Just a simple request. Elizabeth Edwards requested that attacks on John be ceased

[saracat]

and he be remembered for the good he did, if only for the sake of his children. She and John were reunited for their trip to Japan and he was at her side in the final days.Friends have said she grew to see again the man she had married. Can we just for today , in tribute to a very great lady, pay tribute by honoring those wishes?

[ZombieHorde]

1. What made her so great? I don't know much about her.

edit: I am not saying she is unworthy of people's admiration, I really just don't know much about her. I am not trying to insult someone who had recently passed away.

[WilliamPitt]

5. Your loss.

Maybe you could find out.

She was a DUer, for one.

There is much, much more to learn.

A start: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Edwards

[ZombieHorde]

33. I don't think her Wikipedia page is capturing the quality/aspect

which makes people love her. Have you read her books? If so, what did you think of them?

[tavalon]

89. She was a DUer back in the days when that automatically conferred honor

but she was nonetheless honorable, kind, gentle and hard as steel, as needed. She was an exemplary human and the fact that she asks us to lay off of her husband shows that in the end, she was able to forgive him for the damn near unforgivable. We, who were not directly affected by his behavior, ought to do as she requests.

She was the best part of that partnership.

[ZombieHorde]

94. I see. She was helpful to the community here. This makes perfect sense.

I was wondering about the emotional reactions to my question. Now I know.

[tavalon]

95. We've lost many a really good DUer here and they are always accorded

respect. We've had some hospital scares but fewer deaths it seems, since 2004. Not none, just fewer.

Yes, we cared greatly for her, hence the vitriol toward her husband. But if she wants us to leave him alone, I, for one, will. I see no reason not to honor her request. He isn't in politics anymore, anyway.

[mentalsolstice]

101. And so she was a DUer?

I'm a DUer...If some of us respectfully stay silent, what does that mean?

[pamela]

15. She was...

a brilliant, authentic, passionate, giving, strong, progressive woman. She always fought the good fight and never, ever gave up. And that's just scratching the surface of what made her great.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ZombieHorde]

23. Asking for information is insensitive? Interesting. Your anger is your punishment. nt

[WinkyDink]

62. "What made her so great?" carries a negative, challenging tone, FYI.

[ZombieHorde]

67. I specifically stated I was not challenging people's admiration.

I specifically stated I just did not know much about her.

Fortunately, poor reading comprehension has its own punishment in this case.

[MrMickeysMom]

70. Well. for one thing.... she would not be the kind of person...

to have used derogatory remarks in defense of others questioning her.

[WinkyDink]

97. There is a difference in tone between "What made her so great?" and "What made her great?"

I read well, I assure you.

[Riley133]

52. Were you around in 2004?

She got us through the election, for starters.

[ZombieHorde]

56. No, I started lurking around 2006 or so. nt

[tavalon]

90. That would explain it

I know I wouldn't have been able to get through the debacle that was the 2004 reselection of the shrub without both of the Edwards. Whatever one might say about him and out of deference to her, I won't, she was salt of the earth, good.

[BlueIris]

74. "I am not trying to insult someone who had recently passed away."

You sure didn't try very hard. This is one of the most insensitive posts I've ever read here, and that is saying something.

[ZombieHorde]

77. I am starting to suspect people are just fucking with me. nt

[DainBramaged]

96. You've been here a while and know not of Elizabeth Edwards?

Why even bother coming?

[ZombieHorde]

102. I think that is the second most hated reply I have made on DU. nt

[nashville_brook]

2. i'm with you. k and r.

[Dinger]

4. Yes, Same Here (nt)

[John Q. Citizen]

3. it's the fool who plays it cool by making the world a little colder

[Whoa_Nelly]

6. +1 n/t

[dkf]

7. Yes I will.

Rest in peace Elizabeth. I am sure John will be lost without you.

[pinto]

8. Kick

:kick:

[Brickbat]

9. Gracious to the very end. We can all learn from her.

[The Backlash Cometh]

10. No problem.

Thanks for relaying the information.

