Why is everybody taking this time of sorrow and turning it into a soapbox

[Miss Chybil]

to criticize the president? We all know who he is and what he is like. Let's keep the focus on the victims of yesterday's tragedy and stop hyperfocusing on George Bush for a minute. Please?

[Horse with no Name]

1. What is to criticize?

The fact that he ignores non-white school shootings but can't step up to the stage quickly enough for this one?

[Richard Steele]

9. Ayup. nm

[blondeatlast]

31. Yeppers... nt

[Lerkfish]

2. maybe because shrub is shamelessly using it as a soapbox himself?

:shrug:

[Decruiter]

16. to steal from dicksteele.....Ayup, & nuf said. n/t

[Bluebear]

3. Let's keep the focus on Katrina victims that are still dead, too

That he could not be bothered to mourn.

[coalition_unwilling]

14. And the 650,000+ dead Iraqi civilians (conservative estimate) that

he dismisses and\or refuses to acknowlege.

[Bluebear]

18. And Red Lake , about which he said squat.

[Demeter]

4. Sorrow Is a Private Matter, Treason Is a Public Crime

[ThomCat]

8. Very well said.

:applause:

[Bluebear]

19. Indeed. nt

[Anywho6]

5. Thank you, Miss Chybil!

A moment of reflection would be good for so many of us at this time.

Peace to all...

[TornadoTN]

6. Because his presence and speech was merely a cheap political stunt

Look no further than the non-action in New Orleans for your proof.

Not one of us is forgetting the victims, quite the contrary, I tried to let my politics go when I heard Bush was going to the service. But alas, it became nothing more than a cheap photo op that they hope gets him a bump in the polls.

[Sapere aude]

7. I think that it is such a shocking event that we can't comprehend that it was a random occurrence.

We need to have a reason why things happen and we use our agendas to give us a reason.

[bdamomma]

10. he is just so lame, and we know he is so insincere.

some of us are just venting. * comments did not help either when this happened: why say something like this???

A White House spokesman said President Bush was horrified by the rampage and offered his prayers to the victims and the people of Virginia.

"The president believes that there is a right for people to bear arms, but that all laws must be followed," spokeswoman Dana Perino said



http://slog.thestranger.com/cgi-bin/mt-comments.cgi?entry_id=20624

[gravity]

11. Funerals are not the place for politics.

Just let Bush speak, and respect those who died and lost love ones. This event is for them, not Bush, so show some respect.

You can criticize Bush the other 99% of the time

[Miss Chybil]

13. Exactly my point. Thank you. nt

[marylanddem]

15. I DO respect those who died BUT

I will criticize Bush whenever and wherever I choose, thanks

[Bluebear]

17. This is not a funeral, this is a message board.

Nobody is intruding on the funeral here.

[gravity]

20. It's disrespectful

I know that this is just a message board, but I can not stand it when people politicize a funeral for their own agenda. It just isn't right.

[Bluebear]

22. Sorry you are concerned and troubled by it.

[AlinPA]

23. Yes, but why did he go there? Was he invited? If so, OK. Otherwise, its politicking.

[gravity]

25. Because he is the president

Like it or not, he has a right to speak at this funeral. I'm sure at least some people appreciate him being there, and you just have to respect that decision.

This is a funeral, not a partisan event.

[Bluebear]

26. Where was he for Red Lake and Katrina?

Just asking, since those weren't partisan events either.

[AlinPA]

30. Do you mean that funeral or any funeral? Remember, I said if invited, its OK.

It's just the politicking that gets me. That event was for VA Tech and the people associated with VA Tech. I don't have any problem with their senators and governor, et al attending. Peace.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

12. It's hard not to reflect on the fact that this man took us into an illegal and immoral war,

sacrificing other fine young people for his own demented agenda. He is as guilty IMHO of premediated murder as the gunman was. Also, he is the one that placed himself in the middle of this service, which I feel is way too soon.

[Lex]

21. On a political board, politics comes up a lot.

nt

[ends_dont_justify]

24. First comes sorrow, then comes anger

Some of us have moved out of the sorrow stage and have moved into the anger. We need a target, and a man who is as guilty as sin using this as a political agenda, does rile us.

I agree it's good to keep a moment of silence, but please understand it isn't just blind hate...it's a phase of the healing process.

[treestar]

27. Since we are not personally involved, we see it in societal terms

We take an intellectual approach in these circumstances, and that is not a bad thing. Some react more emotionally, but those who react intellectually tend to overlook that as hard to understand, just as the emotionalists have a hard time seeing an intellectual reaction as other than cruel.

* has made a TV appearance and gone to the funeral, so his conduct will come up for observation. And on DU, you can't be surprised if his conduct is found to be less than stellar.

[ElizabethDC]

28. I feel the same way

to me, the sadness of the situation transcends my personal political feelings. However, I understand that all people do not feel the same way that I do - we each deal with it in our own ways.

[Fresh_Start]

29. because within 1 hour Bush spokesman said ppl have right

to bear arms.

Its political against Bush because Bush chose to make it political.

[blondeatlast]

32. I find it disrespectful to halt my daily life to intrude on the suffering and tragedy of strangers.

I never expected the world to end when my parents died and I resented virtual strangers interest in the details.

Here's a comforting thought: Walk away from the monitor, read a book, watch TV, take a walk, reflect on life lost just as a new stage was beginning.

I won't intrude on your reflection if you won't tell me, a responsible adult capable of holding several thoughts in my head at once, how to deal with this.

Thank you.

[Pab Sungenis]

33. The shooting is not Bush's fault.

It's just that some people are very angry and frustrated, and are letting it out on the wrong targets.