Posted on 06/05/2004 3:05:55 PM PDT by Jeff Head
These are my feelings at the passing of a truly great American...one that history will show whose life and service to this nation we were all tremendously priveleged to have personally witnessed.
Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) was simply the greatest President in my lifetime, and I believe the greatest President of the 1900's. Probably among the greatest three Presidents this nation has ever had.
He epitomized the traditional American spirit of positive, can-do attitude, reliance on fundamental moral principle eminating from faith in God, dedication to the principles of individual liberty and a commitment to the soveriegnty and independence of this great, free Republic we call the United States of America.
His foreign policy "brought down the wall" and curtailed one of the greatest menaces to freedom the world has ever known. Contrary to revisionist and liberals/marxists/socialists who would want to bestow some of that glory and honor on the likes of Gorby...the world knows...God knows...that it was Ronald Reagan and his drive and vision that ended that particular incarnation of the Evil Empire. History shall record it so.
His economic policy turned the misery index into a boom for American industry and into personal opportunities for growth for the individual American citizen. I lived through Carter's misery index, having gotten married as a young 22 year old during that disasterous administration...and having grown up seeing the Rockafeller Republican mechanisms before Reagan...I personally saw and lived through the unbelievable difference Ronald Reagan made.
We were proud of our nation, proud of ourselves, proud of the flag and proud to be called American citizens under Ronald Reagan. His enthusiasm was contaiguos...his optimism was inspriring and his ability to communicate and get even many who did not initially agree with him to come around to the "American" way of thinking was legend.
In some ways I feel as though a sterling light, a great shining beacon on a hill has gone out...even though his administration ended years ago.
Despite that, his influence has remained...and it is now up to us to ensure it continues.
We have several challenges in our time...the great challenge of terrorism based on Islamofascism and the even worse evil (IMHO) of one of its chief abettors and manipulators for its use against America...another evil empire in our time, the Red Chinese and those globalists who are enabling them. We also have the even more insidious challenge of the continued encroachment on personal liberty, on our national soveriegnty and independence that many enemies and sappers amongst us, within our own perimeter, us continue to foist on our Republic. They do it under many names, in the name of the UN, NGO's, globalism, choice for death, so called third ways that are nothing more or less that the way of tyrants past and present, Environmentalism, sustainable habitats that are in reality controlled habitats...and the list goes on and on. I pray we can follow in Reagan's footsteps and resolutely meet these challenge head-on as the Gipper did.
God bless and rest you Ronald Reagan...and God comfort and keep you Nancy.
We cannot allow that.
We shall miss him, he left a big hole when he left the presidency...but I believe that amongst those who truly have a fire burning in them for liberty and the foundational moral principles it rests upon...that there never has been a time when so many were so active and so willing to be involved.
That too is a legacy of Ronald Reagan...and it will be the one that allows the shining city on the hill and the entire world to be a better place...even if we have some tough rows to hoe between now and then.
We MUST pass those traits and expectations (all of which are critical to liberty and its longevity) on to the rising generation, and do it with such heart felt fervor, that they in turn pass it on to the next.
He allowed the press and his oppostiion and our enemies to think the worst of him and run with it...and therefore allowed them to underestimate him.
One of the best examples was the idea that his age had reduced his intellect and his ability to concentrate, particularly during his 2nd term. While they were thinking he was disabled and basically senile...he was busily using that tremendous vision and wonderful intellect and drive to engineer the plan that brought down the most dangerous and heavily armed totalitarian system in history...and then doing it, without hardly firing a shot.
Smart like a fox? Oh yes!
if we will do so...and if millions like us will do so (and I believe we will), then the long term implications will grow to unbelievable proportions and Reagans work will go forward to a much greater extent than what he produced in his own life.
I have five kids and now three grandkids I intend to do just that with. What do you say? Let's get after it!
Amen!
Thank you! I shall miss President Reagan terribly! It's up to all of us who understood what he stood for and what he did to pick up the torch and make him proud.
The American people had the courage and forsite to put Ronald Reagan in office...and then did it again by an overwhelming landslide.
Thanks! BTTT
OHH I remember that debate
I was 14 at that time
Even back then I knew Walter Mondale was big dork
G.W. Bush
6/5/04
Hi Darth, and welcome back. (Yeah, I couldn't stand it over on LP either...)
I thought I had posted the entire statement he made...but in revieiwing the thread I see now that I did not.
Must have posted it on some other thread.
So, here they are...a little late, but just as applicable and appropriate:
President Bush statement at the death of Ronald Reagan
THE PRESIDENT: This is a sad hour in the life of America. A great American life has come to an end. I have just spoken to Nancy Reagan. On behalf of our whole nation, Laura and I offered her and the Reagan family our prayers and our condolences.
Ronald Regan won America's respect with his greatness, and won its love with his goodness. He had the confidence that comes with conviction, the strength that comes with character, the grace that comes with humility, and the humor that comes with wisdom. He leaves behind a nation he restored and a world he helped save.
During the years of President Reagan, America laid to rest an era of division and self-doubt. And because of his leadership, the world laid to rest an era of fear and tyranny. Now, in laying our leader to rest, we say thank you.
He always told us that for America, the best was yet to come. We comfort ourselves in the knowledge that this is true for him, too. His work is done, and now a shining city awaits him. May God bless Ronald Reagan.
I only posted here because there are some things that transcend petty differences, and some times that call for a little solidarity in love, despite the circumstances. At this moment there are no FReepers or LePers, or should even be Democrats or Republicans or conservatives or liberals: we're Americans.
And that's all that I can really say here.
Would to God that we could learn to extend the feelings of such times so we can put down our real enemies.
I've never seen that photo. Thanks for posting it.
God bless a great yet humble man. I loved this President and will cherish my memories of him as President forever.
Rest in peace. America salutes you this week, President Ronald W. Reagan.
TNT
Welcome back, guys. I find this a much calmer place.
And God bless President Reagan, and God bless America as we grieve our loss of a great man this week.
TNT
FGS
BTTT !
I just saw your post. RR was the first president I voted for. He gave my generation hope. He made it ok to be proud to be an American again. I will love him forever for that.
I grew up in Davenport, IA. I loved your story and can just imagine how your grandmother reacted. :)
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