Text of Ron Reagan Jr.'s Remarks at Father's Burial Service

AP ^ | june11, 2004

[beckett]

Do you think its possible that young Ron equates religious mandate with opposition to stem cell research? Nancy is for it and President Bush is against it. Could stem cell research be used during the election to show that President Bush is opposed to something that Nancy favors, to make President Bush look bad?

That's already happening to some degree. The press is already nosing around on the issue. It remains to be seen if Nancy will directly confront Bush and break her husband's 11th Commandment, i.e., Never Speak Ill of Fellow Republicans. I think it's safe to say she was always more liberal than her husband and more eager to curry favor with liberal elites.

We'll just have to wait and see how she handles it.

[hgro]

Dad was also a deeply, unabashedly religious man. But he never made the fatal mistake of so many politicians wearing his faith on his sleeve to gain political advantage. True, after he was shot and nearly killed early in his presidency, he came to believe that God had spared him in order that he might do good. But he accepted that as a responsibility, not a mandate. And there is a profound difference

A good father spawned an evil son? That remark had no place in a eulogy and was a cheap shot at GWB who doesn't deserve it from Ron's leftie son or anyone else for that matter.

[moondoggie]

Michael made no political statement.

Of course, you're right. I meant to say, Ron.

[cwb]

Yeah, you're right...and this little gem from you advanced it so much more:

"The ear-lobe story was definitely not OK, it was slanted to try to appear homoerotic or at least hint at it."

You make some good points and then this spews fourth. My post was even direct at you.

[valleygal]

Outgrow it, he's in his mid 40's if not older.

[valleygal]

About the the "no WMD" and dementia remarks...he's going to have to eat those words after the news of the last few days re: WMD's in Iraq.

[ContraryMary]

"Humble as he was, he never would have assumed a free pass to heaven" ......that is a line used by unbelievers to slam evangelical Christians who believe in God's promise.

Must we inject religious politics into everything? Can't we merely accept this as a reference to Reagan's humility?

[ContraryMary]

I still don't understand, though, why every media person, every news story, has to emphasize that Michael Reagan is the "adopted" son. He was adopted as a baby, not as a 20 year old. I don't care for the distinction, frankly. I can see if it is explained as part of family background, i.e., Ron and Nancy had two children; by his first wife, President Reagan had a daughter, and they adopted their son Michael, or something like that... but everytime Michael's name is mentioned, it seems to be prefaced with "adopted son." I think that is just irrelevant and disrespectful.

I agree completely. I, too, was adopted. It's a meaningless distinction.

[bray]

My beliefs are my own. On religion, I am like President Reagan. I don't wear my religion on my sleeve, and don't pound bibles on the table.

It sounds like you feel it's ok to be a Christian, just not TOO Christian?? That is how the wear it on the sleeve remark sounds.

Pray for W and Our Awesome Troops

[Bronco_Buster_FweetHyagh]

Dad was also a deeply, unabashedly religious man. But he never made the fatal mistake of so many politicians wearing his faith on his sleeve to gain political advantage. True, after he was shot and nearly killed early in his presidency, he came to believe that God had spared him in order that he might do good. But he accepted that as a responsibility, not a mandate. And there is a profound difference.

If anyone thinks that this was a direct dig at Bush, then its because of the classic "if the shoe fits, wear it" line. I saw nothing at all to make me think he was slamming Bush anymore than he was slamming any other of the many, many politicians who make an obvious showing of their religion.

You could just as easily say he was attacking Kerry, for ending every speech with "god bless america" and for making such a painfully obvious political grab by going to Reagan's casket while it was first in California and going up to the casket and making the cross symbol on his chest.

Bush is no more overtly religious than any other president, senator, congressman, etc.

[Bronco_Buster_FweetHyagh]

Dad was also a deeply, unabashedly religious man. But he never made the fatal mistake of so many politicians wearing his faith on his sleeve to gain political advantage. True, after he was shot and nearly killed early in his presidency, he came to believe that God had spared him in order that he might do good. But he accepted that as a responsibility, not a mandate. And there is a profound difference.

If anyone thinks that this was a direct dig at Bush, then its because of the classic "if the shoe fits, wear it" line. I saw nothing at all to make me think he was slamming Bush anymore than he was slamming any other of the many, many politicians who make an obvious showing of their religion.

You could just as easily say he was attacking Kerry, for ending every speech with "god bless america" and for making such a painfully obvious political grab by going to Reagan's casket while it was first in California and going up to the casket and making the cross symbol on his chest.

Bush is no more overtly religious than any other president, senator, congressman, etc.

[IndyTiger]

Michael's was still the best eulogy.

Agree completely. He really personalized his dad, and the heartfelt way in which Michael delivered his remarks was quite touching. I believe Michael felt that he was delivering an eulogy for both he and Maureen.

[valleygal]

Last night, on the live thread of the California service, posters were told to stop talking about Ron's comments, that that thread was no place for it. So my guess is that this thread was posted so those who had feelings about Ron Reagan's comments could post them here.

[NittanyLion]

Back and forth advances the discussion not one bit.

Just because I won't buy your ridiculous claim that the earlobe comment was steeped in homoeroticism doesn't mean I can't be persuaded. Just not by preposterous, outlandish claims such as yours.

[NittanyLion]

That's OK...it only took Chris Matthews, Howard Fineman and Pat Buchanan a couple minutes from when the ceremony ended to point out that it was a rebuke of Bush. They made it political.

Idiots. I'm glad I kept Fox on and was able to listen in silence.

[NittanyLion]

This thread is dedicated to commentary on Ron Jr. It's not about the overall tribute to Reagan in which the nation was immersed this past week and which has been a precious and uplifting gift for us all. And I'm not saying the ceremony at the Reagan Library was ruined by Ron Jr.'s remarks, although they certainly didn't ennoble it. I'll even go so far to say that the comfort he gave his mother at the casket will be an enduring image in American history, and was a genuine and touching expression of his humanity.

Fair points. I can't argue with what you said in this post (although I'll still overlook Ron's comments as ambiguous and, ultimately, unimportant in the scheme of things).

[madison10]

That wasn't arrogant. That's how Christians believe. If one believes in Jesus Christ he/she believes they are going to heaven. Unless of course you're a TULIP-type.

[NittanyLion]

Could be...that would make sense. I wasn't on the the other thread; thanks for the insight!

[madison10]

You know I didn't think about Kerry, though it would have applied. It was the word "mandate" that steered me a different direction.

[Cultural Jihad]

Shopkeeper, doorman, king or queen, it made no difference, Dad treated everyone with the same unfailing courtesy. Acknowledging the innate dignity in us all.

Sounds like a lesson many Hollywood liberals could learn.