I'm still not sure how I feel about Reagan's death.
Reagan was the first politician I paid any attention to. I knew a little bit about Carter, but the only thing that caught my attention was the fucked up hostage rescue.
As Reagan was elected, I was caught up in the same ra ra America stuff as most other people. The hostages were released right after and for a little bit I thought it was because they knew they couldn't fuck with Reagan... not because of the work Carter did or the behind the scenes promises.
I've always had a deep belief in this country and its freedoms, so all the USA chants and chest beating got old pretty fast (not as fast as the patriot bandwagon jumpers after 9-11, but pretty close).
I remember Reagan getting shot. Unlike Brady, I didn't blame guns, but the idiot that fired them. In that way I was raised Republican. In the callous of youth, we thought Hinkley was an moron, because he used the .22, instead of a .38 or .45 he was carrying in his pocket (I can't find any record on the web about a second gun, but I remember initial reports about it). That larger gun would have killed Reagan, assuming the bullet would have hit the same spot (a shaky assumption now knowing the bullet bounced off the car before it hit him... the larger caliber would have probably missed him, actually).
Reagan did give the US a sense of pride. He did appoint the first woman on the Supreme Court.
He wasn't as bad on AIDS as everyone judges in hindsight. Could he have done more? Maybe. But, it's commonly thought he didn't mention AIDS until 1987, and that's not true. The disease was named in 1982 and his first mention of it was no later than 1985, in earmarking money for it. A speech he gave in early 1986 used the word AIDS several times and asked for money for research for a cure.
As for homosexuality in general, Reagan opposed Proposition 6, in 1978, that called for the firing of California teachers who advocated homosexuality.
He wrote Whatever else it is, homosexuality is not a contagious disease like the measles. Prevailing scientific opinion is that an individual's sexuality is determined at a very early age and that a child's teachers do not really influence this.
Since the measure does not restrict itself to the classroom, every aspect of a teacher's personal life could presumably come under suspicion. What constitutes 'advocacy' of homosexuality? Would public opposition to Proposition 6 by a teacher should it pass be considered advocacy?
Reagan knew plenty of gays in Hollywood (Rock Hudson among them). He increased Government spending on HIV/AIDS over 100% each year though 86, and continued to increase spending through the end of his Presidency.
Could he have done more? Sure. But he didn't hate gays. And he didn't sit by and do nothing. He just didn't fully grasp the threat as he was trying to rescue a horrible economy and peacefully end the Cold War.
Reagan was a liar. He lied about Iran/Contra and he lied hard. I used to think that it was the sweetest of irony's that a man who had spent his Presidency "forgetting things", was dying of a disease that made you forget things. Second only to my asshole, child molesting, Grandfather slowing dying of prostate cancer.
Yeah, Reagan was a lair. So is Bush. So was Clinton. And Kennedy. And would I rather have my President lying about arms deals or getting his dick sucked? Who knows. I'd rather have them not lie. But that doesn't make them evil.
Reagan's economy supposedly fucked us after he left. Well, I'll be the first to admit I don't know economics worth a damn. I do know that every new President takes credit for upswings and blames his former Presidents for downswings; once he's out of office, it's blame the new guy, or take credit for any good coming in the first year of the new administration.
Who knows.
I will say, I liked Reagan for a time. Then, I didn't like him and was happy he was ill. Now, I don't know.
I do know I've seen some of the most vile hate I've seen since I joined, come out of these boards, about his death. All the conservative talk about liberal name calling seems right on target, this week.
Hate is hate, as far as I'm concerned and there are some of the angriest goddamn hippies I've ever met, around these parts. Hate cops, hate Presidents, hate guns, conservatives, freedom of speach, hate, hate, hate.
Is that helping or hurting the world's situation, ya think? Do you like your job more or less because of the constant burn of hate in your heart? Your country? Your fellow man?
Aw, well. That's a rant for a different time.
The funniest thing I'll remember about Reagan is the parody Phil Hartman did on Saturday Night Live... were he's the dundering fool when the Boy Scouts come in, and the hard ass take charge leader when they leave. 'Course that makes me miss Phil Hartman.
The saddest thing I'll remember about Reagan is this photograph:
That's a woman who's lost something she can never replace.
So, while history can write or rewrite Reagan the President and the folks can battle it out to see who can spew the most venom over one of the most popular men that ever lived... I can spare a couple of days and give more sympathy for Reagan's family and friends. And try and figure out if I'm happier if he's in Heaven or Hell.
Reagan was the first politician I paid any attention to. I knew a little bit about Carter, but the only thing that caught my attention was the fucked up hostage rescue.
