MyDD :: Tony Snow, Rest in Peace

He was warmly received by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who called him "a leader that God has blessed us with at this time."

They is a lot everyone here can learn from Tony snow.

If there is a person who was probably a poster child of showing how to conduct yourself in the political arena and garner that respect even from the opposite side of aisle - it was Tony snow.

This no divisiveness in Washington theme is joke this election season like it was in the past elections. We are each others throat and its same old politics as usual.

by roxfoxy on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:10:12 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Lipstick on a pig (2.00 / 4)

Being able to put a smiley face on evil policies is not a skill to admire.

He completed the transformation of a serious forum - what used to be a daily briefing of events at the White House - into a media circus focused on personality and cutesy remarks. Rather than answer questions, he questioned the motives of the professionals asking questions. Uh, because its their job?

To me his banal acceptance of criminality and atrocities and his role in getting the American public to look the other way qualify him as one of the architects of war propaganda.

It's not really relevant how he died - I'm glad he's not part of the political propaganda machine anymore.

by lizpolaris on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:50:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lipstick on a pig (none / 0)

It's not really relevant how he died - I'm glad he's not part of the political propaganda machine anymore.

Technically he was no logner a part of the political propaganda machine after he left his position a year ago.

I don't see the reason to wax on about it now.

The pebbles have voted and the avalanche has begun.

President-Elect "That One"

by Dracomicron on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 11:37:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lipstick on a pig (2.00 / 1)

Because the usual tendency is to deify someone or ignore what they actually did in their life after they've died.

by lizpolaris on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 05:29:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lipstick on a pig (none / 0)

I wish he did what Lee Atwater did and faced some hard truths. But it looks like he was adamant to the end judging by his appearances on shows even after he stepped down.

But he was pretty gifted speaker. He would nearly have me nearly convinced of a certain viewpoint for a split second.

by Pravin on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 01:13:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I understand how you feel - (2.00 / 1)

But I disagree. The premature loss of anyone so young should give us all pause. So please don't dismiss Tony Snow's death out of hand. Where there's life, there's always hope for an epiphany. People can and do change. Look at John Dean. He believed in Nixon - in Nixon's whole conservative agenda. Then, when confronted with Nixon's perfidy (an incontrovertible truth) - he stood up and said no way. He changed course - did a 180 - testified to Congress.

Now - maybe Snow never would have done any of those things. And what you said about his actions was true; but there was always that chance for change (albeit a small one) whilst he lived. It might only be a tinker's damn in hell - but I've always believed in that tinker.

by The Fat Lady Sings on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 01:50:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I understand how you feel - (none / 0)

On a personal level, I can be a forgiving person also. But while repentance may be good for the soul of the individual, it rarely comes anywhere close to making up for the original evil caused (i.e.- Robert McNamara). Making amends for past wrongs is a good idea but it doesn't erase what happened and the consequences.

So you're saying - too bad Snow died before he could see the error of his ways?

I'm saying - this individual contributed to the destruction of American democracy by helping to promote a new doctrine of pre-emptive war and undermining the role of the 4th estate. By all accounts, he was very proud of having done so. That's an evil legacy and should not be forgotten in all the baby-boom angst about how 'young' he was (I can say that as a boomer myself).

by lizpolaris on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 09:19:29 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Why are you turning this generational? (none / 0)

You throw 'baby boomer' out as some kind of epithet - as though I should be ashamed of my age. As though age had something to do with Tony Snow's perceived 'evil'.

By the way - technically speaking, I'm not really a boomer - and neither was Snow. Snow, Senator Obama and I share 'post boomer' status - the so-called 'Jones Generation'.

If you're going to try and insult someone - do try and get it right.

by The Fat Lady Sings on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 11:49:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why are you turning this generational? (2.00 / 1)

No personal insult to you meant by the age-related comment. That one was a general comment based on the numerous 'he was so young' messages on the blogs. 17 is young. 53 may seem young to a baby-boomer of the same age. And yes, anyone who's 53 now is definitely in that generation. You're right that Obama is not (he's a bit younger than I am).

by lizpolaris on Mon Jul 14, 2008 at 10:03:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Rest In Peace (2.00 / 10)

Tonight I pray for Tony's family and the families of those who seem invisible to the world.

