# God Bless Ronald Wilson Reagan ... **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 6, 2004, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886 "2004-06-06T00:38:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![jshore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@jshore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jshore)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886/61 "2004-06-06T03:27:42Z")
> [@SallyStar](#): > > Yo, is what Kerry said about President Reagan true or not? What’s this witnessing crap? It is a very nice and gracious speech honoring in death a man who no doubt had the best intentions in the leadership that he offered our country. And, to be honest, after 4 years of the current President, I do look back nostalgically at Reagan somewhat myself. Sure, there may have been some amount of dishonesty during the Reagan Administration, but if memory serves me, it is nothing like what we are being served up these days. [And, in fact, I think in a subtle way that is what some of what Kerry is saying is getting at…i.e., noting that GW Bush is not nearly so noble a political opponent as Reagan was.] May he rest in peace. ---
**Author:** ![SallyStar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SallyStar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SallyStar)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886/62 "2004-06-06T03:28:24Z")
> [@Early Out](#): > > 'Round here, we have a term for the kind of blunder you’ve just made. 😉 You’re right, calling a US President \*\*rat bastard \*\* caused me to lose my demeanor … I apologize :o ---
**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886/63 "2004-06-06T03:30:02Z")
> [@SallyStar](#): > > Yo, is what Kerry said about President Reagan true or not? Let me see if I can sum up what Kerry said about Reagan: he was a nice guy, he could give an inspiring speech, and we should be nice to his family. What’s to debate? Now, just in case it has escaped your notice, Kerry said absolutely nothing whatsoever complimentary about Reagan’s policies, or the actions he took as President. Not a single word. I’d wager that Kerry probably regards the Reagan years much as I do - as a period of stunningly wrong-headed U.S. policy, both domestic and foreign. So why doesn’t he say that? Well, he’s running for President, and there’s no percentage in pissing in the punch bowl. GWB is fair game, but he gains nothing by attacking Reagan. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886/64 "2004-06-06T03:30:25Z")
> [@Early Out](#): > > **E-Sabbath** is right - this is just a witnessing thread. No rational debate is possible. The OP’s position is entirely faith-based, as is that of **John Carter of Mars**. Their beliefs are evidence-proof. Even if this were so, how would it differ from the self congratulatory circle jerks the Brotherhood Of Bush Bashers[sup]**TM[/sup]** keep conducting in an endless string of threads? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886/65 "2004-06-06T03:35:07Z")
> [@SallyStar](#): > > Yo, is what Kerry said about President Reagan true or not? What’s this witnessing crap? Well let’s go line by line over the portion you highlighted: > [@](#): > > "Ronald Reagan’s love of country was infectious. _Was_ Reagan’s love of his country “infectious?” Not for me. > [@](#): > > Even when he was breaking Democrats hearts, he did so with a smile and in the spirit of honest and open debate. I agree that he smiled while he fucked us in the ass. > [@](#): > > Despite the disagreements, he lived by that noble ideal that at 5 p.m. we weren’t Democrats or Republicans, we were Americans and friends." This is crap. He was a partiasan to the core. So in sum, are Kerry’s word’s true? Not really, but he has to be polite. It’s like complimenting an ugly tie. It’s just a social nicety. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886/66 "2004-06-06T03:38:06Z")
> [@](#): > > What’s this witnessing crap? There are two varieties of threads and posts that are appropriate to the **Great Debates** Forum: 1) actual debates and 2) religious witnessing and proselytizing. The point being expressed is that your OP did not really meet the test of being a debate, having no actual point of discussion. It seemed more appropriate to the **MPSIMS** Forum, where affirmations and accolades are more frequently delivered. However, it was then suggested that it is possible that you meant to post it as a religious expression of your deeply held faith in Mr. Reagan, and that perhaps other posters were being too harsh in condemning your OP. It was suggested that you not be condemned for posting in the wrong Forum provided your OP was viewed as simply a religious homage to your beloved St. Ronald. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886/67 "2004-06-06T03:39:10Z")
> [@SallyStar](#): > > You’re right, calling a US President \*\*rat bastard \*\* caused me to lose my demeanor … I apologize :o Man, are you on the wrong Message Board. 😃 You might want to avoid anything in the Pit with Bush’s name on it. ---
**Author:** ![alaricthegoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886/68 "2004-06-06T03:43:09Z")
> [@SallyStar](#): > > What Kerry said :smack: > > Something equal to Kerry’s would suffice :rolleyes: Tho it pains me to less than 100% hospitable to a “guest” like Bren…i mean Sally Star, credentials might include buying a little bandwidth, ya feel me? ---