As Reagan was elected, I was caught up in the same ra ra America stuff as most other people. The hostages were released right after and for a little bit I thought it was because they knew they couldn't fuck with Reagan... not because of the work Carter did or the behind the scenes promises.
I've always had a deep belief in this country and its freedoms, so all the USA chants and chest beating got old pretty fast (not as fast as the patriot bandwagon jumpers after 9-11, but pretty close).
I remember Reagan getting shot. Unlike Brady, I didn't blame guns, but the idiot that fired them. In that way I was raised Republican. In the callous of youth, we thought Hinkley was an moron, because he used the .22, instead of a .38 or .45 he was carrying in his pocket (I can't find any record on the web about a second gun, but I remember initial reports about it). That larger gun would have killed Reagan, assuming the bullet would have hit the same spot (a shaky assumption now knowing the bullet bounced off the car before it hit him... the larger caliber would have probably missed him, actually).
Reagan did give the US a sense of pride. He did appoint the first woman on the Supreme Court.
He wasn't as bad on AIDS as everyone judges in hindsight. Could he have done more? Maybe. But, it's commonly thought he didn't mention AIDS until 1987, and that's not true. The disease was named in 1982 and his first mention of it was no later than 1985, in earmarking money for it. A speech he gave in early 1986 used the word AIDS several times and asked for money for research for a cure.
As for homosexuality in general, Reagan opposed Proposition 6, in 1978, that called for the firing of California teachers who advocated homosexuality.
He wrote Whatever else it is, homosexuality is not a contagious disease like the measles. Prevailing scientific opinion is that an individual's sexuality is determined at a very early age and that a child's teachers do not really influence this.
Since the measure does not restrict itself to the classroom, every aspect of a teacher's personal life could presumably come under suspicion. What constitutes 'advocacy' of homosexuality? Would public opposition to Proposition 6 by a teacher should it pass be considered advocacy?
Reagan knew plenty of gays in Hollywood (Rock Hudson among them). He increased Government spending on HIV/AIDS over 100% each year though 86, and continued to increase spending through the end of his Presidency.
Could he have done more? Sure. But he didn't hate gays. And he didn't sit by and do nothing. He just didn't fully grasp the threat as he was trying to rescue a horrible economy and peacefully end the Cold War.
Reagan was a liar. He lied about Iran/Contra and he lied hard. I used to think that it was the sweetest of irony's that a man who had spent his Presidency "forgetting things", was dying of a disease that made you forget things. Second only to my asshole, child molesting, Grandfather slowing dying of prostate cancer.
Yeah, Reagan was a lair. So is Bush. So was Clinton. And Kennedy. And would I rather have my President lying about arms deals or getting his dick sucked? Who knows. I'd rather have them not lie. But that doesn't make them evil.
Reagan's economy supposedly fucked us after he left. Well, I'll be the first to admit I don't know economics worth a damn. I do know that every new President takes credit for upswings and blames his former Presidents for downswings; once he's out of office, it's blame the new guy, or take credit for any good coming in the first year of the new administration.
Who knows.
I will say, I liked Reagan for a time. Then, I didn't like him and was happy he was ill. Now, I don't know.
I do know I've seen some of the most vile hate I've seen since I joined, come out of these boards, about his death. All the conservative talk about liberal name calling seems right on target, this week.
Hate is hate, as far as I'm concerned and there are some of the angriest goddamn hippies I've ever met, around these parts. Hate cops, hate Presidents, hate guns, conservatives, freedom of speach, hate, hate, hate.
Is that helping or hurting the world's situation, ya think? Do you like your job more or less because of the constant burn of hate in your heart? Your country? Your fellow man?
Aw, well. That's a rant for a different time.
The funniest thing I'll remember about Reagan is the parody Phil Hartman did on Saturday Night Live... were he's the dundering fool when the Boy Scouts come in, and the hard ass take charge leader when they leave. 'Course that makes me miss Phil Hartman.
The saddest thing I'll remember about Reagan is this photograph:
That's a woman who's lost something she can never replace.
So, while history can write or rewrite Reagan the President and the folks can battle it out to see who can spew the most venom over one of the most popular men that ever lived... I can spare a couple of days and give more sympathy for Reagan's family and friends. And try and figure out if I'm happier if he's in Heaven or Hell.
VIEW 8 of 8 COMMENTS
unravled:
It's a very short trip, but I might be convinced for the right person.
unravled:
I'd feel presumptous announcing my arrival and expecting people to show up for it, but I'd definitely like to meet you. We should get a drink at least, I can get out of bed long enough for that.