Gorbachev said it so well to Mrs. Reagan yesterday in a letter....

[Dan Murphy]

Of all the amazing, unbelievable events I have seen in my almost 60 years, two of the most improbable and least likely to think would occur in my lifetime, or ever for that matter, IMO, was the end of the Soviet Union, as we knew it, and the end of Communism, for the most part, as we knew it. Though certainly many events and people collectively contributed to both, these two men, leaders of their respective countries in the 80's, both were immensely instrumental in those events happening. Those, along with the bringing down of the Berlin Wall and freedoms being returned to the Eastern Bloc countries.

During the 50's and 60's, I and all lived under the spectre of the nuclear stalemate, the arms race, the Cold War, atomic warfare, on and on. We all grew up with Bert the Turtle and his Duck and Cover (video) admonitions. Children today do not know Burt the Turtle, and that is good.

Reagan, Gorbachev, two politicians for the ages, thank you both for listening to each other, you both share a legacy for the ages.

A President Who Listened
By MIKHAIL GORBACHEV

Published: June 7, 2004


OSCOW — I have just sent to Nancy Reagan a letter of condolence for the passing of Ronald Reagan. The 40th president of the United States was an extraordinary man who in his long life saw moments of triumph, who had his ups and downs and experienced the happiness of true love.


It so happened that his second term as president coincided with the emergence of a new Soviet leadership — a coincidence that may seem accidental but that was in effect a prologue to momentous events in world history.

Ronald Reagan's first term as president had been dedicated to restoring America's self-confidence. He appealed to the traditions and optimism of the people, to the American dream, and he regarded as his main task strengthening the economy and the military might of the United States. This was accompanied by confrontational rhetoric toward the Soviet Union, and more than rhetoric — by a number of actions that caused concern both in our country and among many people throughout the world. It seemed that the most important thing about Reagan was his anti-Communism and his reputation as a hawk who saw the Soviet Union as an "evil empire."

Yet his second term as president emphasized a different set of goals. I think he understood that it is the peacemakers, above all, who earn a place in history. This was consistent with his convictions based on experience, intuition and love of life. In this he was supported by Nancy — his wife and friend, whose role will, I am sure, be duly appreciated.

At our first meeting in Geneva in 1985 I represented a new, changing Soviet Union. Of course, the new Soviet leadership could have continued in the old ways. But we chose a different path, because we saw the critical problems of our country and the urgent need to step back from the edge of the abyss to which the nuclear arms race was pushing mankind.

The dialogue that President Reagan and I started was difficult. To reach agreement, particularly on arms control and security, we had to overcome mistrust and the barriers of numerous problems and prejudices.

I don't know whether we would have been able to agree and to insist on the implementation of our agreements with a different person at the helm of American government. True, Reagan was a man of the right. But, while adhering to his convictions, with which one could agree or disagree, he was not dogmatic; he was looking for negotiations and cooperation. And this was the most important thing to me: he had the trust of the American people.

In the final outcome, our insistence on dialogue proved fully justified. At a White House ceremony in 1987, we signed the intermediate-range nuclear forces treaty, which launched the process of real arms reduction. And, even though we saw the road to a world free of nuclear weapons differently, the very fact of setting this goal in 1986 in Reykjavik helped to break the momentum of the arms race.

While addressing these vital tasks, we changed the nature of relations between our two countries, moving step by step to build trust and to test it by concrete deeds. And in the process, we — and our views — were changing too. I believe it was not an accident that during his visit to Moscow in the summer of 1988 President Reagan said, in reply to a reporter's question, that he did not regard the perestroika-era Soviet Union as an evil empire.

I think that the main lesson of those years is the need for dialogue, which must not be broken off whatever the challenges and complications we have to face. Meeting with Ronald Reagan in subsequent years I saw that this was how he understood our legacy to the new generation of political leaders.

The personal rapport that emerged between us over the years helped me to appreciate Ronald Reagan's human qualities. A true leader, a man of his word and an optimist, he traveled the journey of his life with dignity and faced courageously the cruel disease that darkened his final years. He has earned a place in history and in people's hearts.


Mikhail Gorbachev is the former president of the Soviet Union

New York Times, Sunday, June 6, 2004 (If you are Internet subscribed, free, short, easy)


<center>

<IMG width=550 src=http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/photos/large/c31982-11.jpg>

</center>

"............The personal rapport that emerged between us over the years helped me to appreciate Ronald Reagan's human qualities. A true leader, a man of his word and an optimist, he traveled the journey of his life with dignity and faced courageously the cruel disease that darkened his final years. He has earned a place in history and in people's hearts."

