Enough Reagan Coverage!

[Jeff]

George Washington did not have to be transported the width of a continent twice. The population of the country was but a grain of what it is today.

I will keep Mr. Reagan's Picture at the top of The Forestry Forum until Independence day. Some will think thats too much. I dont. Its not much of an effort to show a little respect for a man that has earned it. I think that displacement of a few fishing shows and an episode or two of gilligans island in honor of someone who led our country with such passion is a pretty trivial thing.

[Rocky_J]

Today's featured editorial in the Opinion Journal (a division of the Wall Street Journal) was about Reagan being underestimated by the liberal establishment. Here are the last two paragraphs copied from the article:

We also can't help but notice that toward the end of this week the stories began to appear that Mr. Reagan's funeral was largely a matter of stage-management. The patriotic flourishes, the coffin procession, even the tearful bystanders--all of these were somehow the product of "advance men" and Hollywood production values. This is what the critics said of his Presidency too, at least until the successes became impossible to dismiss.

So maybe this is the way it should be. Most of the liberal establishment never did understand Mr. Reagan's popularity, much less explain it. As for the Gipper, we suspect he'd be amused and pleased to learn that even in death he is still being underestimated.

[Gary_C]

For me, it wasn't enough coverage as I had some things to do all day. It was only as I was driving home that I was barely able to find coverage on the radio of the services in California. Even then it was only the audio signal of an NBC station that soon faded and the only thing I could find after that was the talk radio.

From what I heard, the Ronald Reagan influence may not be over yet. There was a feeling that as the politicians recounted the stories of his presidency, they also remembered the civility in politics that he brought to Washington. If they go back to work and restore just some of that civility to the bitter, divisive retoric that now pervades politics, there will be yet another Reagan Revolution.

When you talk of great presidents, how could you ignore the contributions of Ronald Reagan. For me, the only others that could be considered are Washington, Lincoln, and FDR.

It is only a great man that could write a warm, loving letter to an entire country and world and also report his own impending dementia and demise. I still have difficulity  :'( even thinking about his farewell letter, but would still like to see it reprinted in his own handwriting.

WE OWE RONALD REAGAN FAR MORE THAN A FEW HOURS OF TV COVERAGE !!!!!!

[Kedwards]

Sorry if I offended anyone. I still like to be able to see whats going on in Iraq since 3 of my good freinds are there and in harms way.  I get e-mails from them explaining how they are in firefights and never know when a IED is going to kill all of em in a hummer. One actually had an rpg shoot into the hummer and NOT explode..thank goodness. Like I said he is a good fellow and respectable individual. .Anyway..here is the description fo Washingtons funeral procession. BTW he died of membranous croup in 1799. When he was to be president they tried to annoint him king and he refused vehemently refused. This is posted not to take away from Reagans demise just sharing how our first president was recognized.

Washingtons death
The news of Washington's death reached President Adams at Philadelphia by a special courier, on the morning of the 11th of December. John Marshall announced it to the assembled Congress that day, when a public funeral was decreed; and as the tidings went over the land, bells tolled funeral knells in solemn monotones. When, forty days afterward, the news reached England, the flags of the great English fleet of sixty vessels lying in Torbay were lowered to half-mast; and Bonaparte, just made First Consul, ordered a funeral oration to be pronounced before himself and the civil and military authorities of France. On an appointed day, Congress went in procession to the Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, where an eloquent funeral oration was delivered by General Henry Lee, a son of the "Lowland Beauty," who was the object of 'Washington's first love in his youth. Congress also decreed the erection of a monument to his memory at the site of the new national capital on the banks of the Potomac, and asked the privilege (which was granted) of depositing his remains at the seat of the national government. That monument has not been erected, and the remains are in a vault at Mount Vernon. A cenotaph, constructed upon a plan unworthy of the subject, the nation, and the principles of taste, has been a-building many years; and Congress at its session in 1875-'76, made an appropriation for the purpose of completing it. It is in the form of a huge obelisk of white marble; and the original design called for an unsightly, structure to surround its base. The obelisk has been carried up many feet already. It stands near the shore of the Potomac River within the limits of Washington city, and when completed will be conspicuous at a great distance; but it is simply a following of the barbarian custom of perpetuating the memory of their patriots and heroes by a pile of stones--an artistic improvement of the ancient cairn. How much more appropriate, artistic and useful, would have been the erection of a building at the National Capital, in the simple Doric style of architecture, into which might be gathered for all time the portraits, by painting or sculpture, of the men and women of the nation whom the whole people delight to honor for their great, and generous, and patriotic deeds. Such portraits, when looked upon by our young citizens, would tend to inspire them to imitate the lives of their great exemplars. Sallust says: "I have often heard that Quintus Maximus, Publius Scipio, and other reverend persons of the Roman Commonwealth, used to say that, whenever they beheld the images of their ancestors, they felt their minds vehemently excited to virtue. It could not be the wax, nor the marble, that possessed this power; but the recollections of their great actions kindled a generous flame in their breasts, which could not be quelled till they also, by virtue, had acquired equal fame and glory."

