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Democratic Love for Reagan
There's been a lot of Ronald Reagan worshipping going on in Washington this week--among Democrats. On Tuesday, President Barack Obama signed a bill that will create a commission to plan events to celebrate what would have been Ronald Reagan's 100th birthday in 2011. Launching the commission, Obama said,
President Reagan helped as much as any president to restore a sense of optimism in our country -- a spirit that transcended politics, that transcended even the most heated arguments of the day. It was this optimism that the American people sorely needed during a difficult period -- a period of economic and global challenges that tested us in unprecedented ways.
On Wednesday morning, when a statue of Reagan was unveiled in the Capitol Rotunda, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid declared,
That optimism, charm and good humor is such a central part of what President Reagan brought to our country. But behind that grin lay a resolve that kept Americans safe and kept America strong....[A]t the height of the Cold War, President Reagan’s characteristic confidence warmed and reassured America.
At that ceremony, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lavished more praise on Nancy Reagan than on her husband. But she did hail Ronald Reagan's "civility" and his "commitment to national security and his success" in that field.
Okay, it's one thing to make nice with a dead president whose wife has been a valuable political ally in the stem cell fight. But do Democratic leaders have to contribute to the myth that Reagan helped save America in the gloomy days of the 1980s? Reagan preached a hardline approach to the world that coddled anti-communist dictators and left nuns and dissenters dead in such countries as El Salvador, Argentina, and Guatemala. He presided over the de-industrialization of America. (Steel industry? Who needs a steel industry?) His administration purposefully aimed to bankrupt the federal government specifically to create pressure for cutting social programs. He wasted billions on missile defense. He busted a union. He did nothing when the AIDS epidemic struck. His administration was marked by numerous scandals and ethics controversies. More than 200 US Marines were killed in the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing after his ill-advised deployment of troops to Lebanon, and the Reagan administration never caught the evildoers.
There was not much that was warming, reassuring, or optimistic about the defining policies of the Reagan years. My old college pal Will Bunch recently made the case against Reagan in his book Tear Down This Myth. But years earlier, I did the same in an abbreviated form and composed a list of "66 things to think about when flying into Reagan National Airport". Not everyone under a certain age will get all the references, but the gist is clear:
The firing of the air traffic controllers, winnable nuclear war, recallable nuclear missiles, trees that cause pollution, Elliott Abrams lying to Congress, ketchup as a vegetable, colluding with Guatemalan thugs, pardons for F.B.I. lawbreakers, voodoo economics, budget deficits, toasts to Ferdinand Marcos, public housing cutbacks, redbaiting the nuclear freeze movement, James Watt.
Getting cozy with Argentine fascist generals, tax credits for segregated schools, disinformation campaigns, "homeless by choice," Manuel Noriega, falling wages, the HUD scandal, air raids on Libya, "constructive engagement" with apartheid South Africa, United States Information Agency blacklists of liberal speakers, attacks on OSHA and workplace safety, the invasion of Grenada, assassination manuals, Nancy's astrologer.
Drug tests, lie detector tests, Fawn Hall, female appointees (8 percent), mining harbors, the S&L scandal, 239 dead U.S. troops in Beirut, Al Haig "in control," silence on AIDS, food-stamp reductions, Debategate, White House shredding, Jonas Savimbi, tax cuts for the rich, "mistakes were made."
Michael Deaver's conviction for influence peddling, Lyn Nofziger's conviction for influence peddling, Caspar Weinberger's five-count indictment, Ed Meese ("You don't have many suspects who are innocent of a crime"), Donald Regan (women don't "understand throw-weights"), education cuts, massacres in El Salvador.
"The bombing begins in five minutes," $640 Pentagon toilet seats, African- American judicial appointees (1.9 percent), Reader's Digest, C.I.A.-sponsored car-bombing in Lebanon (more than eighty civilians killed), 200 officials accused of wrongdoing, William Casey, Iran/contra.
"Facts are stupid things," three-by-five cards, the MX missile, Bitburg, S.D.I., Robert Bork, naps, Teflon.