[cali]

11. I don't think there have been any attacks on him here today.

[MonteLukast]

12. Kicked. Definitely.

To a great lady and progressive.

[Ninga]

13. Elizabeth, among all of her many achievements and qualities, is a shinning example of how

to make peace. The peace she made with John and the peace she gave her children.

The irony of it all is that she left this earth in the most peaceful season of the year.

:cry:

[Darth_Kitten]

14. K & R

Honour the lady by honouring her graciousness and her wishes.

[OHdem10]

16. Attacking John only hurts the children. Furthermore, I never

heard the outrage when Gingrich asked his bed-ridden hospitalized
wife with Cancer for a divorce.

Even we play the double standard.

John Edwards is no longer in Politics. Tell the Media
to move on and stop hurting the Edwards children.

[karynnj]

27. There was plenty of disgust when Gingrich's actions were reported

and it, as much as anything, is why he is out of office.

The media had an awkward situation. It is impossible to tell EE's story without mentioning JRE. Not mentioning that the last several years were rocky would be impossible - what happened happened and it is part of her story. That said, many went into far greater detail than needed.

[bushisanidiot]

34. Sorry, but Newt's actions were far worse. He went to the friggin'

hospital, where his wife was recovering from cancer related surgery, and handed her divorce papers. John cheated, yes.. but he would have never left her. Newt Gingrich is far more evil than John Edwards.

[smokey nj]

35. And, contrary to what was written in the post to which you are responding, Newt's infidelity DID NOT

end his political career. In fact, it's never even brought up when he appears on the talking head shows to discuss his plans to run for President in 2012

[karynnj]

40. There were many things that ended his Congressional career

That was one - though the fact that shutting down the government backfired was another.

As to a Presidential run - if he is perceived to have a serious chance, you better believe it will be discussed.

Not to mention, don't you remember how weak the defense that " X was worse" is? I know it never worked with my parents - and it never worked for my kids. The fact is that BOTH of them behaved very badly.

[karynnj]

38. Of course he is

Where do you get that I even compared them? I didn't - I said there was disgust - and there was.

[pacalo]

58. C'mon, guys -- let it go. Stay with the spirit of the OP.

[Kalyke]

76. How so?

The evil is the cheating... not necessarily the leaving.

Sorry... not following your logic.

I made a cheating spouse LEAVE - I don't "do" sloppy seconds.

[tavalon]

92. You don't quite have your information correct, however,

they obviously initiated a reconciliation in her last months and that is all. She had a much bigger heart than I would have, I think. And that, among thousands of other things, is what made her an extraordinary human being.

[1badjedi]

17. People will say what they will

and it won't amount to a hill o' beans. The only thing that matters is if they made their peace which they more than likely did. Nothing said by any holier than thou gossipers will ever change that.

I agree with your sentiment though if that counts for anything. I just understand people who live in glass houses cannot help but throw rocks. Human nature n all that.

[Demoiselle]

18. I'm happy to honor her request.

But I never indulged in attacks on John Edwards in the first place. I've always felt terribly sad for the whole family, and that includes him.

[hlthe2b]

19. I didn't realize they had traveled together to Japan...

When was that? What was the purpose? Elizabeth died with incredible dignity. It would be incredibly offensive to do less than she requests. I am sure John is grieving. Despite all that transpired one doesn't lose all feelings for someone they had loved and lived with so long.

[bobbolink]

20. I can tell that Elizabeth is a model for you, saracat. You show the same grace and peace.

Thank you.

:yourock:

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sabrina 1]

26. Edwards is no longer a Dem Politician, he is a private citizen

And I agree with the OP.

R.I.P. Elizabeth :cry:

[karynnj]

28. Nice catch

[apocalypsehow]

53. What?!? And practice what we preach?!?!? Where's the fun in that?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Great post. :thumbsup:

[pacalo]

61. Subverting the topic at hand to satisfy petty grievances is tacky & rude.

[Number23]

57. You win the thread, Scurry. Too bad it's not one worth winning!

:thumbsup:

[Scurrilous]

72. ...

