President Reagan Dies at the age of 93

[MagiK]

LOL  good point TL....but don't forget..he was a Democrat before the Party lurched to the left so far.

[Timber Loftis]

June 05, 2004

For Immediate Release
Boston, MA

Senator John Kerry released the following statement today:

“Ronald Reagan's love of country was infectious.  Even when he was breaking Democrats' hearts, he did so with a smile and in the spirit of honest and open debate.  Despite the disagreements, he lived by that noble ideal that at 5pm we weren't Democrats or Republicans, we were Americans and friends. President Reagan and Tip O'Neill fought hard and honorably on many issues, and sat down together to happily swap jokes and the stories of their lives. The differences were real, but because of the way President Reagan led, he taught us that there is a big difference between strong beliefs and bitter partisanship. 
“He was the voice of America in good times and in grief. When we lost the brave astronauts in the Challenger tragedy, he reminded us that, ‘Nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue.’ 

“Now, his own journey has ended-a long and storied trip that spanned most of the American century-and shaped one of the greatest victories of freedom. Today in the face of new challenges, his example reminds us that we must move forward with optimism and resolve.  He was our oldest president, but he made America young again. 

“Our prayers are with his family, and the wife he loved in a way all the world could see.  And to the end, she loved him with courage and complete devotion.  She helped all of us better understand the cruel disease that took him away before it took his life, and what we must do to prevent and cure it. 

“Teresa and I and our family extend our deepest sympathies to Nancy Reagan and the Reagan family. Today, from California to Maine - ‘from sea to shining sea’ - Americans will bow their heads in prayer and gratitude that President Reagan left such an indelible stamp on the nation he loved.”

[MagiK]

Nice piece...now is there a Democrat around who can have as much said about him re: the getting along without the bitter partisanship?  or a Republican?  Sadly I think the Gipper was one of the last of a dying breed.

[Harley Quinn]

Magik,  I've been recalling the comment you made in another thread that our reporters aren't correctly referring to both our current and former presidents.  I watched coverage on both MSNBC and a little on FOX News Channel and saw them both doing it, so I guess it's not a liberal or conservative thing.  Instead I think it's in line with the rest of our society that seems to be losing the respect and politeness it once had.  I was always taught that you referred to the President as President Reagan or Mr. President, but never Mr. Reagan.  After they were out of office it was either President Reagan or Former President Reagan, but still, never Mr. Reagan (and my parent's were liberal and not pro-Reagan, but they still taught me, even if you disagree with his (any President, not Reagan in particular, ideas, you must still pay him respect because he is our President).

I thought of this just recently while I was upstairs in our "library" in the office watching some of the funeral (if it wasn't for work, I'd watch the whole thing, instead I'm listening on a radio).  Usually at lunch, people will eat in the library because we have such a small cafeteria.  Well, there was a group of us watching the funeral.  We were in there, then some lunch people came in, sat in some chairs, and just started talking and laughing loudly.  They seemed oblivious to the fact that we were trying to watch President Reagan's funeral or that it was even on.  Even after turning up the volume, they didn't get the hint.
If I wasn't a low man on the totem pole here, I would have spoke up and said something.  Again, as stated above, people seem to have lost their sense of respect and politeness.

Today's ceremony also brought up those feelings again of how life is unfair.  Here was a man who was able to live a long and mostly healthy life.  Got to accomplish many things, and share his life with a wife he adored and who adored him.  Makes the death of Rachel seem even more unfair.  It was just how I felt, even though I know it's just how life is.  *sigh*

I hope Nancy has her family around her and they give her all the love and support she will need.  I read once that often when a spouse dies after a long life together, and the couple is very close, the other will often also die within a short time there after.  I hope that doesn't happen with Nancy.

[MagiK]

Ya know... I keep underestimating Margaret Thatcher.....she is a Great Lady in her own right...and she remembers.  Don't know about her domestic policies but she was a great person to have on our side at the same time as President Reagan was in office.

Edit: Umm what prompted this was her speach at the Funeral.

[MagiK]

REDISCOVERY [quote from Ronald W. Reagan]
"...I won a nickname, 'The Great Communicator.' But I never thought it was my style or the words I used that made a difference: It was the content. I wasn't a great communicator, but I communicated great things, and they didn't spring full bloom from my brow, they came from the heart of a great nation — from our experience, our wisdom, and our belief in principles that have guided us for two centuries. They called it the Reagan revolution. Well, I'll accept that, but for me it always seemed more like the great rediscovery, a rediscovery of our values and our common sense."

--Farewell Address, Jan. '89

[MagiK]

For those who havent heard or read Baroness Thatchers Eulogy for President Reagan...Here is a link.  I think it is well worth a read.

[LadyZ]

Beautiful funeral, I've never seen anything like it.  I really liked Bush Sr.'s speech (although did NOT like seeing Prince Charles nodding off during it).  I also liked Bush, Jr.'s speech, and thought it touching that Margaret Thatcher had previously made her speech before she was unable, to honor President Reagan's wishes.

[Timber Loftis]

Alas, it begins on schedule:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3788229.stm

[MagiK]

Alas, it begins on schedule:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3788229.stm

Well you had to expect it, but educted analyses of his economic success prove that he was right and that we prospered as a Nation under his guidence, and as I said before about central america....it is hard to argue success  11 dictatorships down to 1...not too shabby a batting average and the fact that even people in the former Soviet Union hail him as a Hero and the direct agent of change in their transformation from captives behind the Iron Curtain to free peoples that they are today is enough to prove the lie behind the bullshit.

On a really sad note...today during the funeral, some sick and twisted people held a Party in a bar next to where President Reagan was shot...the purposeof which was to morn the fact that the shot was not fatal to him.
It takes some sick perverted F'd up mentalities to think like that.    No matter wich party was in office.