Obit: George & Barbara Bush (2018)

17 Apr 18 - 09:22 PM (#3918073)
Subject: BS: RIP: Barbara Bush
From: Rapparee

1925-2018.

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18 Apr 18 - 12:18 AM (#3918085)
Subject: RE: BS: RIP: Barbara Bush stuff they left out
From: Donuel

She was always kind to the help, was pro choice and a distant relative of Rutherford B Hayes

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18 Apr 18 - 10:22 AM (#3918191)
Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Bush (1925-2018)
From: Mrrzy

Descendent of Pierce. Hayes, too?

I never had an issue with her. Hubby, now, other story.

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18 Apr 18 - 11:38 AM (#3918236)
Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Bush (1925-2018)
From: Charmion

The New York Times describes her as having been in the habit of "giving it to you with the bark off". As one who grew up in lumber country, I consider that a sign of courtesy; what you want to look out for is the guy who leaves the bark on, and heaps it up all anyhow.

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18 Apr 18 - 01:04 PM (#3918259)
Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Bush (1925-2018)
From: Donuel

Mrrzy I am wrong you are right. When it comes to proper names there is little I can do hide the dyslexia of a superimposition of the correct and incorrect. Its like knowing the right answer but internally asking "is that right" , "yes it is not wrong" , ergo a second guess obscures the first. To be literate I have to analyze each word selection.
Normally in the brain the left and right angular gyrus automatically processes language. It seems I use the temporal regions for different automatic processing. Literacy for the dyslexic is a conscious decision process integrated over a larger area of the brain, while for others it is automatic,literal and faster.
Literacy was the selected ' pet cause ' for Barbara Bush. I do not know if she knew of the condition of dyslexia that complicates literacy. She often introduced her new reader of the month at her speeches.

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18 Apr 18 - 02:36 PM (#3918299)
Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Bush (1925-2018)
From: keberoxu

I will be surprised if George H. W. outlives his wife by a very long time.

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18 Apr 18 - 11:01 PM (#3918370)
Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Bush (1925-2018)
From: olddude

She was a treasure

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20 Apr 18 - 08:01 PM (#3918832)
Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Bush (1925-2018)
From: robomatic

Barbara Bush was a trouper, she did her duty as she saw it, she was a loyal wife and part of what has been called "The Greatest Generation". She was tough and spoke her mind. Dave Barry had some humorous comments about her "scary eyes" in the 90s. I was not a partisan of her family's politics, but I never doubted they did what they thought was best for the country.

I've been interested in some of the wacko vilification that has come out. Seems senseless but an indicator of some of the fringe positions of the current day.

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21 Apr 18 - 10:11 AM (#3918952)
Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Bush (1925-2018)
From: Donuel

Barbara Bush was keenly aware of dyslexia. Her son Neil is dyslexic and there are rumors that W is also, to a lesser degree.

For those of us that knew Spaw we are aware his son is autistic/dyslexic. How is he doing? Spaw's son was a great cause in his life as it is mine. The spectrum of this alternative wiring goes from Einstein, Jefferson, Branson all the way to kids who have to war football helmets.

It is a gift to human evolution to have these various different views of our universe. Literacy for the autistic and dyslexic can be a struggle for some and a gift to poets.

I am thankful we are not all of a 'normal' linear mind.

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21 Apr 18 - 12:35 PM (#3918986)
Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Bush (1925-2018)
From: Stilly River Sage

The funeral is playing this morning (at least it is here in Texas on local channels).

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01 Dec 18 - 06:27 PM (#3964220)
Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Bush (1925-2018)
From: keberoxu

As suspected:
it is time to open an obit thread for
George Herbert Walker Bush,
who has died.

Now husband and wife are together.

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01 Dec 18 - 07:43 PM (#3964232)
Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Bush (1925-2018)
From: Steve Shaw

He wasn't that good, was he? Sheesh.

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01 Dec 18 - 08:07 PM (#3964237)
Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Bush (1925-2018)
From: Mossback

He was bloody awful. As was she, in most respects.

But now they'll make a saint out of him, as they did with her, and history & facts be damned.

People's memories are short -always assuming they knew the facts to begin with.

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02 Dec 18 - 09:02 AM (#3964288)
Subject: RE: Obit: George & Barbara Bush (2018)
From: Donuel

GHWRB's Prudence and a thousand points of light trumps Trump's rudeness and 1,000 points of fight.

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02 Dec 18 - 09:19 AM (#3964289)
Subject: RE: Obit: George & Barbara Bush (2018)
From: Donuel

I did numerous 'GHWRB' editorial cartoons.
I remember one where I equated President Bush to the questionable and flavorless Arby's meat sandwich that depended upon a special sauce for any flavor whatsoever.

My favorite quote "Daniel Quayle is still gaining acceptance".

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02 Dec 18 - 09:25 AM (#3964290)
Subject: RE: Obit: George & Barbara Bush (2018)
From: EBarnacle

You can tell a person's character by what they do when they believe no one is going to report them. from two geographically different reports I would not have trusted him behind my back.