Obama and Reid surely know all this. But singing the praises of past presidents deemed popular is a political obligation. Still, Dems do go overboard on Reagan. (You don't see Republicans hailing the prescience of Jimmy Carter, who called for taking tough steps to reduce the country's dependence on oil.) Reagan did possess a sunny disposition. But many of his policies and actions were dark and destructive. Politics is politics; so give him a statue and a commemoration. But don't give him history.
You can follow David Corn's postings and media appearances via Twitter by clicking here.
Reagan
Thank you for pointing that out. I can't help but scream when Ronald Racist is praised for being a nice guy, without any of these inconvenient facts following that superficial platitude.
The health care industry
The health care industry isn't trying to pull the wool over Obama's eyes; Obama and health care are trying to scam the American people. I don't understand why the dots aren't being connected by the media?
Ronald Reagan
Reagan had an appealing public persona, but he usually said one thing and did something else, often just the opposite. He was at best a mediocre president and many of his policies have turned out to be deplorable in the long run. He was the best of all the presidents at reading his lines, but often seemed a bumbling fool when he had to speak "off the cuff". He came into office preaching a balanced budget and smaller government. He achieved neither. The national debt grew larger than under all the previous administrations combined. Government was larger when he left than when he entered office. Probably the worst thing that happened was George W Bush tried to emulate him even to be seen clearing brush on his Crawford ranch. The one thing you never saw was the Crawford Rancher horseback.
"...Reagan had an appealing
"...Reagan had an appealing public persona, but he usually said one thing and did something else, often just the opposite. He was at best a mediocre president and many of his policies have turned out to be deplorable in the long run. He was the best of all the presidents at reading his lines, but often seemed a bumbling fool when he had to speak "off the cuff". He came into office preaching a balanced budget and smaller government. He achieved neither. The national debt grew larger than under all the previous administrations combined. Government was larger when he left than when he entered office."
Sounds to me like you just described Obama!!!!!!
Obama is 6 months into
Obama is 6 months into office, you idiot republican. For those who know, Reagan was a travesty and an embarassment.
It doesn't take more than
It doesn't take more than 6mo to realize what he said is true.. Obama is not smooth without his teleprompters. Obama has already spent more money than all presidents combined (including Reagan). Like it or not that is all he is saying and it is true.
Ronald Reagan
Reagan had an appealing public persona, but he usually said one thing and did something else, often just the opposite. He was at best a mediocre president and many of his policies have turned out to be deplorable in the long run. He was the best of all the presidents at reading his lines, but often seemed a bumbling fool when he had to speak "off the cuff". He came into office preaching a balanced budget and smaller government. He achieved neither. The national debt grew larger than under all the previous administrations combined. Government was larger when he left than when he entered office. Probably the worst thing that happened was George W Bush tried to emulate him even to be seen clearing brush on his Crawford ranch. The one thing you never saw was the Crawford Rancher horseback.
Ronald Reagan
Reagan had an appealing public persona, but he usually said one thing and did something else, often just the opposite. He was at best a mediocre president and many of his policies have turned out to be deplorable in the long run. He was the best of all the presidents at reading his lines, but often seemed a bumbling fool when he had to speak "off the cuff". He came into office preaching a balanced budget and smaller government. He achieved neither. The national debt grew larger than under all the previous administrations combined. Government was larger when he left than when he entered office. Probably the worst thing that happened was George W Bush tried to emulate him even to be seen clearing brush on his Crawford ranch. The one thing you never saw was the Crawford Rancher horseback.
What is Obama thinking?
So many of the ills we face today in the financial markets and health care began under Regan, not to mention the disaster in Afghanistan. We should look to Regan as an exemplar of what NOT to do.
Reagan was okay
As a bleeding heart liberal, I used to dwell on all of Reagan's shortcomings and dismiss the republicans' praise of his accomplishments. One day during the dark time of Dubya's second term, I was disgusted with the duplicity, corruption and hostility that I was witnessing in the republican administration and congress. One day I watched a bit of a program on TV about the McCarthy era. Reagan was being questioned by the HUAC. He made a statement defending the First Amendment rights of people who were being accused of being communists. I concluded that Reagan was a decent human being and certainly a better president than Dubya could ever hope to be. Maybe that's not much of a compliment, but it's from the heart.
