Bush is such a moral man, he is chopping wood

hsmith · 12-31-2006, 10:53 AM

instead of attending Ford's funeral

Ford farewelled by faithful few | The World | The Australian

WASHINGTON: George W. Bush sent his apologies - he was too busy cutting wood and riding his bike - and almost 500 of the 535 members of Congress also had more pressing engagements, as the state funeral for Gerald Ford, the 38th president of the US, was held in Washington yesterday.

While Ford's widow, Betty, was joined by Vice-President Dick Cheney in the Capitol Rotunda, most members of the political establishment were notable for their absence.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his deputy, Richard Durbin, opted to continue with a visit to Inca ruins in South America. Incoming house speaker Nancy Pelosi pardoned herself, and six of the nine members of the Supreme Court, including John Paul Stevens, who was appointed by Ford, were nowhere to be seen.

To make matters worse, there was a last-minute scramble to rally enough pallbearers. A spokesman for Donald Rumsfeld said the former defence secretary had missed a flight, and if fellow pallbearer James Baker was there, he was keeping a low profile.

Only Attorney-General Alberto Gonzales and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez were on hand to represent the Bush cabinet team. A spokesman for Mr Bush said the President would attend another service tomorrow, but that did little to placate political commentators.

Senator Reid's decision to visit South America knowing he would miss yesterday's service raised the ire of many. "He's the incoming Senate Majority Leader, for crying out loud, and he can't even show a little bit of respect?" political analyst Mike Gallagher told Fox News.

Some Republicians may have been angered by Ford's comments, released posthumously, that Mr Bush had seriously erred in ordering the invasion of Iraq, but Mr Cheney sidestepped that issue during yesterday's service.
"He answered discourtesy with courtesy," he said. "Few have ever risen so high with so little guile or calculation."

The American people were also slow to respond. Police had erected barricades to keep the expected thousands at bay, but by mid-afternoon only 20 people were waiting outside Capitol Hill to view the casket.

Ford, who died in California on Boxing Day at the age of 93, was praised yesterday for his most criticised decision - pardoning Richard Nixon.
Mr Cheney said he "was almost alone in understanding that there can be no healing without pardon".

The tributes to Ford will conclude with a national day of mourning and a service at the National Cathedral. His remains will be laid to rest at the Gerald Ford Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Wednesday.

and yes, pelosi, the supreme court are all piles of shit as well

lew · 12-31-2006, 11:05 AM

Wow, most of Congress isn't going either?

7th Ninjai · 12-31-2006, 12:43 PM

Personally, I'm no fan of the colossal waste of tax payer dollars we spend sending a dead man around the country and having his coffin on display for days in the rotunda guarded by Marines.

Bury him and be done with it.

motivez · 12-31-2006, 12:55 PM

Wow, wonder if a sitting President has ever missed another President's funeral before?

IminWonderland · 12-31-2006, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by 7th Ninjai

Personally, I'm no fan of the colossal waste of tax payer dollars we spend sending a dead man around the country and having his coffin on display for days in the rotunda guarded by Marines.

Bury him and be done with it.

I have to agree, the hub-bub about it is a waste of money...

However, since they will be spending the money anyways, Congress, the Supreme Court, and the sitting President should be in attendance, this is rather rude.

Well, I think Betty Ford is excused from any of their funerals.

Thorgrim · 12-31-2006, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

Wow, wonder if a sitting President has ever missed another President's funeral before?

Wasn't there a post on how evil Harry Reid was for going with a Senate delegation?

hsmith · 12-31-2006, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by 7th Ninjai

Personally, I'm no fan of the colossal waste of tax payer dollars we spend sending a dead man around the country and having his coffin on display for days in the rotunda guarded by Marines.

Bury him and be done with it.

I concur, but this is a disgrace

Pro Street · 12-31-2006, 03:31 PM

he was a president.. this deserves the honor bestowed upon him.

In addition, he deserved the respect of having Congress and Bush there.

Scrum · 12-31-2006, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

Wasn't there a post on how evil Harry Reid was for going with a Senate delegation?

Yep. Something about him going on "vacation".

Can't seem to find that thread now.

RMNIXON · 12-31-2006, 05:13 PM

The National Service is at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday!

This was the Congressional Capital Service for a Former Member of Congress!

RMNIXON · 12-31-2006, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

Wasn't there a post on how evil Harry Reid was for going with a Senate delegation?

Because he is the new Senate Majority Leader and this was the Congressional Service!

And I posted that it was bad timing being he had a Taxpayer Paid Vacation in the works. And yes I know two Republicans went along with two other Dems. Spare me! I know when the people's dime is being wasted when I see it. Ruins in Peru indeed!

hsmith · 12-31-2006, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by RMNIXON

The National Service is at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday!

This was the Congressional Capital Service for a Former Member of Congress!

Diesel66 · 12-31-2006, 11:01 PM

The funeral is on tuesday.

Stoner · 01-01-2007, 03:02 AM

Originally Posted by Diesel66

The funeral is on tuesday.

Yeah but it's more fun to pretend it's not and take another stab at Bush.

hsmith · 01-01-2007, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by Diesel66

The funeral is on tuesday.

there are public services the day the dead president gets there where it is customary for all to attend

hsmith · 01-01-2007, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by Stoner

Yeah but it's more fun to pretend it's not and take another stab at Bush.

Apparently you have a difficult time reading

7960 · 01-01-2007, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by hsmith

there are public services the day the dead president gets there where it is customary for all to attend

cheney was Ford's long-time friend and he was there....... doesn't that mean bush *shouldn't* have been there? would bush and cheney be allowed together like that in public?

lew · 01-01-2007, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by 7960

cheney was Ford's long-time friend and he was there....... doesn't that mean bush *shouldn't* have been there? would bush and cheney be allowed together like that in public?

wait, what?

Bush and Cheney go to events together frequently.

hsmith · 01-01-2007, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by 7960

cheney was Ford's long-time friend and he was there....... doesn't that mean bush *shouldn't* have been there? would bush and cheney be allowed together like that in public?

the president and vice are allowed to be togehter

the only time congress, the supreme court, and the president can all be together are state funerals and the state of the union afaik

Diamond Cross · 01-01-2007, 02:40 PM

What?

Says who?

Why?