As a lifelong democrat, I just want to say to those who admired Ronald Reagan that I’m sorry for your loss. I understand that Ronald Reagan was important to many of you and that your saddened by the news of his death.
I look forward to fighting tooth and nail with you all again on the field of political battle and in the voting booth, but this week you have my condolences.
Incredibly classy of you, my friend.
Thank you.
I welcome the condolences, madmonk28, and offer them back. For Ronald Reagan, while a political opponent, was your President too.
In a similar vein, I was a political opponent of Bill Clinton’s. But he was my President. He was my Commander-in-Chief when I was in the Navy. And, when he passes, I will be sorry to see him go.
I think a lot of our lost civility could be regained if we could just take this attitude again. So I welcome your post as an expression of this.
I agree, we have to return to an attitude that all sides have the best interest of society in mind, but disagree about how to go about it.
I think the passing of President Reagan is an excellent opportunity for all of us to embrace this new attitude.
Thank you very much for your sentiments. They come at a time when I was begining to give up on this board. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
If I may offer some little bit back. I agree that we need to return to a way of thinking about politics where opponents do not demonize each other. Reagan may offer an opportunity. However, I think Clinton might as well. I saw him on booknotes talking about his new book. He impressed me like I never thought he could. Basically by espousing the attitude you expressed in your last post.
Here’s hoping that we can all (and a pledge to do my part) try understanding political opposition rather than demonizing it.
Thanks again for the thread.
What classy sentiments here. Wow…I am truly impressed.
Whether you like someone’s politics or not I don’t understand rejoicing at anyone’s death.
I try to always think that somewhere there is a wife/husband/mother/father/child/sister/brother/friend that loved that person regardless of whether anyone else did or not. For them, I always feel sorrow for.
I didn’t always like Reagan but I’m sorry he and his family suffered the indignity of Alzheimer’s and I would feel the exact same way be it Clinton or Bush or any other President to come.
He was the first president I remember (I was born in 1976) but seeing as I was a kid, I paid no attention to politics – however, he was the president, and that was a Big Deal to me. It’s a bit like the end of an era. I also am quite sure that I’d strongly disagree with his politics now, but otherwise he seemed like a decent man doing a really hard job. He wasn’t perfect, but who is?
I think there’s a fair number of people out there who are thinking along these lines.
Thank you madmonk. While Ronnie wasn’t politically perfect, he was a very decent guy and yes, it was more than a little distressing to see so many either dancing on his grave or saying “Cool, a day off.”
Like Mr. Moto said, some of us weren’t fans of Mr. Clinton but we certainly wish him no harm and will, someday, be saddened at his loss.
Your thoughtful, sensitive approach is much appreciated and duly noted.
So I’m not the only one? I was beginning to think my skin had gotten a little thin, but I was appalled and dismayed by some of the sentiments expressed here. I was wondering if I would renew my membership next year. (Not that anyone would miss me much, ;))
I just don’t understand all the personal attacks. Disagree with a man’s politics, fine, but there’s no reason to wish him ill or dead or insult him personally.
Thanks for the thoughts, madmonk28. He was a great man, and a great American.
And he was your President too. Just like (swallows hard) Clinton was my President too. And I hope when Clinton dies, I can react with the same class as you.
Regards,
Shodan
Not the only one I’m sure. I’m going to have to take a leave of absence. It’s just too disturbing to see a place I love so much behave so inappropriately.
You’re a class act, madmonk28. Thank you.
madmonk28, let me add my name to those who are thanking you for your kind remarks. Like Shodan, I hope when the time comes for me to show the same class and compassion regarding someone on the other side I can be as big a person as you are.
And let me jump on board with madmonk28. Sadly, I’ve had to criticize many of my left-leaning friends (who I agree with on almost everything) over the past few days for their blatant lack of respect for the dead, much less for a dead president. Some have said they were glad he died. Others have said they wished that Kerry would keep campaigning and even use Reagan’s death as a springboard for attacking the ideas, programs and movements that came out of his administration.
These people, my friends, are obviously wrong.
By the way, major kudos to Kerry, whose statement on Reagan’s death was eloquent, humorous, and completely respectful while acknowledging the stark political differences between the two men.
Sometime this week, late at night, some of my friends and I will visit the Capitol rotunda and pay our proper respects. I will do so as an American, and nothing more.
I, too, am an opponent of Reagan’s politics, but am sad to see him go. He did fight with almost every means possible (save war) to bring down Communist Russia, and did so successfully. For that kind of determination, he must be admired.
As for these boards, ever since we’ve had to pay, I’ve noticed a definite drop-off in quality. There just isn’t the same jovial attitude around here anymore. If it weren’t for Rue’s MMPs, I would be very tempted to leave this place. I think you will see the boards become a much less belligerant place after November, though.
I’m glad someone else said this too. I didn’t like what Reagan did as president, and I don’t think I’ll vote Republican for the foreseeable future, but some of the sentiments expressed in the Pit and elsewhere here made me question this place’s collective sanity. I’ve been here for years and I don’t think I’ve ever felt that way about any subject here.
To those here who have celebrated Reagan’s death: focus your energy and vitriol for the men of the present, not the man from the past. Let Reagan rest in peace now. One day, your hero will die, too, and you would want the same measure of respect from your opponents.
Why should we stifle opinion simply because someone died? Is there a standard time of grieving before we can show our true emotions? I’m glad he’s been relieved of his suffering, and Having seen what althzimers did to my grandfather I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. but I don’t think people should bite their tounge and refrain from fighting ignorance just because the subject matter has recently deceased.
No one said anything about “stifling opinion.” They’re just asking for a little civility, whaich really has been lacking around here lately.
Characterizing political debates as fighting ignorance is also a little disingenuous. There’s obviously no single political “truth” or there wouldn’t be a debate in the first place.
Personally, I agree that now is an appropriate time to take a look at Reagan’s legacy with a clear eye, but the reason I posted this message was that I saw people taking delight in other people’s suffering.
I’m not a Republican, I didn’t like many of Reagan’s policies, but I can understand that some of my countrymen (countrypeople?) feel differently and that they feel sad right now.
I’m distressed to see people not just wanting to score a point in a political debate, but to actually wound people emotionally, to really hurt them.
On the whole I think people affected personally about the loss of a former national leader is not necessarily a bad thing. Their depth of feeling shows that they care as deeply as I do about our society. It suggests to me that perhaps we have more in common than I had previously thought.
I’m eager to look at what I see as Reagan’s shortcomings with his supporters, but I’m not willing to kick them when they’re down.
As for an appropriate period, I think one week of mourning is not too much to ask. Let’s let them bury him before taking the gloves off.
And for the folks on the other side of the aisle: I think Jimmy Carter is the greatest ex-president (his presidency is another matter) this nation has ever had. When his time comes, please remember this thread and how you feel this week.
there’s also a difference between political debate and writing hagiographies, which is what I object to.