Ronald Reagan, R.I.P.

June 5th, 2004

Ronald W. Reagan (1911-2004)

The nation’s 40th President ended his journey with Alzheimer’s Disease that led him into the sunset of his life today. He was 93.

An online memorial has been set up by the Reagan Presedential Library.

When Reagan was president, I was too young to vote, but I was fired up with misplaced hatred toward him. I used to believe the hype, and even stirred up a fuss when I wrote a pro-Mondale op-ed for my high school paper which viciously attacked President Reagan.

As I grew older, I came to respect his leadership and his achievements, even though I didn’t agree with them at the time. Also, I came around to regret that I wrote such a vicious screed.

When he announced to the world a decade ago that he was afflicted with Alzheimer’s, my respect gave way to appreciation for what he did as president, and deepest sympathies for his being stricken with an illness that I wouldn’t dare wish upon my worst enemy.

The announcement of Reagan’s passing left me with a lump in my throat as well. Regardless of what others may say of him and his life, he was a man who embodied statesmanship when America needed it.

I will miss him.


Filed under Headlines | Comments (9)

9 Responses to “Ronald Reagan, R.I.P.”

  1. Ramblings' Journal on June 5, 2004 June 5, 2004 - 4:53 pm

    Let the mudslinging begin…
    The left has lost little time in beginning their smearing of Reagan.CNN: Reagan will be remembered for his action against the air traffic controller’s unionReagan not only fired the controllers but also refused to negotiate with the union while it…

  2. Right Wing News on June 5, 2004 June 5, 2004 - 9:38 pm

    Some Of The Saturday Reactions To Reagan’s Passing From Around The Blogosphere
    “I hated him when he was President. Now I’m a 38 year-old man who can’t stop crying. And that’s…

  3. IXLNXS on June 5, 2004 June 5, 2004 - 10:57 pm

    Unlike Bush I’ll give him a week of respected mourning before attacking any claims towards the greatness of his presidency.

    Bush I am not sure of. The Christian me says we should pray for our leaders. But since Bush took office I have only prayed he would leave.

  4. Insults Unpunished on June 5, 2004 June 5, 2004 - 11:10 pm

    A Look Back At Reagan
    I wasn’t going to write any more about Reagan today until I realized that tomorrow is the anniversary of D-Day. Tomorrow is a day for the veterans of WW2 and the people who currently serve in the military. I won’t be writing about Reagan tomorrow a…

  5. Jim on June 6, 2004 June 6, 2004 - 7:21 pm

    I try to avoid slinging mud at dead people. Besides, no human being is perfect, to include Presidents.

  6. Right Wing News on June 6, 2004 June 6, 2004 - 7:59 pm

    Reaction To Reagan’s Passing From Around The Blogosphere
    “I hated him when he was President. Now I’m a 38 year-old man who can’t stop crying. And that’s…

  7. Darmon Thornton on June 7, 2004 June 7, 2004 - 7:52 pm

    “Respect is due the bereaved, as well as to those who have a good feeling about him. It’s just the decent thing to do.”
    –Max Sawicky

    Max despised Reagan, but he sets the right example here. Now is not the time for rancor .

  8. Negrophile on June 9, 2004 June 9, 2004 - 8:28 pm

    Mourning Ronald Reagan differently and more diffidently.
    Several black lawmakers said they had mixed reactions to Reagan’s death, though many were sensitive about disparaging a deceased president. “It’s not really mourning. We recognize him as the 40th president of the United States,” said Rep. Diane Wat…

  9. Retread on June 16, 2004 June 16, 2004 - 12:20 pm

    I realize I’m late to the party here, commenting on this post over a week and a half after it was posted, but I must say thank you for an honest, thoughful and well-mannered post.

    I wasn’t too young to vote for President Reagan, and did, twice, so I remember his attitude that we can disagree without being disagreeable. Your post shows that you have the same attitude, and it is refreshing to see. Given the number of posts I’ve seen on other blogs this week that are anything but, I had to say thank you to you.

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