Posted on 06/05/2004 8:55:07 PM PDT by My Favorite Headache
California Mourns Loss of Former President Reagan Mike O'Sullivan Los Angeles 06 Jun 2004, 02:47 UTC
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AP Flags at half-staff over state capital in Sacramento In Sacramento, California, flags over the state capitol are flying at half-staff in honor of former President Ronald Reagan. Mr. Reagan died Saturday in Los Angeles at the age of 93, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. The former president had many admirers in California, where his political career started. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who like Mr. Reagan left a career in Hollywood for another in politics, called the former president a "friend" and a personal "hero."
Former President Gerald Ford, from Rancho Mirage, California, called Mr. Reagan "an excellent leader... during challenging times at home and abroad."
AP Californians pay tribute to former President Reagan And many close friends remembered the former president in Hollywood, where he was a popular actor in the 1940s and 1950s. He appeared in light comedies, as well as dramas, including the classic football story Knute Rockne: All-American. Mr. Reagan played football star George Gipp in the 1940 film about a dying college hero known as "The Gipper."
Mr. Reagan married the actress Jane Wyman in 1940. They had one daughter, Maureen, and adopted a son, Michael. However, the couple divorced in 1948.
The future president got a taste of politics when he served as head of the Screen Actors Guild from 1947 to 1952.
It was then that he met the actress Nancy Davis, who became his second wife. The couple had two children, Ron Jr. and Patti Davis.
In 1966, Mr. Reagan turned to politics in earnest, when he ran for governor of California. He was elected and took office the following year. He served two terms in Sacramento.
AP Ronald Reagan (1988 file photo) Elected president in 1980, he served from 1981 to 1989. His Hollywood background and native charm would serve him well in that position. He was known as the "great communicator," and left office with the highest popularity rating of any U.S. leader in the history of public opinion polls.
He later recalled his accomplishments as president.
"There were two great triumphs, two things that I'm proudest of," he said. "One is the economic recovery in which the people of America created and filled 19 million new jobs. The other is the recovery of our morale."
Children Ron Jr. and Patti were at the Reagan's Los Angeles home with Mrs. Reagan when the former president died of pneumonia, complicated by Alzheimer's disease. Son Michael arrived a short time later. His daughter Maureen died three years ago of cancer.
AP Hearse carrying flag-covered casket of former President Reagan prepares to enter funeral home in Santa Monica Mr. Reagan's body was transported to a funeral home. From there, it will be taken to the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, before being flown to Washington to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda. After a Washington funeral, his body will be returned to California for burial at the Reagan Library.
California may be a Blue State now but its residents still harbor an abiding affection for their native son.
How can anyone (Danny Glover/DU) hold such contempt for RR? The man was pure class.
Actually, he's Illinois' native son, but we had the honor of adopting him.
We are thankful to have a Governor who considers President Reagan to be a personal friend and hero. Do us proud, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger!
I want to see a mound of flowers to dwarf that which marked the death of the insignificant "Princess Di".
Yeah, he'll name the new Department of Illegal Alien Motor Vehicles building after Reagan.
Unfortunately you residents are probably already outnumbered by resident aliens.
Why not let it rest for a day at least?
I don't speak ill of the dead. This should be a day to set animosities and differences aside. We're an American Family, united by an allegiance to and love of America. Which is why we honor a President when he passes away - to remember this country will be here long after we're gone on to our rest.
As a resident of the first state to vote for him in the '76 primary, I'd say we adopted him too :-)
Send an email to Glover and give him a heads up.
Thanks for sharing your sense of loss with us. I feel as though I have lost a kindly grandfather who taught me to believe in myself and my fellow Americans. He helped our nation to havefaith in itself after a long period of self-doubt and division. God bless ye Ronnie.
WHOA the local LA News has coverage of Reagan death
All local station
Of course we give props to one of our homey
PISS OFF!
Seriously, the bugger can go harass the Taxi & Limousine Commission, for all I care, so long as he doesn't burden the rest of us with his insipid, imbecilic tirades.
The gammon he's peddling should be discounted by any American with an ounce of common sense and ridiculed by everyone with a sense of decency.
P.S. Shouldn't this jerk be working on the umpteenth sequel to the original"Lethal Weapon?" Just asking.
The only post I found on DU pointed out how the Reagans were a disfunctional family.
I didn't get the whole silly "Di" mourning excesses. What on earth did she ever do of significance? She was lauded for appearing with sick people. But her loyal butler said she hated those appearances, and only put it on to lead Charles in a P.R. competition. Reagan by contrast was a modern Moses, his leadership freed millions from Soviet bondage, from Poland to Nicaragua. He deserves a place on Mount Rushmore next to Teddy, and should replace that disgraceful Clinton-like Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill.
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