Please post here if you support Nancy Reagan

[CatWoman]

Nancy is in a bad way and needs our prayers.

I say this because I don't think she was acting today -- I honestly believe that she has lost everything that she loved and held dear, and that she needs some support.

Please post here if you support Nancy Reagan.

[FleshCartoon]

1. I don't think I "support" her, but...

...I agree that she was very grief-stricken and I was appalled at the cameras staying on her and her children when she broke down at the casket.

Horrible. They should be ashamed of themselves for showing that.

[Hepburn]

28. Man, do I agree on that....

....I am a widow and the last thing I would have wanted done to me and my family is what went on with that. I actually started crying - remembered the feelings I had when I lost my husband. Wow.....they should have broken away from that IMO.

[LondonAmerican]

76. Absolutely

it was completely inappropriate and they should have pulled away

[kittykitty]

103. Agree absolutely! Was it for the cameras? Or for real?

I can't imagine going through the long day as she did, Blair House meetings, church services and having to stand out in the cold, windy drizzle at Andrews Air force Base while they moved that coffin around at a snail's pace. She could hardly make it up the steps of Air Force One for the flight back to California. I hope she got a nap.

The sunset burial was lovely, but should have been private!!! But the military precision of everything they did was a bit much. Taking 15 minutes to fold that flag, salute in slow motion and finally give her the flag.

I think the sound of a thousand shutters clicking and whirring as she broke down at the casket was utterly disgusting. But that's the way she and Ronnie planned it as was mentioned many times. So I have mixed feelings as to whether the day was a "movie"--their last production. The greatest Regan propaganda film ever made--and a national day of mourning, to boot.

If she had been alone with only family I think she would have wept at the casket for an hour.

(on edit) I hope she went back today and did so in privacy. I do feel sorry at her loss.

[PaDUer]

93. this pix?

Pool Photo, via Getty Images
Nancy Reagan at weeps over her husband's casket at the burial ceremony in California Friday night.

[SemperEadem]

110. in the media, it's called "pimping emotion"

whenever it looks like emotion is going to break to the surface, the cameraperson zooms in, usually on the order of the director, producer or executive producer screaming in his/her ear to get "the money shot".

None of us have any right being up in her face during this time.

[PaDUer]

124. I'm pretty certain that

this administration had PLENTY to do with this since it was a full state funeral who's USING the death of Raygun for their own political gain..they're totally a disgrace and I can't wait til the family talking more..Last nite was their opener.

[calimary]

142. Another reason why I DON'T miss the news biz.

I hated having to do stuff like this. Felt like a ghoul.

[calimary]

141. Aw, MAN. That is sad. Yeah. I cried too, at that moment. Felt bad for her.

That's sad. She loved the guy. Go figure. But she really did love the guy.

[Cheswick2.0]

2. I do

I feel very sorry for her today. I hope she finds a reason to keep on so that she can help with the stem cell research issue.
I was also glad to see that her relationship with Patti has become better over the years.

[PartyPooper]

3. Hi Nancy! We still love you at DU! We send you our condolences.

We especially appreciate your son, Ron, and his comments today about *Bush*.

:hi:

[Joe the Revelator]

4. I think a lot of us...

need to put partisanship aside and realize that on the human side this is a woman who is hurting very badly. I hope that at least a majority of us are willing to be bigger then politics and concede that.

[newsguyatl]

5. i wouldn't say i "support" her

but i most definitely empathize, and was touched by her visible grief. as well i admire her love, adoration and loyalty to her true love. theirs was a rare love story indeed.

i can only hope she'll spend the final years of her life in a positive way, affecting change, whether it's with stem cell research or other progressive causes.

THEN she'll have my support.

[jfxgillis]

6. Sure. I'll sign on.

See was the picture of pathos.

[Norquist Nemesis]

7. I didn't see it

but I'll put her in my thoughts and prayers. From the descriptions I've read, I would have been bawling. :(

On another sad note...when couples are as close to each other as the Reagans were, they often die within a short time of each other.

[buff2]

8. I support her

I was crying myself when I saw her break down over the casket after she received the flag. I could feel the hurt. She was not acting....she lost her soul mate of 52 years.We all have lost loved ones and we all know the grief. I thought it was disgusting that they kept the cameras on her at that intimate moment.They should have shown her more respect then that....they should have let her say her last good-bye to her husband without the whole world watching. :cry:

[snoochie]

9. I agree

My prayers are with her and her family. And the troops. I feel like they've been forgotten what with Reagan's passing and the torture scandal.

:(

[LibertyorDeath]

10. "Please post here if you support Nancy Reagan"

Are you Touched

[CatWoman]

16. yes, i am touched

I am touched by the obvious love and devotion Nancy had for Reagan.

Yes, I am touched by that.

Everyone loves. Republicans as well as Democrats.

Nancy loved and still loves. And losing that love is tearing her apart.

That touches me.

[salin]

42. And then to have to.. for days on end...

be subjected to the promotion bordering exploitation of her husband by the very folks she was never too fond of in the first place (the bushies)...

When I was in DC (during the Reagan years) her devotion to him bordered on the level of being constantly subjected to ridicule as it seemed that her primary goal was establishing/cementing "his legacy".

Right now, as a woman, I empathize with her not only due to her immediate loss - but also with her long struggle with him as an alzhiemers sufferef.

But back to that legacy thing... imagine how revolting to see the bushson exploit her husband and clearly make such a mess of so many things - that in the trying to tie himself to Reagan... its sort of like setting the stage for tarnishing what Nancy would perceive to be Reagan's legacy (not that his legacy - from my perspective is a positive thing at all - but in her eyes, undoubtedly, it is.) So here she sits in her grief.. and that old obsessive protection (of him and his legacy) must be rearing up within with anger... on his behalf. I can't even imagine the raw mix of heart rending emotions.

