Just caught up on the news on the recovery operation of the Kennedy fuselage/bodies.

'Don't mean to be morbid here. I'm just curious about how the TV news crews handled this part of the story today.

Did anyone see any footage today of the fuselage/bodies actually being pulled out of the water onto the recovery ship?

I hope the answer to that is "No."

(If so, that means officials either kept the news choppers far enough away from the craft so that actual close-ups were impossible, or that there was a "gentleman's/gentlewoman's agreement" amongst the media that it wasn't necessary to show such things, despite the media "feeding frenzy" of the past few days. I hope it was the latter.)

Again, I don't mean to be morbid here. I'm just hoping there was some semblance of decorum amongst the media.

Put in perspective, I once had to hold an umbrella over a state police officer so he could take a photo of a corpse behind a wheel. The man had been killed in a traffic accident on a rain-slicked Florida highway. I did my duty when asked. I said a prayer as I did so, for that poor soul and his family. (I'll never forget him, nor the others in similar circumstances.) To be certain, that video never appeared in my news report. No way in heck I would have allowed that to happen. Thank God I was working with a sensitive news photographer who knew when to keep his distance. It wasn't much of an argument.

At any rate, what did we see today?

If you know, please post. Did the media behave itself?

:)

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), July 21, 1999

Answers

FM I don't think the media coverage was bad today. From what I saw, they did choose to behave themselves on this one. But, get this - John Kennedy Jr. is to be buried AT SEA. That's right - in the water! Duh - then WHY did they go to the extent of dredging them UP!?!?! I was listening to ABC NEWS with Peter Jennings, who stated that the Navy will be burying him at sea "for all the tremendous works of charity he did for the nation" or something to that effect. hhhmmmm - I think it was due more to the fact that this country will do anything for a Kennedy, because they have wealth and status. I was kinda upset with burying him at sea - I do believe that should be reserved for veterans who have served this country. Not for a man who never even spent time in the military (like his dad did)! So how much more is this costing us as taxpayers? Don't get me wrong - I feel badly for the family as they seem to go thru their own special version of hell every couple of years. But this is overkill folks!

-- luann (flataufm@hutchtel.net), July 21, 1999.

Hi luann,

A potential "burial at sea" is news to me, but think about what would happen if the family had demanded Arlington?

There may be unknown factors (and in my humble opinion, we don't need to know about them) that may be influencing the "burial at sea" request, if indeed it happens. I cannot even imagine the condition of the remains after 5 days in the ocean, after a potential nosedive. To be blunt, they may not recover all of the remains. Keep in mind, the idea--in many religions--that bodily remains are to be kept "whole." Perhaps burial at sea is the only option, if that is indeed the prevailing mindset.

Just guessing. Please forgive my bluntness.

:(

One way or another this story will likely be mostly over by next Sunday.

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), July 21, 1999.

The media reported that the no fly zone was extended from 3000 ft to 5 miles for the recovery operation.

-- a (a@a.a), July 21, 1999.

I had an aunt and uncle who died in a private plane crash 18 years ago. I know there was not much of them to bury (terrible thought) but there was a funeral anyway. One has to ask, why a burial at sea? I could see it if perhaps they had not recovered all the bodies, which is not the case. Something seems really wrong with this picture.

-- Gia (laureltree7@hotmail.com), July 21, 1999.

From an episode of Saturday Night Live with Edie Murphy: "Buckwheat has been shot!" Let's get on with it!

-- buckwheat (buckwheat@buckwheat.com), July 21, 1999.

Didn't a fisherman snag his head days ago?

-- Get on with it (Allthenews@thatis.news), July 21, 1999.

They thought it was JFK, Jr., but it turned out to be Jimmy Hoffa's.

-- bodiddly (bodiddly@bo.com), July 21, 1999.

John stipulated in his Will that he wished to be buried at sea.

-- read it (in@the.news), July 22, 1999.

FM -

The media did behave themselves today. The most they got was a shot of the SUVs with the bodies on their way to the morgue.

The scene in New York City is amazingly touching. People are lined up in front of the building where the Kennedy couple lived leaving cards, thoughts and prayers.

I'm puzzled by some of the thoughts expressed regarding the death of these three young people. I'm a little bothered that so many don't consider that the Bessett family lost TWO daughters in this crash, including a twin. Because I am a twin perhaps I'm more affected by that loss and how the surviving twin must be feeling.

However, I respect the views expressed regardless of whether or not I share them. I hope others will allow me to express my feelings with the kind of respect I offer them.

From all reports, young JFK jr. was a man who lived BELOW his means, managed to talk to anyone, road subways, played ball in Central Park, etc. He could have lived in Manhattan but instead lived right among the real people of New York. He could have had any woman but instead married a woman who had a strong mind and a need to challenge him. He stayed away from the easy road to political power even though I'm sure he would have had a better than average chance at winning any race he entered. He was 38, his wife only 33, her sister perhaps 35.

Why am I a bit affected by the loss of a man I didn't know, personally, who did nothing for me? I suppose it's because there is a loss of promise.

I'm 36, my wife 34, my son 3, and we're living in a time where many of the experiences once humorously known as "sowing oats" are simply deadly unless precautions are taken. My generation is overtaxed, now to the point where getting married means you pay on average $1000.00 more than if you remain single. The whole Y2k mess has really been handed to us by our parents. Things are a bit twisted.

JFK jr. was one of the known few who had promise as future leaders of my generation. In a time when athletes choke coaches, give the bird or worse to their own fans, and scandal seems to plague the current leaders, JFK jr. seemed to live in opposite to this trend. So, maybe for some, like me, the future seems a little more in question now.

