RIP President George H.W. Bush

As someone who delivered eulogies for both of his parents, I know it's anything but easy to do. W did exceptionally well.

 

Right there with you. Did them for my mother, grandfather, grandmother and two close friends (my dad is still living) and they're not easy.

Speaking of great eulogies, Ted Kennedy's for RFK is probably the all-timer.

 

As much as George W. Bush was often characterized as not-too-bright and nothing too special, he seems to have an ability to step up when the occasion calls for it. Among the things he will be remembered for most whenever he passes away are his response to 9/11, and now, this tribute.

My hat's off to anyone who can deliver a really good, accurate and moving eulogy. It's what you want to do, of course, but is probably so much easier talked about than done, when you're in an emotional state anyway, you probably won't think of everything you'd like to, and then choosing what to speak of, and how, and doing it well and movingly has to be exceedingly difficult.

And, Ted Kennedy had many great speeches and always did a wonderful job on eulogies. Even the one he gave for John F. Kennedy Jr. ranks right up there.

 

Eh, Desert Storm > Bay of Pigs

Eh, probably got shot down and captured.

 

I couldn’t do it. Grateful my brother could.

 

Far, far better than Kennedy. JFK's social agenda basically accomplished nothing, he paid lip service to civil rights, and he got us stuck in Vietnam. Many of JFK's "historians" who established the narrative immediately after his death were close family friends who totally wrote what the family, especially RFK, told them to write.

 

I know being in the public eye for so long helps in speaking, but I admire GWB for doing this and hitting it out of the park. This ain’t like addressing the Kiwanis Club convention.

 

The relief he felt when it was over was obvious. Sat way back in his chair, arms outstretched, talking with his wife and Jeb. I actually felt relieved for him.

 

James Meredith might disagree with that assessment.

 

He was speaking both for and to his family. To him, the assembled dignitaries, except maybe his father's close friends, were the Kiwanis Club.

 

Kennedy did nothing to advance his civil rights bill. Absolutely refused to listen to Johnson, who had advice on how to get it through Congress. The Kennedy family paid little attention to civil rights; even RFK was late to the party, until it became politically expedient. Once he became involved, RFK did care; JFK, not so much.