The Guild 6-7-2004 President Reagan remembered

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, very much. And, Martha Weisend, thank you very much. And I could say that if the morning ended with the music we have just heard from that magnificent choir, it would indeed be a holy day for all of us.

It's wonderful to be here this morning. The past few days have been pretty busy for all of us, but I've wanted to be with you today to share some of my own thoughts.

These past few weeks it seems that we've all been hearing a lot of talk about religion and its role in politics, religion and its place in the political life of the Nation. And I think it's appropriate today, at a prayer breakfast for 17,000 citizens in the State of Texas during a great political convention, that this issue be addressed.

I don't speak as a theologian or a scholar, only as one who's lived a little more than his threescore ten -- which has been a source of annoyance to some -- [laughter] -- and as one who has been active in the political life of the Nation for roughly four decades and now who's served the past 3\1/2\ years in our highest office. I speak, I think I can say, as one who has seen much, who has loved his country, and who's seen it change in many ways.

I believe that faith and religion play a critical role in the political life of our nation -- and always has -- and that the church -- and by that I mean all churches, all denominations -- has had a strong influence on the state. And this has worked to our benefit as a nation.

Those who created our country -- the Founding Fathers and Mothers -- understood that there is a divine order which transcends the human order. They saw the state, in fact, as a form of moral order and felt that the bedrock of moral order is religion.

The Mayflower Compact began with the words, ``In the name of God, amen.'' The Declaration of Independence appeals to ``Nature's God'' and the ``Creator'' and ``the Supreme Judge of the world.'' Congress was given a chaplain, and the oaths of office are oaths before God.

James Madison in the Federalist Papers admitted that in the creation of our Republic he perceived the hand of the Almighty. John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, warned that we must never forget the God from whom our blessings flowed.

George Washington referred to religion's profound and unsurpassed place in the heart of our nation quite directly in his Farewell Address in 1796. Seven years earlier, France had erected a government that was intended to be purely secular. This new government would be grounded on reason rather than the law of God. By 1796 the French Revolution had known the Reign of Terror.

And Washington voiced reservations about the idea that there could be a wise policy without a firm moral and religious foundation. He said, ``Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man (call himself a patriot) who (would) labour to subvert these . . . finest [firmest]\1\ (FOOTNOTE) props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere Politician . . . (and) the pious man ought to respect and to cherish (religion and morality).'' And he added, ``. . . let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion.''

I believe that George Washington knew the City of Man cannot survive without the City of God, that the Visible City will perish without the Invisible City.

Religion played not only a strong role in our national life; it played a positive role. The abolitionist movement was at heart a moral and religious movement; so was the modern civil rights struggle. And throughout this time, the state was tolerant of religious belief, expression, and practice. Society, too, was tolerant.

But in the 1960's this began to change. We began to make great steps toward secularizing our nation and removing religion from its honored place.

In 1962 the Supreme Court in the New York prayer case banned the compulsory saying of prayers. In 1963 the Court banned the reading of the Bible in our public schools. From that point on, the courts pushed the meaning of the ruling ever outward, so that now our children are not allowed voluntary prayer. We even had to pass a law -- we passed a special law in the Congress just a few weeks ago to allow student prayer groups the same access to schoolrooms after classes that a young Marxist society, for example, would already enjoy with no opposition.

The 1962 decision opened the way to a flood of similar suits. Once religion had been made vulnerable, a series of assaults were made in one court after another, on one issue after another. Cases were started to argue against tax-exempt status for churches. Suits were brought to abolish the words ``under God'' from the Pledge of Allegiance and to remove ``In God We Trust'' from public documents and from our currency.

Today there are those who are fighting to make sure voluntary prayer is not returned to the classrooms. And the frustrating thing for the great majority of Americans who support and understand the special importance of religion in the national life -- the frustrating thing is that those who are attacking religion claim they are doing it in the name of tolerance, freedom, and openmindedness. Question: Isn't the real truth that they are intolerant of religion? [Applause] They refuse to tolerate its importance in our lives.

If all the children of our country studied together all of the many religions in our country, wouldn't they learn greater tolerance of each other's beliefs? If children prayed together, would they not understand what they have in common, and would this not, indeed, bring them closer, and is this not to be desired? So, I submit to you that those who claim to be fighting for tolerance on this issue may not be tolerant at all.

When John Kennedy was running for President in 1960, he said that his church would not dictate his Presidency any more than he would speak for his church. Just so, and proper. But John Kennedy was speaking in an America in which the role of religion -- and by that I mean the role of all churches -- was secure. Abortion was not a political issue. Prayer was not a political issue. The right of church schools to operate was not a political issue. And it was broadly acknowledged that religious leaders had a right and a duty to speak out on the issues of the day. They held a place of respect, and a politician who spoke to or of them with a lack of respect would not long survive in the political arena.

