# President Reagan in final hours? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 5, 2004, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-reagan-in-final-hours/248803 "2004-06-05T14:17:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-reagan-in-final-hours/248803/1 "2004-06-05T14:17:23Z")
According to [USA Today](http://usatoday.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=USATODAY.com+-+Source%3A+President+Reagan%27s+health+takes+turn+for+worse&expire=&urlID=10648166&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fnews%2Fwashington%2F2004-06-05-reagan_x.htm&partnerID=1660). Regardless of how you feel about the man politically, I feel for his family. We dealt with Ivylad’s father’s decline over three months. I can’t imagine dealing with a dying family member for \*ten years[i/]. The Reagan family is in my thoughts and prayers. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-reagan-in-final-hours/248803/2 "2004-06-05T14:26:36Z")
He can’t be dying, he has to stick around so he can die a week or two before the election. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-reagan-in-final-hours/248803/3 "2004-06-05T14:39:39Z")
Gotta love this part of the URL for that page: +Source%3A+President+Reagan27s+health+takes+turn+for+worse\*\*&expire\*\*=&urlID :smack: But seriously…I watched both my father and my wife’s grandmother go in this same, slow manner. No fun at all. Here’s sending positive thoughts the Regan family way. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-reagan-in-final-hours/248803/4 "2004-06-05T14:55:40Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > He can’t be dying, he has to stick around so he can die a week or two before the election. I don’t get it. What’s the punchline? A man is dying, and you can only think of the sympathy votes? Is that it? ---
**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 5, 2004, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-reagan-in-final-hours/248803/5 "2004-06-05T15:01:25Z")
I think **Otto** is, correctly, anticipating the deification of Reagan that will accompany his passing. By the time the GOP is finished eulogizing him, he’ll replace The Holy Ghost in the Trinity. What’s that you say, you can’t imagine the GOP using his death to political advantage? You need to get out more. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-reagan-in-final-hours/248803/6 "2004-06-05T15:07:15Z")
My prediction: June 10. I’m only predicting, not anticipating, so no need to accuse me of planning dance steps on his tomb. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-reagan-in-final-hours/248803/7 "2004-06-05T15:08:47Z")
If he does, expect Nancy to go this year also. You see it happe at the time, spouses don’t wat to live without the other ad they were according to all acounts, particularly close. ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-reagan-in-final-hours/248803/8 "2004-06-05T15:15:13Z")
This line bugs me: > [@](#): > > The White House was told his health has deteriorated and “the time is getting close,” according to the person familiar with Reagan’s health, who did not want to be identified out of sensitivity to the family. The family’s Chief of Staff says that there’s nothing to report, which means that either 1) this isn’t true OR (more likely) the rumor is true but they don’t want it to be public yet. So how is this person’s staying anonymous out of sensitivity to the family? What, s/he doesn’t want to hurt the family’s feelings by saying “My name is Joe Bigmouth. But they won’t mind if I divulge the very private nature of Reagan’s wellbeing…”? What crap. Let the man die in peace and privacy. We have no need to know ahead of time. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-reagan-in-final-hours/248803/9 "2004-06-05T15:24:05Z")
You pretty much got it there, **Crazy**. This person apparently feels that not identifying themself as the media mole in their midst is being sensitive. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-reagan-in-final-hours/248803/10 "2004-06-05T15:24:27Z")
Hmmm. First President I was old enough to talk about semi-intelligently. First and most futile vote I got to cast, absentee, for Mondale vs. him in '84. (And my next vote was for Dukakis, woo and hoo). We made fun of him when I was in college, but time has proven him right about a couple more things than he was given credit for. He’s fought his way up from humble beginnings and lived the American Dream with all its ups and downs and deceptions and glories. May God take him home soon and peacefully. Everybody but Larry Kramer might be surprised at how sad they’ll feel when they hear the news. ---
**Author:** ![syncrolecyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-reagan-in-final-hours/248803/11 "2004-06-05T15:34:02Z")
As discrete as his family has been about his health, I think this indicates his death is imminent, if he isn’t actually dead now. His family isn’t going to just let this leak out, they are preparing people for the announcement. I think that for someone who is now 93, and has had Alzheimer’s for at least twelve years, he has been remarkably resilient. ---
