Posted on 01/21/2025 5:01:52 PM PST by Making_Sense [Rob W. Case]
He was known as the most charismatic and consequential president of the post-war 20th century. His contagiously positive demeanor, moral resoluteness, and clear focus, as well as his ability to radiate hope, optimism, and an ambitious “let’s get this done” attitude, though commanding, pragmatic, and firm when he needed to be, enabled him to take on the threat of the most dominant and occupying force in the world since the beginning of that century; The Soviet Union. As communism spread throughout the world not only in the Soviet Union, but in Cuba and other parts of the world as well, the Soviet Union had a coalition it could depend on to ultimately dominate the world and eventually infiltrate, penetrate, and deflate the United States of America, the last bastion of freedom in the world. The Soviet Union had a sense of dominance, confidence, and was on the move. What was needed in the United States was resolute leadership to confront and neutralize it. But it wasn’t going to be an easy task. The war that raged on between the United States and the Soviet Union was one of immense geopolitical tension that eventually led to the preparation of global nuclear war. And amidst the extremely high stakes, keeping the focus on the overall goal, despite all the noise, the opposition, and the criticisms from within, had to stay center and unwavering should the goal of defeating the Soviet Union be followed through on.
“My Mother used to say, everything in life happens for a reason, even the most disheartening setbacks. And in the end, everything, even seemingly random twists of fate, is all a part of the Divine plan.” --Ronald W. Reagan
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GREAT movie and GREAT man.
I went to Berlin just before the wall came down. West Berlin was delightful, excellent restaurants, wonderful stores. Bought a beautiful coat there.
Then I went to East Berlin on a bus at Checkpoint Charlie. Commie bus ticket collector almost fell on the floor when I smiled at her. Hideous excuses for homes. And the restaurant they took us to had horrible food and only one towel in the ladies room.
I’ll always love and remember Regan’s “Tear down that Wall, Mr. Gorbachov. “
I crossed through the Wall at Checkpoint Charlie in 1972 and was brought into an office and interrogated by an East German border guard. He made me take out my wallet and asked about every single item in it including my Social Security card. Our conversation was in German, so the East Germans may have been suspicious of me because I spoke the language.
I saw the movie a couple weeks ago and it’s the best movie I’ve seen in years and years. Imagine—no sex scenes, nude scenes or even a word of profanity! My only beef was that the 1944 hit song “Swingin’ on a Star” was performed in a scene set in 1941.
I was especially impressed when the young KGB guy asked the old one: "The Nicaragua thing. He surely must have known?"; and the wise one pulled up the beach photo saying "Dutch was always the lifeguard - doing his best to watch over his people."
(please pardon if I didn't recall that perfectly)
Even today, ask Russians who their favorite American President was, and it will be Reagan, hands down. They respected him as a leader.
Reagan was re-inaugurated 40 years ago this week. He was already a leader of change, but took it to the next level beginning in 1985.
I’ve always thought Reagan liked average Soviet/Russians.
He simply didn’t like Communists.
I admit don’t have anything to back that up, but it is a gut feeling. I think the Soviet/Russian citizens felt it too and reciprocated, as you posted.
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