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02 Dec 18 - 10:20 AM (#3964295)
Subject: RE: Obit: George & Barbara Bush (2018)
From: Stilly River Sage

Joe nailed it with his remarks. In the context of our current elected leader, Bush and ilk were far more reasonable. Consider this: I'm seeing a lot of past political topics rise to the surface again and people are trotting out the number of wars and bombings and such in the last 70+ years for context. Presidents don't start wars by themselves, generally, they have "advice and consent" from various parties and political bodies.

I disliked Reagan, Bush, Bush II, for political reasons and the way they squandered political and human resources. The difference is that at least they did it in the scope of the office. The current resident of the White House wants to be king; he doesn't understand politics, he doesn't understand diplomacy, and despite his protestations, he doesn't understand global business. This one wants to enrich himself and his family and friends from his current privileged postion, and he has his finger on The Button and is just peevish enough to decide he's going to use it. But this is an obit thread that started with Barbara, Sr, and now includes George, Sr.

This morning from the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/01/us/politics/george-hw-bush-last-days.html

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02 Dec 18 - 02:02 PM (#3964329)
Subject: RE: Obit: George & Barbara Bush (2018)
From: Donuel

Anytime someone says, so and so just 'nailed it' I first assume it is a crucifixion reference rather than a truism until reviewed.

I drew GHWRB's face as a longish but kindly cresant moon. George the first was not above calling his Democratic opponents like Wellstone and family 'chickenshits'.

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03 Dec 18 - 08:18 AM (#3964472)
Subject: RE: Obit: George & Barbara Bush (2018)
From: Donuel

One of Gwh Bush's greatest accomplishments was the American Disabilities Act.
The man had plenty of empathy.

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03 Dec 18 - 01:36 PM (#3964532)
Subject: RE: Obit: George & Barbara Bush (2018)
From: keberoxu

Today the network television channels are full of the
ceremonies involved.
Mister Bush died in Houston, Texas;
he is to buried near the library bearing his name
in College Station, Texas.

So, being that he is a former US President,
the casket with his remains has to be transported
to the nation's capitol, where he served his term,
in order to lie in state for a public viewing,
then the religious service in the National Cathedral.
And then back to Texas for the interment.

I wonder if Jimmy Carter is to make an appearance
and attend the Washington DC funeral later this week?

It continues to amaze me
that Mister Carter is still alive and walking, after brain cancer.

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03 Dec 18 - 04:30 PM (#3964560)
Subject: RE: Obit: George & Barbara Bush (2018)
From: Mossback

OK - lets see if the facts, minus editorial comments, survive mod review/expurgation - Once more unto the breach:

RE: Saint George I:

His racist campaign against Michael Dukakis with the Willie Horton ads, his invasion of Panama, his appointment of Clarence Thomas to the supreme court, his sabotage of global initiatives to reverse catastrophic climate change, the disastrous Nafta treaty, the vetoing of civil rights legislation, the presidential pardon of the neo-con Elliott Abrams,

Bush as head of the CIA from 30 January 1976 until 20 January 1977was privy to exhaustive information about the devastation being inflicted by the US-supported Pinochet regime in Chile, at a time when opponents were being disappeared, concentration camps were still open and torture was rampant. During his tenure, the American government facilitated the infamous Operation Condor.

He stated – when an American missile had blown up an Iranian aircraft with 290 innocent civilians aboard in 1988 – that he would “never apologize for the United States of America. Ever. I don’t care what the facts are.”

Facts are stubborn things.

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Facts may be dicey, but so is membership. You are *this close* to being outed and removed - again - so play nice with the other kids. Mods are onto you.

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03 Dec 18 - 09:14 PM (#3964591)
Subject: RE: Obit: George & Barbara Bush (2018)
From: robomatic

Regarding:
He stated – when an American missile had blown up an Iranian aircraft with 290 innocent civilians aboard in 1988 – that he would “never apologize for the United States of America. Ever. I don’t care what the facts are.”
Bush frequently stated his feelings regarding apologizing for America, and this was not related to the horrible shoot-down of the Iranian civilian airliner incident, which occurred during the Reagan administration and the Iran-Iraq war.

Bush was remarkable for some of the things he did not do, such as take an elaborate victory lap for the Western World during the demise of Soviet Communism. This enabled that other architect of the end of the Soviet era, Michael Gorbachev, to function without having to fight public humiliation from the U.S. There are other Presidents we can name who would not have shown that kind of self restraint.

While I was not a partisan for President Bush, I did not ever swallow his political opponents' argument that he was a 'wimp'. WWII fighter pilots are not wimps. I thought he handled Gulf War I well in that he worked with Margaret Thatcher in assembling a united front of allies in prosecuting that War. And he went to Congress. I thought he was a shoo-in for re-election. The events that led to his own party undercutting him over the tax issue were astonishing to me at the time, and sadly predictive of some of the short sightedness shown by many Americans when choosing their leaders.

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03 Dec 18 - 10:05 PM (#3964594)
Subject: RE: Obit: George & Barbara Bush (2018)
From: Stilly River Sage

I thought the Dana Carvey story was fascinating—thanks for sharing the link.