June/July Casualties List

Justin R. Mixon, 22, Army Specialist, Jun 01, 2008 Bogalusa, Louisiana

Christopher D. McCarthy, 28, Army Reserve Specialist, Jun 01, 2008 Virginia Beach, Virginia

Quincy J. Green, 26, Army Specialist, Jun 03, 2008 El Paso, Texas

Joshua E. Waltenbaugh, 19, Army Private 1st Class, Jun 03, 2008 Ford City, Pennsylvania

Shane P. Duffy, 22, Army Sergeant, Jun 04, 2008 Taunton, Massachusetts

Jonathan D. A. Emard, 20, Army Specialist, Jun 04, 2008 Mesquite, Texas

Cody R. Legg, 23, Army Sergeant, Jun 04, 2008 Escondido, California

David R. Hurst, 31, Army Sergeant 1st Class, Jun 07, 2008 Fort Sill, Oklahoma

Tyler E. Pickett, 28, Army Staff Sergeant, Jun 08, 2008 Saratoga, Wyoming

Thomas F. Duncan III, 21, Army Specialist, Jun 09, 2008 Rowlett, Texas

Steve A. McCoy, 23, Army Sergeant, Jun 10, 2008 Moultrie, Georgia

Eugene D. M. Kanakaole, 19, Army Private, Jun 11, 2008 Maui, Hawaii

Gerard M. Reed, 40, Army Sergeant 1st Class, Jun 11, 2008 Jacksonville Beach, Florida

Javier Perales Jr., 19, Marine Lance Corporal, Jun 11, 2008 San Elizario, Texas

Kelly E. C. Watters, 19, Marine Lance Corporal, Jun 11, 2008 Virginia Beach, Virginia

John D. Aragon, 22, Army Sergeant, Jun 12, 2008 Antioch, California

Jason N. Cox, 21, Army Specialist, Jun 16, 2008 Elyria, Ohio

Du Hai Tran, 30, Army Staff Sergeant, Jun 20, 2008 Reseda, California

Gregory T. Dalessio, 0, Army Captain, Jun 23, 2008 Cherry Hill, New Jersey

Bryan M. Thomas, 22, Army Private 1st Class, Jun 23, 2008 Lake Charles, Louisiana

Robert C. Hammett, 39, Army Chief Warrant Officer, Jun 24, 2008 Tucson, Arizona

Dwayne M. Kelley, 48, Army Major, Jun 24, 2008 Willingboro, New Jersey

Alejandro A. Dominguez, 24, Army Sergeant, Jun 25, 2008 San Diego, California

Joshua L. Plocica, 20, Army Specialist, Jun 25, 2008 Clarksville, Tennessee

Joel A. Taylor, 20, Army Specialist, Jun 25, 2008 Pinetown, North Carolina

James M. Yohn, 25, Army Private 1st Class, Jun 25, 2008 Highspire, Pennsylvania

Philip J. Dykeman, 38, Marine Captain, Jun 26, 2008 Brockport, New York

Max A. Galeai, 42, Marine Lieutenant Colonel, Jun 26, 2008 Pago Pago, American Samoa

Marcus W. Preudhomme, 23, Marine Corporal, Jun 26, 2008 North Miami Beach, Florida

Anthony Lynn Woodham, 37, Army National Guard Sergeant 1st Class, Jul 05, 2008 Rogers, Arkansas

William L. McMillan III, 22, Army Specialist, Jul 08, 2008 Lexington, Kentucky

Steven J. Chevalier, 35, Army Sergeant 1st Class, Jul 09, 2008 Flint, Michigan

Byron J. Fouty, 19, Army Private, Jul 09, 2008 Waterford, Michigan

Alex R. Jimenez, 25, Army Sergeant, Jul 09, 2008 Lawrence, Massachusetts

http://icasualties.org/oif/Default.aspx

"The best way to show that a stick is crooked is not by arguing about it or spending time denouncing it, but to lay a straight stick alongside it" -DL Moody

by nextgen on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 08:25:54 AM EST

Tonight I pray for all those with cancer (2.00 / 5)

who can't afford the health care Tony Snow received.

John McCain: He flunked ECON 101.

by Shem on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:31:16 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Tony Snow, Rest in Peace (2.00 / 2)

I had no idea he was quite this far along. I hadn't seen him lately.

RIP, Tony. I won't say you were one of the good ones, but you were better than some of the company you kept.