:thumbsup:

[pacalo]

59. Oh my. Couldn't you have let that go, considering the topic?

[asdjrocky]

65. That's not what she asked for.

Why would you even do this? It's like the kid that farts in the middle of the school play on purpose just because he thinks it's funny. It's not, it's just mean and stupid.

[karynnj]

24. self deleted because I did not completely read the OP

[cali]

25. I think she's just asking that people refrain from it today.

[karynnj]

30. I don't get that from the OP

I have no problem with it if it just for today, but as you said upthread, there have been no JRE attacks anywhere on DU anywhere.

[cali]

32. "Can we just for today , in tribute to a very great lady, pay tribute by honoring those wishes?"

[karynnj]

36. You're correct - I had missed that very obvious statement

Thank you - I deleted my earlier statement, because even though it was not an attack, it was not in the spirit of the thread.

[Bluerthanblue]

29. Indeed.

If we can't do this, we aren't the people we think we are.

Thank you Saracat.

[uppityperson]

31. k&r

[bomberman]

37. What, exactly, did John do to deserve everybody's scorn?

Unless the people who scorn him have NEVER, EVER done ANYTHING at all wrong in their lives....

Of course since pretty much everybody in the world, with maybe the exception of Jesus Christ himself, has lied to someone, or cheated on someone, or has betrayed or shat upon somebody else, I don't understand where the hate is coming from.

He cheated on his wife. Big whoop.

[cali]

39. let's not do this here.

trying to start a fight is not in the spirit of the thread.

[WinkyDink]

63. AREYOU JOKING? A child with a mistress, both of whom he DENIED, is "big whoop" to you? It should be

your fate, to be cheated on. Add "while seriously ill." Then let's hear your "big whoop."

AND, BTW, by so doing he ruined AMERICA'S chance at having him be a champion for the poor and working class.

Just go back to whence you came.

[Kalyke]

78. Big whoop?

Good Lord - that's the ULTIMATE form of betrayal, trust and love.

Big whoop? Glad I didn't marry you.

[tavalon]

93. That wasn't why so many here were furious

He continued his campaign while he was philandering. If he had won the nomination and then it had been discovered, it would have made the Clinton impeachment look like a day in the park. But he is no longer in politics so yeah, I think it's more than reasonable to let it go. Let him and the children grieve in peace.

[GentryDixon]

41. I agree.

RIP Elizabeth. You were a fine example.

[JanMichael]

42. You are just inviting more biting comments about the man with this post.

Seriously...you remind me of the people who were asking that nothing bad be written about Reagan during his funeral; that didn't work out so well, eh?

[Bluebear]

44. Funny thing, yours is one of the few biting comments that seemed to be "invited".

Most others said they will honor Elizabeth's request. Just sayin'.

[JanMichael]

45. ummm I didn't mention him

just sayin.

[Bluebear]

47. You didnt mention who? Who is "the man", David Hasselhoff?

[Name removed]

51. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bobbolink]

46. !!!!

:applause:

For this one, it is SOP.

Good to see you.... :hi:

[SammyWinstonJack]

43. K&R

[Still a Democrat]

48. The decent thing is not to attack now

But that's far from a lifetime moratorium.

[SmileyRose]

49. kick and recommended

[RB TexLa]

50. Are you kidding? A Democrat DUers can look down their nose at and claim morality?

That's like throwing raw meat to wild animals.

[tomg]

54. A good request from

a good person. something i am trying to learn in my life - to think of people for the good they do or try to do

[felix_numinous]

55. I have a high respect

for Elizabeth Edwards, having to face cancer and then infidelity all in the public eye. She was the embodiment of grace, humility and compassion.

[JVS]

60. I've spoken both positively and negatively of the man. Today I offer only my condolences.

Now if Pickles had died, I'd be in rare form.