It was acknowledged then that religion held a special place, occupied a special territory in the hearts of the citizenry. The climate has changed greatly since then. And since it has, it logically follows that religion needs defenders against those who care only for the interests of the state.

There are, these days, many questions on which religious leaders are obliged to offer their moral and theological guidance, and such guidance is a good and necessary thing. To know how a church and its members feel on a public issue expands the parameters of debate. It does not narrow the debate; it expands it.

The truth is, politics and morality are inseparable. And as morality's foundation is religion, religion and politics are necessarily related. We need religion as a guide. We need it because we are imperfect, and our government needs the church, because only those humble enough to admit they're sinners can bring to democracy the tolerance it requires in order to survive.

A state is nothing more than a reflection of its citizens; the more decent the citizens, the more decent the state. If you practice a religion, whether you're Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, or guided by some other faith, then your private life will be influenced by a sense of moral obligation, and so, too, will your public life. One affects the other. The churches of America do not exist by the grace of the state; the churches of America are not mere citizens of the state. The churches of America exist apart; they have their own vantage point, their own authority. Religion is its own realm; it makes its own claims.

We establish no religion in this country, nor will we ever. We command no worship. We mandate no belief. But we poison our society when we remove its theological underpinnings. We court corruption when we leave it bereft of belief. All are free to believe or not believe; all are free to practice a faith or not. But those who believe must be free to speak of and act on their belief, to apply moral teaching to public questions.

I submit to you that the tolerant society is open to and encouraging of all religions. And this does not weaken us; it strengthens us, it makes us strong. You know, if we look back through history to all those great civilizations, those great nations that rose up to even world dominance and then deteriorated, declined, and fell, we find they all had one thing in common. One of the significant forerunners of their fall was their turning away from their God or gods.

Without God, there is no virtue, because there's no prompting of the conscience. Without God, we're mired in the material, that flat world that tells us only what the senses perceive. Without God, there is a coarsening of the society. And without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure. If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.

If I could just make a personal statement of my own -- in these 3\1/2\ years I have understood and known better than ever before the words of Lincoln, when he said that he would be the greatest fool on this footstool called Earth if he ever thought that for one moment he could perform the duties of that office without help from One who is stronger than all.

I thank you, thank you for inviting us here today. Thank you for your kindness and your patience. May God keep you, and may we, all of us, keep God.

All this week we have been remembering the words and beliefs of Ronald Reagan. Today, in our final installment, the 40th President talks about God's faithfulness and love.

"Our mission stretches far beyond our boarders, God's family knows no boarders. In your life, you face daily trials, but millions of believers in other lands face far worse--they are mocked and persecuted for the crime of loving God.

To every religious dissident trapped in that cold cruel existence, we send our love and support. Our message---you are not alone--you are not forgotten--do not lose your faith and hope because someday you too will be free.

If the Lord (applause) if the Lord is our light our strength and our salvation, whom shall we fear? Of whom shall we be afraid? No matter where we live, we have a promise that can make all the difference, a promise from Jesus to sooth our sorrows, heal our hearts and drive away our fears.

He promised there will never be a dark night that does not end, our weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. He promised if our hearts are true, His love will be as sure as sunlight and by dying for us--Jesus showed how far our love should be ready to go...all the way.

"For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (applause).

Those 10 or 20 probably were the only such "anti-Reagan" protesters to be found, but of course they merited being photographed. Their behavior was only slightly more disgusting than the Clintons' at the funeral. Good grief. Those two couldn't act more childishly if they tried. Thank goodness they didn't drag Chelsea and her live-in to the ceremony.

Of course, Kerry was there, and x42 and he had a mini-lovefest before the funeral started, but I don't think that was on TV ( photo here). Words cannot describe the Clintons' appearance and expressions, though many freepers have tried. Hillary looked like ten miles of bad road, while Bubba looked like he was coming down from a particularly bad acid trip.

Otherwise, the funeral was quite dignified, beautiful and worthy of Ronald Reagan's memory. I was quite touched by what Lady Thatcher and Mr. Mulroney said, in particular.

Shoot Timeout, some of the commentators are barely acknowledging President Reagan ended the Cold War. Or we're told the whole dern thing collapsed because President Reagan said, "Mr. Gorbachav, tear down this wall." And Gorby said OK. It's no biggie, it would have crumbled on it's own, they tell us.

There's a Gorby quote out there that sums up his frustration at Reagan's ability to out maneuver Gorby at every turn. I can't remember it, any help producing it would be appreciated.

