Ronald Wilson Reagan

[Xar]

As you probably read on the news, Ronald Reagan died from complications with pneumonia at a good age of 93 today. I just wanted to start a thread in honor of him, since likely many of you grew up and went through interesting times with him in presidency. Despite anyone's political leanings, most would agree that he was a great man who was dedicated, caring, and strong in his principle and stance.

I was really sad when I heard the news. I know he lived a long life of stardom and politics, with a charisma and genuineness rarely seen in those circles. Some of the most poignant memories for me at least involve world issues in which he was eloquent and comforting.

So hats off to a great president, he was an awesome american.

[Gaviani]

Alzheimer's is a slow, corrosive, horrible way to end such a life. Few people truly "deserve" such a fate, but Reagan least amongst any. The only consolation is that least he finally attained some measure of peace again.

This is certainly a sad day.

[Nikira]

Much like a rare few, Reagan rose above anything ever said against him. Its not often a president comes to the plate who has the charisma to lead the country, he definately fit the bill. I only wish we could find another one of those for our age.

No matter if one was a Democrat, Republican, Communist, whatever . . . he was a great man and I hope he lives free of his illness now.

[Dorain]

R.I.P. Ronaldus Magnus

[Sioubisae]

May dear Ronnie meet up with all the souls of AIDS victims who died during his term in office. 8 years passed as the epidemic grew and he kept silent on the subject.

[Talsek]

What a total piece of shit post. People do good things, and people fuck up (both can be quite subjective, especially in the case of a president). When they die, you try to focus on the good stuff. Your post is the equivalent of interrupting the eulogy of a friend to bitch about the time he cheated in poker.

[Sioubisae]

I have been to more funerals than a person my age should. Yeah, he may have done some good things. But he wasn't a saint. Millions have died because he refused to utter a single word about this disease that was labeled "gay pneumonia" when it first started. As a result, so many in Africa and other undeveloped countries are now suffering when this disease could've had research started 8 years earlier.

This is MY memory of Ronald Reagan and the results of his actions, with tears streaming down my face as yet another person died who in the end looked wasted, with brain damage, pneumonia, green gook growing in their throats. My memory of having to comfort the survivors, telling them it's not their fault they didn't catch the disease but their lovers did.

Cheating in poker???? HAH! As ACT UP said, SILENCE = DEATH!

[Talsek]

If you've been to so many funerals, then somewhere along the line you should have learned some decency. I don't have strong feelings about Reagan one way or the other, and whether you're justified in your bitching isn't even the question. It just reeks of poor taste to toss your sour two cents onto a body that's barely cold.

I realize that my lashing out is equally out of place in such a thread, so perhaps I can't say much :P. My apologies to the other readers for sucking the thread off course.

[Katidyd]

Reagan proves an actor can be president. That's what I'll remember him for.

[Graeblyn]

Originally posted by Sioubisae
I have been to more funerals than a person my age should. Yeah, he may have done some good things. But he wasn't a saint. Millions have died because he refused to utter a single word about this disease that was labeled "gay pneumonia" when it first started. As a result, so many in Africa and other undeveloped countries are now suffering when this disease could've had research started 8 years earlier.

This is MY memory of Ronald Reagan and the results of his actions, with tears streaming down my face as yet another person died who in the end looked wasted, with brain damage, pneumonia, green gook growing in their throats. My memory of having to comfort the survivors, telling them it's not their fault they didn't catch the disease but their lovers did.

Cheating in poker???? HAH! As ACT UP said, SILENCE = DEATH!

Unfortunately, this is a VERY common viewpoint in the "gay community" and a good example of that can be seen at the gay news site gaytoday.com by clicking here (Disclaimer: this news site has some risque banner ads)

I don't know what to make of it all. Part of my disagreement with the demonization of Reagan might be my relatively young age. Then too, I don't really see AIDS survivori advocacy as a gay rights issue, and in fact, would much rather the two were NOT so closely linked, especially since the typical victim on the AIDS war front is a poor african tribal woman, not an American gay man. In any event, I don't understand how Reagan can be blamed for singlehandedly killing so many bright young men, when for one thing, he neither CREATED the AIDS virus, nor did he prohibit research. I wonder if research dollars had been diverted from other causes, which cause would you pick? Breast Cancer, perhaps? Yes, I suppose that you can pick a bunch of pork barrel projects and slash them all, giving more money for AIDS research, but we can ALWAYS do that, even during the Clinton years. I just don't get the argument.