Reagan
Thanks for providing some of the facts on Ronald Reagan's presidency; I was familiar with many issues, but there were many of which I was unfamiliar. Amazing he's held in such esteem -- politics is beyond comprehension sometimes.
Additionally, do (did) we celebrate the 100th birthday of any other president? Where did this idea come from to have a big celebration for a would-be 100th birthday of a past president, let alone one of dubious quality? And who is paying the tab?
I hate seeing Reagan
I hate seeing Reagan idolized in public politics. It makes me so furious to hear praise heaped upon the most diabolical president in U.S. history. I hope one day the United States issues a public apology to the world for that man.
diabolical? buhahhahahaha..
diabolical? buhahhahahaha.. that's funny (and obviously a joke). Apology to the world? You would think he nuked innocent countries. You crack me up. The world knows better and clearly the recovery of the US economy after the Carter years is worthy of praise.
RR's career should have been called "It's A Blunderful Life."
RR was the anti-George Bailey...his career should have been called "It's A Blunderful Life." and Clarence the Angel would have shown him how much better America and the world would have been without his malign neglect, from AIDS victims to the homeless to the thousands murdered by the Contras.
Reagan
I remember about Nebuchadrezzar had a statue of himself and had everyon worship his statue as god. Republicans want him worshipped as a god,because he made the rich richer and poor poorer.All with a smile. Remember when he was in South Bronx telling them he won't do anything for them and he did just that.
As governor, he made LSD illegal and said that hippies wear their hair like Jane( he was assuming he was talking about male hppies),look like Tarzan, and smell like Cheeta. He would go out of his way to harrass hippies.
He took down the solar panels that Carter had put up on the White House roof.He destroyed any amount of democracy in Central America and in South America. He called the contras the equivalent of Founding Fathers and even said he was a contra.Contras was killing school children,putting mines around school yards, raping women,destroying crops,went out their way to killing Indians.Also, imported drugs to US,espcially cocaine.The list is long of all the evils done in his government,but he was never arrested or impeached for them.That was why he was called Teflon President.
That the author fails to
That the author fails to mention the simple political calculus behind the Democrat praise of Reagan makes me wonder...
The Democrats weren't asleep during Reagan's funeral. They saw the way the country reacted. They only embellish themselves and their bipartisan credentials by stating the obvious.
Praise of Reagan is also politically safe because he's no longer with us. It's not like they're annointing a successor. Indeed, praise of Reagan is a launching pad from which to attack modern Republicans as out of step with the HIS legacy.
Love him or hate him, I encourage anyone with an interest in history to read Brinkley's excellent edition of the Reagan Diaries. If you couldn't believe the outpouring of good will towards Reagan that accompanied his passing, these diaries will help you understand where it comes from and why.
We live in his dark shadow
An excellent article by David Corn.
The shattering of commitment to the good of the community, a given in our post-WWII years, and a wrecked economy--yes Pres. Obama, Ronald Reagan was a "transformative" president, but not one you need to keep pointing to. As David Corn points out, Reagan began a systematic deregulation of government that ruined everything from tire safety to a functioning SEC -- that and his 'starve the beast' philosophy of shrinking the fed gov't and thus its programs, was the legacy that GWBush picked up with gusto, even outdoing his hero.
It's dangerous for people to continue to blot out this part of the record, and strange that President Obama would in a sense contribute to the blurry picture.
Not strange.. they can't
Not strange.. they can't deny Reagan's greatness. His ability to pull the country together was amazing. The country was in shambles from the Carter years with interest and infation. Many say similar to that of today, only worse due to the insane inflation vs today's very low inflation. Now, having said that, the inflation as we know it today will probably not be this low 12 months from now. This depends on how much support we get from the Chinese in buying our loans. Without them, look out USA... we could see hyper inflation not unlike the Germans pre Hitler. Ahh.. the german socialism. Great party.. NOT!
