the widow is entitled to exclude people from her husband's funeral that either he or she did not like.

Only Republicans could pull that off while wearing black.

If it wasn't the widow, then she wasn't 'yammering'. The family has every right to decide who attends the funeral.

absence at the ceremony.

then I agree she is open to criticism for her statements.

Was it the widow? If so, then yes criticism of her is valid.

If it was one of the three known recipients, then they are the ones who should be criticized.

He was a strong progressive and I think he woul have appreciated his funeral being used to tout his liberal accomplishments. I found nothing of distaste in his funeral, but I did find the way the pukes reacted to it to be quite disgusting. It was certainly a fuck load less nauseating than Reagan's funeral and the 2 week long GOP orgy that accompanied it.

I was just pointing out to the poster that repubs aren't they only ones who politicized a funeral.
Even his campaign staff apologized for the rhetoric.

this crap. Of course they apologized, GOPigs squeal whenever they don't get their way. They shouldn't have, but there it is. I hope when I die that people don't hold their tongues at my funeral for fear of offending some backwards assholes. The only ones who politicized Wellstone's funeral were the same pigs squealing today. They couln't handle a funeral for a proud progressive with a proud progressive record.

But, whatever.

But, whatever.

I just pointed out that both sides are guilty of politicizing such things as funerals.
But, whatever.

GOPigs wanted and screamed for. Not that it had even a tangential relation to the truth. GOPigs really don't need a reason to lie out their asses. I do expect more from folks here, though.

believe what you want, no skin off my behind.

would help your case.

The Wellstone funeral, even his campaign staff apologized for the tone of the comments.

The campaign staff had nothing to apologize for. Whining about how partisan his funeral was is Republican whining talking point BS.

believe what you will, his campaign staff disagreed.

Because I'm not a right winger. ETA Nice cutting to make it look like he was merely apologizing, but if you read what he said in context it's much different. I also notice you left out the Republican who didn't believe it was politicized and felt it was just what Wellstone wanted. Funny you don't agree with him.

Certainly not me.
What you believe or don't believe is irrelevant to the article I posted.
I could care less who politicizes what, it goes on in both parties, it's part of politics in this nation.

Why would anyone? I didn't do anything to make anyone accuse me as such.

Am I missing something here?

I know exactly what you're implying, I'm just trying to get you to say it, but you seem to not have the courage of your conviction to come out and say what you mean.

Then what's the problem? I've made it clear enough, no?

which, as far as I can see, nobody accused or even hinted that you were, yet, for some reason, you saw fit to make sure we knew you weren't.

You'll forgive me if I don't put much stock into an argument that most middle schoolers would find to be utterly insubstantial.

Have a good day.

John Kerry for one.

http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,388903,00.html

There are plenty of democrats that disagree with me now as well, what does that have to do with the legitimacy of the argument? Republicans are awful good at screaming when they don't get their way. Because of that, a lot of people end up apologizing for stupid, petty shit. I typically don't judge something's merits by whether or not republicans squeal about it.

it's in poor taste for this widow in Florida to issue a press release like she did. The Wellstone memorial was politicized. His best friend asked the Republicans in the audience to vote for Vice-president Mondale, 'for Paul'. Trent Lott was booed. The organizers of the memorial service did not intend for the service to become a political event rather than a memorial event, but it did. I live 25 minutes from Williams Arena, there was a lot of local coverage that likely did not make national news. Of course the Republicans made a big deal out of it. There seem to be Democrats reacting in a similar fashion on this thread, although it is a much less important situation, it won't affect any election.

Not the ones who organized the event. It's rather dull to blame the organizers for something the attendees do. It was also stupid for Trent Lott to have even showed up, magnanimity my ass. He was a strong liberal and he was remembered as such. My only disgust of that event was how republicans turned the remembrance of a great man into something sordid.

Had the Republicans not thrown a hissy fit about it. It was just typical bending over backwards to avoid being bullied by the big bad Republicans. It happens all the time.

The funeral has not even happened yet. Only a Republican.

and that wasn't my point.

to this one, yet this one has not yet happened so the comparison is specious. I and others are discussing this widow taking time to make political points while whining about political points being made at a funeral. She says 'I fear you will to what I am doing right here and right now' which is as Republican as hypocrisy gets.

not want Cheney to come it was done privately. It was the administration at the time that made it public that he was not welcome.

If her husband truly requested that certain people not be there (I just read an article citing his consistent "civility" over the years), an email stating simply "I'm writing to let you know that Bill made a last request that you not be present at his funeral. I'd appreciate your compliance with his wishes."

Instead we get the "unacceptable" language and a tirade of accusations.

Not civil.

If my spouse disliked someone so much to specifically exclude them from the funeral, I probably wouldn't be very polite either, especially while still upset about the death.

That's just me, though.

And say this is bringing political hate all the way to the grave. If these guys were known for holding press conferences outside of funerals they attend, then yeah I get it. But I doubt that is the case. Just bitter old Republicans doing what they do best. Hating early and often even when contemplating mortality.

the fact that I even publicly profess that we share agreement should be seen as baby steps. I finally decided you have no sense of humor. ;D

Will they also be banned from the grave site?

This was totally unnecessary.

Now who's actually trying to grandstand?

They ran against him in the last election

Now Crist is the sworn enemy of all Repukes in this state for some reason. They had him as their "Golden Boy" 5 years ago. They are so callous and they wonder why people are leaving them in droves . . .

However, her request could have been worded better.

involves anger, and if she isn't very nice I guess she worded it as best she could.
She can exclude whomever she wants. She sure created drama by doing this.

She's a hypocrite. Grieving widow or not. She bitches about manipulating the political arena and pulls this stunt - which is exactly that?

Even then, it could have got out somehow. This doesn't move my outrage meter that much. Worse things have happened.

I'd have sympathy for her breaking heart, but it's clear she doesn't have one.

If the family was hosting a private event that would be different. When you declare something public you're inviting anyone who would like to attend.

I do understand not wanting political enemies to be there but the polite way to handle it is to ask them to respect the family's wishes, not issue a press release to announce the less-then-polite request made in email. The press release was making a public, political statement.

Calling it a right makes it sound like the law or government backs up the stance. Keep in mind I'm not saying that it would be appropriate for Crist or the others to ignore her request. It would be arrogant and unseemly at the very least and for a politician really stupid.

"... transparent attempts to manipulate the political arena ..."

They can do that.

forgot all about her until the issue was brought to my attention. Then, I would forget about here post haste maybe email a condolences note and then go about my business.

The begging for attention is beyond pathetic...even from beyond the grave Repukes behave like 2 year olds.

And didn't even give his death a passing thought.

Of course, no politician would or should do that. It'd be a PR nightmare. Still...

...it'll be low-key and classy. They aren't bomb-throwers.

She definitely could have handled it better....makes her look bitter and petty. I have no idea what Crist feud is about. Justice and Ehrlich are two recent opponents, but AFAIK they ran clean and civil campaigns. What I can say is that over the past dozen years or so Bill Young was 100% the partisanship he claimed he disliked about DC.

stand that says "Rest in Peace". Just sign it "Your friends".