I didn't like Reagan, and I'm glad he died of Alzheimers. Sue me.

[IdaBriggs]

Some people seem to think he was a decent President. I'm not one of them. I'm one of the "one in five couples" dealing with infertility, and his decision to put HIS religion before MY medicine has cost me tens of thousands of dollars as well as years of my life in my quest to become a parent.

You see, his decision about "researching infertility" and not wanting to "play God" meant that WE LOST TWELVE YEARS OF RESEARCH (because Bush Sr maintained the same policy). Those twelve years of "lost opportunity" have made a major impact in my life, as well as millions of other people.

TWELVE YEARS OF IGNORING SCIENCE IN FAVOR OF RELIGION. Sound familiar?

One of the first things Clinton did when he came to office was to REVERSE the infertility research policy of the Reagan/Bush folks. That meant my first try at parenthood in 1999 only cost me $18,000 as opposed to the $40-50K it would have been a few years earlier. Last year's attempt was only about $6,500 -- and yes, I know all about adoption, etc., so no lectures, please.

The other thing lost with those TWELVE YEARS was the medical research to cure Alzheimers, MS, Parkinsons, and a host of other promises that stem cell research -- a direct benefit from the infertility research -- holds out for all of us.

I buried my sister, who had MS, on January 2 of last year. We buried my Great Aunt Dolly, who had Alzheimers, in August of last year. My father died on March 9 of this year from Pancreatic Cancer. They didn't have the time to wait the TWELVE YEARS our scientists lost because of Reagan's Religion.

I did not hate Reagan while he was President. He seemed like an affable fellow who made Bad Decisions. Looking back, with the ability to see just what he cost us in the fight against infertility, Alzheimers, MS, AIDS -- the list goes one -- I believe I now see him in his true light -- as that of Affable Evil, and I wonder that his name is not cursed every time we lose a loved one to something those TWELVE LOST YEARS OF RESEARCH might have cured.

Bush Jr is truly his heir, only his Evil is not affable -- it is palpable for anyone who pays attention.

I believe in poetic justice. I hope Reagan suffered as much as my Great Aunt did, as much as my sister did, as much as my family did. I hope that he and his family cried as much as I did over my lost children, and I hope they grieve their losses as much as I do.

Most importantly, I am glad God struck the son-of-a-bitch down with Alzheimers, and I can't wait to see what happens to all of the Bush clan.

Am I Angry? Sometimes. Bitter? A little. Wiser? Indeed. I will *NEVER AGAIN* assume the decisions of those "in power" doesn't really affect me. Poor decisions by Stupid Evil People rain down disaster on the rest of us, and there isn't a Republican in National Office at the moment who will EVER get my vote EVER.

Somehow, when I stand at the graves of my loved ones, that just doesn't seem like enough. Unfortunately, its the only payment I can extract. No real mystery why they don't cower in terror from me, is it? I simply wish them the ill they have visited on others, and half the folks who respond to this post will chastise me for it.

They will be wasting their words. My heart is immovable on this topic. I'm glad, and that is just the way it is.

Sue me, already. Speaking my truth is the only power I have, and I will NOT be silent. My dead demand no less.

[getmeouttahere]

1. While I can feel your pain....

it doesn't help your/our cause one iota to publicly state that you are glad someone has died. Never has, never will. Makes you like almost as bad as the freepers/neocons/theocrats.

[IdaBriggs]

3. Cause or no cause, I will not LIE for anybody.

I am sure the world mourned Hitler, but you wouldn't have found me amongst them. How did his funeral go, I wonder?

"He was a good man who loved his country...." (sarcasm)

[stray cat]

2. I assume none of your immediate family has alzheimers

I also assume you do not have a genetic predisposition giving you a better than average chance of developing it. I don't like Reagan as a president but I don't wist alzheimers on anyone.

[RetroLounge]

5. "We buried my Great Aunt Dolly, who had Alzheimers"

Try reading the whole post before spewing...

RL

[trumad]

7. I gotta say Ida

this is exactly the type of shit that makes me suspicious of certain members of DU.. We are all over the freeps etc, who were and still after Andy and making light of his illness and death. And here you come in with this crap celebrating the death of a human being.

A big sniff too you.

[Lecky]

12. I agree with you 100% trumad

[IdaBriggs]

15. I'm not always a nice person, Trumad, but I'm an honest one.

I hold Reagan accountable for the pain, suffering and deaths of people I love. If you want to hold me in the same vein as those who try to prevent AN INNOCENT MAN from getting medical treatment, that is your right. Sniff a little harder, please. I'd like to think the scents are more than a little different.

