President Reagan

Thursday, February 07, 2008

President Reagan Current mood: pensive Category: Laudanum News and Politics February 6, 2008 - Happy Birthday, President Reagan. President Reagan died on June 5, 2004, from complications related to old age and Alzheimer's disease. He enjoyed a long and productive life. It was his nature to focus on the bright side of people, places and things. He believed in himself, and he believed in a loving and compassionate God. He believed that most things turn out for the best, provided we do the next right thing. President Reagan's Mother used to tell him, "always say and do the kindest thing." He hated tyranny and injustice. He shared a dream with two other greats from the 20th Century, Pope John Paul II, and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The dream was the dissolution of the Soviet Empire, and the installation of democracy throughout Europe. Freedom for all Europeans, through whom Western Civilization and culture have spread around the world. In March, 1983, I'd just been appointed to a position with the White House staff. That same month, the President gave one of his most memorable speeches. It was in this speech to the National Association of Religious Broadcasters that Ronald Reagan referred to the Soviet Union as an "evil empire" that was destined to end up "in the ash heap of history." The punditocracy of Washington and New York was apoplectic. How dare this nut Reagan say bad things about the Commies? It was reckless and foolhardy for him to provoke a nation that had recently invaded and conquered Afghanistan. It would only piss them off and make them more difficult when/if we started talking to them about arms control again. President Reagan didn't care about this. He was more interested in telling the truth to the world, and he kept telling the truth throughout his Presidency. When the Soviets shot down the Korean Airlines Flight 007, in September, 1983, the President did not hesitate to use the harshest language in condemning the senseless brutality of Soviet fighters downing a defenseless passenger plane. Such a barbaric act had to be rooted in the paranoia of the Soviet system. Some years later, he stood by the Berlin Wall and urged Mikhail Gorbachev to "tear down this wall." The Soviets did just that. Today, Germany is united, strong and free. It is the third largest economic power on earth. Germany is one of our most loyal allies. Poland, over which the world was at war from 1939-45, is free. Poland is also one of America's most loyal allies. Along with Great Britain, Poland "has our back," whether we are right or wrong. After eight years of bumbling by the dumb President Bush, it is a wonder we have friends anywhere, but we do. When I recall the 1976 campaign, and the years of the Carter malaise, I am reminded of the main reason I wanted Ronald Reagan to win. Our country was desperate to believe in itself again. We wanted someone to tell us we were still the best country in the world. That America was the smartest, richest, the fattest, had the most televisions, the greatest sports heroes, the best dogs, fastest cars, and the most gifted scientists. That we, as Americans "had every right to dream heroic dreams." Gradually, we began to believe in ourselves again. We stopped being afraid of falling down. I had the honor and privilege of working in three of Ronald Reagan's campaigns, 1976, 1980, and 1984. I worked with and for a number of people who went on to serve in the highest levels of government. Those were heady years. Lots of stuff going on around the world. Who could tell what the goofy Soviets might do next. I don't see how I could top those experiences, unless perhaps I come up with a way to force Cox Cable to carry RFD-TV, which would allow me to watch "Imus in the Morning." We began to "lose" President Reagan in the early 90's, with the onset of Alzheimer's. He handled that issue gracefully and bravely. I was in Washington that June, visiting with my friend Lyn, who'd played such a major role in Reagan's campaigns, and with his successes as President. It was even cooler that Lyn and I went to the funeral together at National Cathedral. So I'll always remember February 6th as the birthday of one of America's best. I doubt in my lifetime there will be another like him – certainly not an African muslim named Barack Hussein Obama. Or a lamp throwing, potty mouth junior senator like Hilary Clinton. I mean that in a nice way. Thanks, President Reagan. Thanks for the nice jobs you gave me. Thanks for saving the country. Thanks for destroying Communism. RPH, Esq., N.V., European American ©Randall P. Hodge, Esq. 2008