When I consider the death of this man I am reminded of my own mortality and my own unknown future. I'm left to wonder what might have happened if eventually this man might have risen to hold political office.

Death often leads to a reality check. I'm left to see that my generation has been handed a world where the promise of a better life is cloudy and dark. This one person who seemed to buck the trend of the "me" generation isn't here anymore. He might have been a great leader. Perhaps he would have just remained a philanthropic figure. Regardless, my generation, which may lose much of what would have been it's future has now lost someone who WAS a real role model. Luckily, we seem to be as able to adapt as our ancestors.

I appreciate the feelings of those who feel different. Thanks for letting me vent a little about my perspective.

Mike

===============================

-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), July 22, 1999.

Thank you, Mike.

Well put.

Chuck, whose generation has lost so much in VN, and has found so LITTLE in some of the "fortunate" ones.

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), July 22, 1999.

Thank you Mike. It is indeed a questionable world we live in. However when I read words such as yours, it confirms my hopes for our generation, and the one to follow. You are a man who thinks. God bless you and yours

-- (jhandt@gte.net), July 22, 1999.

Mike,

Thank you for putting MY feelings into words.... :)

-- Kristi (securxsys@cs.com), July 22, 1999.

Mike, Thanks for your thoughtful post as these are my feelings also i could not have said it any better! lou

-- lou (lnf2@webtv.nrt), July 22, 1999.

Mike, Thanks for your thoughtful post as these are my feelings also i could not have said it any better! lou

-- lou (lnf2@webtv.net), July 22, 1999.

Mike,

Aren't we feeling a little sorry for ourselves? Y2K "handed" to you by your parents? Yea, maybe. But after they spent the first few years of your thankless life pciking you up when you fell, wiping your ass, etc, etc, etc, they probably also "handed" you the keys to the car, house, education, etc, etc, etc.

Sorry about your cloudy future too, buck-oh. I know things were really easy and crystal clear for my parents. They only had to live through a depression, where one out of four was without work. Then, just for the hell of it, they fought and won a world war that made the world a better and safer place.

And yea, John-John was the only one on earth that could have made a difference to the "you" generation. You sir are a pathetic, whiney fuck. I feel sorry for your three year old child. They have a loser for a parent and the world is a worse place for it. Please go screw a hornets

-- dah (what@crazynet.com), July 22, 1999.

"dah"

I respect your views and I'll let them speak for themselves and stand on their own merit.

I feel no need to change your mind or your opinions.

Thanks.

Mike

====================================================================

-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), July 22, 1999.

I believe any American citizen can request to be buried at sea. It's not restricted to military personnel.

Deano

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), July 22, 1999.

Deano - You are correct. anyone can request a burial at sea although not everyone is accorded so large a ship. Many burials at sea are performed by the Coast Guard or the National Guard and most are cremations with the ashes dropped by helicopter. Some are done by private means also. You can also have your ashes scattered in Federal or state parks - with permission of course, though I often wonder how many are just done by the family privately.

Duh - I pity you for your lack of respect for others views and your total lack of empathy. You are a sad individual.

As to the media, I am sometimes amazed at their humaness and I am glad they have decided to be respectful in this instance. I remember being 16 at the time President Kennedy was buried and that whole thing remains a snapshot in my mind. Here we are 36 years later, burying another John Kennedy and I was reminded by my husband that my own son is now 16. I see where 36 years has brought us. Probably not the world peace and tolerance that was hoped for back then, but I think we have at least achieved a somewhat better awareness of the world than we had then. Maybe in the next 36 years we will achieve some of the peace we all hope for. John Jr.s death says it doesn't matter when or how or how much money you have, today or tomorrow may be your day to go, so you better make the most of it and do it well. By doing so, maybe the promise will be fulfilled and maybe the world will be a better place. If his death or anyone elses for that matter inspires just one person to make a difference, the world will be a better place.

Saying a prayer...

-- Valkyrie (anon@please.net), July 22, 1999.

Val,

Eat me. You are a loser also.

-- duh (what@crazynet.com), July 22, 1999.

Val

I kinda thought that. I heard a blurb on the news last night stating that any American could do this. My first thought was "Does everyone get to use a battleship too?"

I'm no Kennedy fan by any means, but that family sure has suffered during my lifetime.

The irony is, is that Ted is the one that's still with us.

Deano

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), July 22, 1999.

Deano -

Your mind is not the only one that thought has crossed! I've always thought what goes around comes around - so perhaps Ted is paying with all the eulogies he has had to give over the years. We all have our burdens and I suspect his is heavier than most. In 1990 (wow - that long ago) I lost 9 relatives in 10 months (aunts, uncles and a brother) and it is not easy even when they are old and it is expected, but the young sudden ones are always harder. Being prepared makes it "easier" no matter what.

-- Valkyrie (anon@please.net), July 22, 1999.

A loss of promise? The man slept with beautiful famous women, lived life in the fast lane, killed his wife and sister and it's a loss of promise? Get real! Your talking like he is God! I just fail to see anything but pure stupidity in all of this! He was an idiot, a misguided person who thought he was immortal!

-- getrealfolks (getrealfolks@getreal.com), July 22, 1999.

As a relatively new pilot flying VFR he should not have been flying in the dark...it would have been more judicious to have waited until the following morning to fly out, and maybe would have saved their lives.

-- Laurane (familyties@rttinc.com), July 22, 1999.

A funeral held on land for these people would have been a morbid circus. IMO the surviving family had no wish for that.

By the way that was a destroyer out there, not a battleship. The Navy has only two battleships, the Iowa and the Wisconsin, both "inactive" and "out of commission." Currently at Norfolk.

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), July 23, 1999.