Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Republican speaker of the house Mike Johnson is the bland and smiling face of evil.

The republican caucus is covering themselves with something, and it is not glory.

Bad people in a position to do bad things will do bad things because they are bad people. End of story.

Republicans seem to think life begins at the candlelight dinner the night before.

“Can i answer the question? No you can not!”

That’s my take and I am available for criticism at this time.

Only Democrats have agency, apparently.

Trumpflation is an intolerable hardship for every American, and it’s Trump’s fault.

We will not go back.

Republicans firmly believe having an abortion is a very personal, very private decision between a woman and J.D. Vance.

So many bastards, so little time.

Welcome to day five of every-bit-as-bad-as-you-thought-it-would-be.

I see no possible difficulties whatsoever with this fool-proof plan.

No one could have predicted…

The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.

The fundamental promise of conservatism all over the world is a return to an idealized past that never existed.

Tide comes in. Tide goes out. You can’t explain that.

Stop using mental illness to avoid talking about armed white supremacy.

Nothing says ‘pro-life’ like letting children go hungry.

🎶 Those boots were made for mockin’ 🎵

We can’t confuse what’s necessary to win elections with the policies that we want to implement when we do.

Narcissists are always shocked to discover other people have agency.

Of course you can have champagne before noon. That’s why orange juice was invented.

With all due respect and assumptions of good faith, please fuck off into the sun.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Open Thread: First Lady Rosalyn Carter’s Funeral Service

Open Thread: First Lady Rosalyn Carter’s Funeral Service

by | 95 Comments

This post is in: 

This is the feed from the service. Rewind to the 2 hour 15 min mark for the beginning of the service.

I’m not big on State funerals, but I was running errands and had this on the radio. So many wonderful stories I never knew about Mrs. Carter. So I thought it was worth posting the replay just for those alone. Lots of music, Garth and Trisha!, and the great-grandkids doing the Scripture readings was touching.

Jimmy Carter was my first presidential vote and I’d do it again, regardless of the outcome.

I was surprised to see Mrs. Trump there.  I’ll save the snark for another time.  Don’t feel like you have to do the same in the comments, LOL

This is an open thread

 

ETA: If the top one gives you trouble, here’s the Atlanta News feed.  Again, you’ll have to fast forward through about 2 hours of arrival stuff.

Reader Interactions

95Comments

  2. 2.

    TaMara

    Okay, Betty and I did rock paper scissors and my post got to stay (not really, she emailed me and said to repost mine – hers was a hoot BTW).

    It might be the 3 hour mark when the service starts – the video was kinda funky. I’ll see if I can find a better one.

  3. 3.

    Villago Delenda Est

    The stories were great!  Rosalynn opening up some tupperware and bringing out a loaf of bread and passing around sandwiches beyond the family members around her to some of the other passengers in the back of the plane was one for the ages (one of the grandsons told this one).  “Rosalynn Carter just made me a sandwich!”

  9. 9.

    eclare

    @la caterina:

    Noticed that.  It was muted, but geez, who doesn’t wear black to a funeral?

    I am also surprised she didn’t burst into flames with all of the talk about love, compassion, helping the less fortunate, etc.

    But hey, Melanie, Be Best!

  10. 10.

    eclare

    That letter from Jimmy to Rosalynn that Amy read was beautiful.  I wonder how much longer we’ll have him.  My parents died one week apart.

  12. 12.

    Villago Delenda Est

    @eclare: You’ll note that a Navy Captain chaplain was present on the stage, to honor the passing of a Navy wife.  It’s not easy being the wife of a sailor, particularly a Rickover trained nuclear engineer.

  19. 19.

    Jackie

    @la caterina: I felt she was basically saying she didn’t care/FU. I’m sure being there was the last place on earth she wanted to be.

    One of the reverends alluded to Melania’s presence with a bit of snark – I wish I could remember what he said! I was thinking did he really mean what I think he meant?!

  20. 20.

    karen marie

    Does that bitch Melania not own a black coat?

    I can’t even imagine being that disrespectful.

    Thank you for covering the subject, kids.

  21. 21.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @eclare:

    I was having connectivity issues, so ended up watching on MSNBC.  After the service, they cut to (I think) Katy Tur in the studio, and she was interviewing Jonathan Alter, who knows the Carter family quite well. She asked him how President Carter is doing, and he replied (paraphrasing, but not much) that at this point there’s no underlying medical condition that would cause his death, but then added that several family members have told him they don’t think Jimmy will be around much longer.

    Queen Elizabeth lived for 17 months after Prince Philip died. I always thought maybe she didn’t want to disappoint all the people who were so invested in her being around for her Diamond Jubilee, but as soon as that was over she went into sharp decline.

    I wonder, similarly, if Jimmy Carter will hang in there long enough to celebrate his 💯th birthday so as not to disappoint the people who want to see him mark that milestone. He looks so frail. He could be gone by this time next week. I don’t think the timing is necessarily a conscious decision, but I think there’s an element of choice involved.

    The service for Rosalynn was lovely. I’m glad I took time out from my packing to watch.

