We need to lobby Rosalyn and Jimmy Carter now

[dsc]

about his funeral. Funerals are for the living and given that we have to live through this maudalin, gaudy, tribute to Reagan, we need our own version when the time comes. Left to their own devices I would imagine that Jimmy and Rosalyn have something pretty simple planned. We deserve better. Jimmy and Rosalyn should insist on all the pomp and circumstance that Reagan is getting now.

On edit I know that in retrospect whatever Carter has planned will look good and be true to himself. Carter was the first President I really remember well (he was President from 3rd to 7th grade for me). I remember him staying in people's houses, walking for his inagural, carrying his own bags, and generally being a calm, casual presence. I do know this, if I am anywhere near Plains Georgia when the time comes I will be making that pilgramage to see that coffin.

[wndycty]

1. No simple and understated is good. . .

. . .trust me this will backfire. It was poignant when Nancy leaned on the casket the other day, last poignant tonight and by Friday, WHEN SHE DOES IT AGAIN, it will be meaningless. And remember I am one of the people who is biting his tongue. Simple and understated would have been the way to go!

[dsc]

5. I still remember Carter walking for his inagural

I thought that was so cool (and I was only in third grade). I don't recall all the imperal Presidency stuff with Nixon but I do remember that walk and the crowds. It seemed like the right way for an elected leader to behave.

[wndycty]

8. Didn't Bush get egged . . . LOL

:kick:

[dsc]

10. Carter had his low moments popularity wise

but I don't think he was ever despised like Bush, Reagan, or Clinton. I think that speaks well of him even if Clinton was a better President.

[shraby]

2. They'd never go for it because

they are nice people.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

3. I hope that he at least goes for the Official State Funeral!

[VolcanoJen]

4. Citizen Carter

I admire and respect Carter very much, and I just don't think it would be his post-career "citizen" style to request a full state funeral like the one we're seeing now.

I have a feeling his funeral will be in Plains, with honor guard and public viewing, of course, but no schlepping of the body to DC and back. Dignified. Fitting.

At any rate, I don't think we should be lobbying Rosalyn and Jimmy about his funeral... it's a personal decision, and theirs alone.

[Zen Democrat]

6. Ford will go first. And there won't be such hoopla for that one.

Ford looks terribly weak. He's almost 91.

[dsc]

9. we should all look so good at 91

He looked great on Larry King last night (I think it may have been Monday). Ford probably will go first given the fact he is quite a bit older but not necessarily.

[tritsofme]

15. I saw him and Betty on Larry King too,

I thought they looked wonderful for their age!

I voted for Carter, and despite his pardon of Nixon I have always believed Gerry to be a genuinely nice man, and I thought him to be perhaps the last honorable Republican President post WWII (besides Ike) and probably the last one we will ever see.

[JI7]

7. Jimmy Carter really is a good man with good accomplishments, doesn't need

dressing up.

[Red State Rebel]

11. Actually, I was reading that former Presidents are to turn in the plans

1 year after they leave office. I would imagine it would just be the basics with other things to be decided by the family at the time.

I don't know if these plans are public or not.

[dsc]

12. He has plans on file

but they can, and in Reagan's case were, altered from time to time. As to them being made public I doubt it since no one seemed to know what Reagan was going to do.

[Red State Rebel]

13. I heard one news show talking about how after Nixon's

funeral Nancy had talked to some of their people, asking questions about some of the things that were done. Preparing for the inevitable I guess.

[mike1963]

14. I consider funerals to be archaic, medieval and idiotic machinations that

accomplish precisely nothing. I'm adding bizarre and obscene to the former adjectives as I think about it. And cynical (trust me, that observation from a self-admitted cynic is heartfelt)...

Bah.

[neebob]

16. I agree

and I'll add that for the average person's family it's all a big forced march, designed to enrich purveyors of death accessories. And you thought you were cynical.