[geeks] RIP, Ronald Reagan

[Andrew Weiss]

Quoting Eric Dittman <dittman at dittman.net>:


> I have to disagree with you.  Carter was not a good president.  A
> perfect example was the Iranian Hostage Crisis.  Carter really
> screwed the pooch on that one.
>
I still believe this was a setup pure and simple.  He did the best he
could and nobody cooperated until he was replaced.  That's not his
fault.  It's also SUCH A SMALL part of the four years he was in office
as to be nearly irrelevant.  It's like judging Clinton on Monica... a
waste of taxpayers money and pointless in the extreme.

> Reagan's platform and tactics worked.  George Sr. and W. can't hold
> a
> candle to Reagan.

Like I said... best of the 3.  Mediocre at best, however.

> Reagan had some great ideas and they worked very
> well.  George Sr. didn't really have direction.  W. has direction,
> Cheney and Ashcroft let him know exactly what to do.

Like what... name one good idea.  Certainly nothing economic.  Better
yet name a good idea and explain exactly why it was a good idea.

>> Reagan stood up to the Soviet Union and won the Cold War.  His
> policies
> are what did it.  His winning the election also got the Iranians
> talking
> so the hostages could be free.

Reagan nearly made the Cold War worse.  Star Wars is one example.  No
Gorbachev ended the cold war more than anyone else.  Reagan was at the
head of a party of itching warmongers... Reagan had temerity at
least... not so with W.  Besides the Cold War was over during Bush
Sr.'s years... not Reagan.  The USSR and the wall fell during Bush Sr.
and the pieces were put in place after Brezhnev died and Gorby took
over.  Yeltsin in the early years was responsible for keeping things
going after the collapse before he became inept.  They ended it
themselves.  I just wish China would do the same... but they seem to
be in their own way.

> > The most inept president I know was Gerald Ford.  He sure is a
> funny
> > guy though.
>
> Hey, the WIN buttons were the perfect way to end inflation!  Just
> use
> marketing and it will all go away.

ERM... you got me on that one.

Andrew