[ronnykmarshall]

80. and that why I loves me some Catwoman!

:loveya:

[glarius]

11. I agree....she looks like a woman completely lost

Her children had a hard time dragging her away from the coffin....You are very compassionate...My heart went out to her too.

[PaDUer]

94. Indeed, completely heartbroken.

BTW, the pix I'm posting are at--
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/12/politics/12NANC.html?ex=1087704000&en=c2e10a8b3d14c7d1&ei=5006&partner=ALTAVISTA1



Reuters
MONDAY: Nancy Reagan behind the window of a limousine carrying her to a service at her husband's presidential library in Simi Valley, Calif.

[freetobegay]

12. She has my blessing

What little compassion Reagan had, her got from her.

[tilsammans]

13. NEVER thought I'd see the day when I'd say it, but . . .

I support Nancy Reagan. For all of the reasons mentioned above.

[SayitAintSo]

78. We show our humanity ....of course we support a grieving widow

Gee ...wonder if the freepers would show the same grace for Hillary ?

I think not ...

[ronnykmarshall]

82. and that's why we should support Nancy at this time

Show them freepers what "Compassion" REALLY means.

:loveya: Nancy !

[TheWizardOfMudd]

14. She's been through hell

Bless her heart.

[Solly Mack]

15. the Reagans truly loved each other..I believe that

I also believe she buried a big part of herself today.

I tuned into the funeral at the end..thought it was over and was looking for some news.

I watched as she put her head on the casket..the look on her face said it all.. I turned the channel. I had no right to witness her grief...and neither did anyone else really.

[checks-n-balances]

52. I do agree that their love for each other must have been very genuine

and I can identify with it several ways. My parents (big democrats, btw) just happen to be as close as that - they have still held hands into their 70s - but for about four years or more they've been living with her Alzheimer's (which her mother also had). Despite the fact that my mother is almost not herself at all anymore, my father has missed her so much since she had to move into a nursing facility. They have the kind of love that the Reagans must've had for one another .

Anyway, Alzheimer's is such a horrible hardship on a family and Mrs. Reagan must be totally exhausted. She looked so frail and must be at least in her 80s.

Anyway, I think that if someone like her - who had been politically indifferent about such issues as Alzheimer's or stem cell research - then we can change our minds about her, too. From some things I've heard about her this week, she was more multi-faceted than her political viewpoints or position allowed her to be. She was also capable of change.

I don't see that being compassionate about her personally - even if her political views back then were not - makes us any less committed to the causes we believe in. And if we believe that part of our mission is to be compassionate, it's good to be that way in a consistent manner.

Thanks for your original post, and we lose nothing by being decent!

Just my $.02.

[Sparkle]

17. I support Nancy Reagan.

Or anyone who has lost a loved one.

[Cleita]

18. I got called all kinds of names and told I should look in a

mirror because I was as bad a bitch as Nancy for saying the same thing yesterday, and thanks CW because the woman is hurting and deserves some sympathy right now. I do have a lot to say tommorrow about women who have buried their whole identity in a man like Nancy did, but tonight she is an old woman who has been through an ordeal and I hope she goes home and drinks a pitcher of something with booze in it. She needs it.

[CatWoman]

20. Cleita

her pain is on display to the entire world.

She looks so vulnerable.

My heart goes out to her.

[brook]

31. I feel as you & Cleita do...

Thank you, CW. Sometimes around here I get the feeling that being human is unacceptable.

When Nancy broke down at the casket, I heard her say "I miss him so, I miss him so." It broke my heart. And it doesn't have a damned thing to do with my politics or whether I'm a lesser Democrat than anyone else. So Thank You again.

[Norquist Nemesis]

21. You didn't say the same thing.

Your post was entirely different because it started off negatively on DUers. This one invites to post without being condemning.

[Cleita]

25. Explain the negative on DU'ers.

I said nothing about DU'ers. All I said was Poor Nancy, she couldn't throw herself on the casket. Apparently, I missed the negative. Explain.

[Norquist Nemesis]

45. My apologies...

truly. On a search, I'm mistaken. Sorry.

[playahata1]

19. I hope, for her -- and the world's -- sake, that she HAS changed.

If she has, then I can support her. If not....

[Erika]

56. Her Big Concern Used to Be the China.

In all honesty, my heart wnet out to her as she couldn't leave the casket. But her husband's policies tossed out those guys from any safety nets. He did a darn good of tossing them .

[flamingyouth]

22. I admit I feel bad for her now

It's hard to lose someone you love so much.

[hlthe2b]

23. Nancy was absolutely drained at the end when she basically

collapsed in barely restrained grief over the casket. For what seemed like an eternity, the cameras clicked and clicked and clicked. While I believe she wanted the heavy media coverage and pomp and circumstance, I think she underestimated how hard this was going to be. Her own two children and Michael Reagan as well, came to her aid. She clearly needed them...

I wish her well and hope she can recuperate, regain her strength and find purpose in life that will reinvigorate her. I personally hope that will be the stem cell issue.

I was never a fan in the past (to put it mildly), although I suspect she needs to be viewed anew in light of all the power struggles that were going on around her (during the second term especially)and the blatant attempts to demonize her by some of those same power grubbers. Nonetheless, I admire her dedication to Reagan and respect what she has gone through these past ten years. I also hold out great hope for the good that she can do if she chooses. She has my warmest wishes, as does her entire family.

