Ronald Reagan: Rest in Revisionist Peace
edlorah
location: The Recession Will Not Be Televised
listening to: http://www.instantrimshot.com/
registered: 1999.12.27
First off, I can't believe no one has posted a damn thing yet about the demise of Ronald Wilson Reagan; the second worst President in my lifetime. Secondly, I can't believe the media barrage of nostalgic revisionist bullshit in the aftermath of his death.
The media line would have you believe RWR was a friend of the working man; in touch with the heart of America with a twinkle in his eye and a homily at the ready for every occasion. The rosy cheeked Great Communicator. Sort of like your beloved old uncle except with his finger on the button.
Here's what I remember: A national emabarrassment who reduced the most complex issues to simple cliches and platitudes. Who spoke in terms of good and evil so that even the dumbest, most reactionary American could understand. Who fell asleep during meetings. Who was prickly and dismissive of any who challenged his assumptions. Who laid a wreath on Nazi graves in Bitburg despite the protests of most of the world who suffered under the Nazis. Who never spoke the word "AIDS" until 24,000 had already died. Who left office with the greatest National Debt in the history of the country. Who ran on a campaign that fueled hatred of the Federal Government (or "gummint" as the Gipper would say). Who promised to scale back government but created a "shadow government" dedicated to the overthrow of democratically-elected gummints with whom they did not agree. Who traded arms with the government of Iran in order to overthrow the government of Nicaragua. Who made unprecedented cuts in social and health care programs for the poor while presiding over rampant corruption on Wall Street. Who is considered the Father of the Modern Conservative Movement: the movement that has brought us to this moment in history: the Bush Administration.
No one is going to offer a critical review of the dear old deceased Alzheimer President. At least not right away. But hopefully once the soft focus lens of nostalgia has subsided we will be able to see RWR for what he was: a not- too- intelligent ideologue who employed his marginal acting skills to provoke the worst aspects of America into believing they deserved something special no matter what the cost.
–--
"It was done only for political reasons only anyway. "
First off, I can't believe no one has posted a damn thing yet about the demise of Ronald Wilson Reagan; the second worst President in my lifetime. Secondly, I can't believe the media barrage of nostalgic revisionist bullshit in the aftermath of his death.
The media line would have you believe RWR was a friend of the working man; in touch with the heart of America with a twinkle in his eye and a homily at the ready for every occasion. The rosy cheeked Great Communicator. Sort of like your beloved old uncle except with his finger on the button.
Here's what I remember: A national emabarrassment who reduced the most complex issues to simple cliches and platitudes. Who spoke in terms of good and evil so that even the dumbest, most reactionary American could understand. Who fell asleep during meetings. Who was prickly and dismissive of any who challenged his assumptions. Who laid a wreath on Nazi graves in Bitburg despite the protests of most of the world who suffered under the Nazis. Who never spoke the word "AIDS" until 24,000 had already died. Who left office with the greatest National Debt in the history of the country. Who ran on a campaign that fueled hatred of the Federal Government (or "gummint" as the Gipper would say). Who promised to scale back government but created a "shadow government" dedicated to the overthrow of democratically-elected gummints with whom they did not agree. Who traded arms with the government of Iran in order to overthrow the government of Nicaragua. Who made unprecedented cuts in social and health care programs for the poor while presiding over rampant corruption on Wall Street. Who is considered the Father of the Modern Conservative Movement: the movement that has brought us to this moment in history: the Bush Administration.
No one is going to offer a critical review of the dear old deceased Alzheimer President. At least not right away. But hopefully once the soft focus lens of nostalgia has subsided we will be able to see RWR for what he was: a not- too- intelligent ideologue who employed his marginal acting skills to provoke the worst aspects of America into believing they deserved something special no matter what the cost.
–--
"It was done only for political reasons only anyway. "
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