What Chelsea Clinton's Wedding Says About Religious Syncretism

@Miller,

Quote:

Looks like Bill didn't buy a new suit for the wedding and on top of it, he's lost a lot of weight.

I know - a friend and I were talking about how the neck of his shirt looks too big and commenting that often that sort of weight loss means an illness. I know he's had heart problems in the past and surgery - I really hope he's not sick.

But at least he was there to give Chelsea away on her big day. I know a lot of women feel that's patronizing and paternalistic - but I'm sure she was happy to be able to walk down the aisle on his arm. I'm glad she had the chance to.

2 Replies

@aidan,

aidan wrote:

Quote:
Looks like Bill didn't buy a new suit for the wedding and on top of it, he's lost a lot of weight.

But at least he was there to give Chelsea away on her big day.
I know a lot of women feel that's patronizing and paternalistic -
but I'm sure she was happy to be able to walk down the aisle on his arm. I'm glad she had the chance to.

I guess that 's uniquely female, right ?

1 Reply

@OmSigDAVID,

Quote:

I guess that 's uniquely female, right ?

What? To be a bride and walk down the aisle on your father's arm? Is this a trick question or something?

Yes, up until now it's been a uniquely female experience. But I guess that could change with same-sex marriages.
Maybe the mom will walk the son down (if there are two men) and I don't know which way it'd go if two girls were getting married.
Interesting to think about...would anyone still want their dad to walk them down the aisle?
I know I liked it. One of my favorite pictures of him and me together is him walking me down the aisle.

I'm laughing at this question David - have you not been to very many weddings in America?

Anyway - I hope Bill isn't sick and I'm glad they had this happy day together.

2 Replies

@aidan,

I think Chelsea's request to her dad that he lose 15 pounds before the wedding was not made out of concern for how the photos would look. He's joked about her request, and, it is funny, but, it is also serious.

0 Replies

@aidan,

Quote:

Bill looks proud and happy ...

To be a pervert? Most people would be ASHAMED to be a pervert....

1 Reply

@gungasnake,

Are you happy and proud to be perpetually sour? As someone said above, let her. . . make that them . . . have their happy wedding day.

0 Replies

@aidan,

David wrote:

I guess that 's uniquely female, right ?

aidan wrote:

What? To be a bride and walk down the aisle on your father's arm?
Is this a trick question or something?

Yes, up until now it's been a uniquely female experience.
But I guess that could change with same-sex marriages.

Will their MOTHERS walk them down the aisle ?

aidan wrote:

Maybe the mom will walk the son down (if there are two men) and I don't know which way it'd go
if two girls were getting married.
Interesting to think about...would anyone still want their dad to walk them down the aisle?
I know I liked it. One of my favorite pictures of him and me together is him walking me down the aisle.

I'm laughing at this question David - have you not been to very many weddings in America?

Not very many; maybe 5.

David

1 Reply

@OmSigDAVID,

When I married, both my parents walked me down the aisle. Nearly all my friends were escorted by both their parents when they married post-1969. It was a feminist response.

1 Reply

@aidan,

I'm a partnered gay man. I think that, at least in my case, the whole marriage ceremony would only be a cheap imitation of a straight "wedding." Personally, vows to one another are the most important reason for partnering--the venue that that takes is really secondary. I think of the "wedding" as more of a feminine celebration--but to each his or her own.

Regardless, Bill Clinton isn't much of role model for vows, whether they be straight traditional marriages, or same-sex unions. Walking his daughter down the aisle is rather a strange mental visual irony, but I digress.

2 Replies

@YOUNEED2GETAHOBBY,

Quote:

Regardless, Bill Clinton isn't much of role model for vows, whether they be straight traditional marriages, or same-sex unions. Walking his daughter down the aisle is rather a strange mental visual irony, but I digress

In a similar vein, his trotting out in interviews that he was so thrilled about the wedding because he has always considered being a father his most important job was puke worthy. It was sweet to hear him say those words long ago before we knew Bill Clinton as we know him now, but after all the affairs, interns, and then trying to destroy these women after word go out, not so much.

0 Replies

@YOUNEED2GETAHOBBY,

Quote:

I'm a partnered gay man. I think that, at least in my case, the whole marriage ceremony would only be a cheap imitation of a straight "wedding." Personally, vows to one another are the most important reason for partnering--the venue that that takes is really secondary. I think of the "wedding" as more of a feminine celebration--but to each his or her own.

That's probably true. I didn't care that much about it except for the flowers and my dress. I lived 500 miles away from home and that's where we were getting married so I left most of the rest of it to my sister and my mother. They enjoyed planning it and I was happy with what they came up with - as per dj- I just wanted it to be outside - and it was - thank goodness it was a nice day.

Quote:

Regardless, Bill Clinton isn't much of role model for vows, whether they be straight traditional marriages, or same-sex unions. Walking his daughter down the aisle is rather a strange mental visual irony, but I digress.

Bill may not have been a perfect husband, but walking down the aisle with your dad is not about that. Your dad could have divorced your mom but you would still love him as your dad.
Hawkeye said:

Quote:

In a similar vein, his trotting out in interviews that he was so thrilled about the wedding because he has always considered being a father his most important job was puke worthy. It was sweet to hear him say those words long ago before we knew Bill Clinton as we know him now, but after all the affairs, interns, and then trying to destroy these women after word go out, not so much.

And I don't think it's pukey that he's said how much he enjoyed being her dad.
No one is perfect. If she asked him to walk her down the aisle, she must have some good feelings and fondness for him as her father. That's all that matters and that's between him and her.

1 Reply

@aidan,

Yeah, it always seems like the more it's planned and the more it's rehearsed, the less joy the couple experiences--at least for the friends I've had experience it.

My comment about Clinton? I will have to stick with that--perhaps his daughter doesn't care and I consider your point as being a valid one, as I am only showing my discomfort about how it looks.

0 Replies

@plainoldme,

plainoldme wrote:

When I married, both my parents walked me down the aisle. Nearly all my friends were escorted by both their parents when they married post-1969. It was a feminist response.

I've never seen that...

2 Replies

@Miller,

Why didn't Mark wear his glasses during the service?

Did you notice how he was looking at Chelsea? He must be a myope.

1 Reply

@Miller,

AS I said, all of my friends were given away by both their parents. The weddings were all held between 1969 and 1976.

0 Replies

@Miller,

Miller wrote:

Why didn't Mark wear his glasses during the service?

Did you notice how he was looking at Chelsea? He must be a myope.

Is there a relevant point here? Or, just being a yenta?

0 Replies

What Chelsea Clinton's Wedding Says About Religious Syncretism

Related Topics

Quick Links

My Account

able2know