"Hey, check it out. You just had yourself a glue OD. So you're learning another lesson. Don't do too much glue, or your night sucks."

by vcalzone on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 08:33:11 AM EST

by phoenixdreamz on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 08:57:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]

"I won't say you were one of the good ones, but you were better than some of the company you kept."

Well said, spot on, I agree, and join with your sentiments in wishing him eternal rest.

He was warmly received by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who called him "a leader that God has blessed us with at this time."

I'd like to see yours or our eulogy. Here lies <insert name> great father/mom, great employee, kind hearted and as generous as he/she could be- But alas <insert name> FAILED to qualify as a 'good one' because he/she was a democrat and not republican.

by roxfoxy on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:20:54 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: (2.00 / 2)

Not the point. He worked for a tight group of people who have quite literally destroyed this country. To ignore that now because he died is hypocritical. It isn't because he was a Republican.

I'm reasonably sure Tony isn't looking down at us today from Heaven. That doesn't make me happy, it's just how I see the facts on his life.

by SpanishFly on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:41:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]

"Quite literally?" (none / 0)

If they "quite literally" destroyed the country, we wouldn't be having elections right now. We would be living in a state of anarchy, and I would be considering killing you for access to your gasoline, canned food, and women for mating stock.

The pebbles have voted and the avalanche has begun.

President-Elect "That One"

by Dracomicron on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:49:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: "Quite literally?" (2.00 / 1)

It will take us several generations to restore our credibility and standing in the world. It will take great leadership during those years to reverse the course we're on. I'm not confident anymore after watching the American people elect George W twice that things won't end up as you suggest.

by SpanishFly on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:56:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Spare me the apolcalyptic ditty (none / 0)

We came back from the Great Depression just fine. Civil War? Managed. Vietnam? We got by.

Things are bad, to be sure, but there's no need to overstate the problem. Stating them leaves us in a tough enough situation; we don't need hypochondria and hyperbole adding to our problems.

The pebbles have voted and the avalanche has begun.

President-Elect "That One"

by Dracomicron on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:41:27 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Spare me the apolcalyptic ditty (2.00 / 1)

It took a world war to overcome the Depression.

Vietnam was during the cold war when the rest of the world had no choice but to side with us, regardless.

Things are different now.

Point being, Bush has done some really disgusting, evil things. And Snow stood by him and covered up for him all through it. And before he was on the "team" he worked for Fox doing essentially the same. He was a shill, nothing more, and his death doesn't change that.

by SpanishFly on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:55:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]

by vann on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 12:30:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I take it you mean "quite literally" figuratively.

Recall the city of New Orleans and the World Trade Centers. Recall the US Constitution. Recall our standing in the world and our once feared military might.

Literally.

by SpanishFly on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 12:58:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: (2.00 / 1)

A judgmental over simplification.

Mr. Snow devoted what he knew would be the last years of his life to defending Bush's foreign policy, and stonewalling the American public's demand for answers and accountability.

I have a problem with that, and would refuse to deliver a eulogy for him, but wish him eternal peace regardless of course.

by phoenixdreamz on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:48:08 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Consider that everything which happens, happens justly, and if thou observest carefully, thou wilt find it to be so. -Marcus Aurelius

RIP, Tony. I won't say you were one of the good ones, but you were better than some of the company you kept.

That is how I think of him. I can't condone lying for the Bushies but he seemed like a decent man who you wouldn't mind having as a neighbor.

My mother died at a smiliar age after a years long bout with cancer. If Tony's family is going through something similar to what my family went through then they are celebrating his life and thanking God his suffering is over and he is at peace. I hope they got to say goodbye to him.

by Blue Neponset on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:22:57 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Tony Snow, Rest in Peace (none / 0)

You guys disgust me. This is not exactly hitler who died. Just like the ones who came in on day Tim russert died and started to bad mouth him.

How do you figure he lied about the bushies?

It was his MEDIA PR job to promote the president's policy. He came way after the war started and was always forth right but with the spin one expects of a PR guy.

Obama's pres sect. is not going to do any different. It's their job to defend and explain the Presidents policies to the press and to do so with utmost vigor.

He was warmly received by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who called him "a leader that God has blessed us with at this time."

by roxfoxy on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:33:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Tony Snow, Rest in Peace (1.50 / 4)

No, not Hitler. More like Joseph Goebbels.

by SpanishFly on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:47:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Good lord (2.00 / 1)

This thread went from zero to Godwin in far too short a time.

The pebbles have voted and the avalanche has begun.

