knew that.

 

[Brown]

Anyway, I wouldn't give the Twit in Chief too much flack over his being at the Pope's funeral.

Yeah, to be sure, it was better that he be there than that he not be. It may have been an insult for him to be there, but it would have been an even greater insult had he not showed up.

There is a little irony here. When Reagan was president, Bush the elder (in his role as vice president) got stuck with the unpleasant duty of having to attend state funerals. It was a subject of jest to suggest that attending funerals was elder Bush's principal duty. Now elder Bush's son attends a funeral, and he doesn't seem to find it an unpleasant experience at all.

 

[DavidJames]

The lead of the story is that little Bush did not like it that former President Clinton said the late pope's legacy was "mixed." Little Bush thought the legacy was "clear," "excellent" and "strong" (except perhaps for the part about the pope being dead set against little Bush's military policies).

In fairness to Bush, I think if Clinton were president, his comments would have come closer to Bush's, but he's much freer now to speak his mind.

I'm off to take a couple of Advil now to minimize the pain I will begin to feel once it dawns on me I defended Bush.

 

[Brown]

I should add that I have no problem with a president expressing his reaction to an event, whether it be moving, thought-provoking, inspiring or whatever.

But I consider it rude for the president to use the opportunity to profess principles of his own faith, and to take the supremecist position that his view is absolutely correct.

I do not care what the president's faith is. As a matter of good manners, he should keep that to himself. I am far more interested in whether he does his job well than in whether he believes in the correct deity.

 

[Cleon]

Now elder Bush's son attends a funeral, and he doesn't seem to find it an unpleasant experience at all.

Certainly, I wouldn't either. First, because funerals (especially ones as ceremonial as the Pope's) can be quite beautiful.

But more because they're a politico's gold mine. He's got killer photo ops, and no reporter will ask him any hard questions out of respect for the dead. All he has to do is show up, look solemn and mournful, and answer a couple of softball questions from the press about the deceased, and he comes out smelling like a rose.

 

[TragicMonkey]

People never pay attention to everything someone says. They'll pick and choose which things JP2 said that they agree with, and nod solemnly whilst intoning "he was a great man" because he said those things.

Thus Bush, who is fond of religion, and not fond of abortion and gay marriage, will respect the holy wisdom of the dead pope.

He won't mention that the pope was also against the death penalty, the war in Iraq, and unrestrained capitalism.

Which actually isn't saying anything bad about either Bush or JP2. It's only natural to concentrate on what you have in common and overlook the rest. Doubly so when one party is dead, because of that not speaking ill of the dead business, and I'm afraid that on some issues disagreement is seen as ill.

 

[Charlie Monoxide]

I hear rumor there's a GOP memo going around saying that they should "milk this pope funeral" for as much political gain as possible ....

Charlie (highlight of my postings) Monoxide

 

[TragicMonkey]

I hear rumor there's a GOP memo going around saying that they should "milk this pope funeral" for as much political gain as possible ....

Once again I must point out that certain words shouldn't appear in the same sentence, and "pope" and "milk", when used as a verb, are two of them.

I am cursed with a visual imagination.

 

[CFLarsen]

But I consider it rude for the president to use the opportunity to profess principles of his own faith, and to take the supremecist position that his view is absolutely correct.

I do not care what the president's faith is. As a matter of good manners, he should keep that to himself. I am far more interested in whether he does his job well than in whether he believes in the correct deity.

But he has to do that, doesn't he?

If you believe that your beliefs are the right ones, the true ones, then you would be obliged to profess your beliefs at any given moment. You would betray your faith, if you were to keep quiet.

Faith compels you. You don't have a choice anymore. You have to spout - regurgitate - the tenets of your faith, if you believe that is the truth.

If you keep quiet, when you know the truth, then you betray that truth.

 

[mbp]

See, now I get that statement. Bush is trying to be eloquent, but no matter how he tries, he can't come close to Aerosmith's succinct phrasing

Are you saying that Bush totally copied Aerosmith?

 

[Cleon]

Are you saying that Bush totally copied Aerosmith?

No, I'm saying that if he wanted to sound intelligent, he should've totally copied Aerosmith.

 

[mbp]

No, I'm saying that if he wanted to sound intelligent, he should've totally copied Aerosmith.

Got it...
But that raises the question: should Elton John totally have copied REO Speedwagon?
I think the answer is probably "yes".

 

[geni]

Certainly, I wouldn't either. First, because funerals (especially ones as ceremonial as the Pope's) can be quite beautiful.

But more because they're a politico's gold mine. He's got killer photo ops, and no reporter will ask him any hard questions out of respect for the dead. All he has to do is show up, look solemn and mournful, and answer a couple of softball questions from the press about the deceased, and he comes out smelling like a rose.

Then there is what diplomats refure to as working funerals

 

[SezMe]

Yeah, to be sure, it was better that he be there than that he not be. It may have been an insult for him to be there, but it would have been an even greater insult had he not showed up.

I question this. Shrub is the first USA prez to attend a pope's funeral. So his attendance is not warranted by past state (USA) protocol. Why is it better that he be there? Who would be insulted if he did not attend? Who cares?

Brown, you're clearer a thinker so please answer this question: "(USA) Politics aside, why was it better for Bush to be there than to abide by usual protocol and send Cheney as the USA rep?" Better for who?

 

[geni]

I question this. Shrub is the first USA prez to attend a pope's funeral. So his attendance is not warranted by past state (USA) protocol. Why is it better that he be there? Who would be insulted if he did not attend? Who cares?

Brown, you're clearer a thinker so please answer this question: "(USA) Politics aside, why was it better for Bush to be there than to abide by usual protocol and send Cheney as the USA rep?" Better for who?

With all those other world leaders there it would be s useful diplomatic opertunity

 

[a_unique_person]

The thing I find interesting about this is that the fundie right, who were an important part of the election victory, absolutely loathe the Catholic Church, or the Church of Rome, etc. They see the Pope as being the anti-christ, and especially hate his claim to be gods representative on earth.

 

[geni]

The thing I find interesting about this is that the fundie right, who were an important part of the election victory, absolutely loathe the Catholic Church, or the Church of Rome, etc. They see the Pope as being the anti-christ, and especially hate his claim to be gods representative on earth.

There are a lot of catholic in the US

 

[mgidm86]

Thank gawd I have better things to do than participate in such ridiculous topics as this one...errr...well....except now...

 

[a_unique_person]

There are a lot of catholic in the US

Yes, and the fundies hate them.