One hundred years ago today, one of the greatest of men, greatest of Americans, and our greatest President was born. There will be many tributes today, including this one during the Superbowl, but in my opinion, not enough. Ronald Reagan deserves all the accolades, all the attention, because he was one those rare breeds.
Happy Birthday President Reagan…..we miss you.
“From my mother,” said President Reagan, “I learned the value of prayer. My mother told me that everything in life happened for a purpose. She said all things were part of God’s plan, even the most disheartening setbacks. And, in the end, everything worked out for the best.”
This was the Ronald Reagan who had faith, not just in his own gifts and his own future, but in the possibilities of every life. The cheerful spirit that carried him forward was more than a disposition; it was the optimism of a faithful soul who trusted in God’s purposes and knew those purposes to be right and true.
He once said “There’s no question, I am an idealist,” which is another way of saying, “I am an American.”
We usually associate that quality with youth, and yet one of the most idealistic men ever to become president was also the oldest. He excelled in professions that have left many others jaded and self- satisfied, and yet somehow remained untouched by the worst influences of fame or power.
If Ronald Reagan ever uttered a cynical or a cruel or a selfish word, the moment went unrecorded. Those who knew him in his youth and those who knew him a lifetime later all remember his largeness of spirit, his gentle instincts and a quiet rectitude that drew others to him. . . .
For decades, American had waged a Cold War and few believed it could possibly end in our own lifetimes. The president was one of those few. And it was the vision and the will of Ronald Reagan that gave hope to the oppressed, shamed the oppressors and ended an evil empire.
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Please correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t “bicentennial” 200 years? Shouldn’t it be “centennial”?
Don’t give ’em any ammo, it’s a Centennial.
Already changed
It’s a pity that presidents these days are not made out of the same material…..
Posting this link to a photo of Sarah Palin on horseback for Skookum: http://bigjournalism.com/files/2011/02/image003-1.jpg
@Garry: They Ain’t!
I heard this on the radio in the Barn at what was My Grand Dad’s place in Montana but now is mine.
I had just finished reading “Conscience of a Conservative” by Goldwater and Mr. Reagan got my attention with this speech. My Father was fighting his last War in Vietnam and I was in my last year at a Four Room Schoolhouse in Rural Montana before going off High School in Missoula, a one hour bus ride each way.
I was advanced placed to graduate in 3 Years because I had scored high on the old Basic Skills Test and saved the School District some cash on my Education.
Both Reagan and Goldwater were right then and would be right now and I knew it then like I know it now.
I am damn proud to have worked for President Reagan, in Boots and Army Green, not a Suit.
“A Time for Choosing”
Hell Yes… Curt… We do Miss him and although Theodore Roosevelt is my favorite President, Ronald Reagan was the Best Commander in Chief that I ever Served under… Bar None!
I watched it all and I hope they run it again tonight and I will watch it again and will probably shed a few more tears.
Exactly!
Happy Birthday President Reagan!
@Atlanta Roofing HQ: Bill Ayres Ghost wrote Obama’s books so You know where the Hate comes from. Obama can hardly speak without a Teleprompter let alone write a book.
Whether you agree with either man’s politics or not, based on approval ratings Reagan was one of only 2 popular presidents we have had in the last 30 years, the other one being Bill Clinton. Both men were great people persons and very talented public speakers. Perhaps qualities that helped make them popular.
Though I don’t agree with everything Reagan did I do applaud him for the following;
Tax cuts, getting the US into the Montreal Protocol (the one banning CFC’s), fighting communism in El Salvador and Guatemala.
According to the extra’s features on my Independence Day DVD president Reagan made a speech about the possibility of visitors from space back in 1988. Anyone know how accurate this one is?
It amazes me that you can worship at the alter of Ronald Reagan, the president who increased our debt to the highest levels in the history before him–which was only quelled by the administration of Bill Clinton, a Democrat. Only to be turned over to another Republican, who again grew the debt to even higher levels, and was responsible for our present economic condition. Now, instead of giving Obama, another Democrat, a chance at his turn for eight years, they want to put another Republican–who’re proven failures–in charge. Go figure.
@Liberal1 (objectivity):
I guess until you come to terms with the fact that the checks aren’t signed in the Oval Office you will remain in your stupor. Bill Clinton’s failed healthcare debacle, if passed, would have exploded the debt, his reluctance to sign welfare reform would have also had costly implications to the bottom line. But, he was forced into signing off on Welfare Reform and was stopped in his tracks when he lost his Congress, it was the work of his new Republican House Clinton has wrongly taken credit for, could be why you are sooooo confused.
http://www.nypost.com/f/print/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/liberal_myths_vs_reality_NhyLcYahQwWrDcRihW1mKL
Same o, same o, eh?
Reagan had to work with the opposition…. he compromised, they reneged. BTW,
I never said I agreed with everything the man did now did I?
@taylor:
taylor, are you responding to my response to Liberal1 (objectivity)?
From American Thinker…
http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/02/ten_keys_to_president_reagans.html
No Missy. I was responding to how he was saying that I was worshipping the guy when in fact I had already said that I did not agree with everything that he stood for. I was simply listing some of the things that I did applaud him for.
@taylor:
OK, thanks for responding, my dog is on my lap during my computer time and does distract me, excuses, excuses. After pushing Post Comment, I thought that may be the case….all be it…too late.
Welcome to FA!
Thank you for the kind welcome Mary. Just a little about me. I consider myself a reasonable person, who in most cases can agree to disagree. And when I discuss politics I prefer not to use terms such as liberal, moderate, conservative, libertarian, or the like. Because the meaning of those terms is often disputed these days and I believe it’s more important to debate the issues than the meanings of those terms. I am an Independent. I stand for what I believe is right.
Some people tell me that the problem with my political ideas is that they make too much sense.
I said Mary, sorry I meant Missy.
My thoughts on Reagan a few years back, which haven’t really changed:
http://caryscolumn.blogspot.com/search?q=ronald+reagan
@Cary:
In fairness to Reagan on the AIDS issue as well as homosexuality in general.
The actual facts are not always as they are portrayed to be.
@Aye:
I didn’t see that movie. I considered the political views of the producer and didn’t think it would be a fair portrayal. Same reason I’ve never seen Stone’s JFK.