Reagan unlike Obama cut corp taxes and was able to increase corp growth. Of course this means more jobs, which means more income tax recpts for the govt. Obama on the other hand is handling the 'crisis' very differently. We have debt.. Bush signed way to much spending (thanks congress for sending junk to him) now we have a trillion in debt, lets get out of this by spending more money! Spending more than all previous presidents combined. Maybe the old saying.. "It takes money to make money" will work out for us. I just don't think they mean literally "make money", cause that means inflation.
Ironically, the false praise
Ironically, the false praise the Dems are singing will continue to keep the GOP focused on "Reaganomics" as the solution to the Bush Debacle. That's good news, in that it will help keep from getting elected again (most people now see through their whole "cut taxes! smaller government!" ploys.
However, it's really, really BAD news...if the GOP DOES get elected again anytime soon.
reagan and the Democrats
Every action of the Obama Democrats shows the truth of Gore Vidal's statement:
"The USA has one business party with two conservative wings."
Ridiculous
I was dumbfounded by Reid's "at the height of the Cold War" line - I would have thought he was old enough to remember the height of the Cold War, which was in the 50s and 60s. Reagan became President when the Soviet Union was already on the verge of economic collapse, and proceeded to restart the arms race with the Soviets (which had been ended by negotiations). They were in no condition to compete, and their attempt to do so hastened the collapse of their economy by a few years.
For this, Reagan gets credit for defeating the Soviet Union.
Not Presidential material
Ronald Reagan was a figurehead..same as Bush..had no clue what was going on..signed where the "real power behind the throne" told him to sign, so clueless, so completely un-prepared, over their head, so incompetent, so easily manipulated...maybe not bad people, but certainly not Presidential material...had a nice smile, though...
Sounds like you are talking
Sounds like you are talking about Obama. At least Reagan and Bush actually governed state's. But having said that, Bush failed in being conservative. Pretty much a failure being fiscally responsible. He had a veto pen.. not sure why he would sign off on so much trash sent to him from Congress. I can understand why Congress has such a low approval. They asked for too much.. then Bush had to say ok.. lets spend. Wonder why people were mad at him for signing off on their spending.. maybe just playing politics? Of course.
It's no surprise that Dems + Reagan = True Love
The Democrats as a party machine will do anything or say anything to stay in power. Since they think Americans love Reagan, they love Reagan, too.
Those of us who think Reagan was the worst president of the 20th Century and possibly second worst only to Bush II will, as expected, just shrug it off as "business as usual". The center right, though, will flock to the Democrats as their new brethren.
Pfffft.
-Wexler
______________________________________________________________
If I would have known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.
~~~ George Burns
Reagan's accomplishments
I'd like to add to the list - bee poop
Reagan was the proto-neocon.
Reagan was the proto-neocon. He ran massive budget deficits for eight years and is one of the principal causes of our current level of federal debt, even while he called himself a "fiscal" conservative. He was a stool pigeon for the military-industrial complex and never saw a weapons system he didn't like... all for the betterment of his buddies at Lockheed, General Dynamics, Boeing, etc. Accolades are heaped on Reagan for ending the cold war by "outspending" the eastern bloc. There may be some truth to that. I travelled throughout eastern Europe for several months after the wall came down and what I saw were societies that had barely entered the post WWII era and were mired in a 1950's time capsule kind of existence. Even if Reagan's policies helped to accelerate an end to the Cold War, his successors, (including Clinton), never took advantage of the opportunity to end US militarism and funnel the funds wasted on boondoggle weapons systems into underfunded, domestic programs like universal healthcare or to financially bolster social security. And now, we are in catastrophe mode and Americans are going to suffer miserably because of this colossal waste of resources. Thanks Ronnie baby!
Reagan made greed not only acceptable, but fashionable
I swear to pete, I need to find a new political party to belong to.
This Democratic worship of Ronald Reagan makes me ill -- very ill. It's disgraceful, unreal and not based on any facts. Reagan was a terrible president for those who weren't already wealthy, healthy, strong and politically well-connected.
He may (or may not) have been a nice man, but he was not a good president for most Americans.
And, I have to ask: Have Democrats forgotten all about the greatest Democratic president of all times, FDR?
I didn't notice Reagan and the Republicans suggesting any celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of FDR's birthday (in 1982).