Why Teddy Roosevelt is my favorite President

Went to Harvard 1876-1880 graduated Magna Cum Laude
Marries in 1880 (joins the Republican Party)
1881 Elected to the NY state assembly (youngest ever)
1882 published Book The Naval War of 1812 -used at annapolis for years
1882 joins the National Guard 2nd lieutenant
1883 reelected
1884 February 14th Mother and Wife day on the same day (typhoid and brights disease)
1884 delegate to Republican National Convention
1884-1886  Ranchman in Badlands Dakota Territories
lots of kids
1895 Police commisioner of NYC
1897 became assitant Secretary of the Navy
"The shots that hit are the shots that count."
1898 resigns Secretary position to become Lt Colonel of 1st Us calvary regiment(the Rough Riders)
1898 promoted to colonel also baptism by fire at Las Guasimas
1898 Battle of San Juan Heights, denied Congressional Medal of Honor(100 years later was given the medal)
"As for the political effect of my actions, in the first place, I never can get on in politics, and in the second, I would rather have led that charge and earned my colonelcy than served three terms in the US Senate. It makes me feel as though I could now leave something to my children which will serve as an apology for my having existed ."
1898 nominated for gpverneor by republican party
1898 elected governor
1900 elected vice president
1901 Mckinely was assainated and Teddy was summoned back from a hiking and made prresident. He was the youngest man to be president
1902 Sherman act enacted
1902 Crater Lake National Park, established
1903 Wind Cave NP, established
1903 Pelican island , 1st federal  bird reservation established(51 established during presidency)
1903 Treaty with Panama signed to build Panama Canal
1903 Department of Commerce established
1903 Department of Labor established
1904 Reelected President
1905 Wichita Forest Federal game prevserve
1905 National Foretry Service Established
1906 Platt National Park est.
1906 Mesa Verde NP est
1906 Devils Tower NM est
1906 The Forest Homestead Act
1906 Hepburn ACt signed into law (railroad)
1906 Pure Food and Drug act and meat inspection law signed
1906 Presdient and wife go to Panama to inspect Panama canal
1st time a US president leaves the US while in office
1906 Awarded the Nobel Peace Price for ending the Russo-japan War of 1905. 1st American to win the award in 6 categories
1907 Voyage of the great white fleet. 1st circumnavigation of the globe by a national naval force
1908 Muir Woods NM est
1908 Grand Canyon Game reserve est, NP est
1909 Mt Olympus NP est
1909 Fire Island Alaska game preserve est
1909 National Bison range, Montana est

March 4, 1909 TR's administration ends with inauguration of successor William Howard Taft.

March 1909 -  June 1910         Led hunting expedition to Africa to gather specimens for Smithsonian Institution with son Kermit, then toured  Europe.

June 18-22, 1912        Republican National Convention meets in Chicago and renominates incumbent Taft even though TR has won all but one primary and caucus. Roosevelt supporters bolt, charging "theft" of nomination.

October 14, 1912        Shot in the chest while entering an automobile outside the Hotel Gilpatrick in Milwaukee, WI by would-be assassin John Nepomuk Schrank at about 8:00 p.m. Campaigning on the "Bull Moose" ticket, TR delivers a 90-minute speech at the Auditorium in Milwaukee before seeking medical attention. The bullet would never be removed. [Schrank was declared insane on November 13, 1912 and committed to the Northern State Hospital for the Insane at Oshkosh, WI, and died at the Central State Hospital in Waupun, WI on September 15,1943.]

February, 1917  Roosevelt's requests permission of President Wilson to raise, equip and lead volunteer division for service in France in World War I.

1917        TR's family supports the War effort. All four of his sons enlist. His daughter Ethel serves as a Red Cross nurse at the American Ambulance Hospital in Paris, accompanying her husband, surgeon Dr. Richard Derby.

July 14, 1918        Quentin Roosevelt, TR's youngest son, killed while serving as a fighter pilot in France.

January 6, 1919        Died in his sleep at Sagamore Hill of coronary embolism (arterial blood clot) at age 60.

"All of us who give service, and stand ready for sacrifice, are torch-bearers. We run with the torches until we fall, content if we can then pass them to the hands of some other runners...Both life and death are parts of the same Great Adventure."

He and John wayne are my hero's.
sorry for the lengthy thread killer.

[Wes]

Lots of good reading on this thread. I thought that the time was well deserved, and that he was a great role model for the country.

[Frickman]

I too think Mr. Reagan was a great man and did great things for our country and the world. If folks do not like the media coverage that's fine with me. Just use the off button on the remote.

[Stan]

The deficit was the result of the Congress's spending more money than the economic boost from the tax cut could bring in. The revenue did shatter all previous records.
Too much coverage, after 28 days of front page above the fold NY Times coverage of Al Graib, I doubt it possible to ever again have too much.