[blondeatlast]

25. "II'm glad he died of Alzheimers"

As one who is surviving chronic illness, that was the most offensive part of her entire post.

To celebrate the inevitable results of horrendous disease is unprogressive, at least.

I've made a few enemies, and if the OP is one of them, I can't shed a tear.

OTOH, if illness makes her post this way; I can, however, forgive and offer my support and sympathy.

[IdaBriggs]

10. My great aunt was taken care of by my family. Her husband died

twenty years ago, and both of her sons died within a year of each other. My father (her nephew) and mother stepped up, and our family became her caretakers. She was a very sweet, wonderful woman. We were very lucky that she wasn't violent or anything. Most of our conversations were introductions -- "Who are you?" "I'm Jerry's daughter." "Oh. (pause) Who are you?" We would joke that the best thing about Alzheimers is that you get to meet "new and interesting people" every day. (sad smile) On a mildly positive note, she got to the point where she didn't remember that her sons were dead, so we started agreeing with her that they would be coming to visit her soon, because otherwise, everytime we told her, it was like a fresh wound....

She liked to bowl, and my father used to get teased because she was really good -- she bowled over 200 the first time he took her to his league (and she was 78 years old at the time!).

Aunt Dolly was the baby of the family; I went to her brother's funeral (Great Uncle Roy, age 94, last remaining sibling) yesterday. He celebrated his 80th birthday by bicycling from the Upper Peninsula to Florida. That side of the family is / was very interesting people....

[Lecky]

4. Saying that you are glad that someone died of Alzheimer's is disgusting

[IdaBriggs]

17. Having to die of Alzheimers is worse. He could have prevented it.

He didn't. Poetic justice.

[blondeatlast]

42. Ther was NO WAY that the research--anywhere--had advanced enough

to save Ronald Reagan.

Again, let me emphasize, I am intimately involved with the issue and have been an SCR activist for 15 years.

Your spewing doesn't advance the cause.

[IdaBriggs]

46. I believe you miss the point on purpose. We lost TWELVE YEARS

of research, and now, as an added bonus, we have lost THREE YEARS of Stem Cell Research. Yes, we have had some, but the advances have been considerably slowed since Junior came to town and made his 2001 decree about the "lines"; my loved ones didn't have the time.

[Java]

6. Human Tragedy

I am sorry to hear about your loss, and the pain you have suffered.
I am in full agreement with you, that funding Medical and Scientific Research is beneficiary for everyone, and that it is a tragedy when we have a person in power who is ignorant to the point of cutting funding for research or encouraging legislation to pass which prevents scientific research.

I sincerely hope that you will find some solace and closure. While we experience a lot of pain in life, we also experience Love and Joy.

Maybe the best way to channel anger and hurt is to try to make it a better world for children

[IdaBriggs]

26. Thank you for your understanding and compassion.

I believe you are right; making the world a better place for the future by making sure these things NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN is the best thing to do.

[4morewars]

8. I'm sorry you feel that way

"I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him."
-----------Booker T. Washington

[Horse with no Name]

9. I think your sentiments are justified and I think I understand what you

are trying to convey, however, wishing death and Alzheimers on anyone has alot of bad karma attached to it. Personally, I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy.
If Reagan had supported stem cell research, chances are your aunt wouldn't have died from it...and chances are he wouldn't have died from it either.
Makes you wonder when someone is so powerful to stop death and dying and chooses not to, only to be ultimately stricken by what could have been cured.

[IdaBriggs]

27. Yes! You Got It! Thank you!

"Makes you wonder when someone is so powerful to stop death and dying and chooses not to, only to be ultimately stricken by what could have been cured." -- That is EXACTLY IT!!!

[libertypirate]

11. If you read the book the Franklin Cover-up you won't like Regan

In the first paragraphs of this book it states that Ronald Regan, George Bush, and William Colby had a relationship with a man named Lawrence King. King had two lives until the Franklin Nebraska savings and loan scandal where he was exposed as both a thief and far worse providing children to upper crusty perverts. When they raided the bank they found a bedroom had been built inside.