For those who continue to be appalled at efforts to balance our disdain for Reagan policies with compassion for the family at his death, I can only point out that Reagan is NOT the problem NOW.... I hope the emotions that we have had unleashed this week will be refocused in a way that advances our shared goals and not lingering bitterness.

[playahata1]

38. I just want her -- with what strength she has left -- to tell these

neocon SOBs who are using her husband to advance their evil agenda, where they can get off.

If there is anyone these fools need to listen to, it is Nancy Reagan -- if they respect the Reagan name and legacy as much as they claim to.

[NEOBuckeye]

71. I sure wish Dick Cheney could find the kind of heart that this woman has.

There's a lesson here in Nancy's unwavering love, compassion and devotion to her husband that will likely be lost on most in the present administration. For all their warmongering, power-hungering ways, Dick Cheney, Paul Wolfowitz, Richard Perle, John Ashcroft and the rest of that wretched bunch would do well to find out what really matters most in this fleeting existence.

[PaDUer]

87. I'm sure Nancy felt

they were owed this due to how they were treated in the end, and by having a full state funeral, it was her way of telling the thugs screw you for what you've done to us. I hope Nancy has the strength to speak out loudly along with her family, especially since pickles said she didn't support stem cell research for alzheimers. I'm sure Nancy knows plenty and will speak out with the truth against these thugs.

I was very surprised that Nancy allowed the thugs speak as they did, and when sheeney was her "escort" for that moment, I'm sure she would've loved to spit in his face! Being a full state funeral, it might've been out of her control, but she did get wait for the casket to arrive and walk with it.

[Blue_Roses]

24. Not only do I support her

I admire her. She is trying to work within a system that she fought so long against--stem cell research and all the diseases that we are encompassed with these days. I admire her for speaking out against Bush for the cause she knows best.

And Ron Jr... I just love him...

[nomaco-10]

26. Well, this thread confirms all the doubts and trepidations.....

I've had about my continuous efforts to post on this site as the struggle for the, "I'm left, you're centrist, or even worse, I'm a progressive, can't we work this whole thing out" meme that still goes on here with little or no opposition. It's especially disconcerting to see this kind of post after the long and rather tenuous media whoring event that has lasted a full week, sponsored by that one and only virtue of family values, yes, they're the ones, the one and only right wing reagans. Yes, I'm talking about that whacky, reagon, media whoring funeral family we've all come to know and love over the past week...

No, I don't feel sorry for Nancy. She's had a wonderful life, living off the reagan name, buying china and designer clothing while us peasants tried to halfway survive off the little wages we had left after the tax cuts he was hellbent on initiating and the full effect of reagonomics could sink in.

Nancy Reagan equals Marie Antionette. She has no sympathy from me, period. Your post is very troubling and disconcerting.

GET A GRIP!!!

[Cleita]

27. Marie Antoinette lost her head in the end.

Nancy has too, metaphorically.

[snoochie]

33. So, if someone has a nice life, then their pain isn't valid?

They aren't deserving of sympathy and compassion?

I disagree.

[progressivebydesign]

107. I hope you never have to lose a longtime love..

I thought the GOP was the party of the heartless. The fact that some people here can't feel ordinary compassion for another human, or even empathy, is a scary thought. I hope that those around you are not devoid of compassion for you when the tough times visit your life.

[Lisa0825]

29. Seeing her brings back memories of my Mom at my Dad's funeral.

At that moment, they are just people with human emotions.

[DeepModem Mom]

30. Nancy is one strong woman, and, call me shallow, but she has style --

both in contrast to our present "First Lady." I support her, especially if she's ready to be a strong public advocate of stem-cell research.

[Mikimouse]

32. She is an old lady, one for whom there is little left, if anything...

Support? How about the hug that she couldn't bring herself to give to those less fortunate. I will give her that and wish her as much happiness as she can find in her remaining years. COndolences Nancy, on your loss and Godspeed.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

34. I just hope that the folks who see these photos and take cheap shots...

...never experience HALF the grief this woman is going through.

This isn't "karma," this isn't "payback," this is agony. Reagan's political career and this woman's personal suffering are two separate, completely unrelated issues.

SHE WAS NOT THE FUCKING PRESIDENT.

[sadiesworld]

63. "Never experience half the grief this woman is going through"

What kind of charmed existence do you live? An 80 year-old woman buries her husband with her children at her side and this is the pain we can only hope we do not have to endure?! I understand your call for compassion, but let's not go round the bend here.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

77. Round what fucking bend, exactly?

First, thanks for asking. I don't live a charmed existence. Second, I'm glad that you understand my call for compassion, because all I really want out of life is to be understood. Look at the fucking pictures again and have a nice day.

[NEOBuckeye]

70. Those pictures are beyond priceless...

I haven't turned on the TV since Tuesday. But I think I took in all the feeling I would have received from watching Reagan's funeral, just from that first picture above of a very grief-striken Nancy.

Say what you will of the woman, or her husband and the legacy of his politics, but at this moment in time, I personally feel her pain and sorrow and give her my sympathy. She's lost the one person who meant more to her in this world than anyone or anything else, and there is now a void in her life where he once was that can never be filled. If only all of the people on this planet could know for themselves, the kind of love that the Reagans apparently knew for each other. How much better might we all be.

As others have remarked in this thread, that love has transformed Nancy, softening her views on an issue central to her party's ideology. With love, comes hope. With hope, comes love.

[greatauntoftriplets]

122. Are you saying that my mother suffered less grief...

...when her husband (my father) died than Nancy Reagan?

Damn, we had to talk her into pulling it together to go to the funeral!

