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Reagan was a great statesman
who won the cold war without firing a single shot. He was admirable
because he treated all people with respect and kindness. It is for
this reason that he was known as the Great Communicator. Few
politicians rise to the level of statesman.
Reagan was an icon to his own
and successor generations. His presidency set the standard for all
following Republican administrations, but people forget that he also
treated opponents with dignity and respect. We could use more of
Reagan's communication genius, seeking American common ground in
lieu of the partisan bickering that has taken his place.
Reagan's kindness was reflected
in former President Bush 41’s stance of being a "kinder, gentler"
nation. No where is it more evident than in the Bush 41
administration -- which forged a master coalition of nations in the
first Gulf War -- that kindness and respect does not equal weakness.
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in this article]
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It is fitting on this D-Day
anniversary week as we pause and remember our precious veterans and
all who died in the service of our country. President Reagan was one
of those also.
I believe that Reagan would
wholeheartedly approve of the present President Bush visiting with
the pope, a venerable World War II survivor, and opening potentially
valuable negotiations with our allies in Europe, including France.
We will miss President Reagan
and his smile. I am reminded of his own words after the Challenger
tragedy, including the loss of a schoolteacher before millions of
school children, which greatly affected him:
"You have slipped the surly
bonds of earth,
to touch the face of God."
[Michael
Fjetland,
candidate for U.S. Congress]
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