Check out what was suppressed in 1989 from blowing up in the WH face.


http://www.voxfux.com/features/bush_child_sex_coverup/franklin.htm

Google Query for more background; but it's all in the book
http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&hs=i9I&client=firefox&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=franklin+cover-up+lawrence+king&spell=1

[blondeatlast]

18. Nobody on DU needs to be convinced to despise Reagan.

But the Ops sentiment strikes me as decidely unProgressive.

[Dr.Phool]

13. I'll take it one step further

Had his mother gotten an abortion, the world would be a much better place today.

[leftofthedial]

14. When I think of raygun and the bush crime family,

I wish there actually was a hell.

Nothing, NOTHING is too cruel a punishment for these murdering, thieving, traitorous pieces of walking excrement.

[Connie_Corleone]

16. Some things are best left unsaid. N/T

[IdaBriggs]

41. You are probably right. More importantly I wish it didn't NEED to be said.

I wish none of these folks were dead because Reagan had made the DECENT decision, and we were twelve years further along in curing all of these diseases.

[DS1]

19. On the flipside, at least his kid recognizes Ronny Sr's mistakes

and works to correct them.

[Quixote1818]

37. Ron Jr. is the one good thing that came from Reagan

still I am not glad he died a difficult death. I don't wish that upon anyone.

[etherealtruth]

20. I AM sorry for your pain ....

I can sympathize with your anger. I wish you peace and freedom from your pain.

I despised Reagan as president (while he was president and his legacy). I was glad when he left office (not too happy about Bush 41 in office, though) ------ I just can't rejoice in the death of another human being.

I do know the horrors of Alzheimer's and wish that on no one.

[blondeatlast]

22. Not to mention the tremendous burden of those who cared for him.

As one who survives a chronic illness, I know the burden my supporters deal with.

To rejoice in the presence of the disease is inhuman.

[Lecky]

23. Exactly

I can't get over the foulness in this thread. It's very free republic like...

[IdaBriggs]

33. I do not know what you are dealing with, but I am sorry for it.

If I had the ability to cure you, I would. Do you expect science to be able to help you twelve years from now? If another decade of research would benefit you, then you are one of Reagan's victims, too.

Reagan had the chance to save millions, but decided (and this is a quote) that humans shouldn't "play God" -- in fact, there was an unspoken "AIDS is God punishing Gay People" viewpoint that condemned MILLIONS to an agonizing death (and that is beside the lost research point).

But thank you for proving my point about "half the people who respond will chastise me for wishing on him what he inflicted on others."

[blondeatlast]

40. I'm glad I proved your point--even though I did nothing of the sort.

As long as we continue to allow our vicious sides to overcome our compassion, the world will never improve.

I despised Reagan and still do. But to celebrate the fact that he dies from a horrendous infliction that knows no political or social bounds is disgusting. Keep in mind that his wife made a heartfelt plea for stem-cell research that influenced many Republicans to see the light.

This is DU/GD, your opinion obviously differs.

It shouldn't be too hard, if you actually pay attention to my posts, to figure out what I suffer from. In addition, I have heart disease, and blind in one eye--all from my affliction. I'm never free of illness, nor free of the fear of death--a fear healthy people can never understand.

I hope to hell that my plea for human compassion doesn't make you think that I don't advocate for stem-cell research. I've been on the front lines of the battle for fifteen years, and again, while I'm hardly a Reagn fan, I can tell you that Nancy Reagan's quiet plea for supporting it changed many, many a Republican mind about the issue.

[uppityperson]

21. Compare Reagan and Andy, Killen and Skinner

Who contributes positively to the world? Who causes pain and problems and anguish? Whose passing would you mourn? Whose passing might you consider ironic, depending on how they died? We all die. What we do while we are alive will make me regret their death.

Cheering the death of a person who was involved with helping the world is wrong. Feeling karmic justification towards a person who has promoted bad things is fine with me.

[gulliver]

24. From the title I thought this was going to be stupid.

It isn't. The title isn't either.

[IdaBriggs]

28. Thank you. nt

[WilliamPitt]

29. You know

I read posts like this and vomit into my own mouth. It's funny. We get all high-flown here at DU in our outrage over the callous attacks against Andy during his sickness and after his death. All that self-righteousness winds up amounting to nothing more than a piss-hole in the snow when we turn around and post threads celebrating the death of someone we don't like.

Did I like Reagan? Hell no. Read:

http://www.truthout.org/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi/22/4757

Am I going to celebrate his death? No.

There's enough fucking death as it is.

[Lecky]

30. Thank you voice of reason!

Posts like the OP's make DUers look as bad as freepers.