What in the h-ll is wrong with the Democrats these days? Have they forgotten what the Democratic Party is all about? Why are they hero-worshiping a man who stood for everything OPPOSITE to Democratic values -- Democratic values such as helping those who need help rather than helping those who already have everything? (Well, everything, that is, except a soul.)
Reagan made greed not only acceptable, but fashionable.
Your party is probably the
Your party is probably the communist party.. I am sure they will accept you. Why change the party to fit your needs when parties (you may not like the names) already exist to support your beliefs and ambitions.
It's unfortunate so many believe making a lot of money is evil and somehow large corporations or wealthy people don't help 'those in need'. The US (because of decades of wealth built on free market economy) has become the wealthiest country in the world! Changing to a socialist/marxist govt will only punish the wealthy hard workers. Those same hard workers will work to find countries open to free market and fewer penalties (lower corp tax rates) for the hard work.
They will continue to produce the must have junk that 'those in need' will certainly own because they lack the responsibility or will power to resist going into debt. It is the uneducated greed of those in need that has caused the crash we are experiencing. Why do so many people have credit card debt? Why do they buy big homes they can't afford or shouldn't afford? Why do so many people buy expensive cars over 60-72 months? It is this must have and must have at any cost mentality. No concern over missing payments.. let things go back to the bank.. but before they get it back, be sure to tear it appart.
The problem in the US isn't/wasn't Reagan.. It is that of a spoiled class of people. A class of people that were pushed through schools just because they tried and not based on the output. A class of people that is uneducated and does not recognize the impact of interest on charge cards and paying min amounts toward their credit. A class of people that believes success is shown only by the car they drive or the clothes they wear and will get them regardless the impact to their wallet.
In all a lot of our problems all go back to the home.. parenting or the lack of parenting where responsibility for actions should be taught.
It is on both sides of the tracks.. many rich kids or adults "made it" but had bad values so take advantage of people. Many poor "needy" people also have bad values but expect everything given to them. Why not, they have learned or believe they are owed a cell phone or cable tv. Have these "needy people" go to 3rd world countries... or heck, even advanced countries. Singapore for example... I have been there many times. You want to see rich and poor? Supercars zipping through town, thousands of cabs for the avg joe bound with outside landscape laborers with no shoes!
sorry for the rant.
Reagan was the proto-neocon.
Reagan was the proto-neocon. He ran massive budget deficits for eight years and is one of the principal causes of our current level of federal debt, even while he called himself a "fiscal" conservative. He was a stool pigeon for the military-industrial complex and never saw a weapons system he didn't like... all for the betterment of his buddies at Lockheed, General Dynamics, Boeing, etc. Accolades are heaped on Reagan for ending the cold war by "outspending" the eastern bloc. There may be some truth to that. I travelled throughout eastern Europe for several months after the wall came down and what I saw were societies that had barely entered the post WWII era and were mired in a 1950's time capsule kind of existence. Even if Reagan's policies helped to accelerate an end to the Cold War, his successors, (including Clinton), never took advantage of the opportunity to end US militarism and funnel the funds wasted on boondoggle weapons systems into underfunded, domestic programs like universal healthcare or to financially bolster social security. And now, we are in catastrophe mode and Americans are going to suffer miserably because of this colossal waste of resources. Thanks Ronnie baby!
Ron
I will never forget being in college and listening to Ronald Reagan speak. I had been a democrat since I was 18. His uplifting words and obvious love for the greatest country in the world were inspiring. Voicing my admiration for him in class brought to the surface the real vile and despicible thoughts of my liberal professor. So to celebrate I went down and registered as a Republican. I'll never forget the little blue haired election board ladies shock. Thank you Dutch for showing me being a liberal was simply the path of least resistance not the path of one who really cres for his fellow American
amen
amen
The firing of Air Traffic
The firing of Air Traffic Controllers was appropriate. Unfortunately many were hired back even years later and recvd full back pay and other various compensations. Outrageous example of how the Fed govt is irresponsible to manage corporations. They have no oversight, no obligation to maintain any sense of fiscal responsibility. Why pay controllers 120k to work 6 hrs per day? Simply a joke and the 'employees' take full advantage of the govt job. We all know a govt job is cushy.. Unfortunately it is really only the non-govt jobs funding the govt jobs!!