[nadinbrzezinski]

64. I am sure some will never do that

but for me... there was nothing to attack John over. It was their life and his decision. Our culture of moralism is part of the problem.

On and Elizabeth.. rest in peace...

To John... my sympathies, as well as the rest of the family.

It is your time to grieve.

Oh and Elizabeth thank you for what you did.

[Kalyke]

79. I, uh... don't think that was HER decision at all.

It was HIS life and HER life and he HURT her. Geez.

[nadinbrzezinski]

82. Yes and still no place for you or I to get our noses into

[asdjrocky]

66. It was always about the ideas and the words for me.

Their ideas, and their words, spoke to me, and they still do.

Who speaks for the poor? Thank you Elizabeth and thank you John.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

68. With all due respect to Elizabeth, no one ever talks about

John Edwards. He's pretty much off most people's radar to the point I would almost say he's been ostracized

by our country and the political community.

John Kerry sent a beautiful statement out on Elizabeth Kerry offering his condolences to her children.

The absences of any mention of John was loud and clear.

[Time for change]

69. Amen to that, and good for her!

[Haole Girl]

71. I have no problem with that. However......

If John Edwards utters one cross word about Elizabeth, the gloves come off.

[Duppers]

73. Thank you.

I supported him during his campaigns, then turned 180 against him, but I shall honor this lady's dying request. If she can be that forgiving, why can't we.

[Kalyke]

75. While I could only hope to respect her wishes (are they hers? There is no link.),

I can only imagine her children growing up knowing that someone, somewhere thinks his actions are "OK."

Like Tiger Woods.

Like JFK.

I don't want women to be the second class to their powerful spouse. The spouse should be the No. 1, especially if children are involved... because they learn from their parents. And cheating is lying and hurtful and is never right.

[spooky3]

80. k&r; thank you, saracat.

[JanMichael]

81. Deleted message

Message removed by thought police.

[Bluebear]

84. Poor you.

[Liberty Belle]

83. John did many good things, before he screwed up.

He was a huge advocate for the poor - worked with a poverty center. He sued powerful corporations and won. He was one candidate who I always felt would NEVER sell out and be a corporatist. He was of course pro-labor (remember the "son of a millworker" speech he so often gave) and was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth; just the opposite.

He was also very smart. I interviewed him once. I asked him if American needed a consumer bill of rights. Without missing a beat, he replied, "Yes" and then went on to warn that something must be done about predatory mortgage lending. This was long before the mortgage scandals broke.

i for one was deeply saddened when news of his infidelity broke; I felt we'd lost one of the best candidates we ever had who would be a true advocate for the poor and downtrodden.

I don't think he'll ever run for public office again (nor should he) but I do agree that the scandal should be laid to rest so that his children can live in peace. Give the man a chance to atone for his wrongs and be the father that Elizabeth would want him to be.

[andym]

85. The best way to ensure no attacks, is for all to agree not to ever mention John Edwards again on DU

His political career is finished anyway. The best thing would be to forget him completely, and allow him to slide into anonymity.

[Major Hogwash]

86. Time's up.

How quickly a day can go.

[laughingliberal]

87. K & R Very sad for the whole family and for us. She will be missed. nt

[Maru Kitteh]

88. I think he fooled her unto the end, only for his own purposes.

And I'm sure that will be apparent soon enough.

So screw him.

[mwb970]

91. I had completely forgotten about John.

When he disappeared, he really disappeared. I forgot he even existed until he turned up at her memorial service (without participating). I remember when he was around (something about "two Americas"?), but now he is gone, with barely a trace left. At least for me.

[mentalsolstice]

98. Oh puhleeze!

Give up your hero worship...or lose the last of your credibility, as you suggested Bill Clinton was doing.

I've found the response here at DU about Elizabeth's passing to be very restrained, thoughtful, and dignified. We don't need you to preach to us about how to feel.

[DeadEyeDyck]

99. K&R

[tuckessee]

100. People who want privacy should not choose to live very public lives. n/t