 

[joeokw]

Dan, Thanks for that letter and the photos. I know many here on the DIS disagreed with Reagan's politics. But at least he had a moral center that many today's presidential wannabees do not have. Reagen changed the world for the better.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Thanks Dan. It is heartwarming to see that President Reagan was such a well respected and loved man.

 

[Pooh67_68]

 

[monkeyboy]

 

[Serena]

 

[EsmeraldaX]

 

[bjgrazi]

I remember my parents thinking differently of him when first elected. Eventually that changed. I'm glad that he's being remembered for the good things and only positives are being said and shown.

 

[always quiet]

While I don't remember the ducking under the desk videos (I HAVE to ask though........did anyone really think that would do any good?? ), I remember always hearing about Russia and the 'big red button'. I was a teenager in the 80's, just starting to be aware of politics and what impact it had on the country and on us. I was so relieved to know that President Reagan was able to peacefully work things out with Russia and the fear of that notorious red button would fade away.

I honestly have to say, being a teenager, I really don't remember too much about what Pres. Reagan did for most of his presidency (too young to care! ) I do know what a great man he was though for bringing peace, at least for a time, to the world.

 

[Poohbear123]

Dan, for another lovely tribute to a great man.....Faith

 

[wvrevy]

VERY well done, Dan !

As one of the most liberal (or, at least, vocally so) on this board, I can honestly not find a single thing to argue with in your post (and that's rare indeed...lol). I particularly enjoyed the part I have quoted below:

...Though certainly many events and people collectively contributed to both, these two men, leaders of their respective countries in the 80's, both were immensely instrumental in those events happening. Those, along with the bringing down of the Berlin Wall and freedoms being returned to the Eastern Bloc countries.

No matter what anyone thinks of the other issues on that "Was Reagan a great president" thread, it all, to me, boils down to that one series of events surrounding the fall of the Soviet Empire. Yes, others certainly helped it along. But it was Reagan who helped Gorby usher in a new age in Russia, leading to a much more secure country here at home. In the end, the annals of history will record that fact, and all of the other petty stuff will just become a footnote.

Again....well said !

 

[cynsaun]

 

[Alice28]

Thank you so much for posting that tribute Dan. He truly was a great leader & was instrumental in making the Cold War end.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by always quiet
While I don't remember the ducking under the desk videos (I HAVE to ask though........did anyone really think that would do any good?? ), I remember always hearing about Russia and the 'big red button'. .....I do know what a great man he was though for bringing peace, at least for a time, to the world.

As a kid in the 50's and 60's, it was a scary time. We had monthly air raid practice, and yes, duck and cover was the norm, and at the time, thought to help. I lived (still do) near O'Hare, and when jet airline service started in '58, I can recall today the daily fright I had for a long time, as a young teen, hearing those early, incredibly loud 707's coming in, and often looking up at them, thinking we were under attack. I sure will remember him for helping set the Doomsday Clock back a few minutes, though it has moved forward again in recent years.

 

[cati]

Thanks Dan. I believe President Reagan was a wonderful President. Thanks for sharing.

 

[2BigKIdz]

Originally posted by always quiet
While I don't remember the ducking under the desk videos (I HAVE to ask though........did anyone really think that would do any good?? ), I remember always hearing about Russia and the 'big red button'. I was a teenager in the 80's, just starting to be aware of politics and what impact it had on the country and on us. I was so relieved to know that President Reagan was able to peacefully work things out with Russia and the fear of that notorious red button would fade away.

I honestly have to say, being a teenager, I really don't remember too much about what Pres. Reagan did for most of his presidency (too young to care! ) I do know what a great man he was though for bringing peace, at least for a time, to the world.

I was 7 yrs old when he was elected to his first term, so I don't know much about his presidency either. I was priviledged enough to attend a speech of his at the University of Virginia when I was a teenager. He was so comical, I just remember thinking how "cool" he was. Politics aside, he was a great person who loved his country. How refreshing to have a President without any sex scandals!

 

[danacara]

Terrific letter. Gorby really does a nice job of hitting the right tone. And I agree, Reagan was lucky to find true love, and Nancy Reagan will be remembered above all else for the dignity she showed during his last years.

Tom Brokaw said last night that one regret that Reagan voiced, towards the end of his life, was that he was never honered by the Academy for his achievements after acting. He really wanted that and never got it. Isn't that interesting?