Alphecca

Reagan Deteriorating Fast -- Update: Rest In Peace

Unlike John Kerry, who made fun of President Bush when he took a spill on his bike, I generally don't gloat or make fun of people or politicians I disagree with who have had accidents, are seriously ill, etc., nor do I wish for their untimely demise.

By now, most people know that former president Ronald Reagan -- already suffering from one of the terrible afflictions of our age -- has suddenly begun deteriorating rather rapidly and it's suspected that his end is near. In this case, his death will probably bring some relief to his family and especially his wife Nancy Reagan who has so valiently stayed by his side and protected him during his final years. Indeed, it would probably be a blessing at this point. I was quite moved when she said this:

"Ronnie's long journey has finally taken him to a distant place where I can no longer reach him," she said. "Because of this I'm determined to do whatever I can to save other families from this pain. I just don't see how we can turn our backs on this."

Now, I rarely read leftist/neoliberal bloggers because quite frankly I just can't stand the sound of all that hysterical whining and noise. I would think that maybe they'd just say something nice like, "Our prayers go out to his family" or such. Let's see what some on the left are saying:

From AmericaBlog:

Oh man, get ready for the Reagan-was-a-god orgasm. They are going to milk his death for all it's worth - partly to benefit Bush's campaign, and partly to help enshrine Republicanism in the national consciousness. I sincerely hope "our side" is ready to respond with the facts. The last four years - Republican White House, House and Senate - are the true face of republicanism. The country wanted to see what happens when Republicans get their wet dreams fulfilled? Well, now we have the answer.

From Hullabaloo:

I've been worried about this. When Ronald Reagan dies, the Right and its media handmaidens are going to go into a fit of maudlin masturbation the likes of which the world has never seen. It will be non-stop GOP triumphalism from dawn to dusk. JFK's funeral will look like a trailer park trash $2,000 special compared to the spectacle we are going to endure for days on end. Lay in a supply of pepto-bismol. It's not in their DNA to handle this with any grace, restraint or class.

From TBogg:

Actually I find this surprising. I expected Reagan to take that long lonely walk into the sunset in late October when it could have an effect on the election. In fact, Dick Cheney has been practising smothering Lynne with a pillow, and it's not their usual Saturday night autoerotic asphyxiation sex games...

Charming, huh? On second thought, I think I'll just stay on the sane side of the blogosphere in the future.

Update:

Former president Ronald Reagan has passed away. Folks, I have no idea where my own "spiritual feelings" are. And I was rather young at the time President Reagan was in office and frankly, I wasn't paying much attention.

But here is what I believe: Ronald Reagan was a decent man who held some principles dear to his heart. He led our country accordingly. I don't agree with all of those principles but I never for a second believe that President Reagan made decisions based on political expediency; he "stuck to his guns" on his principles. He was (thanks to his Hollywood training) a brilliant speaker but I -- maybe naively -- felt that HE believed in what he said and the policies he implemented. I feel the same way about GW. I disagree with much of it, but I will never accuse him -- unlike Kerry -- of shaping his ideals to fly in the prevailing winds.

I rarely speak of my family or work here. That's intentional. But I do come from a very liberal based family. I don't think they approve of my current politics.

I used to be a "liberal." I grew up. I won't go into all of that now. Let's just remember Ronald Reagan as a decent man who really wanted to make America the best it could possibly be. He absolutely believed in democracy and in America. It was contagious. It was real. It was wonderful and optimistic.

May God, if he exists, give this honerable man, this gentle man -- this gentleman -- some peace in heaven. May God (please) comfort Nancy and the rest of the family. May they know that Ronald Reagan really did make a difference, he did matter, he did speak and act on his objectives. He was an American original and a true patriot. Oh, how I wish we had people of his caliber in politics today...

Ronald Reagan, rest in peace. God bless you, and from all of us, thank you.

Posted by Jeff Soyer at June 5, 2004 02:00 PM