Reagan dies

President Reagan died today.

http://apnews.myway.com//article/20040605/D8313HTO0.html

 

I am very sorry to hear this. Although I am a loyal and happy Democrat, I respected President Reagan. Even the man who I look up to the most, Tip O'Neill commented on how much he respected the former president. I am going to miss him dearly.

 

Ronnie - won the cold war singlehandedly.

 

I detested Reagan when he was President. I was wrong.

Although I still disagree with many of his policies, I don't think that there is any question that he was the greatest President of my lifetime.

I am glad that he and his family have finally been freed from the hell that is Alzheimer's.

Jeff

 

Heartfelt agreement.

 

BONNY PRINCE RONNIE

You left us much better than you found us!

Thank you for all you did for us.

God's Speed!

 

With all due respect to President Reagan, the Cold War could not have been won without the groundwork laid by previous administrations and the cooperation of Mikhail Gorbachev.

While Reagan was more moderate than many perceived, I just never liked him. I think Nixon and Carter were better presidents and that our current president is a better president than Reagan was.

 

And Reagan had nothing to do with Gorbachev's willingness to cooperate?

Obviously, the Soviet Empire was doomed to failure, eventually. But if we had had 4 more years of President Carter, and then 8 years of President Ted Kennedy, would the people of the Eastern Bloc not still be suffering under communist repression today?

And, more importantly, it seems that the likelyhood of global nuclear war in the meantime would have been much greater without Reagan (as much as I believed the opposite at the time.)

 

You and I agree on one thing here: Teddy Kennedy! I think the Soviet Empire would have fallen had Jimmy Carter been reelected. The failure of the Carter presidency can be attributed to Teddy Kennedy and Tip O'Neil who thwarted his every move and who didn't like Carter from day one because he was an "outsider." Mondale was a big disappointment also. He was looking out for himself and his political future. Carter should have selected Henry Jackson as his running mate. The total character of his administration would have been completely different. This is my opinion. I may be wrong and you may be right. Civil discourse is wonderful, isn't it?

 

Rereading my posts here I may have been coming across as callous. My heart goes out to the Reagan family. I, like everyone, was saddened Reagan was suffering and was not able to remember his days as a successful American president (if one liked his politics). I remember his wife telling the story of how Dr. Billy Graham was visiting him. Reagan got up, walked to the window and looked out. Nancy asked him what he was doing. Reagan replied something to the effect, "I'm waiting for Billy Graham, he's coming to see me." I was very saddened to hear that.


Reagan did have many accomplishments in his presidency. I acknowledge that. I think he could have done more for civil rights, apartheid, the poor, etc. But remember, I've wanted Nelson Rockefeller in the White House since 1964 and believe Reagan helped AuH2O defeat Rocky for the GOP nod in '64.

 

Agreed on both counts. It's a sad day.

 

The best President in my lifetime, maybe ever.

Rest in peace, Mister President. Very few have done as much for their country as you did for yours.

 

Then you don't know a thing about politics.

I promise you, Jimmy, that this thread will NOT be turned into a political debate.

 

Washington
Jefferson
Madison
Lincoln
Wilson
Both Roosevelts
Truman

I'd take any of them over Reagan. I consider Reagan on par with Eisenhower, Adams, Monroe, Clinton, and Jackson. Above many others, including Carter, the first Bush, Ford, and Grant, and a bunch of others. Way, way above Nixon, Hoover, Pierce, Fillmore, JQ Adams, the Harrisons, Tyler, (hell, almost every President after Jackson until Lincoln, then again until Teddy R.), and the current incumbent, who is an idiot.

Reagan's pluses: Revived economy, creation of the world's last remaining superpower, a key role in the dissolution of the Iron Curtain (but not its only cause), renewed respect for America around the world, and renewed self-respect for Americans.

Reagan's minuses: Largest budget deficits in history, huge increases in government (despite decrying large government), more than 100 members of his administration indicted or resigned (many convicted of felonies), selling weapons to Iran, and illegally funding the Contras with the proceeds. The President is responsible for enforcing the law of the land, not breaking it.

I was saddened today. A local radio station replayed a sound bite from Nancy Reagan about Alzheimer's, that, for the caretaker, it was a very long goodbye to the one she loves. I am so sorry for her--and our--loss.

Rich Douglas, Ph.D.

 

This is an "Off Topic" section of the site. If one does not violate the TOS, I don't see why such heavy-handed action should be threatened. An administrator of this board should not let his/her own political feelings enter into such judgments. As long as people are expressing their feelings--and not attacking each other--I don't see where your intervention is necessary--or desired.

Besides, your comment to Jimmy starts what you threaten will not happen. You've begun a debate with Jimmy, AND you've made an ad hominem comment--attacking the poster instead of his ideas. Not good.

 

It has nothing to do with that. I would give the same respect to any former President who had passed on, regardless of how I felt about them.

As for Jimmy, there are terms that he agreed to before he was allowed back here. You don't know any of them, so you probably shouldn't concern yourself about something you know nothing about.

 

I agree......



I am sorry to see the man go who responded to a letter that I wrote him when I was just ten years old ( it was a letter about the unemployment and inflation that occured under the Carter administration) complementing on how smart I was and how proud he was of me being so aware of current events. That wass one of the most exciting and influental moments in my life (I still have the signed letter) and from that point on I became more aware of the political process in this country.


I will miss him.

 

Actually I understand where Bruce is coming from. This should not be a time for political debate; it should be a time for reverence, respect, and compassion for the family.

There will be other times for debate but this is the ONLY time we have to pay and show our respect.

Politics is a passion of mine and sometimes my timing is poor.

 

I agree 100% with you all that said he was the best president of our lifetime. Damn great man also. Nancy is a great woman also. I wish her the best.

This should not become a political thread simply out of respect even if you did not like the man's politics.

 

Don't talk to me that way. It is both condescending and rude.

It is absurd to apply different standards to Jimmy. If you (and your brethren) chose to reinstate someone's posting privileges, fine. That should come with an understanding that the person in question would be required to live up to the standards set for all members. Implying special conditions for one (Jimmy) is amazing---and wrong. Criticizing me for not knowing them is rude.

That still doesn't excuse you for the ad hominem comment directed towards Jimmy. Take your medicine and move on.