Saturday, August 23

A Woman's Last Request: Remove Bush

When you make it your final wish, it's serious. Yet heartwarming. Especially the "whistle-ass" part. From the Madison WI Capitol Times:

Obituary backs 'removal of Bush'
Woman 'thought he was a liar'
By Lee Sensenbrenner

When Sally Baron's family wrote her obituary, they described a northern Wisconsin woman who raised six children and took care of her husband after he was crushed in a mining accident.

She had moved to Stoughton seven years ago to be closer to her children and was 71 when she died Monday after struggling to recuperate from heart surgery. Her family had come to the question of what might be a fitting tribute to her.

"My uncle asked if there was a cause," her youngest son, Pete Baron, said.

Almost in unison, what her children decided to include in the obituary was this: "Memorials in her honor can be made to any organization working for the removal of President Bush."

"She thought he was a liar," Baron's daughter, Maureen Bettilyon, said. "I think his personality, just standing there with that smirk on his face, and acting like he's this holy Christian, that's what really got her."

Bettilyon, who lives in Stoughton, said her mother didn't trifle with petty neighborhood squabbles but was attuned to significant policy-making at all levels.

"She'd always watch CNN, C-SPAN, and you know, she'd just swear at the TV and say 'Oh, Bush, he's such a whistle ass!' She'd just get so mad," Bettilyon said.

The decision to put the line in about Bush came easily, although after several family members thought of it, there was some "how can we really say this" kind of laughter. "It should be impeachment, not removal," Pete said, laughing. "That can mean a couple of things."

Joe Baron has no question that his mother would approve.

"She just didn't trust that a big corporate guy was going to be doing what was best for her. She just really didn't trust him," he said.

A memorial service for Sally Baron will be held at Covenant Lutheran Church in Stoughton at 1 p.m. Friday. Graveside services in Hurley are scheduled for Sept. 20.
Let's make Sally's wish come true, and may she rest in peace.