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

126. Read the post. Is that what I said? No? Then that's not what I'm saying.

[greatauntoftriplets]

128. EVERYONE goes through the same kind of grief when they lose a loved one.

EVERYONE!!!

On edit: I read the post. Please don't insult my intelligence or reading comprehension.

[Momof1]

35. I do n/t

[Zomby Woof]

36. she's a callow, nasty old bat

I pity her not. Just say NO to Nancy.

And fuck, I loved my TV-free week. Even have a stack of unread newspapers on the coffee table. I am not a masochist like some of you all. :puke:

Nancy Reagan sucks ass. After all, she married that pinheaded old fascist shit.

[CatWoman]

47. my big brother

what am I going to do with you.

you're cool with me until the end of time.

:loveya:

i respect your opinion.

[Zomby Woof]

48. hehehe

You are only one of a SMALL handful of DUers who "gets" me, and knows I am just stickin' to my guns... :P

:loveya:

[Demonaut]

51. I guess we've learned one the thing from the RW , HATE

Zombywoof, I respect your opinion but on this I don't agree. Its not about "cant we all get along" its about devotion and sacrifice and this Nancy had in spades and for that I respect her

[Zomby Woof]

83. this is an earned hate

The RW hates indiscriminately, and with little effort. They hate you for being different, for not thinking alike, for not being one of them (whatever 'them' is). They hate you just for being born sometimes. It's a way of life with them.

They do so easily and with lots of encouragement from propagandists and so forth.

It's not an emotion that comes easily or frequently with me. It has to be earned, and earned hard. It isn't based on someone merely disagreeing with me, or not being of my social or ethnic class.

It is very specific, when summoned at all, towards the individuals in question, and because of the great social cost involved. There were very concrete crimes committed by both of them. I will not overlook them just so I can claim some mantle of alleged superiority. If I was just as guilty as they, I would expect no less from my adversaries. I would welcome no less.

The Reagans, both of them, are beyond redemption. They used up any possible good will they had before Reagan was even elected. The damage they inflicted on people as a whole, all over the world, deserves unyielding scorn and no mercy.

I never show weakness towards those who would gladly silence us if they could get away with it. Don't be softened by her tears. Nancy and her late husband would have turned the other way when our families were hurting, sick, aging, and unable to afford the care. They did turn away, countless times.

They sacrificed their humanity ages ago. They get no forgiveness from me just because they 'suffered' a few years. I don't think they suffered enough, but he is dead, and that is good enough, for he will blot the planet no more. Nancy, who always vainly lied about her age, will follow soon enough.

[TahitiNut]

134. Amen.

Norma Desmond Reagan can take her posed and planned ("to the last detail") photo-ops and rot as far as I'm concerned. Staged grief. Soulless slime.

[JayS]

37. I'll pray that she and her family find peace during this sad...

...time and I'm sorry if that upsets anybody. Part of being a Christian is that you have to care for those you like as well as dislike, not that I dislike her as I do not know her. The politics of her husband I did not care for but I also pray that he finds peace.

[Zero Gravitas]

39. I support her

She has brought tears to my eyes more than once tonight. Best wishes to Nancy Reagan.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

40. I felt bad for her-what an ordeal

I have compassion for anyone going through something like this in the public eye-Republican or Democrat.

[graham67]

41. I think....

she handled it all with grace and dignity. You've gotta give her kudos for that. She puts those Bush* women to shame.



And mad props to Major General Jackman. He was solid.

[DeepModem Mom]

49. I second Major General Jackman's props --

As someone posted earlier, now that's a man!

[fortyfeetunder]

43. Some caring for the moment

Part of me feels bad for Nancy and the kids, knowing what a tortuous 10 or so years they dealt with Mr. Reagan's illness.

OTOH a part of me wants to wonder exactly how much did she care about Mr. Reagan's policies that allowed the homeless Alzheimers patients to be let go in the streets, condoning the right wing wacko agenda that pretty much squashed any stem cell research, and possibly some mitigating care for Alzheimers.

[merh]

44. How could I call myself a humanitarian

if I didn't offer my support. Her pain and loss were so evident, I cried for her and I pray to God that she finds comfort. Say what you want about his presidency and her involvement in it and with his policies, she is still human and what a hypocrite I would be if I damned here and then rant against others who care nothing for humans who think differently than they do. She and RR adored each other and that type of love is rare - when it is gone, there is an undescribable emptiness that can never be filled.

I hope she is able to find strength in her battle for stem cell research. Maybe her 10 year struggles have made her more empathetic and made her appreciate how wrong her husband was to turn his back on AIDS.

Yes, I support her.

[Syrinx]

46. thank you

Seems to me "liberalism" always had as a central ingredient common human decency. Maybe it's making a "comeback".

The ceremony was very touching. My heart goes out to Nancy Reagan and to Mr. Reagan's children.

If I wanted to be a cold-hearted automaton, I would frequent the other website.

[AlFrankenFan]

50. When she started crying when she lie her head on the casket

I knew she wasn't acting. Poor dear. I wish her the best.

[Norbert]

53. She has my support

Alzheimers suck in the worst possibly way and she has a first hand account for ten years.

From one human being to another she has my support. She will get through this. Women more often than not do, men more often than not don't.

[Leilani]

54. Dear Catwoman,

Thanks for your post.

Now I know why I am not a Republican anymore. (Actually, I was an Indie, but voted for some Repubs.)

All of you Dems, who have posted here, have shown why you ARE better than the other side. You have shown caring & compassion, which has been missing from that other party for quite a while.

The Repubs, with some exceptions, have gone over to the dark side.
You, on the other hand, have shown humanity, & it impresses the hell out of me.

