Ronald Reagan is my favorite president for two reasons. First, he was a man of integrity. Peggy Noonan writes, "Ronald Reagan loved the truth...He thought the truth is the only foundation on which can be built something strong and good and lasting--because only truth endures. Lies die. He thought that in politics and world affairs in his time there had been too many lies for too long, and that they had been uniquely destructive. And so his public career was devoted to countering that destructiveness by speaking the truth, spreading it and repeating it."
On top of all that, he was a great conservative. This combination of conservativism and integrity led to a clarity on the dangers of communism. Peggy Noonan attributes Reagan's success in the battle against communism to his high regard for the truth. She writes, "The great novelist Alexander Solzhenitsyn wrote that it is only when people refuse to lie, with all the courage involved in that refusal, that dictators and dictatorships fall. That was the amazing thing Ronald Reagan did when he looked at the Soviet Union. He refused to lie, and with his words the fall of the ugliest dictatorship of human history began. And nine months after he walked out of the White House, the Berlin Wall crashed to the ground. Though of course it didn't fall. It was pushed."
Peggy Noonan, a special assistant to Ronald Reagan, is a terrific writer. If you want to know more about this great president check out her book, When Character was King: A Story of Ronald Reagan. And, if you're interested in knowing more about the problems with communism, you might enjoy the DVD's Commanding Heights. The Editor and I love watching documentaries, and this one is among the best.
2 comments:
I found this via the Rebelution, and saw the first line "introducing Isaac." Since that's my name, I have to comment. :D
I love Ronald Reagan! While he was by no means perfect, it's not every day you get a man who has defended the divinity of Jesus Christ on public radio...who runs for President (and wins landslides). May the Lord give us more lmen who are bold in their faith and firm in their convictions to lead this nation!
Isaac, I agree heartily w/ your summation of Ronald Reagan. His legacy proved rich at the time of his death. So many remembered him with great and certain fondness. He is one of my favorites as well. If George W. Bush was a bit more humble, he'd be my absolute fav (what'd ya expect? He calls "Texas" his home! :o).
Isaac, you probably don't remember me, but I am a friend of your mom's. Our family lives in Michigan. We have 6 boys and 1 little girl. If you're not too busy, Isaac, perhaps you could come and teach my boys how to write so well :o).
I hope your mom is feeling better.
Sincerely,
Camy
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