I have respect for the country and for our traditions.

[Stinky The Clown]

That includes respect for GHWB's passing and the state ceremonies that happen at such times.

Yes, I am VERY well aware of the issues surrounding him, his career, his presidency and his post presidency. I have the rest of my life to consider them when and if I choose to. But right now I will show nothing but respect. And for his family, I will reflect on the loss of my own parents, no less important to me and mine than he to them.

Yes, some of the media coverage is over the top. But it is what they do and if you choose to make use of the media, you choose to endure it, too.

On balance, I will remain as a citizen and veteran grateful that people serve their country.

I choose to mourn the passing yet another president. I choose to take the time to watch our country do what it does. On days such as this, consider the arc of eras, not the details of the day.

[vlyons]

1. Thank-you!

I asked this morning if it was no longer the custom in decent society to speak well of the dead?

I have the TV turned off this morning.

[Brainstormy]

3. Will you speak well of Trump

when he's gone? Just curious.

[Stinky The Clown]

4. I am sorry for your hate

[Stinky The Clown]

12. To clarify: my reply was as far as it can be from defending Trump.

It was in response to your equating GHWB and Trump. Not even close. Several paradigms and a dozen chasms apart.

[Brainstormy]

14. And I didn't equate anybody with anybody!

I simply asked a question.

[Stinky The Clown]

16. Statement stands . . . . . sorry.

[cwydro]

22. I saw what you saw.

Good OP.

K and r.

[Brainstormy]

13. for my hate?

I asked a simple question. How did you conclude that I harbor any hate?

[vlyons]

11. I probably won't say anything at all publicly, because

there's nothing very positive to say about the man.

In Tibetan Buddhism, we believe that when you die, the only thing that you take with you is your mind. You die the way you have lived, and you take all your mental propensities, habits, and conditioning with you -- that is, your subjective mind. So there is a process in death that moves us to the next state of being. Traditionally, the death process is said to be 49 days. During that time, if I do anything at all, I might wish that he have the most auspicious rebirth possible, given the nature of his subjective mind. But frankly, I suspect that he will end up in one of the lower realms.

Later there will be plenty of time to more objectively critique the life and legacy of Trump. There will be many books and movies about him.

[watoos]

24. Oh you Buddhists, you got me in trouble with my pastor.

He says it's ok for me to "just read" your books. I remember the story of the old monk training the young boy. He was to sit still and meditate. When a mosquito landed on the young lad's ear, he swatted it off. The old monk admonished him, you should have thought, hello little friend, drink your fill and have a safe trip.

Now if Trump landed on my ear.....

[Harker]

33. Not all pastors welcome the study of other religions

and philosophies.

I would say that you are lucky in that regard. What you find will likely help you to become a wiser person for having considered it, whether you come to embrace it or not.

[peggysue2]

2. Well said!

On days such as this, consider the arc of eras, not the details of the day.

Respect for our traditions, institutions, military and public service are part of who and what we are as a people and Nation. We should not forget that, particularly in a time when too many would like nothing more than destroy those fundamentals.

Cheers!

[LeftInTX]

5. For better or worse the POTUS has a great influence on our life....

We remember the impact that a person had on our lives.

We remember other things when a president passes: We also remember what we were doing with daily lives during that time. I was raising toddlers...

Part of our history has passed. Whether that history is good or bad, it is still our history.

[libdem4life]

6. Couldn't have said it better.

Not only are we mourning the loss of a President, but a man who graced The Office of the Presidency.

[zipplewrath]

7. I will not mourn.

I didn't mourn my parents passing, it was well past time for them to move on. I mourned my brother, because there was so much loss there. But a 94 year old man who lived a full life is nothing to mourn.

I grow weary of the over the top review of his life, but mostly I react by turning away from it. I will occasionally speak to the truth with people who are not mourning. But I will generally try to allow family and friends bury their loved one in peace. As you suggest, there isn't a case of a purely evil person here, so I'm willing to wait for more factual discussions.

I will say however, having been involved in more than one funeral over the years, the "happiest" ones (can't think of the right word) were the ones where stories were told that included both the successes and failures, the highs and the lows. In the end, it means "knowing" the persons life, not just some simplified version.

[cwydro]

23. "Well past time for them to move on."

Your post astounds me.

My father died at 83, my mother at 90. I mourn them always.

Always will.

[zipplewrath]

28. They were in intense pain

My mother had gone deaf, could barely speak, had horrible pain in her knees and hips. She had trouble sleeping at night. She could hardly eat. She would often choke when drinking. I wouldn't wish that life on my worst enemy.

Dad was so demented that he didn't know how to swallow. The had to amputate his toe due to a malignant tumor. He was just put in a bed and allowed to drool all day. It was long past time.

Death will come to us all. I accept that. I'm glad they are out of their misery.

[cwydro]

31. i understand your post now.

So sorry you had to watch them suffer.

My parents also suffered - and fought valiantly against the “dying of the light.”

[redstatebluegirl]

8. Thank you.

I refuse to lower myself to the level of the republicans. I respect the office, I respect the fact that he had family members who dearly loved him and will miss him. Thank you for this.

[gratuitous]

9. And I disagree

Right now, when people are paying attention, is the meet and proper time to recall the victims and the survivors of the murderous policies endorsed, sanctioned and carried out by GHWB. Their blood cries out for an accounting that never came, justice that was denied them. For far too many in the United States, the horrific deaths of Iraqis, Nicaraguans, Guatemalans, and countless other nameless victims is an inconvenience, a sour fart to be endured but not mentioned. When we reflect in baffled wonder why people around the world are so righteously angry with the United States, this is part of it.

[Brainstormy]

15. Thank you.

and well said.

[oldlibdem]

19. excellent reply gratuitous!

Agree 100%.

[Coventina]

25. Thank you! Well said and so very true!

This false piety for a member of the BFEE is laughable.

[violetpastille]

27. +1

I stand with this post.

[BannonsLiver]

10. Great post

No need to praise him, but no need to act like a foaming at the mouth nutball either. It’s really not very complicated.

[LibDemAlways]

17. I respectfully disagree.

I see no need for a huge showy taxpayer paid send off for a 94 year old man who died of natural causes. I would feel the same for any U.S. President in similar circumstances. We don't have kings. We don't need to find our mail boxes empty on a national day of mourning. As for his legacy, the media does a disservice by breathlessly inflating the man's accomplishments while ignoring his misdeeds and failures.

To me this pomp and circumstance only serves as a reminder that the US is ruled by a wealthy elite and that the vast majority of us who pay the freight have no place at the table. When someone I know dies, there is usually a cremation and maybe a simple gathering of friends and family. Wonderful people who worked hard and tried to do their best receive no media coverage or accolades from big shots.

Spectacle funerals for retired politicians are beyond the pale. Enough, already.

[oldlibdem]

21. rec 1+

Again, another excellent reply.

[Coventina]

26. Excellent point!

[panfluteman]

18. Poppy Bush Was No Boy Scout

He did a goodly amount of underhanded, nefarious things, and the same thing could also be said about many, if not most of the career politicians who rise to the head of state level. But at least Poppy Bush wasn't lacking in basic competence and professionalism - which prez 45 sorely lacks. And I think that's what our nation is really missing and mourning now.

[Maru Kitteh]

20. Very well said. nt

[ADX]

29. Great post...

[Hekate]

30. Spot on, Stinky

[cwydro]

32. Yes.

This.