February 6, 2011, - 1:23 pm
Happy 100th Birthday, Ronald Reagan
As you probably know, today is late President Ronald Reagan’s 100th birthday. I had the honor and pleasure of meeting President Reagan several times. And each time it was a magical experience, unlike any other. He was at once your cool uncle or grandfather and a smart, funny guy with wisdom and charisma well beyond the average American, but still with the sensibilities of and ability to relate to the everyday, Main Street American. A special and great man, indeed. And a patriot and class act, every step of the way. He made us proud to be Americans. And, despite the many frauds today who deign to wear the Reagan mantle, he was a true conservative. The GE and portion of his farewell address as President (from January 11, 1989) capture the best of this great American. They are must watch stuff.
As we know, Ronald Reagan reversed double digit inflation and the “malaise days” brought to us by Jimmy Carter. Hostages were released from Iran, as he was sworn into office. Reagan supported Israel, our only friend in the Middle East, despite some anti-Israel, anti-Semitic officials in his administration, including James “F— the Jews” Baker III and Patrick J. Buchanan. His tax cuts–until they were rolled back by a Democrat-controlled Congress through DEFRA and TEFRA–were effective in bringing America back from the brink. Ronald Reagan took off the “Kick Me” sign on America’s back in the United Nations and around the world–NOT by pandering and delivering speeches in Cairo about how the execrable Islam is great, but by appointing tough, hard-nosed ambassadors to the UN, including the courageous Jean Kirkpatrick and her deputy, Alan Keyes (yes, that Alan Keyes). They commanded the world’s respect through strength, not Islamo-pandering and cuddling up with the Third World.
Me w/ the Great Ronald Reagan, White House, 1987
And Ronald Reagan defeated Communism too close to home in Nicaragua by supporting the Contras, which ultimately led to the fall of Daniel “Gucci glasses” Ortega. Sadly, as I warned and noted repeatedly on this site, President Bush neglected our hemisphere in favor of calling for “democracy” in the Islamic Middle East, and Ortega is back in power, plus we see the results in Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Yemen, etc., today. Ronald Reagan inspired America and the world to do better and to strive for more. He didn’t inspire insurrections by sending American boys to do to hand over a country from Sunni secular dictatorship to Iranian-backed Shi’ite fundamentalism. He knew America should not nation build and shouldn’t insist on the affairs of other countries. The Bush and Obama Presidencies would embarrass him.
Ronald Reagan was a fighter and a man of courage. But it is important to remember, along with Ronald Reagan’s many achievements and sweeping positive change he brought to America, his greatest mistake. In 1983, when Hezbollah and P.L.O. terrorists (along with help from the Assad Syrian government) bombed the U.S. Marine barracks (while our Marines slept) and the U.S. Embassy, they killed over 300 Marines and civilians. But Ronald Reagan did not respond, and it was his greatest failure. Instead, he pulled out of Lebanon, with America going home with its tail between its legs. Because he did not respond, Hezbollah terrorists continued to terrorize and slaughter Americans, including the 1985 hijacking of TWA Flight 847 and torture murder of Navy Diver Robert Dean Stethem, and the subsequent kidnappings and torture-murders of Col. Rich Higgins and CIA attache William Buckley. Reagan’s cowardly Beirut pull-out and non-response is something Osama Bin Laden and much of the Islamic terrorist world repeatedly cites as showing America does not have the will to fight and defeat Islamic terrorists. And it should be a lesson to America, as much as the many other important lessons Ronald Reagan taught us about lowering taxes to stimulate the economy and peace through strength to win the Cold War against Communism.
Despite the liberal media’s savaging and vilification of Reagan, throughout his political career, he is remembered and admired more fondly and positively, today, than at any time during his Presidency. That is a tribute to his many achievements. And it shows us that the truth sometimes prevails over the lies of those who hate true conservatives.
There has never been another Ronald Reagan, and, sadly, there probably never will be. The comparisons with the empty-headed moron with nice hair from Alaska are pure idiocy. She and the others will never be him. Not even close.
Happy 100th, President Reagan. We miss you. And America needs another one like you. How sad that there isn’t one.
Anti-photogenic: Me & Ronald Wilson Reagan, White House, 1987
***
Here’s the text of President Reagan’s touching letter announcing he had Alzheimer’s disease. And, ending on a positive Reagan-esque note, after that, I’ve posted the Reagan PSA which will run, today, just before Super Bowl kick-off.
November 5, 1994
My fellow Americans, I have recently been told that I am one of the millions of Americans who will be afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease.
Upon learning this news, Nancy and I had to decide whether as private citizens we would keep this a private matter or whether we would make this news known in a public way. In the past, Nancy suffered from breast cancer and I had my cancer surgeries. We found through our open disclosures we were able to raise public awareness. We were happy that as a result, many more people underwent testing. They were treated in early stages and able to return to normal, healthy lives.
So now we feel it is important to share it with you. In opening our hearts, we hope this might promote greater awareness of this condition. Perhaps it will encourage a clearer understanding of the individuals and families who are affected by it.
At the moment I feel just fine. I intend to live the remainder of the years God gives me on this Earth doing the things I have always done. I will continue to share life’s journey with my beloved Nancy and my family. I plan to enjoy the great outdoors and stay in touch with my friends and supporters.
Unfortunately, as Alzheimer’s disease progresses, the family often bears a heavy burden. I only wish there was some way I could spare Nancy from this painful experience. When the time comes, I am confident that with your help she will face it with faith and courage.
In closing, let me thank you, the American people, for giving me the great honor of allowing me to serve as your president. When the Lord calls me home, whenever that day may be, I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future.
I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead.
Thank you, my friends. May God always bless you.
Sincerely,
Ronald Reagan
Tags: 100th birthday, Beirut, Birthday, Happy 100th Birthday, Happy Birthday, Hezbollah, Marine barracks bombing, Marines, President Reagan, President Ronald Reagan, Ronald Reagan, Ronald Wilson Reagan, US Embassy Bombing, video
Actually, I really like the pictures of you with Reagan – you look good-happy, inspired and energized. What a thrill to have met him! What a treasure those photos are. Thanks for sharing.
Cat K on February 6, 2011 at 1:47 pm