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04 Dec 18 - 10:35 AM (#3964706)
Subject: RE: Obit: George & Barbara Bush (2018)
From: Mossback

the horrible shoot-down of the Iranian civilian airliner incident, which occurred during the Reagan administration and the Iran-Iraq war.

Absolutely correct, Robo. But who was Reagan's Vice President & made the comment in question in July 1988? Also thanks for reminding us all about the Iran-Contra and Irangate scandals in which GHWB played a part.

Some interesting points raised in this article as well:

https://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/bush-srs-brand-conservatism-paved-way-trump-heres-real-reason-right-wingers-hates

Cheers,

Bill

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04 Dec 18 - 10:42 AM (#3964711)
Subject: RE: Obit: George & Barbara Bush (2018)
From: Stilly River Sage

"Bill,"

This is nominally an obituary thread. Let's stop with all of the side trips.

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04 Dec 18 - 01:18 PM (#3964743)
Subject: RE: Obit: George & Barbara Bush (2018)
From: keberoxu

The online media update on Mister and Mrs. Carter:

Neither one attended Barbara Bush's funeral, with regrets;
Mrs. Carter was recovering from intestinal surgery,
and Mr. Carter was traveling out of the country.

Rosalynn Carter will stay home this time,
however former US President Jimmy Carter
is expected at George H W Bush's funeral in DC this week.

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05 Dec 18 - 08:32 AM (#3964873)
Subject: RE: Obit: George & Barbara Bush (2018)
From: Jack Campin

Ariel Dorfman on GHWB and what he was responsible for

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08 Dec 18 - 12:27 PM (#3965476)
Subject: RE: Obit: George & Barbara Bush (2018)
From: Mossback

"Bush Sr. signed the Clean Air Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act (protecting, among others, people with HIV, from discrimination), and eventually spoke out against the National Rifle Association. But he was also arrogant, careless and self-serving. He exploited racial politics and pardoned the defendants in the Iran-Contra hearings to protect himself from investigation.

He kowtowed to America’s evangelical right, and under his watch, Aids ravaged the US more than any other developed country. He left a mess in the Middle East and his vice-presidential choice of Dan Quayle – a pro-life hawk who famously couldn’t spell – set the Republican party on a course that eventually led to Sarah Palin and Donald Trump."

Article worth reading:


https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/dec/08/george-hw-bush-titan-of-unity

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08 Dec 18 - 05:10 PM (#3965514)
Subject: RE: Obit: George & Barbara Bush (2018)
From: Donuel

He was worse than Reagan when it came to stigmatizing AIDS and not addressing any government medical support to fight the disease.

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08 Dec 18 - 09:41 PM (#3965547)
Subject: RE: Obit: George & Barbara Bush (2018)
From: robomatic

The public radio show "On The Media" had a segment tonight
on 'Presidential Eulogizing' not so much taking a side as noting how the treatment of a noted public figure's obituary and internment reflects the current feelings that society chooses to take cognizance of.

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09 Dec 18 - 01:29 AM (#3965556)
Subject: RE: Obit: George & Barbara Bush (2018)
From: Joe Offer

Interesting program, robomatic - I always enjoy On the Media. It says "a President is not a person, but an event." There's a lot of truth to that. Most of us didn't know President Bush, and thus cannot really mourn him - but the story of his four years in office is important to us, and worthy of debate.

-Joe-

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09 Dec 18 - 04:07 PM (#3965658)
Subject: RE: Obit: George & Barbara Bush (2018)
From: robomatic

For years I didn't know what the show was about and I ignored it. This was because the name On the Media was too generalized for me. But when I actually tuned in, it was almost always perceptive and topical with a bit of humor infused. Brooke Gladstone visited Alaska which always counts with me. And then one of their reporters a few years ago did a spot on how the Happy Birthday song became a copywrite phenomenon. At the end of it he said he'd consulted the show's go-to legal professionals who advised him against playing the song, and then he played it. That won my heart. The song has since been liberated from the money grubbers.

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10 Dec 18 - 11:35 AM (#3965809)
Subject: RE: Obit: George & Barbara Bush (2018)
From: keberoxu

The soundbite that I couldn't get out of my head was
the funeral train part:
that there have been numerous funeral trains for U.S. Presidents
(the one for Lincoln has become a myth in its own right),
but the President Bush funeral train
was the first since Eisenhower. That's a while.

Can you imagine
what Donald Trump's funeral is going to be like?
Wonder if I'll be here to see it,
or to evade seeing it in person.

Won't be quite like the death of Baroness Thatcher ...

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12 Dec 18 - 05:14 AM (#3965870)
Subject: RE: Obit: George & Barbara Bush (2018)
From: Jack Campin

Perhaps it might have been more appropriate to dump the bastard's corpse down a mineshaft and bulldoze over it.

https://www.gregpalast.com/poppy-strikes-gold-bush-sr-made-a-killing-50-miners-buried-alive/

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