Ronald W. Reagan, 1911-2004

So it has finally come to pass. And the inevitable orgy of fulsome, posthumous praise has begun. Hey, if they did it for Nixon, you knew it was coming for this guy. Watching Fox News this afternoon brought to mind how Pravda must have initially played it when Stalin finally died. And at this very moment, whoever does the scheduling for the Republican Convention is feverishly revising things. (Then again, they're pretty well-organized; somebody must have guessed this might be coming.) Over/under on how many times the conventioneers will be asked to "win one more for the Gipper": six. Ladies and gents, place your bets.

Everyone knows about the endgame of the Cold War; most know about the deficits and the scandals. I'm thinking about something else: if there's any cosmic justice, the afterlife will afford Reagan an opportunity to interact with at least a few of the thousands of innocents killed in his proxy wars in Central America and elsewhere. Those on the right are fond of telling us that ideas have consequences. One consequence of Reagan's "ideas" was an almost unimaginable river of blood.

Songs of the Day: "The President," Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians (from the Element of Light LP, 1986);
"Sweethearts," Camper van Beethoven (from Key Lime Pie, 1989... " 'cos in the mind of Ronald Reagan/wheels they turn and gears they grind/buildings collapse in slow motion/and trains collide/everything is fine")

Suggested readings: "Sleepwalking Through History," Haynes Johnson; "Way Out There in the Blue," Frances FitzGerald.

Update: I'd be remiss if I didn't also recommend this incredible article that appeared in the Washington Monthly in February 2003, penned by Josh Green. It details another largely overlooked aspect of the Reagan legacy: great liberal achievements of his presidency.