UC Berkeley
1968 University of California at Berkeley, Reagan as Governor & Regent, puts 2,500 police frin 13 States, plus National Guard on Campus every day, when not much had happened. Fulfilling his promise to 'crack down' on Berkeley from the 1965 'Free Speech Movement', days. His justification was a small student strike, supporting the right of Eldridge Clever to assist in teaching the first Black Studies course ever offered. Students and faculty trapped in a dragnet, forced to the front of the Student Center, where a 70mm film camera recorded several staged riots. Some of the police were nasty thugs, as young as 17. People forced there, then gassed, beaten and the film edited for NBC news, showing enraged students. Happened to me twice. Many students left the Country after seeing how effective the staged news was and the terror of having 'Pepper Gas' dropped from helicopters and pumped out on the street over a period of several months, starting Oct. 1968. Most of the time there was no reason, no crowds, not trouble. I thought they were trying to give us cancer. I moved to Europe after seeing a girl beaten between the legs by 5 police and watching the same footage 6 hours later on NBC, enraged crowd, but the girl was edited out. My sister/room mate, moved to Mexico for 35 years. Berkeley was a major step for Reagan's 'Law & Order' campaign bull shit. He once gave a speech where massive amounts of automatic weapons were unloaded preceding, to intimidate the crowd. He knew what was going on. Don't forget he was an informer for the McCarthy goons. That is how he got to be the head of the Screen Actors Guild. I wish Death Valley had been his last Days.
Ronald Reagon
Good article. I remember that I was just starting college when John Lennon was killed and Ronald Reagon was elected, and I swear that I thought the world was about to end. And if Putin was Premier instead of Gorbachov, that fear may have come true. Despite all the Reagon Revisionisn, sorry, I was there. My favorite joke from the era: "Republicans want to put Reagon's head on Mount Rushmore but they can't find any granite dense enough." I'll say this for him though... he sure knew how to play a president.
Reagan sucked!
Ronald Reagan was an absolute disaster as a president. He led attacks on the middle class, the environment, unions and US manufacturing. I'm glad to see that David Corn is willing to call out the Democrats who are fawning over Reagan and point out the truth about Reagan.
propoganda
Certainly you understand all these statements are nothing short of propoganda.
"His administration purposefully aimed to bankrupt the federal government specifically to create pressure for cutting social programs." - Aimed to bankrupt? I believe reducing tax burdens to generate long term growth and cutting wasteful socialist expenses in a capitalist society is hardly aiming to bankrupt the government.
"He wasted billions on missile defense." - "Wasted" maybe because the programs were cut and never completed. The waste was not completing it. If only the missle defense was completed, we wouldn't have this worry of N. Korea or Iran. Seems he had vision in that he understood that in the future even puny countries with crazy leaders would have the means to launch missles with nukes. The time is here and now we fear them. Seems he knew the Boy Scout moto "Be prepared".
"He busted a union." - PATCO? Rules are rules.. PATCO was never allowed to strike. They did and got what they deserved. Remember what they wanted?? Across the board 10k raises , 4 day 32hr work weeks and full retirement after 20 yrs! What business can survive these outrageous demands / expenses. Oh wait.. it isn't a company, it is the govt. We just print more money and drain the real money making corporations to pay for government jobs. Such a waste.. such a future we have in store.
Reagan was either an Incompetent Boob or a Liar
I was in high school during the Reagan Eighties and all I remember is how much of a buffoon he was. That's why it amazes me how revered he is today by Conservatives and some Dems. Limbaugh, et al did a great job rewriting the history of his tenure in the White House. But, I just have one question for Reagan worshippers. As far as Reagan's response to Iran/Contra, "I don't recall." Either: A. You believe that Reagan was lying and really knew what was going on, or B. Reagan was so incompetent that he knew absolutely nothing about something so important being run out of his administration. I would love to hear an honest reply to this from a Reagan Conservative.
I don't recall
Maybe he didn't remember.. or maybe it was in the best interest of the country not to divulge the information. So often we think we need to know what is going on up there when really it is 'above our paygrade'. Besides, can't you give him a pass on forgetting? After all the kings of forget came in office some years later..