**Author:** ![elfbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b782af/32.png) [@elfbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfbabe)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-reagan-in-final-hours/248803/12 "2004-06-05T20:36:17Z")
> [@vanilla](#): > > If he does, expect Nancy to go this year also. Man, I hope not. She’s about the only thing preventing his complete deification. Remember when they were going to try to replace Roosevelt with Reagan on the dime but stopped because of her disapproval? ---
**Author:** ![SallyStar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SallyStar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SallyStar)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-reagan-in-final-hours/248803/13 "2004-06-05T20:40:03Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > According to [USA Today](http://usatoday.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=USATODAY.com+-+Source%3A+President+Reagan%27s+health+takes+turn+for+worse&expire=&urlID=10648166&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fnews%2Fwashington%2F2004-06-05-reagan_x.htm&partnerID=1660). > > Regardless of how you feel about the man politically, I feel for his family. We dealt with Ivylad’s father’s decline over three months. I can’t imagine dealing with a dying family member for \*ten years[i/]. > > The Reagan family is in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless ---
**Author:** ![OrganicMatter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/898d66/32.png) [@OrganicMatter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OrganicMatter)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-reagan-in-final-hours/248803/14 "2004-06-05T20:53:50Z")
He has died. ---
**Author:** ![robgruver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@robgruver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robgruver)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-reagan-in-final-hours/248803/15 "2004-06-05T20:56:43Z")
[Goodbye Mr. President](http://abcnews.go.com/sections/SciTech/US/reaganobit040605-1.html) ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-reagan-in-final-hours/248803/16 "2004-06-05T20:59:22Z")
Can’t find a reference on the Web, but I saw this in the “Capital Watch” section of Friday’s [Seattle Times](http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/home/): > [@](#): > > . . . A bill that would replace American Indian guide Sacagawea on the front of the dollar with **U.S. Presidents** was approved on a voice vote by the House Financial Services Committee yesterday (Bolding mine) Wonder if they knew something we didn’t? ---
**Author:** ![Roadwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@Roadwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roadwalker)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-reagan-in-final-hours/248803/17 "2004-06-05T21:01:00Z")
I hope all the good he did is remembered. Growing up, I was mostly exposed to the jokes about him. "_tear down this wall"_ ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-reagan-in-final-hours/248803/18 "2004-06-05T21:10:04Z")
Interestingly enough, CNN heaped praise on him. Here is my own transcript of a portion of their report I just saw: Ronald Reagan connected with most Americans. His humor, his confidence, even his flaws seemed to reinforce his bond with a wide array of citizens. In crises, Reagan’s formidible communications skills could reassure a nation — after 241 marines died in Lebanon in a terrorist attack, after the Challenger tragedy… he projected vision and vigor, strength and optimism about America. He believed in its innate goodness. He often refered to it as a shiny city upon a hill. And he closed his presidency accordingly… [Reagan’s voice] She still stands strong and true on the granite ridge, and her glow is held steady no matter what storm. My friends, we did it. We weren’t just marking time; we made a difference. We made the city stronger. We made the city freer. And we left her in goods hands. All in all, not bad. Not bad at all. And so goodbye, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-reagan-in-final-hours/248803/19 "2004-06-05T21:10:26Z")
It finally happened ☹ I always liked Reagan. He was the first president that I can remember. Maybe it’s just because he looked like such a cheerful, grandfatherly guy, but I’ve always thought well of him. It sucks that he spent the last ten years dying of Alzheimers, but it’s his family that really suffered because of it. Hopefully, now that he’s at peace everyone can finally move on. > [@](#): > > Wonder if they knew something we didn’t? Not necessarily. Rumors that Ronny was on death’s door have been circulating for over a month. ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-reagan-in-final-hours/248803/20 "2004-06-05T21:11:58Z")
Farewell Dutch. Life was good for me when you were in office, thank you very much. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-reagan-in-final-hours/248803.md?page=2)