The function of television was at its finest last week when it brought the funeral services for President George H.W. Bush to every home in America.
The initial event was held at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. The second occurred in Bush’s hometown church in Houston Texas. While the D.C. ceremony reeked of pomp and circumstance along with an impressive military presence. The Houston service seemed much more funereal.
Having served as an altar boy in the distant past at many Requiem and High Requiem masses I remember them as very solemn occasions with much weeping and wailing. Sometime ago following funerals a celebration of life came into vogue. At those celebrations there was a spirit of light heartedness and appreciation for some of the foibles and humorous incidents of the departed one. Much akin to the famous Irish wakes. In the case of President Bush both of his services seemed to be a combination of funeral and celebration of life. In both cases the many eulogists were able to combine their respect with a dash of humor.
The only down side to Bush’s passing was in the way the Liberal media handled the story. It was the same media that routinely dashed and roasted Bush senior during his Presidency that now could not resist comparing this honorable and decent man with the current outspoken occupant of the White House. At one time some of the talking heads on the left cited that Bush Sr. was possessed of a bit of the wimp factor. Conversely Bush, the war hero had more bravery in his little finger than the pundits had in their entire body.
In his passing Bush will best probably be remembered for the tearing down of the Berlin Wall and the successful coalition he formed to win the first Desert War***
The other top story of the past week was the “bombshell” report released by special counsel Mueller. In actuality the heavily redacted filing against former Trump aide Flynn was more like a firecracker that failed to explode. The highly Democratic staff assembled by Mueller has spent millions of dollars and has helped keep the “resistance” against Trump alive and well.
One of the more illuminating instances at the Washington funeral celebration for Bush was the interplay between Trump and Hillary Clinton who sat a few persons apart in the front isle. For the most part Hillary was stoned-faced throughout, perhaps reflecting on the fact that her famous tour with husband Bill was playing to almost empty venues. ***
Most outrageous statement of the past week came from the lips of non-other than the man-hating female Senator from Hawaii. In a T.V. interview she stated firmly that the Democrats were far to intelligent to be able to communicate with the average voter. This is the same Senator who was one of the most vituperative and scornful inquisitors at the Kavanaugh hearings. Remembering those hearings and the Avenatti connection the good news last week was that the creepy porn lawyer has withdrawn his abortive run for the Presidency in 2020.***
So far mostly college students in the Deep South have caused the destruction or removal of some 100 statues related to the Civil War. This attempt to erase a part of history is reminiscent of the ISIS forces when they were at their worst destroying many artifacts of the world. Perhaps these disaffected youngsters who are now running most of our Universities have had their fill of these “safe spaces” that were created for them so they could bemoan the election of President Trump. These young progressives are infatuated with the idea of diversity which brings all races together in harmony-except for the whites.***
The other night I had a dream that I was watching a basketball game in which the three officials were doing a magnificent job. Unfortunately I woke up to watch an NBA Warriors game at which the officials were at the height of ineptitude. The physical contact that is allowed reached its zenith when an opposing player jumped backwards and made contact with the stationary Warrior player. Naturally the Warrior was assessed a foul. During the 40 or more years I participated in the round ball sport I remember that the player initiating the contact was the recipient of the foul.
Currently in basketball the good news is that the University of Nevada Team has reached its highest national ranking ever.
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