Seeing as I wasn't interested in politics when Reagan was president, I don't have any first-hand knowledge of his presidency. I've become fascinated as to why Reagan is so popular, especially since neither of my parents liked him. So, I'm curious to hear thoughts on Reagan. What do you remember about him? Do you think he was a good president?

About 4-5 years ago a guy named Christopher Black died in a car smash in Arizona, one of the desert states anyway.

So what says you.

Christopher Black was an active Irish Republican involved in assassinations, bombings, kidnappings, robberies, intimidation.

President Reagan allowed this man to be put under the witness protection programme run by the FBI, after he decided to give evidence against his fellow Republicans, while at the same time 'combatting the threat of global terror around the world'.

Nice one Ronnie.

About 4-5 years ago a guy named Christopher Black died in a car smash in Arizona, one of the desert states anyway.

So what says you.

Christopher Black was an active Irish Republican involved in assassinations, bombings, kidnappings, robberies, intimidation.

President Reagan allowed this man to be put under the witness protection programme run by the FBI, after he decided to give evidence against his fellow Republicans, while at the same time 'combatting the threat of global terror around the world'.

Nice one Ronnie.
i'm pretty sure the U.S Marshall Service runs the Witness Protection Program, but that's neither here nor there-how would you get terrorists to testify against other terrorists? would you rather have the Brits just kneecap everyone they suspect, or bring them to justice in the legal system?

i'm pretty sure the U.S Marshall Service runs the Witness Protection Program, but that's neither here nor there-how would you get terrorists to testify against other terrorists? would you rather have the Brits just kneecap everyone they suspect, or bring them to justice in the legal system?
Well you were half right-the legal system. Not a justice system.

British used a 'shoot to kill' policy against people here, whether they were suspects or not, never once was a member of their military brought to court for it.

As for Mr Black-he retracted his evidence and anyone he fingered walked.

Carbon was inquiring about what sort of President Reagan was, I simply showed him a side he wouldnt read about, as its classified.

Well you were half right-the legal system. Not a justice system.

British used a 'shoot to kill' policy against people here, whether they were suspects or not, never once was a member of their military brought to court for it.

As for Mr Black-he retracted his evidence and anyone he fingered walked.

Carbon was inquiring about what sort of President Reagan was, I simply showed him a side he wouldnt read about, as its classified.
then how do you know about it?

I know about it because I knew the man in question.

I know about it because I knew the man in question.
then you must not have known him well-if witnesses change their story, then they don't need relocation and they don't get it.

backtracking a bit-if the Brits had a "shoot to kill" SOP against anyone past those throwing bullets bombs or bricks, why did they need him?

then you must not have known him well-if witnesses change their story, then they don't need relocation and they don't get it.

I knew him well enough.

After he retracted his statements, what were they gonna do, throw him to the wolves, he would have been dead in 24 hours.

The reason they didnt was because all their informers would have dried up, so they were stuck with him.

backtracking a bit-if the Brits had a "shoot to kill" SOP against anyone past those throwing bullets bombs or bricks, why did they need him?

Not back tracking at all.

'Shoot to Kill' was becoming politically disadvantagous for the Brits, so they tried this new tactic, which also failed.

Reagan made people feel good about themselves. He was a friend to the military, and after Jimmy Carter, that was a very good thing.

Reagan was ridiculed the whole time he was in office... and only became a 'good guy' when he was diagnosed with Alzheimers... and a great American hero when he died.

The American public is fickle about our presidents. We bash 'em all when they're in office only to give them great respect once they 'retire.' Other examples... Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter.

;)
SMW

He was a good speaker and sold the American people a lie. He had the largest tax increase in California history. He expanded the federal government. He funded the murderous contras in Nicaragua. He sold missles to Iran. He provided assistance to Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden. And the list goes on!

Reagan was ridiculed the whole time he was in office... and only became a 'good guy' when he was diagnosed with Alzheimers... and a great American hero when he died.

The American public is fickle about our presidents. We bash 'em all when they're in office only to give them great respect once they 'retire.' Other examples... Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter.