President-Elect "That One"

by Dracomicron on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:51:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Good lord (2.00 / 1)

LOL.

Well, RoxFox brought it up.

by SpanishFly on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:58:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]

ROFL. (none / 0)

I nominate that for comment of the day.

Wouldn't it be nice if there were no rhetorical questions?

by Elsinora on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 01:13:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Tony Snow, Rest in Peace (none / 0)

"No, not Hitler. More like Joseph Goebbels"

Welcome to the jungle- Stalin.

He was warmly received by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who called him "a leader that God has blessed us with at this time."

by roxfoxy on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:54:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Consider that everything which happens, happens justly, and if thou observest carefully, thou wilt find it to be so. -Marcus Aurelius

How do you figure he lied about the bushies?

He chose to be Bush's Press Secretary and he flat out lied for the Bush Administration. He didn't lie to save the lives of soldiers in the field or protect state secrets. He lied in order to advance a political agenda. I have no respect for that. If Obama's press secretary lies like a rug to protect Obama then I will have no respect for that behavior either.

Like I said above, I think Tony Snow was a decent man. It saddens me that he died. If you think I am attacking then so be it.

by Blue Neponset on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:51:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Proud member of the Wikipedia Generation of American politics

Do you intentionally misread everything you can?

You must have missed these parts:

seemed like a decent man who you wouldn't mind having as a neighbor.

If Tony's family is going through something similar to what my family went through then they are celebrating his life and thanking God his suffering is over and he is at peace. I hope they got to say goodbye to him.

I am as disgusted as the next person when I see grave-dancing, and I see it all too often, but nobody's really done anything like that yet.

You, on the other hand, seem to think that the only option when someone dies is to pretend they were a saint. It's not. All you have to do is recognize that they were human.

by BishopRook on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:59:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]

"Hey, check it out. You just had yourself a glue OD. So you're learning another lesson. Don't do too much glue, or your night sucks."

If you're talking about me, I mean what I said and nothing more. He approached his job like a soldier and he relished in being able to spread BS to the press. And he was very good at spreading BS, it is what he understood the job to be when he took it.

But if you compare to Ari Fleischer or even Dana Perino, it's clear that Snow at least acknowledged dissent. There were multiple times I remember thinking that he seemed as if he didn't want to say what he was saying. I know he had a conscience, and I know he was following it the best way he knew how, by trying to serve his country. I can respect that. I can't say I agree with him or that it was good for the country, but I can respect his intentions, therefore I can respect the man.

by vcalzone on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:00:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Snow was personable (none / 0)

With Fleischer and especially with Perino now, I sense this attitude of "Who do you think you are asking US questions?"

Fleischer especially, Perino I sort of feel like she's being tough and trying her best to defend an administration that failed and is under siege.

Fleischer was there when Bush was at his record high approval ratings and still he acted like the press was beneath this administration and they should be waving flags and kissing Bush's feet.

Snow, though, he made you like him and you felt dirty, but you couldn't help it. I remember when Martha Raddaz' cell phone went off, playing a Chamillionaire ring tone her son put on it, and Snow looked at her and was like "Does Martha have a hip-hop ringtone? play that funky music white girl." It was so corny, but funny.

The American people; they were for the war before they were against it.

by nrafter530 on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:17:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I can't believe I'm writing this. (none / 0)

BN is not attacking Tony Snow. This diary was a nice tribute and the RedState/Limbaugh loonies can't accuse us of dancing on his grave.

BN's observation was fair. The administration lied to us and Snow worked for that administration. It doesn't matter if that was his job.

But that really doesn't matter right now. BN wrote a nice diary. We don't need to re-hash the past.

Another Clintonista against John McCain

by psychodrew on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:55:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Cancer is terrible (2.00 / 2)

I lost my cousin to cancer this year; she was 27. I hope Mr. Snow can avoid the kind of smears that Tim Russert was subjected to upon his passing. Nobody deserves that.

My thoughts go out to his friends and family.

The pebbles have voted and the avalanche has begun.

President-Elect "That One"

by Dracomicron on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 08:49:01 AM EST

Re: Cancer is terrible (none / 0)

Curious.. are you a Republican, or former Republican, or Independent, or Democrat?

by phoenixdreamz on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 08:54:08 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Why does it matter? (2.00 / 1)

Feeling compassion for the families of the departed is a human trait untied to political ideology.