[RummyTheDummy]

55. I've never cared for her but.....

She seems to be in okay health, frail as she seemed. There' no reason why she can't stay active and live the time on earth she has left to the fullest. That's my hope for her.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

57. I do...this was a media circus, but still, there was a big loss for Nancy

as much as I dislike Reagans politics, at the nonpolitical level, there was a real close romnatic relationship there....and its a big loss for Nancy....

[crossroads]

58. I couldn't stand either one till today...

when she looked so frail, then my heart went out to her...
She also may be the one to carry the torch for stem-cell research, which IMO, is a great idea...
:shrug:

[Only Me]

59. It is a very sad thing to loose someone that you have

been with over half of your life. Watch them suffer helplessly and then the heart break of him 'not remembering her anymore' before he died, in essence, leaving her behind even then.

My grandmother died in August of this past year from Alzheimers. I think when she didn't recognize the family anymore, that is what hurt the most.

My heart goes out to anyone that suffers with a broken heart.

[northofdenali]

60. CatWoman, your heart knows no bounds, does it?

Dad died at 68. Mom is now 88 and still grieves.

Nancy, live the rest of your life as if RR was next to your side. My heart is with you.

[Borgnine]

61. Thank you...

...I'm glad to see a sane post here after all the ugliness of the past few days.

My opinion of Nancy Reagan has certainly improved over the last few years, and while I strongly disagree with her and her husband's actions during the '80s, I really feel for her now. Nobody should have to go through this kind of pain, especially in front of the entire country.

I hope she takes comfort in the fact that she has experienced the love that most people only dream about, and maybe, just maybe, she'll be reunited with her soulmate soon.

Being liberal means being more compassionate than the other side. I'm glad to see many here stand by that ideal.

[NuttyFluffers]

62. As a human in pain, undoubtedly, she has my support.

To do so is the very definition of humanity and compassion. How could I be a bleeding heart liberal if I was not touched?

Her words and deeds will be judged in time, but in the face of death, the great equalizer, she stands in the face of forces greater than she, as we all will. In the face of love and loss we are reduced to our basic humanness - and through the transcendence of compassion we learn to grow to be better than we were.

For basic human dignity she has my support of compassion. If only all of us could be so supported in our hours of need.

[oasis]

64. She's had a tough ten years. She deserves some kindness.

[WI_DEM]

65. I support Nancy and the Reagan kids

I think she has gone thru this difficult week with dignity and I thought Michael, Patti and Ron gave wonderful short eulogies about not the president, but their father. My admiration for Nancy has grown since she left the White House becuz I do think she truly loved Reagan and she with him thru his final decline. I also admire the way she has come out for stem cell research and I hope she will continue to speak out--and Patti and Ron as well.

Yes, the media was guilty of overkill this week, but the final ceremony at the Reagan Library was dignified and without the political tones that all too often came out of Washington.

Thanks for starting this thread.

[Pachamama]

66. I believe that Nancy Reagan, Ron Jr. & Family will surprise us all soon...

...stay tuned...more to come...

I didn't agree with Ronald Reagan's policies but I do believe he was a good person and loved his country and family more than anything in the world. I never really knew what to think of Nancy Reagan, but when she came out and spoke out a few weeks back for Stem Cell Research and when I saw her grieving this week and after hearing the comments from Ron Jr. today, it suddenely hit me that these two are going to have legacies of their own and we will all be very much impacted in a positive way by those legacies. Pray that they stay strong and after a few weeks or month from now that they strike back at the media and Bush Co. for trying to exploit Ronald Reagan and his memory for their gain. Watch Nancy and Ron Jr. become the Bush Co's and Repukes worst nightmare as they make sure the world does not tie Reagan's name and memory with Dubya...

I do feel for her and the family in their sorrow....I don't think that makes me any less of a committed "democrat" but rather it shows my compassion as a human being. Reagan the politician might not have been liked by many on this board, including myself but he was a human being who loved his family and they loved him....I feel for them....what was sickening this week was watching the media frenzy and exploitation by them and the Bush/Neocons/Repukes for their own gain....if you want to get angry, get angry at that, not at a grieving widow and children.

[kittykitty]

97. I agree with you!

". . . .they strike back at the media and Bush Co. for trying to exploit Ronald Reagan and his memory for their gain. Watch Nancy and Ron Jr. become the Bush Co's and Repukes worst nightmare as they make sure the world does not tie Reagan's name and memory with Dubya..."

Your words, and exactly what I have been thinking--and hoping. At the least I hope Nancy does not participate in any way in the upcoming campaign, and at the most I hope she speaks out against bush and his policies. Ron Jr., too.

[Forkboy]

67. curse you and your kindness!

:spank:

:hi:

[ibegurpard]

69. I feel for her loss.

I hope she finds her way to comfort and solace.

[Piperay]

68. I feel very sorry for her

on my local news I caught the scene of her at the casket after the flag at been removed. Nancy looked so shaken and griefstricken as her children comforted her. Much as I disliked the whole Raygun regime that scene brought tears to my eyes, reminded me of my father at my mother's funeral. I can tell that Nancy really loved him and is suffering, I feel for her. :hug:

[anarchy1999]

72. She has our prayers and our support.

It is a well known fact that there is no love lost between the two families. I thought today when I saw Babs in white at the ceremony in Washington that she (Babs) was slinging one last dig at Nancy. Everyone else was in black.

I didn't catch the final, final ceremony, but I'm glad to hear the kids stood up, especially Ron.

Nancy stood by her man, fiercely, loyally and to the end.

[PaDUer]

89. You're right about babs....

she doesn't want to dirty her mind with this! Disgusting and disgraceful old witch!

