[Wolfstar]

Inspectorette, I've only now read the entire thread and just wanted to take a moment to respond to your #25. I know what you mean. I also have been grieving as though for the loss of someone very dear to me. But that's the answer to your question. RWR was, and frankly remains, very dear to millions upon millions of people. It doesn't matter that we never knew him personally. The way he touched our lives is profoundly personal.

Think of the hundreds of millions of people in the former Soviet Union who are free today because of him. Their children and grandchildren will never experience the horrors of communism because of him. Many people have remarked that had RWR not selected his former political rival, GHWB, as his vice president there would have been no GWB presidency. So the people of Iraq and Afghanistan now have the opportunity to build free, democratic societies because of RWR's legacy.

[OldFriend]

Unfortunately, many in the eastern block were unprepared for the responsibilities of freedom. They didn't like the idea of having to fend for themselves. They liked the idea of a paycheck for no work.

Freedom is hard work, not everyone is suited for the pursuit of liberty and prosperity.

And think, in Russia there was no one alive who had ever lived under a democracy......not that they do now.....but you understand my point, I hope.

[Inspectorette]

Many people have remarked that had RWR not selected his former political rival, GHWB, as his vice president there would have been no GWB presidency

Wow - I never thought of that. Just one more thing for which we have to be thankful to him.