http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...us/reagan_obit
I was never a big fan of him or his policies, but Conservatives all across the world are no doubt mourning his passing.
What's your take on him?
Take care all.
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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...us/reagan_obit
I was never a big fan of him or his policies, but Conservatives all across the world are no doubt mourning his passing.
What's your take on him?
Take care all.
I just saw this on the news.
But, uhm... I just don't care.
It's in times like this when I would love to believe in hell.
I heard that he suffered Alheimerz (I totally spelt that wrong) and I do feel bad about that, as my great aunt had that. He's in a better place now, but people will mourn for him.
I was never really alive for his Presidency (and for the 8 months that I was, I wasn't really paying attention to that :D) but I'm kinda saddened because he's been alive for most of my life and he was always there and I could always count on him but I guess it should have been expected to happen sometime soon. He led a good life, I would think.
Rest in Peas. :D
I feel the same as The Captain. Politically, I'm no fan of him, but I do feel very bad for him. At least he doesnt have to deal with that Alzheimers anymore.
That wasn't nice. A lot of us aren't old enough to know what he was like in office except for the biased views of books we've read and people we've talked to, so it's hard to form an actual view of him. I wasn't old enough to care about politics or anything when he was in office (actually, I still don't care about that stuff), but from what I've heard, he wasn't a bad guy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shadow Nexus
Yeah its stupid to bring politics into this. Wither your republican or democrate, if you agreed or disagreed with the guy. The man is dead, at least respect that. Even if it were Charlie Rangle, John Kerry, Ted Kennedy or Clinton, I would respect them if they died. As much as you dissagree with there political views, its not right to hate them as much to wish there owns deathes. So yeah, life goes on you guys. :)
Short biography from http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/rr40.html
Quote:
Ronald Reagan
At the end of his two terms in office, Ronald Reagan viewed with satisfaction the achievements of his innovative program known as the Reagan Revolution, which aimed to reinvigorate the American people and reduce their reliance upon Government. He felt he had fulfilled his campaign pledge of 1980 to restore "the great, confident roar of American progress and growth and optimism."
On February 6, 1911, Ronald Wilson Reagan was born to Nelle and John Reagan in Tampico, Illinois. He attended high school in nearby Dixon and then worked his way through Eureka College. There, he studied economics and sociology, played on the football team, and acted in school plays. Upon graduation, he became a radio sports announcer. A screen test in 1937 won him a contract in Hollywood. During the next two decades he appeared in 53 films.
From his first marriage to actress Jane Wyman, he had two children, Maureen and Michael. Maureen passed away in 2001. In 1952 he married Nancy Davis, who was also an actress, and they had two children, Patricia Ann and Ronald Prescott.
As president of the Screen Actors Guild, Reagan became embroiled in disputes over the issue of Communism in the film industry; his political views shifted from liberal to conservative. He toured the country as a television host, becoming a spokesman for conservatism. In 1966 he was elected Governor of California by a margin of a million votes; he was re-elected in 1970.
Ronald Reagan won the Republican Presidential nomination in 1980 and chose as his running mate former Texas Congressman and United Nations Ambassador George Bush. Voters troubled by inflation and by the year-long confinement of Americans in Iran swept the Republican ticket into office. Reagan won 489 electoral votes to 49 for President Jimmy Carter.
On January 20, 1981, Reagan took office. Only 69 days later he was shot by a would-be assassin, but quickly recovered and returned to duty. His grace and wit during the dangerous incident caused his popularity to soar.
Dealing skillfully with Congress, Reagan obtained legislation to stimulate economic growth, curb inflation, increase employment, and strengthen national defense. He embarked upon a course of cutting taxes and Government expenditures, refusing to deviate from it when the strengthening of defense forces led to a large deficit.
A renewal of national self-confidence by 1984 helped Reagan and Bush win a second term with an unprecedented number of electoral votes. Their victory turned away Democratic challengers Walter F. Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro.