[shimmergal]

73. My heart goes out to her in her grief.

When the Reagans were in the White House I was critical of her as well as of him, but in the years since my admiration for Nancy has grown. She has _not_ badmouthed political opponents as another former first lady does, but seemingly devoted herself to mending fences with the couple's children as well as watching over her husband's welfare and slow decline.

It had to have been traumatic, so many years spent this way, knowing exactly how it was fated to end. I wish her well in coping with her enormous loss.

[DoctorWeird]

74. Thanks

With everything that happens in the news and in the world, it is so easy to become cynical. I was looking on here specifically for something that would piss me off about Republicans. I found this post instead, and Im glad I did. I do feel sorry for Mrs. Reagan, because it's painful for anyone to lose a loved one. I don't know if that counts as support or as sympathy, probably more like sympathy. I am also grateful to Ron Jr., for striking back at all of those who are politicizing the event. I support him for that. My sympathy towards Mrs. Reagan has nothing to do with who she is, but just the fact that anyone who loses someone they love is hurting. I still don't agree with a lot of Reagan's policies, I still don't think he was a good president and if someone asks I'll say so. But the Reagans do have my sympathy.

[leftynyc]

75. If anyone had told me I would shed tears for her

I wouldn't have believed it...but when she finally broke down and had to say goodbye for the last time, I just couldn't help myself. I hope and pray she finds peace.

[ronnykmarshall]

79. Take care, Nancy.

You showed us all what true love is by your support of Ronnie while he was ill.

You're in heart.

RKM

[terrya]

81. She lost an important part of her life. A companion, a love and a friend.

And in that, she does have my support and condolences.

[Cheswick2.0]

84. Thanks Catwoman

This thread has been a healing oasis in a desert of hate and anger. I understand partisan feelings. I just got so tired of the abusive hateful language directed at a sad old woman.

[greenbriar]

85. I too feel sorry for her. She loved her husband very much

and was heartbroke at the end.


I think if she could have crawled in with him she would have.


The hardest part for her is now, after all the hoopla is done


now the loneliness will set in

[DaveSZ]

86. I was angry at the cameramen

They should have more decency than to film her crying over the body.

[ronnykmarshall]

108. I agree

I was crying when Nancy broke down and the clicking of the cameras made sick.

But, she is used to it. So I don't think it made a difference to her.

[kymar57]

138. felt the same way

A truly personal and private moment.And the only sound you could hear was the click/whirr of the cameras. Not being that media savvy, I only hope the photogs were some distance away and the noise didn't interfere with the moment. But I thought they might have pulled back a bit out of respect for the family.

[Jawja]

88. Hi, CatWoman!

:hi: Great post and thank you for it.

I DO support Nancy Reagan. I watched her just about lose it last night and I screamed at the TV for her children to rescue her from just about having draped herself across the coffin in grief at the end of the ceremonies(evidently they heard me and responded ;-)). That scene touched me so much that I actually dreamed about Nancy Reagan.

She is one tough lady who had a long and difficult day yesterday. I hope she pursues the stem cell research issue and tell * to "just say YES."

Jawja

[Fenris]

90. Thank you for posting this, CatWoman.

I've seen a woman collapse on a coffin like that before - my grandmother, after my grandfather died from cancer. You know in that brief instant that when you walk away from that wooden box, it will be the last time. It's the finality of the situation that makes it so difficult. I was actually surprised to see so many nasty posts claiming she was acting. Clearly, many have never had to say goodbye for the absolute last time.

[tilsammans]

91. There's more pain and suffering ahead for Nancy . . .

. . . as Dubya and his ilk attempt to commandeer all the good Reagan vibes for their own dastardly purposes. :puke:

I hope Patty and Ron Jr. tell 'em all to go to hell. :mad:

[janx]

92. As much as I will always despise Reagan with bringing religion

into government and pandering to fundamentalists, I will always respect Nancy Reagan. How ironic it is that those same fundamentalists are now denying stem cell research that could help shed some light on Alzheimer's.

You'd have to be crazy to think that she doesn't realize that.

First ladies are always demonized by the press and especially the opposition party--they're either bitches or victims. If they show any strength at all, they're labeled as bitches, and inevitably the rumors from the press follow: the china, the silverware, whatever.

Ronald Reagan would still have been doing "Bedtime for Bonzo" movies if it weren't for his wife. Nancy Reagan is pure CLASS.

[tilsammans]

95. Yes, thank you, CatWoman

I was never a fan of Reagan and his policies. To put it mildly, those were terrible years, and they set the stage for the mess we're in now.

Nevertheless, having experienced similar illnesses and deaths within my own family, I have to say my heart goes out to Nancy and her kids. We can only hope some real good comes of all this.

:grouphug:

[DoveTurnedHawk]

96. Thank You, Catwoman

This is class.

I support Nancy Reagan, as a human being, as a bereaved widow, as a fighter for stem cell research.

DTH

[TacticalPeek]

136. Keep the faith.

Some of the good things that came from the Reagan administration were due to Nancy Reagan, and she has been fine as a former first lady under difficult conditions. She seemed to bear a mighty strain for this last hurrah, but stood up through it. Their whole family did well in their national mourning role.

And yes, the otherwise superb production values were blemished by the lingering closeup at the casket. They should have kept that for the outtakes, but pulled back for the broadcast.

[wyldwolf]

98. My condolences, Mrs. Reagan

I lost a grandmother to Alzheimer's. It is hereditary and I'm afraid I'm seeing a few signs of it creeping in to my mother. Keep fighting the good fight for stem cell research. I, too, feel it is the way.

