we tend to look out for each other, our friends and our comrades.  but it is honestly with mixed feelings that i note the passing of comrade yeltsin. 

he had amazing flashes of brilliance and was capable of being among the best populists ever to stride the firmament.  but it's equally clear that as time went by, his flame burned a bit less brightly.  historians will find much to write about him and in 50 years, when the arcing storyline of what was the cccp is better understood, his role will be clearer.  we can probably celebrate the good things he was capable of doing while being mindful that we all have weakenesses.

instead of some stuffy sort of sermon, i suggest we tell anecdotes that show insight into what thre man was really like.  my favorite so far...

http://patriotboy.blogspot.com/2007/04/remembering-boris.html

-posted by dear leader