[IdaBriggs]

38. Were you vomiting because of the suffering of my family?

Or because I have "bad thoughts" about Reagan?

Do you feel the pain of my sister, dead at 39? Feel bad for her two daughters, orphaned at 20 and 18? Should I tell you of her humiliation when she couldn't control her bowels, and needed help changing her Depends, or how she would drag herself across the floor because she didn't want to use a wheel chair, or the tears of frustration she cried as her body self destructed around her?

Did you have a moment of grief for Aunt Dolly? Did the idea of a woman not remembering the deaths of her sons, and having the wound freshly opened everytime someone "told her" cause you to wince in sympathy? How about the small terror of being constantly surrounded by strangers? Or was it the shared pain all of us felt as we held the same conversations with her over and Over and OVER again -- all while remembering the gentle, vibrant woman, who slowly disappeared in front of our very eyes?

Or were you vomiting because you know the agony my husband and I have gone through as we struggled with infertility? I will not detail that specific agony here, because I am sure you are aware of it already.

Or were you just having a moment of illness because of remembering the puss from the scabs on a dear one's legs caused by AIDS? A second of remembering the grief from the funeral? A moment where you were missing someone WHO DIDN'T HAVE TO DIE but for the actions of someone else -- a man who decided HIS RELIGION was more important than YOUR MEDICINE? Or worse crime of all for some of us, MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE MEDICINE OF THOSE I LOVED?

If me and my "bad thoughts" are turning your stomach, Will, then I feel sorry for you. You must be vomiting constantly when you are actually seeing the ACTIONS of those who cause the suffering of which I speak!

One man had the ability to change all of that -- and I'll curse him to my grave because he didn't.

[Sterling]

56. When did DUers prevent Raygun from seaking medical help?

I don't feel bad.

[noamnety]

31. Dancing on people's graves is bad

I don't have anything good to say about the man. The world would have been better if he weren't president. But the world didn't become better because he or his family suffered in his later years. His suffering doesn't bring back any of the things you lost. The people that suffered from watching his decline were republicans and democrats alike.

I can't imagine what this post is trying to accomplish. Are you trying to convince us that wishing horrifying suffering on people is something to be admired? That it's something to boast about?

I would be ashamed to post something like this. It doesn't hurt Reagan; he's gone. It hurts people who were close to him, like his family, who are both republicans and democrats. It's like one step away from sending an engraved note to Ron Reagan Jr. letting him know you wish the worst for him.

[IdaBriggs]

35. "What is this post trying to accomplish?"

Well, I am directly tying MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES into decisions made by the leaders of my country. I am pointing out that decisions made by folks "far away in Washington" matter in the lives of ALL OF US -- its not just some theoretical nonsense: its LIFE AND DEATH FOR ALL OF US.

Reagan made a decision based on HIS RELIGION ("not playing God") that affected MY MEDICINE, and that of my immediate family, and that will continue to affect all of us for years to come. As a side benefit, it also cost him his life.

Its not just POLITICS -- ITS PERSONAL.

[noamnety]

36. We KNOW that it's life and death for us

Nobody would have a problem with you stating that part of it. Yes, the decisions politicians make aren't like sports games - people suffer and die because of them.

The part people are objecting to is what seems to be the main point of you posting this at all - that you are glad to see people suffer, and proud to say it.

[IdaBriggs]

39. I believe in poetic justice; sometimes its the only comfort I have.

Those who cause suffering should suffer. I am powerless to do anything except say it. All of the scolding in the world won't change my views on this.

[noamnety]

49. Poetic justice?

You mean an eye for an eye?

This is NO different than freepers gloating when an innocent Iraqi is blown up in retaliation for a Saudi hijacking a plane. They're muslims, thus guilt by association. The people who would be most hurt by this post had NOTHING to do with hurting your family.

In Reagan's family, the one who is most likely to read DU, I would guess, is his son, Ron. Is this something you'd be proud to say to his face? If you met him in person, would you tell him you're glad he had to watch his father get destroyed by a horrifying disease? If he posted in this thread, how would you feel?

[IdaBriggs]

51. Poetic Justice = "Idealized Justice" (per Wikipedia)

From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poetic_justice

Poetic justice is a term referring to idealised justice.

The term was invented by critic Thomas Rymer in The Tragedies of the Last Age. Considered to describe how virtue should be rewarded and evil punished in literature. Justice by poets.

