“Well, Ronald Reagan wasn’t very smart either” (But he was a Great Man)

[kpete]

Norman Podheretz appeared on that estimable right-wing bulletin board, the Wall Street Journal editorial page, to smite unnamed conservative critics of Palin, utilizing the Big Bertha of latter-day Republican rhetoric, the memory of Ronald Reagan:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703909804575123773804984924.html
In Defense of Sarah Palin
She understands that the U.S. has been a force for good in the world—which is more than can be said of our president.

Now I knew Ronald Reagan, and Sarah Palin is no Ronald Reagan. Then again, the first time I met Reagan all he talked about was the money he had saved the taxpayers as governor of California by changing the size of the folders used for storing the state's files. So nonplussed was I by the delight he showed at this great achievement that I came close to thinking that my friends were right and that I had made a mistake in supporting him. Ultimately, of course, we all wound up regarding him as a great man, but in 1979 none of us would have dreamed that this would be how we would feel only a few years later.

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/populist-neocon-princess.html

[LiberalFighter]

1. Is that true?

Reagan talked about saving money by changing the size of the folders used for storing files? That is insane.

[adigal]

2. Dumb and dumber - what else can you say??

Reagan, though, I truly believe, was suffering from Alzheimer's even during his first term.

[Solly Mack]

3. Great? as defined by smiling while lying and screwing the country over?

[MajorChode]

6. I really don't think Raygun was smart enough for that

Raygun was more of a figurehead. As a trained actor, he could give a speech really well. However, whenever he was questioned by reporters, he never really seemed to know what the fuck was going on. At times, he couldn't even name his own closest advisors. He was little more than a puppet propped up by his corporate interests.

[supernova]

4. Norman, Norman, Norman

only you and your cronies thought Raygun was "a great man."

Most of us thought he was an out of touch dumbass even then. In hindsight we know that he had Alzheimers and was getting more and more removed from life by the minute. To take a longer view, I'm glad he did. It kept him from doing even more harm to our country and this planet.

[Echo In Light]

5. Greg Palast: KILLER, COWARD, CON-MAN, GOOD RIDDANCE, GIPPER ...

MORE PROOF ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG

"You're not going to like this. You shouldn't speak ill of the dead. But in this case, someone's got to. Ronald Reagan was a conman. Reagan was a coward. Reagan was a killer."

http://www.gregpalast.com/killer-coward-con-man-rngood-riddance-gipper/

[mdmc]

8. thanks for this link

:kick:

[mdmc]

7. Palin reminds me of Raygun.. She can be the next Raygun

He was the worst president in my lifetime..

[Demeter]

9. Ronald Reagan Was a Great CONMAN

As a husband, father, actor, union officer, President, Governor and ordinary citizen, he left a lot to be desired.

And Reagan should have been charged and convicted for Iran/Contra-Gate, as well as the Iranian embassy hostage scenario to deny Carter a chance at a second term, Grenada's invasion, Panama, and god knows how many other little illegal wars and stuff.

The book on Reagan's presidency has yet to be written.

Only the littlest of people--people like Norman Podheretz--think Reagan was a great man. Perhaps, in comparison to them, he was.

[deutsey]

10. Reagan always seemed sort of like Chance the Gardener in "Being There" to me

only with a self-satisfied mean streak.

[jeremyfive]

11. Ronald Reagan sold arms to Iran and ignored AIDS entirely. Despicable.

No greatness at all. The greatness was in Jimmy Carter's refusal to deal with a terrorist nation, but Ronald Reagan gave in like a house-of-cards and sold arms to the enemy. Then conveniently destroyed evidence of his crimes in Oliver North's paper shredder.

[TheCowsCameHome]

12. He was obviously smarter than the idiots that idolize him

[Zoeisright]

13. Great man my ass.

And no, we didn't 'all' regard him as that.

A mean old fart who lied constantly and who had Alzheimer's in 1980, sure. The beginning of the end of America, definitely.

'Great'?? NOT.