Former President Reagan Rarely Awake - Report

Yahoo News ^ | December 5, 2003

[RWR8189]

Former President Ronald Reagan, is now confined to a bed, rarely awake and unable to walk or talk, People magazine said in a report issued on Thursday. In an essay accompanying the article about the former president's condition, daughter Patti Davis said people may still think Reagan, 92, is somewhat mobile and active, despite his well-publicized illness, because his family has guarded his privacy so zealously.

"But it would be a disservice to every family who has an Alzheimer's victim in their embrace to say any of that is true, and I don't believe my father would want us to lie," she wrote.

The magazine said Reagan spends his days either in a bed or occasionally in a wheelchair, in a small room at his home in the exclusive Bel Air section of Los Angeles, where he is kept out of the sight of all but his closest family and helpers.

His condition has been in the spotlight again of late after CBS shelved plans to air a mini-series on his presidency that conservative groups said was biased and an unfair attack on someone who was no longer able to defend himself.

The miniseries was eventually edited into a single movie and shown on CBS's sister cable network, Showtime.

Davis, once estranged from her family, said her family's life is now arranged around Reagan's bedside, where he spends his sedentary days.

"When he is awake, which is not that often, he can gaze at the trees outside the window," Davis said.

[Lady Jag]

God bless the man.

[Skooz]

My only regret was that both times I was a stupid brainwashed young liberal and did not fully appreciate him.

One of the great regrets of my life is that I was too much of a brainwashed liberal socialist moron to vote for him.

In 1980, I was a witless dopehead who didn't even bother to vote. In 1984, I was a Dan Rather-believing, socialist cliche spewing, revolutionary wannabe, dopy junky moron and threw my vote away on some laughable third party loser.

I'd give my eyeteeth to have those votes back.

[sushiman]

think it's hard for people who weren't around through the Ford and Carter years to realize just how great a man " Ronald Reagan was. Alot of people my age never expected to land a decent job or buy a new home. We had, inflation, stagflation, the misery index, massive, double digit unemployment. I have to laugh when I hear 'rats fret about 6% unemployment now! It seemed that the country had run it's course and we were on our way out. Ronald Reagan was a burst of sunshine...a prophet of American goodness and the REAL eternal optimistt. I believe he saved this country and I'll always love and honor him for that! "

Well put , thank you . I was 27 in 1980 so remember all too well the Ford / Carter years . Reagan was the first and last presidential candidate whose campaign I volunteered to work for ( on Long Island ) . When he beat Carter in a landslide I was so jubilantly happy you'd have thought my own father had become President !

[Wolfstar]

Politically, George W. Bush is truly Ronald Reagan's heir. We are all treading the path to death. Given the inevitable, I hope the Blessed Lord calls the Gipper home soon, while our ("his") Dubya is in office.

[NCLaw441]

He was the Commander In Chief. Surely he is entitled to burial in Arlington. I await, with eager anticipation and at the same time regret that X41 may elect to be buried in Arlington, in desecration of that hallowed ground.

[WinOne4TheGipper]

Wait. George HW Bush is a war hero in his own right. He has just as much right to be buried there as any other member of the armed forces.

[ChemistCat]

It's probably good to remember that DUers may yet come around...and not just to troll.

[Maria S]

"Don't despair when the wicked seem to prosper in this world. Their deeds will be punished by the Lord."

Bingo! This life (for however many years we live) is only a moment in time...it's hard, sometimes, turning justice and punishment over to the care of God, but it's what we have to do as Christians.

[Wolfstar]

The news of President Reagan's current condition did not bring tears to my eyes, but this passage from his farewell speech did. Why? Because his beautiful, even romantic, words are a powerful reminder of how much I miss this man's presence on the national stage. How much I miss his intellect, his humor, his kindness and warm smile. And how much I miss his steel, when steel was needed. In George W., we have a very worthy political heir to the Gipper. How lucky we have been that each of them came along when they did.

[Wolfstar]

I agree with you. I don't know why some otherwise well-meaning folks feel the need to mention that vile name on a thread like this, where those of us who love Ronald Reagan are moving ourselves emotionally closer to saying that final goodbye.

[Trueblackman]

I don't know it is sad to see this great man just waste away. I remember back in 1980 when Reagan was elected I cried because everyone said he was going to start World War 3 and we would all be dead within 3 years. it took me 2 years to realize liberals hate this country and will lie to foward their own issues.

[Wolfstar]

Beautiful. Thank you for posting this wonderful poem.

[N8VTXNinWV]

Amen! I love Ronnie. God bless him.

[My2Cents]

That's a great idea, Inspectorette. I've been to the Reagan Library twice, the most recent time when I was in LA on business, and had a day between meetings (how sick is that? -- a day off in southern Calif., and I choose to spend it at the Reagan Library!). I'd like to be there, too, to show my respects.

[nmh]

That's heartbreaking to hear. He is a wonderful man.

I think he will be going to heaven soon. When a person sleeps like that, with an illness like that, it's his body shutting down. Hopefully he'll go peacefully in his sleep while having a beautiful dream.

[My2Cents]

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Yes - shot down over Chi Chi Jima, where the Japanese beheaded and cannibalized airmen. He more than paid his dues.

[nmh]

"Sounds like the end is nearing for him."

No doubt about it. I suspect he will pass away next year. When a person sleeps like this, it is a sign of the body shutting down.

[RedWhiteBlue]

everyone said he was going to start World War 3 and we would all be dead within 3 years ...

A lot of people believed that. I remember hearing something similar at the time from my now-ex-mother-in-law. She would say things like "if he gets elected, the first thing he's going to do is get us in a nuclear war!" Even though I was 21, I knew better. Before I divorced her son, I should have thrown those words back in her face, but I was raised well and taught to have respect for my elders.

[My2Cents]

A deceased person cannot sue for defamation.

I appears that film was as much a defamation of Nancy as it was of Pres. Reagan.