Today it is often used in an ironic context, where the punishment is intimately related to the persons crime or misdeed.

Or you can use the Webster's definition: http://www.webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=poetic+justice&x=0&y=0

Main Entry: poetic justice
Function: noun
: an outcome in which vice is punished and virtue rewarded usually in a manner peculiarly or ironically appropriate

Rarely is "poetic justice" in the "eye for an eye" category. In this case, a man who could have saved millions is struck down by the same disease he does nothing to prevent....

And if Ron Jr decided to post in this thread, yes, I would tell him EXACTLY what level of suffering his father's decisions has created! Then again, I think he already knows.

[noamnety]

54. Ah, but that's not what I asked.

I didn't ask if you'd tell him how his father hurt you.

I asked if you would tell him you're glad he had to watch his father be destroyed by the disease.

[IdaBriggs]

81. Actually, you asked two things, but you are right: I only answered one.

You were asking if I was referring to "Hammurabi" when I referenced "poetic justice," which is why I attempted to clarify the point that "poetic justice" is not necessarily "Hammurabi style" justice. I hope I have clarified the point, as well as my stance on it.

Your second question re: Ron Jr is definitely more difficult, and so, I honestly have to equivocate on it, and say yes, but with what level of harshness? That would probably depend on the day. I am confident Ron Jr understands the agony of watching someone you love disappear into Alzheimers, and I am furthermore confident that he is someone who can display decent compassion towards the suffering of his fellow man. Unfortunately, Ron Jr was not President; his father was, and his father made HORRIBLE decisions about these things. I am also confident that, even though no one is supposed to say it, he is aware we lost TWELVE YEARS OF RESEARCH, and he probably has a few things to say about the topic that aren't repeatable, too.

So, will I say it to his face? Yes -- his father put HIS RELIGION AHEAD OF MY MEDICINE. I appreciate that he and his mother are now on board the "Sanity Train", but its twenty years too late to make up for what we ALL lost....

[noamnety]

91. My point is buried in your post

"Unfortunately, Ron Jr was not President; his father was"

That's it, in a nutshell. You're glad Ron Jr. suffered, although you recognize that he wasn't at all responsible for your troubles. I just can't imagine you saying THAT to his face. I can imagine you telling him his father put his religion ahead of your medicine, without a problem. But what you've done with this post is tell him that you are glad that completely innocent people suffered to make up for your misery - that you enjoy watching everyone SURROUNDING the guilty person to suffer.

I don't believe in the death penalty. Hypothetically, though, if I did, I would hope that if there was a brutal murder in my family and the murderer was put to death, that I wouldn't rejoice in watching the murderer's execution. Maybe I would feel relief that he couldn't harm us anymore, or that that chapter of my life is closed, I don't know. But rejoicing? You've gone a step further than even that, though - this is like asking the court to torture the murderer before executing them, and then pointing and laughing at the murderer's innocent children as they look on in horror.

[IdaBriggs]

96. I can understand why you feel that way. Your views are different

than mine; I "rejoice" in the fact he (Reagan Sr) received "poetic justice" because in this case, it seems to me as if the "punishment" REALLY fits the crime. Things may look different for you. The suffering his family had to go through is sad....

I am on a different wave length than you on the death penalty, too, which may further explain the different ways we look at things. There are certain times when I *do* support the death penalty, although I am not happy with the way it is applied (meaning that I believe it is not applied fairly across the socio-economic board). This probably makes me a "bad person" in your view, and I am okay with that.

I can respect your point of view; I will not lie about mine.

[noamnety]

101. "The suffering his family had to go through is sad...."

I'm glad we can agree on that, at least.

Part of my concern is that in Alzheimers cases perhaps even more than most diseases, such a large portion of the suffering and the burden is born by the family, rather than just the person who actually has the disease.

I guess some can rationalize it as collateral damage? It certainly isn't poetic justice.

[Obamarama]

53. You're not the only one who has been witness to heinous suffering....

Whatever insidious diseases have claimed your loved ones, you're not the only one, Ida. Millions of people have endured what you have endured, and much worse, every day. I can, unfortunately, count myself among those millions.

You're not wrong in being upset and angry. You do have a choice as to what to do with all that negative energy. You can either continue to suck on the lemons life has handed you and your loved ones, or you can turn that anger into positive energy and become part of the solution.

