This week has been really fascinating in the news, what with the hagiographies on our late President, new revelations about official torture and tortured justifications for it, and I'm finding that "blogging" is fun, not just for what the "blogger" says but also for all the bright things that people say in response. I've been planning to work on this blog all week, and right now I wish I had done so sooner. I have articles for each day of this week.
Truth is this is a week when the country is in mourning. But I'm not. Oh I cried a little reading some of the articles on our late President. But...
I can't get caught up in all the hooplah. The man was okay. On some issues he "done right" on others he "done wrong." On identifying the wrongs of Communism he was right up there with Ayn Rand, Arthur Koestler, HG Wells and other Ikons of the intellectual side of the anti-communism movement. On other matters though his legacy is worse than mixed. He introduced a fantasy quality to political life that was charming to listen to but mythical in nature. So I can't get caught up in the hooplah. Instead what I can do is to read about the guy and reflect about that legacy. And share some of the quotes and thoughts here. I hope we all will do this this week. A lot of people are thinking of the death of Julius Ceasar. This is appropriate as both friends and foes want to use this death as an excuse to advance their cause. Some feel really hurt.
Those involved with certain Issues hurt more than others: AIDS, poverty, Unions, worker rights, freedom from right wing torturers.
Some praise him; people living under Communist tyranny, his backers, those who loved the "myth of him as the man on Horseback." Fundamentalists of all stripes except Marxism. They love him.
But me, I thought he was a great actor.
Posted by cholte at June 10, 2004 01:02 PMChris and all -
We also lost a great artist today. Ray Charles passed away at his home. I had the pleasure of seeing him perform live a few years back. He will be missed.
Namaste, Engyo Mike Barrett
Posted by: Engyo Mike Barrett at June 10, 2004 01:58 PMHi Chris;
Yes..blogging seems to be the future...
Don't know why but I have lost any desire to participate in forums and groups. Blogs just sort of leave your thoughts out there and if someone responds after reading...great..if not...maybe next time...Mostly the groups bore me but blogs even if I totally disagree with the person leave me with a sense knowing that person just a little more. People are interesting. Even seeing your photo was a surprise as you look so different to how I imagined...so much jollier! lol.
As for President Reagan. I watched the arrival of his casket at the Capitol last night and two things came to mind.
One: No matter how much I disagreed with Mr Reagan and all he represented he was a speactacular character, for better or worse you remember him. In light of what is happening in Russia now I can't quite agree with you that the smashing of communism was such a great step forward (there) however Reagan was a great man and while we will forget all the Bushes and Clintons we will remember Reagan.
Two:
Ronnie and Nancy.
To see Mrs Reagan saying farewell to her husband was very moving. It is obvious that this was a great love story. While they both represented values that I despise (politically) I am very moved by the love they had for eachother. I suppose in the end that is more important than anything else. Human emotions trancend politics.
In a way I was also moved by the pictures I saw today of Maggie Thatcher at the casket. She looked so weak and sad. Such an antithesis of what she used to be.Iron Lady no more. I suppose she is human after all....
Best, Jussi.
I've been watching and reading the coverage on Reagan's life and death over the last week. I have been struck by something. I haven't seen any African American mourners.
It's one of those habits that I have had (find the black people on TV) ever since I was a child. It's one of those things that some of us people of color do.
I don't think Reagan's politics and policies touched many people of color in a postitive way. Yes, I am sad for his family, for their struggles caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease for many years. I don't have a positive emotion for what he stood for.
Dr. Mimi
Posted by: Dr. Mimi at June 10, 2004 05:57 PMIn watching the mourning for Reagan all last week the thing that struck me was the love Ronnie and Nancy had for each other. It was inspiring and moving. If you look at how hard it is just to stay married for any length of time, much less maintain the passion over a long period of time, and then to look at the Reagans it is inspiring. I must say Bush Jr's comments about the only time Ronnie got lonely was when Nancy left the room got my tears going again for like the millionth time that day. Don't know why I cried so much. Probably because I really felt for Nancy having to say goodbye to her husband of 52 years. It was all just so sad. She just looked so lost and sad and vunerable. I'll stop now so I don't start to cry again.
Bye.
Posted by: Bridget at June 15, 2004 10:04 PM