**Author:** ![SallyStar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SallyStar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SallyStar)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886/69 "2004-06-06T03:44:51Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > There are two varieties of threads and posts that are appropriate to the **Great Debates** Forum: 1) actual debates and 2) religious witnessing and proselytizing. The point being expressed is that your OP did not really meet the test of being a debate, having no actual point of discussion. It seemed more appropriate to the **MPSIMS** Forum, where affirmations and accolades are more frequently delivered. > However, it was then suggested that it is possible that you meant to post it as a religious expression of your deeply held faith in Mr. Reagan, and that perhaps other posters were being too harsh in condemning your OP. It was suggested that you not be condemned for posting in the wrong Forum provided your OP was viewed as simply a religious homage to your beloved St. Ronald. Wait a second, couldn’t Kerry have just said “my deepest condolences to Nancy and family for the loss of President Reagan” or was he trying to gain some political gain? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886/70 "2004-06-06T03:55:29Z")
> [@SallyStar](#): > > Wait a second, couldn’t Kerry have just said “my deepest condolences to Nancy and family for the loss of President Reagan” or was he trying to gain some political gain? That pretty much IS all he said, in so many words. He gave a polite statement which was complimentary to Reagan without endorsing his policies. That’s how it’s done. ---
**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886/71 "2004-06-06T03:57:28Z")
> [@alaricthegoth](#): > > Tho it pains me to less than 100% hospitable to a “guest” like Bren…i mean Sally Star, credentials might include buying a little bandwidth, ya feel me? Be careful what you wish for. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886/72 "2004-06-06T04:04:01Z")
> [@](#): > > Wait a second, couldn’t Kerry have just said “my deepest condolences to Nancy and family for the loss of President Reagan” or was he trying to gain some political gain? If this was a debating point, would not the title of the thread be “Was Kerry trying to gain some political gain?” ? I’ve no dog in this fight. I disagreed with the anti-Reagn rant in the **BBQ Pit** even before the news that Reagan had died came out (and even though I rate Reagan as one of our four worst presidents), but I see no _debate_ in this thread. I was simply trying to explain the “witnessing” comments that puzzled you. ---
**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886/73 "2004-06-06T04:06:28Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > …I rate Reagan as one of our four worst presidents… This thread desperately needs a good hijacking. Who are the other three? ---
**Author:** ![SallyStar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SallyStar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SallyStar)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886/74 "2004-06-06T04:09:34Z")
> [@Early Out](#): > > This thread desperately needs a good hijacking. Who are the other three? You don’t have to hijack it … Johnson, Carter and Clinton 😛 ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886/75 "2004-06-06T04:16:01Z")
> [@](#): > > Johnson, Carter and Clinton hmmm? Spoken like a knee-jerk right-wing true believer who can only name the Democrats whom she can remember in her lifetime. Actually, Grant and Harding were clearly incompetent for the job. (Earlier incompetents had less effect as the nation was smaller and less powerful.) GWB has taken Reagan’s simple-minded view of the world and his innate dishonesty to a new level of malice and destruction. ---
**Author:** ![SallyStar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SallyStar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SallyStar)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886/76 "2004-06-06T04:23:10Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > So we are left to debate either Kerry’s sincerity, or whether Ron not only had policies some people thought bad but on top of that was really down deep not a genial guy nut a rat bastard. Or whether your thread really belonged here. Ok, what Kerry said about President Reagan, as a politician, is not debatable. What now? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886/77 "2004-06-06T04:23:47Z")
Nitpick: **Sally** , WWII was not preemptive. It started when Hitler invaded Poland. War was declared on him for doing that. If they had declared war on him BEFORE the invasion, then we could argue that it was preemptive. (Or not, but they let him invade and screw with Czechoslovakia). And the US didn’t come in until TWO years later, and it still wasn’t preemptive, the Japanese attacked us at Pearl Harbor. As for Reagan-I’m sorry for his loved ones, and sorry that he had such a horrid disease. But I’m not going to lie and say that I’m sad or that I’m mourning. I’m not. I’m not happy, either. Just…indifferent. ---
**Author:** ![SallyStar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SallyStar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SallyStar)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886/78 "2004-06-06T04:26:17Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > hmmm? > > Spoken like a knee-jerk right-wing true believer who can only name the Democrats whom she can remember in her lifetime. If he were #10, I could have gone back further, but didn’t have to … :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![SallyStar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SallyStar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SallyStar)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886/79 "2004-06-06T04:31:53Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Nitpick: **Sally** , WWII was not preemptive. It started when Hitler invaded Poland. What nonaggression treaty did we have with Poland before Germany invaded? ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2004, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886/80 "2004-06-06T04:41:22Z")
> [@SallyStar](#): > > What nonaggression treaty did we have with Poland before Germany invaded? AFAIR, I don’t think we had one with Kuwait, either. Does that mean the first Gulf War was “preemptive,” in your view? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-bless-ronald-wilson-reagan/248886.md?page=5)