I used to be one of those perpetually angry people, but it didn't take me too long before I realized that was a pointless exercise in daily living. I decided, instead, I did not want to go through life being an angry, bitter person.

I don't care what you think about Ronald Reagan. But I know this much...for you to say that, and reading the things you have written in subsequent replies, you need to see a grief counselor or a family counselor at the very least.

I really don't beleive your posts are reflective of the person you really want to be. You need help, and I think you know it. Get that help and quit playing the martyr. If I can do it, anyone can.

[IdaBriggs]

58. Obviously, I'm not the only one -- that's part of the problem!

I'm okay with my anger. I use it to remind myself of the danger of "playing dumb" about the actions of the folks "in charge" -- and I'm okay with the person I am. (And honestly, not really that much of a martyr, although I can understand where this post might lead you to think that.)

As I told someone else recently, the real problem isn't my TALKING about this stuff, its the fact that we have to!

But, thank you for your concern. I know it comes from a good place. :)

[Zorra]

32. He really was a very evil and dangerous person that deliberately caused

a great deal of pain, death, and suffering to countless innocent individuals on this planet, and the repercussions of his evil deeds continue to cause many innocent people to suffer to this day.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

34. Never judge a man fortunate until you know the circumstances of his death

I'm not glad Reagan died of Alzheimers'. I simply am not fond of the fact that he may have governed in the early stages of it. We deserve honest medical screenings of anyone holding the highest office in the land.

Yes, while he governed he did many things that would call to question his competency and compassion be it his inaction on AIDS/HIV...or his comment that ketchup was a vegetable...or all the things he could not recall regarding staff meetings concerning Iran Contra

However, part of what gives US great credibility today on the issue of life saving medical discoveries is that his family, after watching him suffer, believes we are correct on this issue. It raises the issue above partisanship to have that support.

[The Blue Knight]

43. This post is fucking disgusting.

That's all I have to say about that.

[blondeatlast]

45. Edit: what the hell is offensive about it?

I can't find anything offensive to anyone in NSMA's comment. It's a strongly worded, but completely appropriate sentiment.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

48. You seem to have a thing for me today

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4062106&mesg_id=4063525

What's up with that?

[Misunderestimator]

52. WTF? What's disgusting about it?

[progmom]

79. hello? where did you go?

what is your problem with NSMA's post? please explain.

[blondeatlast]

44. The most effective thing we can do is erase the partisan aspect of SCR.

Religious insanity holds us back, but reasonable people on both sides, given the facts, will overwhelmingly support SCR.

Some sanity--whew.

Nancy Reagan's heartfelt plea to increase funding and stem-cell lines has influenced many Republicans to rethink the issue.

Of course I despise Ronald Reagan's WORKS, but if I can't find compassion for his suffering, I can't, in my own conscience, call myself a liberal.

[JimmyJazz]

71. I completely agree. I am glad to have Nancy and Ron, Jr.

on "our" side of the stem cell research battle.

[JimmyJazz]

47. Clearly, you have never watched someone die of alzheimers...

nor have you watched the suffering of that person's family. I'm no fan of Reagan, but your post is bothersome to put it mildly.

[IdaBriggs]

50. Clearly, you have not read my post. Aunt Dolly's unnecessary

suffering is part of what prompts my anger on this topic.

[JimmyJazz]

62. I don't seem to be in the minority in thinking that your post

is bothersome, so I'll just leave it at that.

[IdaBriggs]

68. I won't argue with you; its intended to be "bothersome." nt

[smbolisnch]

55. Clearly, you don't put too much stock into karma.

Your post is at best, disturbing.
For someone that claims to have witnessed so much suffering, how could you possibly wish pain and death on another human being, as wrong as he may have been politically? What about his family, did they deserve to watch him die? I hope Ron Jr. Doesn't read DU too often. You should be ashamed. :eyes:

[Lindacooks]

63. Karma??

Don't make me laugh.

My dh and I have done more for people in my town than anyone I know of - donating bikes to kids, silverware and appliances to Habitat for Humanity homes, working for the food shelves, rescuing lost dogs and returning them to their families, and saving stray cats. Yet we've had horrible 'karma' - cancer, depression, genetic diseases, infertility, AND the people of this town have treated us like shit. My dh was fired from two jobs in this town by people who didn't like his liberal views.

And our 'karma' has improved 1000% since we STOPPED doing nice things for people in this town.

