Posted on 06/07/2004 7:43:41 AM PDT by BigWaveBetty
Good morning.
Good mornin' to ya'll.
He Could See for Miles
Reagan had a vision and the courage to endure all the doubters
By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER
bringing over from last thread...
Michael Reagan to NewsMax Readers: Dad Is Home Now
Phil Brennan Monday, June 7, 2004
Michael Reagan, President Reagan's oldest son, a nationally syndicated radio host and columnist for NewsMax Magazine, made the following statement to NewsMax.com Sunday afternoon.
I can think about the times that we spent together as a father and son, sometimes just literally talking about nothing, but just being there and being in awe of him.
I think about those days when he was governor of California and how wonderful a job he did for the state. I can think about the times that he allowed me to be in his presence when tough decisions were ready to be made.
For example, on the evening that he chose George W. Bush’s father to be his running mate as the candidate for the vice presidency, Dad invited me to be in his inner circle as those decisions were made.
I remember the night in 1976 when I asked him what he missed most about not winning his party’s nomination as its presidential candidate. He said to me: "Michael, what I miss most is not being able to sit down with the Russians and saying to them "nyet" because it’s been so long that we’ve been giving up too much to get along with them. It’s time for the Russians to get along with us."
But what I remember most about my dad, and what puts me at peace with where he is today, is a conversation I had with him as he was flying back on Air Force One and he allowed me to accompany him back to Point Mugu [Air Base, Calif.]
It was Easter Week in the last year of his presidency, and he looked at me and he counted out 'nine' on his fingers. I asked what that meant, and he said: "Michael, it will be nine more months when I will be able to feel the freedom once again to go to church each and every Sunday. You know, Michael, ever since I was shot I have worried about putting other people in harm’s way by being among them, so I haven’t been to church on a regular basis and even though I have offered my presidency up to God I haven’t been with God on Sundays. That’s what I’m looking forward to."
And as I look back over Dad’s 93 years, what puts me truly at peace is knowing that my father was fully aware of who his God is. Not only did he offer up his presidency but he offered up his life a long time ago to serve his God.
And so now the peace I feel is knowing that my father has gone home to be with his God and his Lord, and that is the greatest gift that he ever gave me.
***
Good news from Michael Reagan.
179 posted on 06/07/2004 8:47:41 AM EDT by lodwick (WASP)
bringing over from last thread...
Also from Page Six:
TERESA Heinz Kerry didn't exactly knock 'em dead with her keynote address at last Thursday's New York State Democratic Jefferson-Jackson dinner, Post City Hall bureau man Stefan C. Friedman reports. Most high-ranking officials had already taken off before Sen. John Kerry's wife began her speech nearly an hour late, and those who remained were treated to an often-rambling missive delivered just above a whisper.
A particularly uncomfortable moment came when the ketchup heiress commented that if her late husband, Republican Sen. John Heinz of Pennsylvania, were still alive, he likely would have been at the dinner supporting her current husband. The morbid moment was met with uncomfortable silence. But one diner was anything but quiet after the half-hour speech ended. The Dem donor, who split seconds after Heinz's speech ended, could be heard saying, "That was the worst speech I've ever seen" as he exited the Hilton.
188 posted on 06/07/2004 10:29:48 AM EDT by mountaineer
BAD APPLES
Give some Democrats credit: many of the comments released by party factotums on the death of President Ronald Reagan at least attempted to be gracious. But, while some of the words may have been magnanimous, the actions of some Democrats was not.
In California, according to a Democratic House leadership staffer, Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi's office refused until late in the day West Coast time to prepare any remarks by the leader on the passing of the President.
"A call went out around mid-day on the East Coast that Reagan might be in serious condition, and that party leaders should be ready. But Pelosi's people basically said they couldn't' be bothered. [Democratic whip] Steny Hoyer had to get them in line. We got the impression they just didn't want to say anything that would be construed as supportive of a Republican."
Pelosi's office also nixed sending flowers to the funeral home where the president's body was being prepared for burial.
Back in Washington, staffers at the Democratic National Committee stopped a couple of interns who were lowering the flags to half mast outside their headquarters.
"The interns were just doing what they thought was right," says a DNC staffer, who heard about the incident. "But somebody a bit more senior told them not to lower the flags until they absolutely had to, I guess when President Bush announced that all flags should be lowered. There was only an hour's difference. It was pretty petty, but that's how bad things have gotten around here."
Thanks for the work here.
It's wonderful to see again the humbleness, honesty, humor, and love of freedom that was RRR.
We were blessed to have him with us.
The young, twenty-somethings knew what was proper and their elders prohibited them from doing what was right.
It really gives you hope for the future, doesn't it? After seemingly endless years of the BoomerSnots being in charge this is a wonderful breath of fresh air. Bet Dubya carries the younger vote in a major way.
I lived in California for 15 years from 1979 to 1994. Most of that time I was surrounded with people who thought Reagan was a propped up actor-governor/president. They were openly contemptuous of him and were horrified to discover that I adored the man. It really miffed me.
Then one day one of them scoffed that I was "so normal". I didn't smoke pot or use the F word. I didn't enjoy their excessive gossip. I choked up when the American team entered the Olympic stadium. I was a history buff. I had a regular job with a big company and I visited my family often.
I could've taken it as an insult, as it was intended. Rather, I knew it was we "normal" people who responded to Reagan's optimism about the American people.
The "blue" state people are Sophisticates...too snooty to place their hands over their hearts when the national anthem is played. They think we "red" state people are corny. Reagan was corny. He loved the flag, revered the military, and respected the office he occupied. He dwelt on the greatness of America at a time when the Sophisticates preferred to mire themselves in her faults. (They still do.) He single-handedly elevated the reverence of D-Day. He reminded us that peace comes from strength. He believed in us. When he spoke of "morning in America" or that "city on a hill", it stirred our heart strings. Yes, we're corny. And Reagan was one of us.
I imagine Heaven is an even happier place than it was a few days ago.
Very nicely stated, thank you.
Great remembrance - thank you for sharing it here.
I've mentioned elsewhere on this forum that my father, who suffered a fast-acting, early onset variant of Alzheimers and died at age 69 in 1993, still was not so far gone, mentally, all the time in 1992-1993 that he didn't realize what a slime Bill Clinton was. Even then, he would say of x42, "He's not my president." Several years before, he and my mother had been invited to the White House for his work with the American Cancer Society, and they met Mrs. Reagan. How wonderful for him now to meet Mr. Reagan, too.
Later, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria Shriver, stood side-by-side at the coffin. They placed a white roses on the catafalque and after a few quiet moments, both crossed themselves.
Sen. John Kerry, the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, is expected to visit the library Tuesday afternoon to pay his respects. [MUST ... BITE ... TONGUE!] He has canceled public campaign events this week, including major fund-raisers on both coasts, though some private events are expected to go on as planned. ...
Former President George Bush, Reagan's vice president, hailed the Republican icon for reshaping the party and for being a man of great charm and courtesy. "He'd no more walk by the guy running the elevator without asking him how his family was than fall off a cliff. And it was that kind, personal side that I think endeared him to the American people whether they were Republicans, Democrats, liberals or conservatives," Bush said on NBC's "Today" show. CNN
Do you suppose Kerry's not invited to the memorial at the National Cathedral? Why on earth would he fly to California for the viewing? (rhetorical q. of course. He wants to get on TV.)
Has anyone else noticed how many people are crossing themselves as they pass his casket?
Not that it matters to anyone, but Ronald Reagan is the one and only man who changed a certain former 60's liberal into a clear-thinking, forward-looking conservative during the 80's.
"Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves."
|
|
|
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