[Kedwards]

Tip Oneil and crew were definately a contributory factor in the deficit. You cannot however ignore a budget is signed by the president thus approved by the president. The taxes were cut in one year giving an influx of cash to the populace. taxes were subsequently raised 4 times between 1982-1984(100 billion) with the first increase effectively erasing 1/3 of the benefit given. Corporate taxes were raised in 1986 over 120 Billion over 5 years making it the single largest corp tax increase in us history. I have never been a fan of keynesian economics. This is not an attack on Reagan just the facts from the COB. The fiscal responsibility exhibited in the mid 90's by congress should be looked at and admired.

[Jason_WI]

He never did much for the U.S. farmer. Probably the reason my dad refused to lower the flag on the farm to half mast. Reagan tripled the national debt and now the taxpayer (me and you) has to pay more than 2.5 million(estimated, probably more) two send him on his way to meet his maker. Honor and respect is one thing, extravagant funeral is another.

Jason

[SW_IOWA_SAWYER]

To say "Reagan" tripled the national debt is absolutely incorrect. If you look at the federal spending and see what parts went up you will see it was a huge increase in social programs that increased the debt. I think we need to give the poor a hand up not a hand out. That includes farmers as well all I want from the goverment is for them to allow me a free market to sell my crops I believe in the free market system. I remember the late seventies all to well and when President Reagan came to the white house it was "Morning in America"
I think his faith in America was his greatest asset and I know he made us feel good about America again. Was he perfect, of course not. He was a good man and a good president and he deserves the respect of the office of the greatest country on earth. The cost of his funeral to me is the cost of doing business. If they want to give a President a state funeral that is a honor we grant to our presidents. It is a drop in the bucket in the federal spending. If you want to get serious about the debt try Zero Based Budgeting and see people howl.......... :D

[etat]

I always wished Reagan could have had that line item veto that he fought so hard for.  He fought congress the whole time he was in office in the hopes of balancing the budget. When they'd give him too much trouble he'd take it to the people. Much of his overspending was on the military budget.  Heck somebody had to do it, our stuff was all old, wore out, and outdated.  Our military was weak, and the whole world knew it.  

Lots of farmers around here was in really deep trouble due skyrocketing interest rates.  I sure remember those. Many lost their land and about everything they had.  Inflation was unreal. I sure remember that.  Other countrys were making fun of us and burning our flag. I HATED that.   Jobs were hard to find.  Twas a time there I bout starved to death. This was before Regan took office.

I remember Regan constantly fighting the budget.  The fact that he signed it does not mean he  approved it.  This is true for all presidents. Without signing a budget government would have shut down.  Policeman, military, fireman, all would not have gotten paid.  He signed it to keep the country moving, as he should have, but he constantly fought with congress about overspending.

[Kedwards]

Nice out on that statement.."I always wished Reagan could have had that line item veto that he fought so hard for.  He fought congress the whole time he was in office in the hopes of balancing the budget" unfortunately your statement is not based in reality. Its not like you can turn on the spigot and hope aegis cruisers start flowing out. It takes years and years of appropriations to get to that point. Reagan did spend a ton a of money on the military and it had a cost which we are still paying for today. Also credit people as far back as Carter and before him Ford and Nixon on Military spending.If you don't believe me then spend some time on the COB website. It all about priorities. The eighties were a giant spending spree which we may never get out from under.http://www.cbo.gov/showdoc.cfm?index=1821&sequence=0 Tugging on the emotional strings about firemen and policemen etc is not going to work since a majority of that money comes from local cofers not the federal government. You can't moan about too much government then use it as an argument for an action in another sentence. Its disgusting that the US is a debtor nation now.

[Tom]

What's your solution?

[Norwiscutter]

The response is obvious... make up with the French, defer all decisions to the all knowing U.N., disolve our government, and shoot anyone that is ignorant enough to have moral values or an undieing belief in the greatness of our country.

[Kedwards]

typical pablum from the ultra right.. the french are bad, the UN sucks,  and everyone with a dissenting opinion is unpatriotic.

I like a balanced budget, flat tax (current system is regressive) with no loopholes, basic healthcare (mostly preventative) and before you call this socialist I call it good basic business since most of the productivity losses are health related and we still bear the total burden financially. Maintain a relatively flexible heavy technology based military. Increase the CIA budget to include more field operatives for fighting terrorism. I would like to see bilateral accords on trade not the broad based trade agreements.  I would also cut off financial aid for Israel and any non freindly state. The problem with the statement hand up not a hand out is that the social programs everyone is groaning about are 1-healthcare related tot he elderly or uncovered poor/middleclass 2- financial benefits for the burgeoning elderly that are making their way through the system. It aint going to get better anytime soon on the bottom line.

This is just me..

[Kedwards]

anyway..I aint saying no more on this subject. I love to brawl on politics and policy, but this is suppose to be a forestry related forum and I in my bad judgement mentioned a sensitive topic that apparently peaved off people. Oh well..My final word is I aint wrong and you aint wrong and opinions are like smelly orifices..everyone has one or two.

[Jeff]

enough.

[Tom]

Let's change the subject while we are still ahead. I'm going to do something that may incourage it.  I'll meet with y'all in another thread somewhere.  This one is closed for business.