In 1986 Reagan obtained an overhaul of the income tax code, which eliminated many deductions and exempted millions of people with low incomes. At the end of his administration, the Nation was enjoying its longest recorded period of peacetime prosperity without recession or depression.
In foreign policy, Reagan sought to achieve "peace through strength." During his two terms he increased defense spending 35 percent, but sought to improve relations with the Soviet Union. In dramatic meetings with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, he negotiated a treaty that would eliminate intermediate-range nuclear missiles. Reagan declared war against international terrorism, sending American bombers against Libya after evidence came out that Libya was involved in an attack on American soldiers in a West Berlin nightclub.
By ordering naval escorts in the Persian Gulf, he maintained the free flow of oil during the Iran-Iraq war. In keeping with the Reagan Doctrine, he gave support to anti-Communist insurgencies in Central America, Asia, and Africa.
Overall, the Reagan years saw a restoration of prosperity, and the goal of peace through strength seemed to be within grasp.
Yeah, sorry, I guess that wasn't very nice. Can't say I feel bad for him either, because I frankly don't care at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by BatChao
But I can have an opinion on him based on what I know he did. You mean the fact I wasn't into politics dosen't allow me to have an opinion? That makes no sense. Can you have an opinion on Caesar, Napoleon, Louis XIV, Elizabet I or Adolph Hitler? Yes, you can. Same here.
That's not what I meant... but it did sound like that, didn't it? Well, it wasn't. Heh. But yea, this is starting to get off topic, so I'll try to get it back.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shadow Nexus
I guess it's pretty sad. I always thought it was strange how he used to be a big movie star... kinda like Arnold now that I think of it...
Despite political party, everybody should mourn the death of one of our Presidents.
As a conservative, I thank Reagan for what he did in office. During his term, he led the US out of a recession, and signed the first treaty reducing nuclear arms with the Soviet Union. He left office with his population very well intact. His charisma and zest for life, even at such an old age, increased our nation's self confidence a great deal. He was truly a patriot, and one of my most favorite Presidents (yes, that does sound nerdy).
He was the last great GOP President, imo, and even though I was only alive for 8 months during his second term, I understand that he did many good things for this country. He helped to end communism. He continued to be popular, and in the public eye even after his presidency was over. He is truly one to never be forgotten.
And Nexus, that was extremely low of you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by King Bahamut
I apologyzed ¬¬
You can say I was kinda trolling.
Yeah, sorry, I had already started that reply before you had.
I don't care either, it's not like he died before his time. He was ok, I guess ( don't really know).
However: R.I.P. Idi Amin and Harold "Dr. Death" Shipman. :(:(
Reagan was my favorite president, if I were to pick one.
I agreed whole-heartedly with most of his policies, and from what I've heard and read, he seemed to be a pretty nice guy.
Regardless, I wish him happiness in the afterlife.
Wow, I just realized I'm one of very few people here who was old enough the actually remember when Reagan was president.
Rest in peace, Mr. President.
Regardless of what you may have thought about him as a President, there is one thing we can all agree on:
He led a heckuva life. From Sports Caster, to Actor, to Governor to President, not many people have done so much in one lifetime.
I'm not about to make this a Reagan-bashing thread, as this was more of a mourning and honoring topic. I have many, many qualms about how he ran the country, but for now, I'll submit.
Take care all.
I agree with BatChao. I wasn't alive for his presidency. But I've studied him and he wasn't SUCH a bad president, except with the whole spend spend spend mentality. And he was a very moving speaker and, I feel, worthy of the moniker "The Great Communicator".
Even as an 'anti-Reaganite' myself, I do agree that he was a great speaker. He had a way, whether it was his or his advisors, of connecting with a lot of the 'common man'. And he did live an amazing life. Not to mention the amazing woman he married.
I remember Reagen started that winning sports teams visiting the White House.
