I don’t accept this new norm, which supposes that when a public figure dies, it’s a signal for everyone who disagreed with him in life to start dancing on his grave.
A decent public culture regards funerals as a time when each of us looks for the positive meaning that can be found in the life of the deceased.
And if we absolutely can’t bring ourselves to abide by this civilized and civilizing custom, then at the very least we can honor those who are grieving by keeping quiet and saving what we have to say for another time.
The most elementary concern for one’s nation dictates that at a time when the other fellow is morning his dead, you don’t start up again with your old war against the deceased.
This is a special kind of cruelty that people don’t forget.
It is purposely seeking to wound in a way that will not be healed for a very long time, if ever.
It is purposely seeking to wound in a way that will not be healed for a very long time, if ever.
I suppose it is pointless to emphasize that every nation needs a minimum of decency across even bitter political divides.
It is this minimum of decency that limits future conflict. It is this alone that prevents the dissolution of the nation.
It is this minimum of decency that limits future conflict. It is this alone that prevents the dissolution of the nation.
I can see that there are some who just don’t care anymore. Who think it’s gotten so bad that *no* minimum of decency applies.
To you, I say: Why not let others do the cruel and inhuman work of making funerals more bitter for the bereaved?
To you, I say: Why not let others do the cruel and inhuman work of making funerals more bitter for the bereaved?
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