Wow, another Reaganite...hi. We also love President Reagan, and want to go to his funeral, a long time from now, hopefully. I think he will go down as the greatest modern-day president someday. He will not be recognized as such yet, too many people hate him, but there is another generation coming and hopefully they will see what some of us already know. I know that my children will know how great a president he was. We have contributed to the Reagan Ranch and always will.

"...Because we are a great nation, our challenges seem complex. It will always be this way. But as long as we remember our first principles and believe in ourselves, the future will always be ours." ---Farwell Address to the Nation, The White House, January 11, 1989

Much of the power and beauty of Reagan's speeches flows from his understanding of and acceptance of America's strength, power and beauty.

He, like other great American leaders, was not seeking to criticize or belittle, demean or demand. Reagan sought to emphasize, clarify and hold aloft the vision of the 'shining city on a hill', where the Little Guy (whether man or woman) could work, play, live and die...

...with dignity, with meaning and with justice.

Your heart is in the right place, Friend.

I have a picture of Ronald Reagan proudly displayed on my wall at home. I can't imagine not having it. I bonded with my girlfriend's grandmother because she has one, too.

What I love most about Reagan is that he always believe in America. Not only as a coutry, but America as a set of ideas and ideals.

I remember a story that Dinesh D'Souza tells in How An Ordinary Man Became An Extraordinary Leader
. The first Americans were returning from Grenada. Oliver North was concerned with what they would say to the media that was awaiting them because they had not been debriefed. Reagan told him not to worry, he knew that the cause was just and trusted the returning Americans to validate that. The first American who got off of the plane immediately went to his knees and kissed the ground.

OK, it's not a story about his words, but it does stand to illustrate the kind of man that he was and why his words will resonate with us for decades to come.

Laura,
Don't take this the wrong way (especially coming from a Democrat) but I think it's a tad selfish to wish Reagan's death comes slowly. He already can't remember his family, the interviews with Nancy are absolutely heartbreaking. It's hard to see such a beautiful and committed love dwindle away due to the devastating effects of Alzheimer's disease...I can't imagine the person one spent so many decades with failing to recognize that spouse. How sad.

There's something much better for him waiting somewhere else...and maybe some relief for the family he doesn't recognize, too.

Jo, it is heartbreaking to think of what Nancy and the rest of the family endures--and other families who have fathers and mothers, wives and husbands who suffer from Alzheimer's. That's one of the most frightening things in the world to my mind.

I came of age while Reagan was president. Such a great man. He always impressed me, even as an eleven year old lad. "It's morning again in America." Who talks like that anymore? (And means it?) Who believes the shining city on a city thing anymore? Reagan is missed. I'm trying to get my brother-in-law who is a teacher to push for naming the new high school planned for the school district after Reagan. The Reagan Republicans, Reagan Rebels, Reagan Renegades. Cool eh?

Very cool. I vote for "Renegades."

Given his role in ending the Cold War in favor of the good guys, I vote for "Warriors" or, better still, "Cold Warriors."

Cold Warriors I like. Warriors might lead some to think of Native Americans and that, as you know, is a big no-no.

So, yeah, Reagan was great and his speeches bring tears to my eyes. Which leader is most like him these days? Anyone?

How about the Reagan Redskins? Oh wait. You can't do that one either anyway growing up as a teen in the 80's me and my friends summed it up in two words. Reagan Rocks.