I finally got to see most of all the memorial and the funeral. President and Nancy Reagan have a gem of a minister, (Last name Wenning) and everyone who spoke (GWB, Thatcher and GHWB were my favorites) so eloquently with words full of love and appreciation. But then came Ronnie Jr., oh no, I thought to myself, he wouldn't, he couldn't say something inappropriate. He did. He veiled it pretty well but I'm sure most got his meaning.

And of course the purveyors of low rent manners (bill and hill) took a nap as President Bush spoke.

HLL and I have agreed we're leaving the country when Heckle and Jeckle kick the bucket.

Did me eyes deceive me? Was that algore sitting behind Tom Ridge and in front of Karl Rove at the DC Memorial?

Please, please tell me the GWB boys were having fun making algore sweat (not a momentous feat to make al sweat, but nevertheless funny as all get out!).

The computer is behaving badly again and I can't search for much of anything, back to the puter guru.

Yep, Al and Tippsy were between Ridge and Rove. The BigGayFella must have been seething the whole time. "I used to be the next president, and they didn't even put me in the second row! Waaah, it's not fair!"

I thought the service in Simi Valley was nice - the three children did well, but poor Nancy broke down at the very end, after being presented the flag from the casket. The clicking cameras sounded like tapdancers!

The other networks cut away after that to more chatter (has Chris Matthews ever had an unexpressed thought?), but CSPAN continued to show the attendees stepping up to the casket and paying their last respects, which was interesting - everyone from Wayne Newton to Wayne Gretzky (his wife looked very emotional). Mickey Rooney gave Ron a snappy salute, while Lady Thatcher bowed. Finally, after the guests had gone, the members of the military band came up, two by two, and saluted slowly in unison, as the sun set.

...we're leaving the country when Heckle and Jeckle kick the bucket.

Oh, not me. It will be too interesting. The hillbillies will pull out all the stops in their effort to one-up RR's send-off. But going back to Little Rock just can't compete with the "sea to shining sea" picture-perfect tribute to President Reagan. The foundation for all this week's tributes was LOVE. From the storybook love affair between Ron and Nancy, to his unmistakable love for this country, his God and for freedom.

The Toons have no such foundation.

When x42 slinks away, the commentators will be respectful. Guests will swoon in an Elvis sort of way, but it will ring false. Between the lines, we'll know that they know it was all about him. He loved himself. They won't say it, but they'll know his was a wasted presidency.

The Clintons have no class, therefore they could not ever come close to the dignified send-off given to Reagan.

Clinton did nothing of lasting value or worth during his 8 years occupying the White House.(Occupation is an appropriate term) What great accomplishments would be discussed as his legacy?

Don't ask, don't tell?
Bringing down the evil Branch Davidians?
His saxophone playing? Bombing an aspirin factory?
Making oral sex a household word?

My husband remarked last night that he didn't think Bill would go for the large funeral because he doesn't believe he'll ever die.

What a beautiful and uplifting day yesterday!!! To see Ronald Reagan get all that respect and glory was so very uplifting.

I did not lose it till Micheal Reagan got up to speak and then boy oh boy did I go through the Kleenex (although I did take a pause to hold my breath when young Ron got up-just knew he would do something inappropriate-he did but it was veiled and restrained).

The rest of the service everything got to me, the music, the flyover, the taps and then when Nancy did not want to leave and the kids came and comforted her (wonder what they said to get her to leave? Either "we'll come back later" or "we must go so this is over by sunset")

I actually heard Chris Matthews saying that Clinton had Monica to besmerch his reputation but then he added the caveat of (paraphrase) "It was tawdry but it didn't kill anyone"...Duh, what about the poor janitor in the aspirin factory, among others....

Poppy Bush is starting his birthday celebration and will make his parachute jump on Sunday...41@80

Oooo, thanks for posting that horrible photo. It inspired more thoughts about the Toon's eventual leavetaking. He will have to be eulogized by Algore and, leading up to it, every commentator will have no choice but to recall Gore's stupid exclamation on impeachment day that Toon would go down as "one of our greatest presidents"...LOL!

One of my favorite symbolisms this week was the Reagans travelling on the presidential plane.

What would be more appropriate than for Hillary and the Gores to board a BUS bound for Little Rock?! They could strap x42's casket to the luggage rack on top. Rather than bells tolling, they could toot the horn 42 times! Bring along Jimmuh Cahter to schlepp their luggage! And stop at every BBQ joint along the way. The public could line the roadways and toss cigars as they pass.

I figure, since the Toons have been too lazy to submit plans for his funeral, why shouldn't we plan it for them?!!!

...

And here's an image you will NOT see at the Toon's funeral:

Marine Sgt. Ethan Rocke weeps as he salutes the Honor Guard carrying the flag-draped casket of former President Reagan

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