If you look at my history on this site, it shouldn't be hard to see where my politics lie.

The pebbles have voted and the avalanche has begun.

President-Elect "That One"

by Dracomicron on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:18:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Side note (2.00 / 2)

There is a touching piece on Tony the Man over at Kos of all places.

The pebbles have voted and the avalanche has begun.

President-Elect "That One"

by Dracomicron on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 08:54:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Side note (none / 0)

Umm, "Tony the Man" ?????

Well, you are entitled to your opinion, I guess..

by phoenixdreamz on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:01:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Are you saying he wasn't a man? (none / 0)

Your implication and motives are confusing, friend.

The pebbles have voted and the avalanche has begun.

President-Elect "That One"

by Dracomicron on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:19:16 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Are you saying he wasn't a man? (2.00 / 2)

Ok, and no, I didn't mean to imply he wasn't a man. Attaching "the Man" to someone usually connotes a type of greatness. I rarely speak up here and was treading lightly because I'm tired of being troll or hide rated for remaining true to my Democratic principles.

I won't speak ill of the dead, and certainly desire for Mr. Snow a peaceful eternal rest.

I do however have a problem appreciating or understanding a man who devoted what he knew would be the last years of his life to defending Bush's foreign policy, and stonewalling the American public's demand for answers and accountability.

by phoenixdreamz on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:41:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Er, alright (2.00 / 2)

I'm not saying, "Damn, Tony, you da man!"

I'm saying, "Thus passes the man." Or simply talking about him as a human rather than as the media icon we know.

If you read the link, you'd see that I was talking about his attributes as a regular guy, a mortal.

The pebbles have voted and the avalanche has begun.

President-Elect "That One"

by Dracomicron on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:47:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Just don't read the comments. (none / 0)

Seriously, I've seen Freepers be more polite. Good Lord.

I pointed out that even if somebody hates Tony Snow, he isn't alive to read what we're saying about him. His family, however, is...and they have done nothing wrong. Thus, if you can't say anything respectful (you can criticize, so long as it's respectful and has content rather than "OMG FASCIST BURN IN HELL I HOPE SATAN FUX YOU IN THE ASS!!!!!!"), just say "My condolences to his family" and move on. You don't have to praise him--indeed, I sure wouldn't--but you don't have to dance on his grave either.

In response, I was called "some trained, conditioned delusional perspective lacking fucktard who thinks they are somehow noble and nice, i.e. "proper", to pay respect to people like tony Snowjob." Ooookay, if you say so, but you'd better not have the chutzpah to complain when the Freepers express similar crassness in reaction to the death of someone like Robert Byrd, Ted Kennedy, or Bill Clinton.

Wouldn't it be nice if there were no rhetorical questions?

by Elsinora on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 01:30:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Just don't read the comments. (none / 0)

I read that diary this morning and it was well written. It has been deleted; I suspect the diarist took it down becuse of the foul comments.

by Roberta on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 04:06:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

whoa (none / 0)

man another shocker (but not as surprising as tim russert)

vote blue in 2008

by sepulvedaj3 on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:15:38 AM EST

RIP (2.00 / 1)

Man, I felt terrible for him after the cancer came back.

He's still my favorite Bush spin guy. Even though I wanted to scream at what he was saying, I couldn't help but like the guy.

The American people; they were for the war before they were against it.

by nrafter530 on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:59:20 AM EST

Re: RIP (2.00 / 1)

Scotty was my favorite.

Even though I hated him when he was in the job, I knew he and his wife adopted a bunch of animals and were basically good people.

Then, when he wrote his book, I thought: "Ah, Scotty. I always knew you had humanity in you."

Don't really believe the same about Snow. Sorry.

by Bush Bites on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:25:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I pray for those fighting colon cancer... (2.00 / 4)

...who don't have the means to get the kind of care Snow got.

by Bush Bites on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:23:25 AM EST

Best comment of this entire thread. (2.00 / 1)

John McCain: He flunked ECON 101.

by Shem on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:29:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]

by grassrootsorganizer on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:36:00 AM EST

Tony could sure make bullshit smell like roses.

Being utterly unfamiliar with the private man and only familiar with his work, that's the best I can say about him.

Rest in peace.

Sexism is real.

"It's a number." (2.00 / 3)

In 2008, nearly 50,000 Americans will die from colon cancer.

by Bush Bites on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:53:03 AM EST