I cringed at some of the things being said here during your time of grief. DU does NOT represent the average democrat.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

99. Here's how I feel

Her loving care for him indicates that none of us are monolithic..we are all far more complex than we choose to admit...I do have sympathy for her..

[indigobusiness]

100. Anyone with her reputation for blow-jobs gets my support.

Her blubbering, was touching, and my heart went out to her as I watched
the perverse voyeuristic spectacle (we are a sick, sick society to zoom in like we did) ...and I was touched as the weight of it all seemed to reach her and buckle her. But, how can this be so grievous?
Ronnie's death was hardly tragic, and his life was only tragic
for others....blubbering about it at this point just seems selfish.

I think they pushed this way past its limits. Truman would've puked.

[kcwayne]

101. I think I'll just say no.

I empathize with her personal loss. But she is the queen dowager for the radical right that has taken over this country, and I won't support that.

[WolverineDG]

102. The absolute WORST time of the funeral process

is the burial of the body or the internment of the ashes. During the days preceding, there's lots of activity, people coming & going, lots of reminiscing (& yes, freepers, LAUGHTER), and so on. Yes, you cry & grieve during this time, but it's nothing compared to what happens at the funeral itself.

Because, as you near the end of the service, it dawns on you: it IS the absolute end. Once the body is buried, you turn and walk away. The deceased remains where they are, never to move again. Which is why Nancy had such a hard time leaving the casket. My God, did I cry when I saw the photos today. It reminded me of my mom's funeral in '85 & my dad's in '98. My prayers are definitely with Nancy & the Reagan kids at this time.

The next "bump in the road" is the day after the last person visiting leaves & you wake up & there's nothing to do regarding the funeral but get out of bed & try to get on with your life. I remember that first day after my mom died. I stayed in bed, listening for the "normal" sounds of my mom making coffee, listening to the radio in the kitchen, typing away on her typewriter, yakking to to the cats. Nothing. Absolute silence. It damn near killed me & I was 22 at the time.

I hope Nancy can come out of this a valiant champion for stem-cell research. I will, however, respect her privacy & if she choses to remain in private life, that choice as well.

dg

[progressivebydesign]

104. I support her as a human being.

I've always wondered about the anguish a person would feel when their loved one was going to be lowered into the ground.. I would be hysterical, or simply collapse in grief. Ronald was her life for many, many decades, and even in his decline.. he was there.. I feel for the woman. You can see, from watching her, how so many people die of grief within a few years or months after their beloved dies.

[Coventina]

105. I support CatWoman's bravery and compassion

and yes, I send my thoughts and prayers to Nancy Reagan as well.

One year ago, my mother died of dementia. She had been ill for 10 years, as Ronald had been.

Let me tell you, Nancy is one hell of a strong woman to have cared for him all that time. NO ONE who has not been there themselves has ANY RIGHT to speak ill of the caregivers of dementia patients.

IF SHE WAS a shallow, uncaring, stuck up bitch in the past this experience had to have changed her. She stuck it out to the end. That takes courage and depth of heart. She is NOT the same person she was twenty or even ten years ago. It is JUST NOT POSSIBLE.

I think a crucial aspect of Liberalism is the belief that people can change, can become better. If that is true, they also need to be forgiven for their past crimes.

If change and forgiveness are off the table, then we are all lost.

[JCMach1]

106. I can't believe Ronnie put her through this... he was the one

who drew up these funeral plans during his first administration...

This state funeral thing has ended up being very cruel for her...

My heart goes out to her... A frail, grieving old lady caught in a media circus

[ronnykmarshall]

111. They both approved this funeral.

They were a team.

[JCMach1]

113. I don't think she realized quite what it would be...

[ronnykmarshall]

115. You're probably right.

I admire her for holding up as well as she did.

[Fla Dem]

109. Thank you for starting this thread

Never a Reagan fan, nor one of Nancy's, nevertheless, their love for each other was always visable. I am happy for them that they had over 50 years to spend with each other, although the last decade was painful. Politics aside, I grieved for Mrs Reagan and their children. No matter who you are or what you have done with your life, losing a loved one leaves a huge hole in your heart. I for one hate to see anyone suffer. I hope she finds comfort and some joy in the years she has remaining. :hug:

[PA Democrat]

112. As much as I disliked Nancy as first lady

I cannot help but feel compassion for her loss. She obviously loved her husband deeply.

Grief is the grand equalizer for all of humanity. We will all experience it at some point in our lives, and we all exhibit our grief differently. The person who does not publicly display their grief does not necessarily feel less pain.

The most significant difference that I see in people is how they react to grief after the initial loss. Some people let grief rob all of the sunlight and joy from their lives and in the end, they die of grief. Others channel their grief to make the world a better place, and are able once again find some happiness and contentment.

My wish for Nancy is that she falls in the latter category, and channels her grief into some meaningful cause, such as stem cell research. What greater tribute to her husband than to use her position to work for a cure for Alzheimer's.

[k in IA]

114. Yes, I support her and their kids. Thank you for posting a

thread that many of us could agree with about feeling for the family.

[SemperEadem]

116. I support her

She fulfilled her duty to her country as the consort to the president. The rods of office have been broken and thrown into the vault with his casket. She no longer has to face a camera unless she wants to. I'm sure she's relieved to have her beloved at peace, although I'm sure in some measure, that's not much comfort because she misses him dreadfully.

The finality of it will probably hit her within the next couple of days. I pray that those who are in her life now can help ease her pain and be of some comfort to her.

[indigobusiness]

117. If she lost "everything she loved and held dear"....

...she is not a very good mother.