  22. 22.

    eclare

    @Jackie:

    Judy Woodruff got some snark in.  She said the last time she interviewed them together was in 2021, and she asked how they thought Joe was doing.  Rosalynn replied that she was relieved Joe was there.

  25. 25.

    eclare

    @SiubhanDuinne:

    I’m glad that I took time too.  Attention must be paid to remember “the helpers” and all that they accomplished, sometimes in quiet.

    Good luck with the packing and move!

  26. 26.

    Villago Delenda Est

    @eclare: Judy Woodruff’s eulogy was really very nice, explaining that if it wasn’t for the Carters, she might not have met her husband (Al Hunt) and went and had three kids.  So she’s always felt close to the Carters.  And clearly by inviting her to give a eulogy, the Carters felt the same way about her.

  28. 28.

    Scout211

    New York Magazine Intelligencer defends Melania, somewhat.

    Trump didn’t do anything inappropriate at the service, aside from leaving some X users with the impression that she didn’t wear black to the funeral (she was wearing a black-and-white patterned coat that appeared light in some photos).

    It was black and white tweed and appeared grey in some photos.  LOLOLOL

    I do not buy it at all.  If anyone knows how clothes look on camera, it is Melania and her team of stylists.  She loves to look good on camera and started her career as a model (of sorts, LOL).  I have no doubt that she wanted to stand out and look good.  Black is not the most attractive color on most people and she wanted to look pretty, like the model she still thinks she is.

    /cattiness

  29. 29.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @Jackie:

    She should have just worn her “I DON’T REALLY CARE DO U?” jacket. In and of itself, there’s nothing wrong with grey (EDIT: Black-and-white twe—- HAHAHAHAHA) for mourning, but she looked wildly out of place today.

    When their times come, there will be lots of nice things to say about every other FL there. Yes, even Laura Bush. But I can’t imagine trying to come up with words of tribute at a memorial service for Melania Trump.

  31. 31.

    SpaceUnit

    I just skipped thru the video a bit but I didn’t see Barack Obama.  Was he not there?

    Maybe I missed him.

  32. 32.

    JoyceH

    I’ve been on the road all day, stopping by to report that after all my worrying about whether Jazzy would accept the puppy, turns out she’s thrilled to pieces, trying to get the pup to chase her.

  33. 33.

    MazeDancer

    Such a beautiful service. Feel like I know her, now.

    And so Christian. Though it was unlikely her intention, Rosalyn’s clear love of Jesus, and her displaying her faith in thought, word, and deed showed up every right-wing “evangelical” for the fakes and grifters that they are.

    And Jason Carter certainly had “A Star is Born Moment. Here is his tribute.

    Some people are natural born orators. And Jason got the gift, Y’all.

    If he wants it, he can run for office anytime he wants.

  40. 40.

    japa21

    @MazeDancer:

     

    Rosalyn’s clear love of Jesus, and her displaying her faith in thought, word, and deed showed up every right-wing “evangelical” for the fakes and grifters that they are.

    I loved it when the pastor pointed out the line from James that “faith without works is empty”. There’s a reason that the RW churches don’t quote James very much.

  41. 41.

    Old School

    @MazeDancer:

    If he wants it, he can run for office anytime he wants.

    Jason Carter was a Georgia state senator.  He ran for governor in 2014.  He lost to Nathan Deal.

  42. 42.

    TaMara

    I have to wonder where  W and Barack were…and Bill does not look well.

    The final tribute to her Secret Service detail was very touching.

  46. 46.

    Scout211

    @SpaceUnit: I didn’t see Barack Obama.  Was he not there?

    The Guardian says:

    Donald Trump, Barack Obama and George W Bush were invited to Tuesday’s tribute, the Associated Press reported, but did not attend.

    Maybe a protocol thing??

    ETA:  But Bill Clinton was there, so no, not protocol.

  47. 47.

    Jackie

    @SiubhanDuinne:

    But I can’t imagine trying to come up with words of tribute at a memorial service for Melania Trump.

    Barron will be the only speaker – assuming TIFG is in prison or dead.

  49. 49.

    Redshift

    @SiubhanDuinne:

    When their times come, there will be lots of nice things to say about every other FL there. Yes, even Laura Bush. But I can’t imagine trying to come up with words of tribute at a memorial service for Melania Trump.

    Knowing that family, they probably won’t bother to have a “first lady” memorial. It would cost money, and even worse, they’d have to let lots of people they despise come to it.

  50. 50.

    Betsy

    @eclare:

    @la caterina:

    Strictly speaking, only family members of the deceased properly wear black at a funeral, because it’s a sign of formal mourning.  Sombre non-black attire is appropriate for all other guests.

    Admittedly black has come to be considered what one wears to any funeral, but it is still always appropriate to wear gray, navy, or anything without bright colors or loud patterns – the idea is to refrain from drawing attention to oneself on the occasion.

  52. 52.

    Jackie

    @MazeDancer: The entire memorial was moving. When it ended with Wind Beneath My Wings, I cried. That song was perfect symbolizing the love Jimmy and Rosalynn had.

  60. 60.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @eclare:

    Good luck with the packing and move!

    Thank you! It’s rarely an enjoyable process, but so far — knock wood, cross fingers — everything seems to be going smoothly this time. And I will be glad to be back in the Alpharetta-Duluth-Johns Creek area, which feels much more familiar and compatible to me than Stone Mountain.

  65. 65.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @zhena gogolia:

    She did. Apart from her taste in husbands and that little episode of, you know, killing that guy that time, I have no beef with Laura Bush. And she always presents well.

  67. 67.

    Old Dan and Little Ann

    My wife got her 2nd deer tonight after work. Imagine the damage we could do if we actually hunted. First white-out driving of the season.  Grrrrrr…..

  70. 70.

    cain

    @MazeDancer:

    If he wants it, he can run for office anytime he wants.

    In this climate? The poor soul. The Republicans will sit around rehashing the carter administration like it was just yesterday. They’ll be sitting around wearing sweaters to mock him.

    Also, I’m really done with dynastic families. I rather he continue his grandfather’s work.

     

  72. 72.

    piratedan

    @Betsy: my thinking was that the 3rd lady has plenty of black items to wear, just that most funerals don’t look kindly on dominatrix outfits as a style choice…..

  73. 73.

    Old Dan and Little Ann

    It ran directly into her door, smashed that up pretty good and wrecked the rear view mirror.  It’s amazing it didn’t smash her window.  Ugh.  All is well.  It could’ve been worse.  It’s hard not to see dozens and dozens of deer on most days of her drive through the country.

  75. 75.

    Yutsano

    I have to wonder if Forever FLOTUS & Secretary Clinton even bothered to speak to the Third Lady afterwards. Hopefully not. I’m surprised she even bothered to show up.

  78. 78.

    Old Dan and Little Ann

    @Baud: Holy shite.  You’re correct.  After driving for 32 years I don’t think I’ve ever called them sideview mirrors.  And I took Driver’s Ed!

  80. 80.

    Jackie

    Republicans in states across the country are moving to block young people from voting as part of a concerted strategy advanced by a leading 2020 election denier, according to a report.

    New Hampshire Republicans introduced a bill that would have barred college students who pay out-of-state tuition from voting, while a Texas Republican introduced a bill that would ban polling places at colleges and universities. Republicans in Idaho, Virginia and Wisconsin have all pressed measures to keep students away from the polls, reported Rolling Stone.

    “Young people are the reason why Biden won in 2020 and Democrats up and down the ballot won in 2022 and 2023,” says Abhi Rahman, national communications director for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee.

    “If Gen Z continues to vote, we’re on the cusp of the most progressive era in our country’s history. Republicans know this as well, and that’s why they’re doing everything they can to stop young people from voting, including the fight for restrictions that we’re seeing play out in states like Wisconsin today.”

    Thank you, GQP! You’ve just created a youth GOTV stampede! I know how I reacted as a young person when obstacles were deliberately set to try preventing me from doing something!

  81. 81.

    Matt McIrvin

    @Jackie: When I was a college student, they tried pretty hard to keep me from voting locally and it worked. I think I missed the 1986 midterm entirely because of it–by 1988 I’d figured out how to order an absentee ballot, but a lot of people didn’t bother.

    But we just sort of took that as the natural order of things then. I do think people respond more vigorously to things being taken away from them than never being granted them in the first place.

  82. 82.

    cain

    @Jackie: “The establishment does not want you to get control of the govt. They are passing laws to stop you. You going to let them? Vote Democratic – show us your power.”

    That’s a pretty fucked up thing – but I hear John Roberts said we didn’t need laws to protect voting. The dick.

  83. 83.

    satby

    God, you all know I’m a salty beyootch, and you’re putting me in the position of defending Melania Trump, so not sure I’ll forgive y’all. But she could easily have not gone, pleading some illness, and not a soul would have minded or missed her. So she made the effort to attend, knowing the kind of criticism she would get. That may be the only decent thing she’s ever done. Whether she wore black or gray

    If anything, I bet she attended to spite tfg.

  86. 86.

    Jackie

    @satby: She’s damned either way. Since she made the effort to go, she could have worn “appropriate” garb and not created a news story. I, myself think it was deliberate to GET the attention. She’s as Trumpy as her spouse.

  87. 87.

    Skepticat

    At least Melania showed and was respectful. I’m grateful (though surprised) she showed that much class.

  88. 88.

    Geminid

    @cain: I’m not sure this case eliminates taxes on rich people, at least not income taxes. My understanding is that a tax on wealth is not allowed under the Constitution and would require a constitutional amendment, as did the income tax.

    This question came up here a few months ago, and people with better knowledge than me said that like it or not, a wealth tax would not survive a challenge on constitutional grounds. On the other hand, raising the top income tax rate would.

  95. 95.

    Mary Jo Dean

    @MazeDancer:  I thought so too. Put him on the a ticket, any ticket and I’ll campaign like his grandma did for Jimmy. 20 hours a day if need be.

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