One doesn’t have to have been an admirer of Ronald Reagan — and yet, in some ways, I was — to agree with President Bush that his death is “a sad day for America.”
I have not conferred with Bob on this, but I’ve no doubt he would join with me in saying the condolences of those of us who write for Unspun™ go to the family he has left behind.
10 responses so far ↓
1 nick meyer // Jun 5, 2004 at 4:53 pm
What a sad day indeed. Politics put aside, we have truly lost a great leader. “The Great Communicator” was a freind to many, and an inspiration to all. You knew without a doubt where he stood on any issue and he never wavered. We will miss him indeed. I pray that GOD give his family courage and peace throughout this time.
2 Mark // Jun 5, 2004 at 11:11 pm
It’s never a happy day for a family to lose a loved one. And Reagan had a number of admirers in this country. I am not one of them, and cannot agree with Nick’s assertion that Reagan was a great leader, for a number of reasons that I will not go into in this writing for the sake of showing some respect for the feelings of his admirers and his family.
Perhaps sometime in the future we can have a respectful discussion about the words and the actions of the 40th President of the United States. I do not think that now is the time.
3 abi // Jun 6, 2004 at 12:22 am
I, too, would add my condolences to his family. Although I rarely agreed with his politics (dating all the way back to being tear-gassed prenatally during the People’s Park riot), I am sad to see him go.
4 nick meyer // Jun 7, 2004 at 8:45 am
I am sorry that you feel the way you do but I can understand and do appreciate your respect during this time. It was while Governor that Mr. Reagan started a program that enabled my wife and I to meet and have the life we share today. (Rick, when you have time I will explain to you in person.) Hopefully if work will permit I can break away to Simi Valley.
5 abi // Jun 8, 2004 at 1:00 pm
Nick,
I hope you get a chance to go, and that your presence (among many others) brings some comfort to the Reagan family.
Abi
6 Lisa // Jun 8, 2004 at 3:29 pm
When I was a sophomore in high school I wrote a poem to then-President Reagan and received a personal reply, which I have kept in a safe deposit box since. That reply letter is, believe it or not, one of my most cherished possessions.
7 Bob // Jun 9, 2004 at 8:53 am
My thoughts also go out to the family and friends of President Reagan.
I would have liked to see Reagan’s poll numbers had the Iran-Contra affair never taken place. His numbers were high during most of his presidency.
His accomplishment of running the USSR out of business through economic versus military means is worthy of mention in my mind. I realize the record deficits that came with them were paid off by later generations but in this case the trade was worth it.
I kinda liked the old guy, he was always the same, always projected confidence and a positive outlook, even when the ecomony was awful during his re election.
On another note, I am really enjoying the positive and fruitful exchanges on the boards, even when we disagree with someone!
8 Mark // Jun 9, 2004 at 9:41 am
Bob,
If you research on the web, you will find that Reagan’s approval numbers averaged slightly less than Clinton’s, and were dramatically less if you compare the last two years of each Presidency.
The Soviet Union was doomed to collapse anyway for a lot of reasons that I will go into on a later post. Business guru Peter Drucker was writing years before the fall of the Soviet system that its inherent flaws were going to do it in — no matter who was President of the United States. After reading Drucker’s book, “The New Realities,” in 1989, I told my wife that Germany would reunite and that the Soviet Union would cease to exist. She almost called the men with nets to catch me and put me away.
Reagan did make some Americans feel good. I’ll grant you that.
I’m planning on writing much more, come Saturday when I have the time, about the reality of his Presidency versus the mythology that has sprung up in its aftermath.
9 nick meyer // Jun 9, 2004 at 10:54 am
Bob, welcome back. I take it you had a safe trip. Lisa, I envy you. My goal in life at one time was to shake Richard Nixon’s hand. My family was traveling in the early 70’s and we got lost in San Clemente and ended up in front of his estate. There was a Marine guard stationed there and as we werte turning around we caught a glimpse of the President walking. Of course we stopped and stared until he noticed us and he approached the guard and told him something. We got scared as the guard started to flag us down motioning us to stop. We hightailed out of there. I kick myself in the rear for not asking my dad to stop and see what the guard had to say.I was not able to achieve that goal. I know, I have caught so much flak for idolizing Nixon it’s gotten to the point that I do not mention it anymore. Then I really thought I could get a chance to meet Mr. Reagan. My brother works in Bel Air at the estate of Jack Ryan and he thought maybe Mr. Ryan could arrange a meeting but alas Nancy refused and I do not blame her. Another goal not seen to fruitation. I totally respect President Bush but the fascination is not there as it was in the earlier days. With his passing we have lost an era, in my mind a time of confidence in our leadership shared by all AMERICANS, not just a particular party. As he so eloquently ended most of his speeches, “May God bless the United States Of America.”
10 Bob // Jun 9, 2004 at 3:28 pm
Hi Nick,
Nope, we’re not back yet. I just could not stay away from the blog for a whole week. Yes, someday medicine will cure that, too.
I still have one more ride through the Mojave on Friday. It should not be so bad as coming in to Palm Springs. The day we arrived it was 114 degress. Kind of tough to wear a helmet in that weather. At least on Friday I leave the hot weather before it gets hot.
The good news kids, is that I bought a facinating book. It’s called “Ghost Wars – the Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001” by Pulitzer Prize winning author Steve Coll. So far it reads like Clancy but it’s supposed to be true. Some facts are already checking out favorably with other books I have read about the Bush Administration and terrorism.
If I get something really interesting I’ll blog it for everybody.
Later!
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