When Georgetown won the national title and John Thompson and Patrick Ewing were on the White House lawn posing with Reagen, John received a lot of heat because Reagen wasn't really pro-African American...at least according to the NCAAs at that time.
But 93 is a good ripe ole age.
Did you know that there are only five American presidents alive right now? Ford, Carter, Bush, Clinton and Bush. Just an interesting little fact.
a different perspective (and not negative)
also, Reagan suffered enough through his alzheimers to pay for any great injustices he may or may not have been responsible for in his life.
He was the first foreign leader I remember seeing on T.V. I don't know how old I was. Was the assassination attempt in 1981? That's the year I was born and I don't know when his term ended but I always used to think he was a nice, friendly looking man when I saw him on tele. I preferred him to Gorbachov (bad spelling probably) because he didn't look as friendly.
Someone said 93 is a good age. Yeah it is, the man led a good life from what I know. R.I.P.
Aye, 1981, pretty soon after he was inaugurated. Some nut-job named David Hinkley who thought that Jodie Foster would fall in love with him if he killed the president.Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc Sark
No, I'm not kidding, either.
Not that I know personally, though - I was born two years later. My dad had yet to graduate from college by that time.
I find it hard to care about someone I dislike. It's hard to overlook his presidency and think of him as simply a human being. I think that's my fault more than anyone else.
You must really hate him. What did he do, run over your dog?Quote:
Originally Posted by Burtsplurt
Always sad when a former President dies. Whatever a person might gain personally from being President, they also sacrifice a lot, in my opinion. There's probably a reason Presidents always seem to age 20 years in the span of 4.
I wouldn't call Alheizmer's suffering. You forget everything that you've done, you forget who you are...you're almost mindless. There's no remorse for nothing to remorse about.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tsunami Bren
No one, who can tell us, really knows what's happening in the mind of an Azheimers patient.
The man had a hard job that most people couldn't have done. R.I.P. Ronald Reagan.
"Aye, 1981, pretty soon after he was inaugurated. Some nut-job named David Hinkley who thought that Jodie Foster would fall in love with him if he killed the president.
No, I'm not kidding, either."
Just to point out, Hinkley was on the streets because Reagan and his Administration had cut funding to Insane Asylums in order to cut taxes.
Reagan was probably one of our greatest speakers, though you should also credit his writers, and he always had a knack for connecting with people he'd never met. Our current President could learn A LOT about giving speeches from Reagan.
Take care all.
I haven't seen him in his position as president, only as an actor. He's is before my time anyway. But still, RIP Ronald Reagan.
The amount of suffering Alzheimers causes is up in the air, but I know he did have moments of clarity, and I can imagine that, in those moments, it'd be terrifying to realize that your mind is slipping away, and at any moment you're going to forget yourself once more. Though I'd have to say, if anyone really really suffered from his Alzheimers, it'd be Nancy.
Apparently, the Reagan love-fest isn't Global:
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...n_gaddafi_dc_3
Of course, we know so many people were not fans of his. As a Leader, especially of the USA you're going to make your share of enemies. However, to me, this seems to reek of some form of ploy for attention, but I haven't really been following much of Libya's politics in the past years. Perhaps I shall begin now.
Take care all.
just because an Alzheimer's patient might not be aware of what's going on doesn't make it an less horrible a fate.
i also suppose noone actually read the article I linked.
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Captain
What do you expect? I don't think you'd be very sorry to see someone who killed your adopted daughter do die.
Gadafi himself should face a few trials too, though.
You know who goes to hell without facing a trial? Pinochet. The day he dies, I will not say I don't care, as with Reagan, no, I will open a chapagne bottle and celebrate.
Indeed. I just found the timing of this to be a bit self-serving, whether it's justified or not. Why not make this statement right after he leaves power, instead of after he's passed beyond any sort of possible punishment?
Take care all.
I don't know. He probably did too! I mean, I would. Now he just repeated it again.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Captain
This is getting a little bit out of hand now..