No, she just said goodbye, with feeling, to part of what she loved.

As far as her having "gone through hell"...think of all the poor widows out there that were forced to cope with an Alzheimers stricken spouse, without a ticket on the Reagonomic gravy train.

[chookie]

118. Nancy

Mrs Reagan conducted herself magnificently in the funeral, with dignity and grace. She is so frail now, and was absolutely exhausted, but she never made a misstep and presented an image to the world that we can all be proud of.

I buried my axe with her long ago. She is very misunderstood. Much of the malignant campaign against her was politically motivated by some very vicious people, among them Barbara Bush and later the men who had attempted to hijack the Reagan presidency to advance their own dark agenda, using his encroaching illness to take advantage of him. Nancy had found herself with some very powerful enemies, yet she never failed to confront them.

There is a lot that is going to come out now, which is quite relevant to our present time, as the seeds of today's chaos were planted back in the 80s. It is certainly going to change the minds of how most people think about Mrs Reagan.

As someone who recently walked the same hard road, caring for my mother who was in an advanced state of Alzheimer's, I feel pity towards the family, as I know what they have just been through. I know that if anyone can effect an energization of research for Alzheimer's disease, it will be Mrs Reagan. She WILL take on the Bushistas, and blast them for their hypocrisy -- eulogizing Reagan yet refusing to do anything that might have spared him or others of the suffering he and they endured.

It's a little strange to see people who do not believe that people of privilege might also have a life-changing experience that opens them to the pain in this world....At a time where medical research is focused on developing drugs and treatments which maximize profits for pharmaceutical corporations, we should be happy to have a powerful ally emerge who has the influence to demand that they behave morally and ethically and develop the drugs we desperately need to cure these horrific diseases.

My assessment of the Reagan presidency is entirely separate from my feelings of sympathy for his family.

My heart goes out to them, I commend them for their exemplary behavior during the course of President Reagan's tragic illness, and for the grace they exhibited during the trying state funeral.

[proud patriot]

119. I send her strength

I wish her no ill .

I can look past my own partisan beliefs and pray
for strength to another human .

[Cooley Hurd]

120. Because of my profound respect for Ron Jr and Patti...

...I can say unequivocally that I support their mother who, incidentally, is our biggest and most important ally against the likes of Grover Norquist and all the other nuts who are trying to exploit the memory of her husband for political gain.

If she were here right now, I would give her the biggest hug!

I love you, Mrs Reagan! :loveya:

[msanthrope]

121. I support Nancy Reagan---

and I hope that she can spend the rest of her life in peace, knowing that she was a good, dutiful, and faithful wife until the end.

[VOX]

123. She is a frail, grieving person, and the mother of two liberal children...

I recently lost my mom after her nine-year illness, and it is so very hard to say goodbye to someone so close, especially after so much time and energy has been devoted to the care and welfare of the stricken family member.

Nancy Reagan, like so many of her generation, centered her life around her spouse -- in sickness and in health. Her main reason for carrying on is now gone. She, and her two children, Ron and Patti, have my support in this difficult time.

Nancy Reagan now has an opportunity to do much good -- in November, there will be a stem-cell research initiative on the California ballot. I do hope she speaks out in favor of stem-cell research, which Bush opposes.

And I hope that we hear more from Ron in the weeks to come.

[janx]

139. I can't quite agree that Nancy Reagan's reason for being is

now gone; that sells her short somehow.

She is a very intelligent and strong woman, and she had both her personal reasons and her privacy and dignity to consider both as First Lady and beyond.

I don't think we've seen the last of her. (At least I hope not.) And I'm very sure that we haven't seen the last of her children.

[Pathwalker]

125. Thank you, CatWoman. I too support Nancy Reagan,

She loved her man, and took loving care of him for many long years while he wasted away. To dump on her at this time just seems heartless, cruel...in other words - republican. Peace be with you, Nancy - Your Beloved is free, now.

[sangha]

127. Of course she was grief stricken

Without Ronnie around, why would anyone pay attention to her?

[Paragon]

129. I didn't watch the burial last night...

...but I did just see the clip of her clutching the casket there at the end of the ceremony. Really heartbreaking.

She's got two great kids to take care of her, (no, not you, Michael) and I know she'll be using every ounce of strength she has to fight for stem cell research.

[FDRrocks]

130. Much love to Nancy n/t

[MoonRiver]

131. I hope she can find comfort in her children!

Life isn't just about one's spouse. But I would grieve if mine died so my prayers go out for her. O8)

[molly]

132. You just may turn out to be our new best friend

if that sounds selfish, I am sorry.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

133. I was moved to tears myself last night

and I was never a fan of Nancy Reagan's. As so many people have posted it brought back memories of my father when we buried my mother and my sister-in-law when we buried my brother. Saying good bye to a loved one is the hardest thing any individual has to go through.

Nancy and her children, including Michael, will be in my prayers.

[sendero]

135. You know why I can "support" her?

Because she stood by her husband who was in a terrible until the bitter end. A person who loves and fulfills that kind of committment has my respect.

Time will heal her, and I hope it does so soon.

[UrbScotty]

137. Aye! Right here!

:grouphug: for Nancy!

[calimary]

140. I don't think she was acting when she finally broke down.

She was acting UP TIL THEN, trying to KEEP from breaking down. Yes, I support her. Especially now. She needs it, and frankly, with her stem cell crusade, we need her, too. Deal. It's the truth.

[RidgeWalker]

143. WHat?

She'll be just fine, what exactly would we pray to happen?

He's not coming back.

[noiretextatique]

144. i suppport anyone who loses a loved one

it's a terrrible thing to lose someone you love.