[smbolisnch]

76. I think you completely misunderstand karma and philanthropy.

Do you not see how silly your comment sounds? :shrug:

[agincourt]

57. Greg Palast had him pegged,

in the article he wrote after he died. Sadly, I'd take him over this egotistical frat rat we got now. I hope I never live to see the day when we get a president that makes W look better, if a president is what they'll call him.

[blondeatlast]

90. You know it's bad when people like me are nostalgic for Reagan

and Nixon--and I'm old enough to remember both.

[Vinca]

59. I wouldn't wish Alzheimers on my worst enemy. nt

[kentuck]

60. Obviously not a believer in Karma....

I never cared for Reagan but I would never say that I'm glad that anyone is dead...because I do believe in Karma..

[Lindacooks]

61. I agree with you 1000%.

That man caused more suffering and killed more people in this country than anyone until chimpy. The worst thing about him was his 'aw shucks' attitude. The man was a monster.

And yes, he hurt my family directly too. My husband went through cancer at age 25 when Ray=gun was president, and we watched while that pig cut cancer research funding. My mother now has Parkinsons, and there's Huntington's Chorea in my husband's family. The prognosis and outlook for all of these things would be very different if Reagan wasn't elected; if he had never been born.

[IdaBriggs]

77. Complete and utter heartfelt sympathies.....

:cry:

How is your husband doing these days?

[noiretextatique]

64. you didn't build a website questioning whether he had the disease

nor did you hound the man with insidious lies and baseless accusations while he was ill. i know some are trying to equate your opinion to the actions of folks like the scamdy crowd, but of course, no matter how hard some try...it will never be the same.
you are entitled to your opinion.

[dogday]

65. My Grandfather died of Alzheimers

he waisted away. He was a big man, around 280 pounds. When he died he was 125 pounds. This disease eats away at your body and your brain and causes so much pain to the loved ones who see it day after day after day.

Please take your hate and find a big hole and bury it. It does you and no one else any good to go there....

[IdaBriggs]

66. Did you READ my post, or only the title?

And I am truly sorry for your loss....:(

[dogday]

73. Yes I understand

It is a terrible disease I wish on no one, not even the man who could of (Maybe) helped himself.

I too am sorry for your loss. This was one of the hardest things I did in my life.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

67. I didn't care that he died. Murderous president with lot's of blood on

his hands. I won't say that I was "glad", certainly not sad, more like indifferent.

[question everything]

69. At the end, he redeemed himself

Reagan ushered the age of letting the religious right determine a policy. No, I don't think that Reagan himself believed half of what the rabid zealots say, but he cynically manipulated their support. While papa Bush did not, the current Bush clearly carries them even further.

But by coming forward with his Alzheimer's he did a major service for the million of families struggling with losing their loved ones, did a major service in awareness and in need of more research. This, from my point of view, was his only contribution.

[WillowTree]

70. You're obvioiusly way more than "a little" bitter...

....and you seem to be feeding that bitterness rather than making an attempt to move beyond it. Celebrating someone else's suffering, no matter who it is, is the kind of thing that benefits absolutely no one and will eat away at your own soul. For your own good, I hope that you find a way to let go of it, if you can, so that you can deal with the difficulties of life in a more productive manner.

[TruthIsAll]

72. Ida, if you want to makes us look like a bunch of freepers, you failed..

Just like you failed in New Hampshire...

[bluestateguy]

74. The way things are now I'd be willing to go back to Reagan's America

It would be a major improvement from having a horrendously bad Administration to a moderatley bad Administration. I tell you one thing: Reagan would not have gotten us into this shitstorm in Iraq. Indeed, I would probably be criticizing him for being TOO friendly with Saddam, given their warm relations in the 1980's.

[Arugula Latte]

75. I've hated Reagan ever since I was 14 ... (1980)

But, I have to thank him for turning me into a staunch liberal.

He was a vile, harmful person masquerading as an avuncular grandfather.

Fuck him.

[sam sarrha]

78. he was just an actor playing President.. Bu$h Senior was in charge

[ramondajk24]

80. Posts like these are why...

DU can never truly be an asset to the Party. Your average person comes here, reads this kind of thing, and dismisses the entire place as nasty, spiteful, whiny, ignorant, and vindictive people. And, unfortunately, they're not really off base with that. There's way too much of this kind of thing here and precious little of what we should be standing up and fighting for.

[IdaBriggs]

83. Yup. Ignore the point -- dead people -- and concentrate on how "mean"

it is. Ignorant is definitely a good way to describe the situation -- most people don't even know the effects of what Reagan did, so let's make sure we don't talk about them, right?

