Watch the whole thing. Really. It's 21 minutes of truth, justice, and the American Way; I do not exaggerate. Those of us "of a certain age" experienced Mr. Reagan personally and we and the nation benefited a great deal from his policies and politics, as did the rest of the world, most notably Russians and Eastern Europeans. Mr. Reagan has a lot say about that in this speech, among many other things... including the state of America as he left it, which was one whole WHOLE helluva lot better than he found it.
I can't help but compare and contrast this speech with the speeches I've heard The One deliver... and The One comes off a distant second. Obama isn't even in the same universe as Reagan but you knew that, Gentle Reader. That said... I AM looking forward to The One's farewell speech in January of 2013. I'll have the popcorn ready.
Buck, WOW! I've never heard anything so eloquent and powerful. The best line out of the whole thing was as government expands, liberty contracts and I agree wholeheartedly. Watched a touching tribute to him on MSNBC yesterday that was definitely worth tuning in to.
ReplyDeleteAnd you're right, The One will never be there.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deb. I vaguely recall listening to the speech in real time, but listening to it TODAY just brings home how far we've fallen since 1989. I remain hopeful, though.
ReplyDeleteYour experience up in Canada... I'm speaking particularly of the "Human Rights Tribunals"... only brings home the impact of the bits you quoted. Hopefully things will change.
Just fantastic.
ReplyDeleteWhen it's from the heart it means so much more. No apologizing for America, how refreshing.
I was only 14 when he was inaugurated, but I remember how much pride he restored to our country. How far we have fallen. Barry isn't half the man that RR was. And he's not able to unite us in the same way because he does not understand what it is to be an American.
ReplyDeleteYou and I have touched on this before, but my one regret about Reagan's time in office is the end of the Cold War. The Soviets kept a lot of bad folks under their thumbs. The enemies we face today are far more dangerous than the Red Menance, IMHO. Of course, as you like to say, your mileage may vary.
Thanks for posting this Buck. I've heard it several times, and remember it well in real time.
ReplyDeleteActually, I hung on every word the guy said. In those days we didn't have the net, or YouTube, or much ability to replay things at will. As you know, we just had to listen once, and then hear the reporters tear it to shreds bit by bit.
God, I loved that man. He was like my Grandpas, my boyhood Western heroes, and my best friend all rolled in to one.
My first vote for President was in 1980, my second in '84. I had the distinct honor, and subsequent disappointments of having my first two votes being my proudest.
I guess I was proud enough of my votes for W, considering the options. But, I didn't stride to the polls with excitement like I did to pull the lever for RayGun!
I think I told you that I wanted to name our oldest son Ronald Reagan Reeves, but The Mrs. nixed it...long story that I won't repeat.
Thanks for the memory...God, I miss that guy.
No apologizing for America, how refreshing.
ReplyDeleteYet another reason Obama doesn't even come close, Mr. Mayor.
BR: I dunno about our enemies bein' more dangerous than the USSR. It wasn't any fun at all living under the threat of nuclear annihilation... which was a VERY real possibility. Think "Cuban Missile Crisis."
Andy: Thanks for the reminiscence, seriously. You're right about no inter-tubes, YouTube, etc., but there was one thing I liked about living back in the day: newspapers usually printed the full text of a president's major speeches. I used to have a collection of those clippings in the way-back. Now I just go on-line and it ain't the same, somehow.
WELL, newspapers ain't the same somehow either, as you noted.
ReplyDeleteThat thing makes me get all teary-eyed, every time.
ReplyDeleteSorry, but I disagree.
ReplyDeleteWhich comes as no surprise, Lori. I read your linked piece this weekend; it seems like ALL the lefty blogs plus various and sundry other libs are falling all over themselves to badmouth Reagan on his centennial. Predictable, I suppose, but boorish. You don't see conservatives trotting out JFK's dirty laundry or attempting to debunk the "myth." Some do, yes, but generally? We have more class than that.
ReplyDeleteThe man could wrap himself around words and make them his. Not just for the symbolism, but for the feeling of them.
ReplyDeleteOn the whole, I'd rather he be in the White House and BO be in Philadelphia.
It pained me to see how frail Nancy has become, but I suppose it's her time. That was indeed a romance for the ages.
Having more class isn't going to get our nation out of the very deep hole into which Reaganomics put us. It's nice to have manners, but Reagan's legacy of "class" is little more than class warfare. I couldn't stand him when he was president (I didn't vote for him either time, and he frankly scared me when I served overseas in the mid-80s), and I loathe the "hero" status that he's been given since then.
ReplyDeleteI liked Reagan. He made us remember who the good guys and the bad guys were.
ReplyDeleteHe didn't waste time bad mouthing democrats with the same hate that they spewed towards him. He worked for solutions. We need more of that spirit today.
Buck: The Cuban Missile Crisis pre-dates me, so I won't disagree with you, because as they say "a man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument." From my end of the Cold War, I feel that the USSR realized the futility of a war with no winner. The reason that I feel that today's enemy is more dangerous is because they have no uniform, and feel that dying for the cause is the greatest thing they can do. Combined with our unwillingness to profile, another 9/11 is a very real possibility. I'm also concerned that they will build a nuke, and have no qualms about using it.
ReplyDeleteI guess when blaming Bush isn't enough, libs need to reach back and blame Reagan. He made us proud to be Americans, whereas they prefer that we be ashamed of said fact.
Lori, if by serving overseas, you mean that you were in the military, I might suggest if you were afraid of a CINC who wasn't afraid to stare the enemy in the eye, perhaps you were in the wrong profession.
Lori, ...and he frankly scared me when I served overseas in the mid-80s...
ReplyDeleteWell, you obviously were not the ONLY one overseas that he scared in the mid-80s. Seems that a bunch of commies shit their pants, too.
As far as "hero status" goes. Well, Reagan was a man, with faults and foibles. But, he made an entire generation start believing again. That's what heroes do. Failed as they may be, they inspire others.
Sorry that you just didn't get it. Maybe you didn't need any inspiration in those days. But, many millions of us did.
I really pity folks that can stare success in the face and call it failure. And, I pity those that can squarely look at failure and call it success.
BR and Andy: Lori may or may not be back to this thread, but since she hasn't appeared yet I'll answer one of the questions: Yes, she did serve. She was a radar type and we were stationed together up in NoDak in '77-'78. Her politics are wrong but other than that she's Good People.
ReplyDeleteAnd "well said" on both your parts, BTW.
And LORI... just in case you DO come back... Reaganomics as the root cause of our current economic mess? Whut? How the Hell do you get that? What about the intervening eight years of Clintonian "prosperity?"
Buck, I'll get to my opinion about Reaganomics when I have more time (I promise). For now, though, I can't help but point out (again) that YOU were a primary inspiration in getting my politics to where they are today. Mother Jones magazine and all that ... remember? I know you (probably) regret that now, but I definitely do not regret it. : )
ReplyDeleteVery quickly before I get back to my job (and I thank TDAH that I have one), here's a bit more on the "Reagan fantasy".
ReplyDeleteLori: There's no need for you to elaborate on Reaganomics. I've prolly heard every argument you'd make at least six times, anyway. Also: I do NOT follow links to "Truth-Out," just as a matter of policy.
ReplyDelete