21 years ago today

[Little-Acorn]

21 years ago today, on June 12, 1987, President Ronald Reagan made a speech at the Brandenburg Gate in Germany, saying:


"We welcome change and openness; for we believe that freedom and security go together, that the advance of human liberty can only strengthen the cause of world peace. There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace.

"General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate!

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"


(Some of Reagan's speechwriters objected to that last sentence, and tried to get the President to soften or remove it. But Reagan insisted on keeping it in.)

Can you imagine a President Obama, or Ted Kennedy, or Dick Durbin, making such a demand today if the wall still existed, along with the regime that built it?

[gabosaurus]

Whoever wrote the speech was an intelligent and forceful person. Reagan merely delivered it.

[Little-Acorn]

Whoever wrote the speech was an intelligent and forceful person. Reagan merely delivered it.

The typical knee-jerk reaction to something little gabby doesn't like but can't refute: Reagan had nothing to do with it, but was merely along for the ride.Your sad, snivelling hatred for anything conservative, does you no good service.

Sorry to bust your bubble, but Reagan dictated what he wanted said (as all Presidents do), and in some parts (like the last line) exactly how he wanted it said. The speechwriters put it all together and (sometimes) smoothed it out, but the sentiments were Reagan's.

[Silver]

Whoever wrote the speech was an intelligent and forceful person. Reagan merely delivered it.

Haha...what a hack....and not a very smart one at that....

You really think a speech-writer makes policy ? :poke::fu:

[Joe Steel]

The only thing that old soap salesman could do well was deliver a line.

[diuretic]

Can you imagine a President Obama, or Ted Kennedy, or Dick Durbin, making such a demand today if the wall still existed, along with the regime that built it?

Yes.

[midcan5]

Thank goodness Ronnie's index cards were in order, imagine if he had the wrong one or thought he was in Granada or acting. :laugh2:

[Little-Acorn]

These poor snivelling leftist whiners have never forgiven Reagan for showing the world they were wrong about their skyrocketing spending and taxation, and how prosperity increased hugely for 20-plus years after he (and Kennedy) cut tax rates. Even their attempts to blame the 1980s deficits on him have fallen flat, as tax revenues soared with the accelerating economy and only the Dem Congress's huge spending hikes coould outstrip them.

Nor will they. Fortunately, not many people pay attention to them any more, and they are relegated to muttering to each other on obscure BBSs. :lol:

[diuretic]

Ah, the perfect days of the past. So fucking what? :laugh2: