I've had it up to HERE.

[kellinator]

All right. All week I've been quiet about the Reagan media circus, not wishing to court the drama. But fuck it. I'm not going to take it anymore.

How fucking sad am I supposed to be that Reagan died? Look, people die. It happens. A peaceful death at 93 after a long full life is the best that any of us can hope for. And when that death is preceded by the living hell known as Alzheimer's disease -- well, that's a blessing.

Not that Reagan was exactly interested in providing funds for Alzheimer's research during his time in office. Maybe if that had been more important to him than tax cuts for the rich, he wouldn't have had to suffer through that long death -- and neither would have millions of innocents, including my grandmother.

Not to mention all the other diseases that Reagan ignored -- AIDS, anyone?

Despite his own recollections to the contrary, Ronald Reagan spent World War II in Hollywood making movies. Jimmy Stewart took time out from his film career to be a fighter pilot -- and had a clause in his contract that if the film studio tried to get publicity out of that, he'd walk off the set.

Last Sunday should have been dedicated to celebrating and remembering the brave troops who stormed the beaches on D-Day, not Reagan. Don't insult real heroes by comparing them to this man.

What's with all this misguided 80's nostalgia? See if shawnj refreshes your memory. The '80s sucked, and Reagan was a big part of why.

And for those who are convinced that Reagan was a genius -- well, gaiagurl helped me out with this link to some of Reagan's more bizarre quotations.

What set me off to the point of no return was hearing someone say that it won't be as big a deal when Jimmy Carter dies, he won't be as "well-remembered or missed." Whether or not you like his politics, Jimmy Carter has dedicated his life to helping the less fortunate. He is one of my personal heroes and is respected around the world. If people think Ronald Reagan is a better man that Jimmy Carter -- well, maybe the United States is in even worse shape than I thought.

Go ahead. Have your bread and media circuses devised to get Dubya reelected. You get the America you deserve.

(Just wish I'd had the balls to post this earlier in the week. Nobody reads LiveJournal on Friday.)

Comments

[ariedana.livejournal.com]

Until it happens and it's proved otherwise, I think that the Republicans will honor Carter just as much as the Democrats have honored Reagan (and they have - after all, Kerry cancelled all appearances this week and attended the funeral.) That is, if Carter chooses to have the state funeral hoopla. My feeling is that he may elect to be eulogized and buried quietly at the Carter Center. After all, this is the first state funeral in almost 30 years, and ones like Reagan's are even rarer.

I think that, in a sense, the country is mourning the loss of an era more than they're actually mourning the man. A long time ago, I wrote about leaders who could really speak in a way that moves you profoundly in your soul (unlike Dubya, who turns my stomach.) At the time, I was told that Americans don't like to be preached to. But seeing all the speeches this week and his way of speaking (yes, I'm aware he didn't write his speeches) made me realize that he moved people in a way that no one does today. And he also had that air of old, dapper Hollywood and John Wayne and all that stuff in him.

I think that a lot of his policies stunk, and someday I feel sure that history will continue to bear that out. But I don't discredit Americans for showing respect to a dead leader. I don't think Americans respect each other enough, personally.

[kellinator.livejournal.com]

Respect is one thing. Canonization is another.

And no, I don't think the Republicans will respect Carter. I'm bitter.

[mizdandylynn.livejournal.com]

I am sorry Reagan died.. only because I am sorry anyone dies. However, he did live a long and full life. I regret he suffered with Alz.. as did my grandmother and now my father. I hate that for his family. I think there were good and bad things in what happened during Reagan's term in office. I agree that the hoopla is too much. I think it should have had the respect for having served our country 8 years. Good or bad... he served.. and we elected and re-elected him. The intensity of the response however, is a bit disturbing. Carter should be allowed to be mourned the way he chooses... and if that is quietly or with pomp.. then I am for it. As a president, I didn't like Carter.. but I respect everything he stood for and for the work he has done since. He truly has done service to our country in many ways others can only dream of. I think we should respect them both.. and each other.. but yes... the extreme behavior of this last week has been too intense.

[lunza.livejournal.com]

I think they may honor Carter as a good man ... now Clinton ... just wait for THAT one.