Ronald Reagan: Still My President (Vanity)

June 6, 2004 | Mad Ivan

[Colosis]

Good to see you back Mad.

[MSSC6644]

What a pleasant surprise to see your name this morning of all mornings -- like a ray of sunlight piercing the clouds.

Thank you for sharing and articulating, so beautifully, the feelings and thoughts of so many.

[DoughtyOne]

What a nice post MadIvan. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

I share your thoughts on Thatcher and Reagan. I too long for the days when those two had things under control, without being overly controling.

In fairness to Tony Blair, he has been a lot better than I thought he would be. I look at our own Congressmen and Senators and often see them less loyal to our nation than Blair has been.

I thought he would be a rabid third-way type that I'd never agree with. Then he became almost as ardent an allie as Thatcher was.

I do realize he has his down-sides, but I have appreciated his support very much.


D1

[Becki]

Thank you, Ivan.

God bless you. I am so glad to see you back. We've missed you!!

Becki

[Non-Sequitur]

Who's that in the picture with Harry Potter?

[Brett66]

BTTT!

[lysie]

Great post.

Good to see you here.

[bamafour]

So nice to see you here again.
Thank-you for saying what so many of us feel. Reagan and Thatcher were quite a team. One knew who was in charge and what was going to be done. I respect them both so much.

[NewCenturions]

A beautiful tribute!

[chasio649]

Don't be such a stranger Ivan....many of us have missed your insight...make time for FR....Thanks for the post today...you said it all.

[Steely Tom]

How very nice to hear from you MadIvan.

Your comments, and those of so many other Freepers, have turned this day from bitter to bittersweet.

For it is indeed sweet to know that the memories of the '80's, a time when freedom, optimism, and daily proof of the power of goodness, ran like a powerful electric current through all the English-speaking world; that these memories are shared by many besides myself.

God Bless Ronald Reagan. God Bless Margaret Thatcher.

(steely)

[BBT]

Thanks for the beautiful post, Ivan. We old-timers remember the picture well. I wish I had one like it to share.

[ScaniaBoy]

Good to see you back.

I've missed your insightful posts and comments on politics in Britain.

I too felt very sad when President Reagan left the presidency. On the other hand we had known all the time that he would never have more than 8 years. But some glorious years they were.

I was much more upset when Mrs Thatcher was ousted by her own party - and in the middle of a build up to a war. Even though she had lost much of her popularity that was a betrayal of Shakespearian proportions.

Although the world seems much less certain these days when you have to look far and wide to find a leader and statesman as opposed to a politician we mustn't forget that both Mrs Thatcher and President Reagan had their fair shares of critics and banana skids.

And remember that the European left behaved just as disgusting toward Ronald Reagan (and Mrs Thatcher) as they do today toward GW Bush. The only difference is that with the lack of threat from the Soviets, the European right has felt free to join in.

But still I feel President GW Bush is much more the true heir of President Reagan then ever his father was, and there are signs that the European left and EU is developing a terminal illness. So let's learn from the Gipper and try to be positive. Things will turn out for the best in the end...

ScaniaBoy

[proud American in Canada]

"The creed of liberty suffered its first defeats with the election of Bill Clinton, who with his sly hucksterism tried to seduce America like a girl he had in the back of his El Camino, with promises of security, while all the while running his hand up her skirt."

What a perfect metaphor.

This is a wonderful post, and it's nice to hear from you again.

[snopercod]

Thatcher and Reagan - what a team.

(Glad to hear from you occasionally.)

[America's Resolve]

Hello Ivan!

I'd often wondered where you'd disappeared to. Good to hear from you again!

Godspeed and God Bless!

[LS]

I had the pleasure of working for RR very briefly in CA during an "In Concert at the White House" PBS special in 1982 or 1983. The concert was Merle Haggard, and the concert was at a ranch near Rancho Cielo, but one that was bigger, and better secured. I was the driver for the "special guests" and musicians up the hill. I worked all day for the Pres, then got to hear the concert. When RR came in, I was three feet away and wanted to jump out and shake his hand, but I thought the SS would shoot me! So I just stood there in awe . . . and never got the chance again!

[semaj]

An excellent essay on the man. Thanks Ivan.

[Watery Tart]

It is so very good to hear from you again, MadIvan. I am just sorry it is because of such sad circumstances. Keep in touch!