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...gan_us_money_5
Shouldn't he be on some sort of negative dollar amount thanks to his deficit? (Sorry, couldn't resist).
Also, I now believe Bush deserves to be on the 20 dollar bill because that's about how long we'll have troops Iraq, at LEAST 20 years.
Take care all.
I do agree that this whole money thing is waaaaay out of hand. There are far better presidents to put on the money... and I dont see why Hamilton should have to be taken off, anyway.
They said something on the news that it's semi-common practice to replace non-Presidents with Presidents on the money. Why it shouldbe Reagan, beats me. He did help end the Cold War right? Saving the world from nuclear war might qualify.
There's also thankfully a law that says that no monuments for a President can be created until 25 years after the President's death. People are trying to get a monument built in Washington, D.C., and that if anything goes a bit too far, in my opinion. Then again, some people want his head carved into Mount Rushmore. People should at least wait until his body is cold before proposing crap like this. People probably have some other agenda; helping The Party, or who knows what. I assume there's always an agenda.
"People probably have some other agenda; helping The Party, or who knows what. I assume there's always an agenda."
Yes, unfortunately. The GOP will some how attempt to milk this, which is sad. Why not have some NEW ideas ladies and gentlemen instead of attempting to relive the past?
Yes, Reagan did help end the Cold War, but also left us with quite an excess of nuclear weapons which could lead to a second one someday perhaps. He did some good, but he's not the Savior of America. What he was, was a GREAT politician.
Take care all.
No, and although I respect him and every other president that ever lived, his canonization is mystifying. And frustrating. And, as superficial as it sounds, it's ruining my regularly scheduled programming. While I wouldn't mind dedicating a week of media overexposure to, say, FDR (a true example of greatness), the avalanche of media attention isn't doing anything for me except irritate me.Quote:
What he was, was a GREAT politician.
That being said, I'm sorry he's dead, so don't flame me. It has simply been too long, and it's getting to me.
Well, there are plenty of people out there who think Reagan was a great president worthy of such a grand memorial - enough people to merit all the media coverage. And just as you don't think so highly of him, I'm sure there are some people who think that FDR was a horrible president - though you'd be hard-pressed to find them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Anaralia
I'm sure people will make just as big a hubbub when Ford, Carter, Clinton or either of the Bushes kick the bucket.
Anyone else notice that his coffin was leaning slightly to the right? Even in death, he's still a Conservative.
"I'm sure people will make just as big a hubbub when Ford, Carter, Clinton or either of the Bushes kick the bucket."
I doubt that because they'd be criticized for attempting to "outdo" this Reagan ceremony. In fact, this was easily the largest Presidential Memorial I've ever seen and it rivals JFK's, though the mood was slightly different.
Carter wants a smallish ceremony as does Ford. As for Clinton and the Bushes, that's anyone's guess right now. Bush the First may go grand, if his 80th birthday plans are any type of foreshadowing (Skydiving?!).
On a slightly related note, can anyone believe Ford is really 90 years old? Wow, that really snuck up on me.
Also of note, the only time you can actually say someone is going to be "Laying in State" is when the body comes to rest in the Capitol. Every other instance is referred to as "Laying in Repose". I find that fascinating.
Take care all.
I'd rather have Reagan on the twenty than Jackson.
Am I the only one who doesn't care? He was an old man with Alzhimer's disease, and he died. Whats the big deal? It sickens me to see how society values one human life over others like this.
No I don't have anything against Regan, but I'm just being honest...I could care less.
It's a popular opinion that he was a great person. It's unquestionable that he was a very important person.
OK, good for you. There are millions more people who could care more.Quote:
Originally Posted by devilmaykickass
Ray Charles died to day. You could say that he was just some blind guy who died of old age, but there are many, many more - myself included - who will mourn his passing.
It has been said that if you count the amount of people whom you've impacted in your life, the same amount will mourn your passing.
Take care all.
...Dead?
Break out the baklava!!!