Sorry, no.
Once upon a time, people realized that death, while a horrible thing, was also a part of life.
They carried themselves with dignity and stoicism.
To the best of my knowledge, they didn’t camp out in front of coffins, dressed like they were at a teenaged girl’s sleepover.
This photo perfectly illustrates the Oprah-fication of America.
Yes, you see the dignified Marine.
But he is, tellingly, in the background.
So is the cross.
So, for that matter, is the coffin of the man we’re meant to honor.
What’s in the foreground?
A woman comporting herself in an undignified, childish, narcissistic manner, in a sacred place.
In fact, she has her back to her husband’s remains, and is staring at a computer screen.
I don’t care why — she’s apparently listening to his favorite songs.
Can this not be done in the privacy of one’s home?
OR can we maybe hold a traditional unplugged vigil/wake without gadgets?
Maybe we can — call me crazy! — pick one, then do that.
Do we really have to multitask death now, and try to escape its harshness by indulging our addiction to electronic narcotics?
If people really find this photo inspiring, then America is doomed after all.