Following swiped from "http://www.prorev.com/legacy.htm"
ARKANSAS ALTZHEIMER'S
Number of times that Clinton figures who testified in court or before Congress said that they didn't remember, didn't know, or something similar.
Bill Kennedy 116
Harold Ickes 148
Ricki Seidman 160
Bruce Lindsey 161
Bill Burton 191
Mark Gearan 221
Mack McLarty 233
Neil Egglseston 250
Hillary Clinton 250
John Podesta 264
Jennifer O'Connor 343
Dwight Holton 348
Patsy Thomasson 420
Jeff Eller 697
FROM THE WASHINGTON TIMES: In the portions of President Clinton's Jan. 17 deposition that have been made public in the Paula Jones case, his memory failed him 267 times. This is a list of his answers and how many times he gave each one.
I don't remember - 71
I don't know - 62
I'm not sure - 17
I have no idea - 10
I don't believe so - 9
I don't recall - 8
I don't think so - 8
I don't have any specific recollection - 6
I have no recollection - 4
Not to my knowledge - 4
I just don't remember - 4
I don't believe - 4
I have no specific recollection - 3
I might have - 3
I don't have any recollection of that - 2 I don't have a specific memory - 2
I don't have any memory of that - 2
I just can't say - 2
I have no direct knowledge of that - 2
I don't have any idea - 2
Not that I recall - 2
I don't believe I did - 2
I can't remember - 2
I can't say - 2
I do not remember doing so - 2
Not that I remember - 2
I'm not aware - 1
I honestly don't know - 1
I don't believe that I did - 1
I'm fairly sure - 1
I have no other recollection - 1
I'm not positive - 1
I certainly don't think so - 1
I don't really remember - 1
I would have no way of remembering that - 1
That's what I believe happened - 1
To my knowledge, no - 1
To the best of my knowledge - 1
To the best of my memory - 1
I honestly don't recall - 1
I honestly don't remember - 1
That's all I know - 1
I don't have an independent recollection of that - 1
I don't actually have an independent memory of that - 1
As far as I know - 1
I don't believe I ever did that - 1
That's all I know about that - 1
I'm just not sure - 1
Nothing that I remember - 1
I simply don't know - 1
I would have no idea - 1
I don't know anything about that - 1
I don't have any direct knowledge of that - 1
I just don't know - 1
I really don't know - 1
I can't deny that, I just -- I have no memory of that at all - 1
Giving Reagan credit for the
Giving Reagan credit for the fall of the USSR is like giving the rooster credit for the sunrise. Gorby and the Russian people were doing it; Reagan's posturing just marginalized Gorby's contribution and lowered his stature enough to keep him from the Presidency of the new nation.
want a laff? get "The Clothes Have No Emperor" by Paul Slansky. an uproarious read on the 80's
@ I don't recall
I totally agree with you that Clinton was a liar. He was also a scumbag. But, one thing you can't call Clinton is incompetent. It may surprise you that most liberals are not huge fans of Clinton. Clinton did more for the conservative agenda than anything else, which is why I never understood why conservatives hate him so much. He reduced welfare and was more fiscally conservative than any recent Republican president, Reagan included, balancing the budget and actually ending up with a significant surplus, which Bush would go on to squander.
So, yes, Clinton's personal morals are seriously questionable at best and morally reprehensible at worst. But, at least he wasn't a hypocrite like Newt Gingrich, who persecuted Clinton for cheating on his wife while he was doing the same thing. Reagan, the great family man, also left his first wife for Nancy, by the way. The one thing I can't stand the most about conservatives is the hypocrisy.
Environment
Ronald Reagan... Was het not the one who pulled Carter's solar panels from the white house for no apparent reason?
difficult to recall
tagged as:- solution
- result
He was at best a mediocre president and many of his policies have turned out to be deplorable in the long run. He was the best of all the presidents at reading his lines, but often seemed a bumbling fool when he had to speak "off the cuff". He came into office preaching a balanced budget and smaller government.
This posting is marvelous
This posting is marvelous and what a fantastic research that you have done. It has helped me a lot. thank you very much.