Why, oh why, is Poppy's skydiving pic on Page One above the fold?

[Emboldened Chimp]

It's dead center in today's edition of the LA Times. Typically, the LA Times has had good reportage in the past, but this is pathetic. I don't care who he is (was), what he's done, or how much he threatened the editors, a shrivled-up 80 year-old EX-president jumping out of a plane is NOT NEWS.

/rant

[Tosca]

1. Be glad he survived!

Christ, I couldn't take another week like last week.

[Emboldened Chimp]

2. Good point

But still, it's not news...

[spooky3]

12. aagh, you're so right!

[progressivebydesign]

3. As IF being strapped to an experienced diver is that heroic!

I mean.. he looked like a fucking teddy bear strapped to that man. Didn't take any particular bravado or skill.. I'm glad they ran the photo.. he looked like a dufus.

[Az_lefty]

9. Yep, no bravado in tandem jumps.

Just fall out of the plane and let someone else do the flying.

[TexasSissy]

13. Yep. Kids call it "playing piggyback."

[Tosca]

4. the media

had a woody over his birthday jump at 75, too.

[lanparty]

10. If he was REALLY tough ...

He would have signed up for the course and gotten a skydiving license. It's not exactly a "high-impact" sport.

[UGABrother]

5. no kidding

It's Action McNews

[NMDemDist2]

6. i just want to know what is wrong with Poopy's face

he looked like he had leprosy in a pic i saw this weekend

[Jacobin]

7. Stunt Presidents

I think Murkins are getting tired of stunt presidents, personally.

I think it just makes them look silly and as if they are trying to get attention for doing idiotic things.

[StaggerLee]

8. He bailed out of a perfectly good airplane?

Say it ain't SO!

[spooky3]

11. Obviously, he was still in deep mourning since the funeral Friday.

Given the tragic passing of Pres. Reagan, Poppy just barely was able to muster the energy to do something showy and attention grabbing, but he was able to put aside his sad feelings to do it for the good of the country!

Under the circumstances, I guess it was just too much to ask him to have a quiet birthday celebration with his family.

(sarcasm off now)

[tedzbear]

14. Poppy wants to remind us that he's not a coward even if his son is.

The Repugs hope this thrilling act of oldster bravery will rub off on the son and help him win the election.