It is my observation that Ronald Reagan died a second and lasting death when the Republican Party was turned into a wholly owned subsidiary of Trump & Co. I'd go so far as to bet good money that the likes of Jordan, Gaetz, Greene, Boebert, Nunes know nothing about Reagan. (Just to be perfectly clear, Reagan is a name that gives me the he…
It is my observation that Ronald Reagan died a second and lasting death when the Republican Party was turned into a wholly owned subsidiary of Trump & Co. I'd go so far as to bet good money that the likes of Jordan, Gaetz, Greene, Boebert, Nunes know nothing about Reagan. (Just to be perfectly clear, Reagan is a name that gives me the heebie jeebies. Still, I grant that he understood how government works and he played his role with a modicum of dignity. I recently came across his farewell address and, as much as hate to admit this, it brought tears to my eyes.)
Ronald Reagan had people around him who knew how government worked. "Conservative Activists" who knew the mistakes from the past, learned from them, and made the way for Donald Trump to become President. Ronald Reagan was the salesman more than a leader. He was a one of a kind communicator. He delivered some amazing speeches. Liz Cheney's speech yesterday could be considered Reaganess.
While I certainly can't say that listening to political speeches is one of my favorite entertainments, I do recall listening to a few of Reagan's speeches and I never figured out why he was called the "Great Communicator." He never made a lick o' sense to me -- it all seemed to be a jumble of bumper-sticker slogans with little rationale or reason.
For fun, read the account by Dr. Oliver Sachs of the reaction of his patients to Reagan's speeches, patients who were hospitalized for neurological defects involving either the understanding of speech or in the interpretation of facial expressions. The former group had become skilled in reading body language and concluded that Reagan was a liar from the mismatch between his face and his gestures. The latter group concluded Reagan was a liar because his words and concepts were disconnected from each other and made no sense.
At least, that's how I recall that section. I think it was from "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat," which used to be in my little personal library but which I can no longer find (grumble). Any clarification would be welcome.
A friend’s father was a journalist in Germany in the late 30s, before we joined the war. He asked to come back to NY after he found himself moved to tears by a speech of Hitler’s.
He was an actor who could still deliver lines written by some young and articulate conservatives, even though he couldn't have told you two minutes after delivering those lines what they were or meant.
It is my observation that Ronald Reagan died a second and lasting death when the Republican Party was turned into a wholly owned subsidiary of Trump & Co. I'd go so far as to bet good money that the likes of Jordan, Gaetz, Greene, Boebert, Nunes know nothing about Reagan. (Just to be perfectly clear, Reagan is a name that gives me the heebie jeebies. Still, I grant that he understood how government works and he played his role with a modicum of dignity. I recently came across his farewell address and, as much as hate to admit this, it brought tears to my eyes.)
Ronald Reagan had people around him who knew how government worked. "Conservative Activists" who knew the mistakes from the past, learned from them, and made the way for Donald Trump to become President. Ronald Reagan was the salesman more than a leader. He was a one of a kind communicator. He delivered some amazing speeches. Liz Cheney's speech yesterday could be considered Reaganess.
While I certainly can't say that listening to political speeches is one of my favorite entertainments, I do recall listening to a few of Reagan's speeches and I never figured out why he was called the "Great Communicator." He never made a lick o' sense to me -- it all seemed to be a jumble of bumper-sticker slogans with little rationale or reason.
For fun, read the account by Dr. Oliver Sachs of the reaction of his patients to Reagan's speeches, patients who were hospitalized for neurological defects involving either the understanding of speech or in the interpretation of facial expressions. The former group had become skilled in reading body language and concluded that Reagan was a liar from the mismatch between his face and his gestures. The latter group concluded Reagan was a liar because his words and concepts were disconnected from each other and made no sense.
At least, that's how I recall that section. I think it was from "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat," which used to be in my little personal library but which I can no longer find (grumble). Any clarification would be welcome.
I love that Sacks essay! And I felt exactly as you did listening to Reagan.
Who could have believed that Reagan, a really bad actor, could have convinced so many.
A friend’s father was a journalist in Germany in the late 30s, before we joined the war. He asked to come back to NY after he found himself moved to tears by a speech of Hitler’s.
He was an actor who could still deliver lines written by some young and articulate conservatives, even though he couldn't have told you two minutes after delivering those lines what they were or meant.
Reagan was a game.