Franken on Funeral-Going

Al Franken penned a brief esssay on the eagerness of right-wing media outlets to turn liberals' funerals into sideshows-- by any means necessary. Much of the piece is about the memorial service of Paul Wellstone, which is still cited (falsely, of course) as an example of unbridled liberal savagery. Undoubtedly we'll still be hearing bogus claims about Coretta Scott King's funeral years from now as well.

Four presidents spoke. One of them, Jimmy Carter, made a passing reference to the fact that Martin and Coretta King had been the victims of domestic wiretapping by the government. Was it a shot at President George W. Bush, who was sitting right behind Carter? Probably. Was that inappropriate? Maybe.

Would Coretta Scott King have enjoyed the moment? I don't know. You know who would have a better idea than me? Jimmy Carter. He knew Mrs. King. Those who are currently complaining - most of whom claim to be offended on her behalf - didn't know her at all.Coretta Scott King was a political woman. Most of those complaining on her behalf are against everything she stood for.

In her later years she spoke passionately on behalf of affirmative action. Should her family have been offended that President Bush didn't mention this and apologize for it? Should they have been offended that the first President Bush didn't mention that he had campaigned for Congress in 1964 against the 1964 Civil Rights Bill and didn't apologize for that?

It's amazing what the reactionary effort to win the nation through think tanks and pundits has accomplished. Lying is considered acceptable political policy. Angry monkey-doism is considered righteous political action. Even hypocrisy is considered fair play, as long as it gets you what you want.