Reagan and his mythology (Spewing, Hateful Projectile Vomit Alert!!)

Newsday ^ | June 7, 2004 | Mario "I'm an ignorant commie-liberal" Cocco

[GreatOne]

I never cared much for Ronald Reagan, the president. But I must tip my hat to Reagan, the myth.

It is Reagan the myth the nation now eulogizes - that political colossus who, his supporters claim, vanquished both the Soviet Union and the liberal welfare state with the certainty of his optimism and the jaunty cock of his head. . .

As for the other towering pillar of the Reagan myth - that he single-handedly slew the Soviet bear - there is little, if any, historical support. The Soviet empire was weak and its economy imploding. The scholarly consensus is that Reagan's defense buildup, far from bringing a robust giant to its knees, perhaps helped to nudge a terminal patient into death. . .

Reagan was said to have a clear-eyed view of America's place in the world, yet he entangled the United States in the Iran-contra scandal, with its dark deals and unsavory alliances. Their legacies haunt us to this day. . .

Reagan was not a great president. He was an American archetype and a fabulous political hero who brought his party out of the wilderness. There was not, and has not since, been anyone better at the inspirational photo-op, an essential ingredient of the modern presidency. And even I must admit that over these next few days of mourning, I'm looking forward to watching the re-runs.

[Alissa]

I have a liberal first cousin who is great except for her politics. The way I deal with her is to cut it off before she starts and if it she continues I stand my ground. In the past she backs off first. If she accidently sends me an email, I email her back not to send me her political crap. She knows we're polar opposites, so when we're together we normally try to avoid talking about politics altogether. It's amazing how much we have in common outside the subject of government, yet we are so different in our views of government.