Victory In The People . . . Patriotism Wins!
By Debbie Daniel (06/17/04)
America spoke from its heart . . . waved American flags . . . sang praises to God . . . heard hymns of faith . . . all while saying good-bye to a great man. Oh, what a feeling!
It was the American people who let it be known that this was what they wanted. If the media had gotten their way, they would have switched topics after one day of “Ronald Reagan” to news they deemed more important.
The “Big Three” . . . Tom Brokaw, Dan Rather, and Peter Jennings showed their true colors last week – and it wasn’t Red, White, and Blue – and we won’t soon forget their attempt to short-shrift the late president.
They complained vehemently that there was too much coverage of Ronald Reagan. Tom Brokaw thought one day should be sufficient for the former President – no more.
He also suggested the media’s presentation was far too positive . . . “Our journalistic obligation is to put his whole life and career in context,” said Brokaw.
Dan Rather said the weeklong commemoration of Reagan’s life was journalistic overkill and hinted he wanted to return to more important stories. “Life does go on,” he bemoaned.
Peter Jennings concurred with the other two and said that if they waited until Mr. Reagan was buried to do a critical analysis, the world would have moved on.
After these reports were released from the Philadelphia Inquirer (Network anchors see excess in Reagan funeral coverage 6/08/04), it seems that all three men changed their tune. Did they think by making such comments we would follow their lead and demand to get Reagan stories off the air?
Obviously, the tide of public opinion was not on their side!
The people spoke – they wanted more Reagan and that’s what they got.
Much to the media’s disbelief, people were thrilled with the non-stop coverage; even 15 years after Reagan’s presidency.
Even in his death, we were brought back to life. What a victory for the American people. Hallelujah! We cast our vote and you see who won.
Ratings mean everything (chuckle).
To witness former Prime Minister of England, Margaret Thatcher, singing our National Anthem at President Reagan’s graveside service was a sight to behold. Patriotic pride was at its height. That’s the America I love.
When it comes to something that really matters – Americans know the right thing to do.
For the “Big Three Network Whiners” who were concerned we might miss some major news – it was Americans that made them come to their senses and put their priorities in the right place.
Many newspapers still failed to get it . . . and even the “three musketeers” felt that if they had to be on the air with stories of Reagan, that “by golly” they would show not only how Mr. Reagan was loved, but how he was also hated. They felt the need to point out his faults, and that not all people felt the same love and admiration.
Now isn’t that a noble gesture before a man is buried? We should all be so thoughtful in the passing of friends and loved ones.
Maybe there needs to be a more political analysis of each of your lives, dear sirs, before your “mourning” audience.
I thought when someone died, you remembered the good. But I guess we’re being taught new things everyday, aren’t we?
There were so many “ugly” offerings last week of people wanting to get in their little digs, but none was so loud as President Clinton’s.
I understand he was “miffed” and “furious” not to have been asked to speak at the Reagan funeral. He said, “I didn’t know it was going to be such a partisan service.”
I have to bite my tongue not to laugh at this display of pouting. For goodness sakes . . . it was a funeral.
But after witnessing the full ceremony, it was really a blessing Mr. Clinton didn’t speak at all, for he would have fallen over the podium. Mercy, the man could not keep his eyes open. And Hillary wouldn’t have been any help, for she needed her own pillow. If Clinton’s jaw had dropped any lower, he would have been drooling.
It was obvious . . . his need to speak was not for Reagan; it was for Clinton.
And for anyone who thinks I should be excoriated for such a comment, I must say Mr. Clinton brought that on himself. He should have never said a word. When you call attention to yourself and ask for a pity party . . . you’ll get it. Okay, Mr. Clinton, I pity you.
The columnist, Kathleen Parker, made a great statement: “By his [Reagan] death, the man who lost his memory restored the nation’s.”
Yes, the death of this president jogged our memories in a lot of ways. We were reminded once again what Americans can accomplish when they pull together. He had such faith in the American people.
And they won this one for the Gipper. We weren’t going to let anyone rob us of this special time of saying good-bye. Those seven days were but a mere moment in history.
The American people did it. In the face of a determined media wanting to cut it short and get their own message out . . . the “people” changed the course, and we’re better for it.
What a lovely gift we gave ourselves! The celebration of the Ronald Reagan Revolution became a Patriotic Revival . . . and we needed it.
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