GHWB, Bye-Bye

I know, I know. . . it’s just me, but I had to mute the GHWB funeral when the truly awful choral music came on1. I mean, seriously, what director–fully knowing the choir will be performing in a setting that’s really not acoustically well suited to choral music–does not stress again and again that exceptionally clear, even exaggerated enunciation of the lyrics is a MUST? *sigh* Unmuted, and the serial eulogies weren’t all THAt bad, and scriptures, although poorly-read, were appropriate.

What was a wee tad amusing was the sprinkling of pretentious “Mid-Atlantic” pronunciations that a couple of speakers dropped willy-nilly into their Mid-American accents.

Apart from that, it was a good celebration of an American hero, so-so president2, and seemingly nice guy.

R.I.P., GHWB.


1Alan Simpson’s rendition of “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” was better.

2Coulda done a much better job as president, IMO, but I was at least satisfied with his character (and profoundly dissatisfied with the character of those running against him).

A Giant Has Left Us

Jerry Pournelle August 7, 1933 – September 8, 2017

He was a giant who answered his own mail.

A “well-wishing” page to express appreciation, loss, and words of condolence. Be patient. The server is frequently swamped.

I knew him only through his writing–his fiction and non-fiction (columns, books, blogging)–and through a few, too few, emails, but I appreciated and benefited greatly from his depth and breadth of knowledge, his wisdom, and especially his generosity and graciousness of spirit.

He has left behind a legacy both of a body of work and a family composed of folks who are accomplished and shining examples in their own right.