;)
SMW

Or once they DIE--like Lincoln. A more unpopular man never held office in this country----north and south.

I think people remember Reagan's Hollywood smile and somehow mix that up with his economic policies. Fitting, I guess, since they were ironically similar.

Like Eisenhower, Reagan was avuncular at a time when the country was looking for a president who could make the people feel good about themselves.

Sounds a lot like Obama to me.

Sounds a lot like Obama to me.

The other way around. The US had a chance to ditch Carter and they did. This little diplomatic incident (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_hostage_crisis) was the gut wrencher on election day & Reagan nailed the door shut when it all went down. The military folks (like me) were real happy to see Ronnie Ray-Guns take office.

Like Eisenhower, Reagan was avuncular at a time when the country was looking for a president who could make the people feel good about themselves.

avuncular
One entry found.

avuncular

Main Entry: avun·cu·lar
Pronunciation: \ə-ˈvəŋ-kyə-lər\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin avunculus maternal uncle — more at uncle
Date: 1831
1 : of or relating to an uncle
2 : suggestive of an uncle especially in kindliness or geniality <avuncular indulgence

Thx for the vocab lesson, Frogger. Gotta love those 3rd semester words!

:flowers:
SMW

I don't know much about Reagan, but I do agree that we like ex-Presidents (the further back the better) a lot better than current ones! I learned all I know about Gerald Ford from those old Saturday Night Live episodes with Chevy Chase playing him and falling down all the time... :p

I don't know much about Reagan, but I do agree that we like ex-Presidents (the further back the better) a lot better than current ones! I learned all I know about Gerald Ford from those old Saturday Night Live episodes with Chevy Chase playing him and falling down all the time... :p

I heard him speak at a conference I attended in Vail, CO once and he was the same ole guy... only older than dirt! I remember thinking all those secret service guys were basically a waste of taxpayer money... who would want to hurt Gerald Ford??? (May he rest in peace) He does have one distinction... he was the longest-living ex-president (93), followed by Reagan's passing (also at 93).

Ronald Reagan was a true patriot and a man's man. Say what you want about Iran contra and his so-called fiscal policy failure (which was rankly untrue considering the slump we were in after Carter left office) - he was a brilliant man, a wonderful speaker, and his foreign policy quelled a potential nuclear war with Russia while it broke their back in two at the same time. He liberated the iron curtain countries, and very effectively played the ends against the middle in shithole countries like Afghanistan. He wasn't afraid of the little people who didn't like him, and he never backed down from anyone.

His humor was biting, and his wit was unmatched. This country will never see another president - er, scratch that, visionary, like Ronald Reagan - god rest his soul.

Flame away, whack jobs.

He always struck me as a good and decent man. That's rare in politics.

He was. A little "out there" on occasion, but a wonderful man and tactician, nonetheless.

He always struck me as a good and decent man. That's rare in politics.

....and Hollywood. I think he was a good man, period.

Seeing as I wasn't interested in politics when Reagan was president, I don't have any first-hand knowledge of his presidency. I've become fascinated as to why Reagan is so popular, especially since neither of my parents liked him. So, I'm curious to hear thoughts on Reagan. What do you remember about him? Do you think he was a good president?
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He was the one who ended the Cold War and thats what he was elected to do.

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He was the one who ended the Cold War and thats what he was elected to do.
Thank you. :)

Reagan was a horrible President.
He slept through office while his subordinates ran amok.

He was the one who ended the Cold War and thats what he was elected to do.

No, actually the soviet union fell under George HW Bush and it was the collective work of every President since Truman who did it.

You will never be able to see past a letter at the end of a politicians name will you dhrama?

No, actually the soviet union fell under George HW Bush and it was the collective work of every President since Truman who did it.

Ronnie Ray-Guns fought the last great battle of the Cold War. Yes, George Bush was the POTUS when the U.S.S.R. finally collapsed, and yes, they all fought the Bear, but Ronald Reagan is the one who gets most folks nod for having actually won it.

:drinktoth