:eyes:

[ramondajk24]

Oh, no.

DEFINITELY talk about THEM -- the things he did. Talk about what anyone DID.

It's when you and plenty of others here slide into the personal trashing that this place just becomes disgusting, juvenile, and counter-productive. I'd say that being glad someone (anyone) died falls into that category.

[IdaBriggs]

88. You have your views, and I have mine.

People who cause pain and suffering to offers are fair game for my bad wishes, according to my views. Other people think "the power of your bad thoughts" makes someone fair game.

So, just out of curiosity, what is your view on Hitler's death? Any sorrow or sympathy for him? For myself, I spend my energy on his VICTIMS, and will gladly take heat for my gratitude about his death, too.

Different strokes, etc.

:shrug:

[ramondajk24]

93. Definitely.

My views don't resemble yours at all. And I don't pick and choose deaths to be glad about, and that goes for your weak Hitler analogy attempt also. (Ever notice how often Hitler is brought into an argument that has no strength to begin with?)

Over and out...

[JimmyJazz]

We should DEFINITELY talk about his administration....

That is certainly worthy of discussion. I just think you lost a lot of people when you rejoiced over the pain and suffering he and his family endured.

[blondeatlast]

92. Uh, newbie--hold your horses. Read through the entire thread and see how

MOST of us think the OP is vile, disgusting, and completely unprogressive.

Welcome to DU. Please READ as much as you type; it's appreciated.

[ramondajk24]

95. Um... okay.

I did read before I typed, thanks.

And my comments applied to more than just this thread. If I didn't make that clear before, I hope this does: this place is embarrassing to many democrats, and I can see why.

[blondeatlast]

100. Many of us do our best to raise the level of discourse,

but if you come in with that attitude, well, there's a remedy on my end, anyway.

Apparently you haven't read a single post on this thread that I wrote, or many others.

Bye now.

[ramondajk24]

103. Oh, and one other thing...

'Newbies' aren't particularly welcome here from what I've seen, either. Why this person would assume to know that I 'came in with this attitude' is beyond me, but then... I think I function on a different level.

If this poster is a moderator or VIP or something here and the 'Bye now' means I'm supposed to leave, someone please clue me in. Otherwise I'll just assume sarcasm and move along...

[gulliver]

94. This post is different. It's rational.

I personally don't hate Reagan. My family even has some connection to Reagan going back to his Eureka College days. I think of him as an amiable celebrity, a good personality. I even think his heart was generally in the right place.

But Reagan served as the (sometimes unknowing) front man for some truly ill-considered policies and some truly slimy people.

I accept the OP's outrage because she explains it. It isn't merely wishing cruelty on someone. The post strikes me as honest. Those who read it, even Freepers, would have to acknowledge that it comes from justified anger, even if that anger is raw and breaks the taboo against calling down death on someone else. It isn't as easy to dismiss as you seem to think. It can be read and appreciated.

One might even say it resonates, and that is what I like most about it. Who among us won't feel the same hatred years from now if one of us or one of our children suffers because George W. Bush, for example, decided to impede stem cell research to score electoral points with the fundies? The OP feels that way about Reagan. She's entitled.

[IdaBriggs]

98. Thank you -- you made me cry.

I feel heard, and you have no idea how much that means to me today.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

:cry: :cry: :cry:

[Name removed]

82. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

84. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[WillowTree]

85. Of course...

....the same could be said to you, as well.

[Vuem]

87. Of course it could.

As could it be said to anyone.

Your talent for exposing the obvious is breathtaking.

[WillowTree]

102. As a matter of fact...

....I know a great many people who don't find it necessary to be anywhere near that unpleasant or confrontational in order to make their point or even to voice disagreement and they all seem to be far happier people than do you. You might want to try it sometime, for your own benefit.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

[Sapphire Blue]

86. While I disagreed w/many of Reagan's policies, I have compassion for his

family... his widow & his son, Ron, publicly support stem cell research... it is personal for them, as it is for so many affected by disease. I will not condemn the late president, nor rejoice in his family's grief... they have my compassion.

As do you... I am sorry for your losses.

[IdaBriggs]

89. Thank you. nt

[Zhade]

97. Hell, I'm only sorry he's dead because he never went to prison.

Otherwise, my feeling is that karma got him, and his death made the world a better place.

[6000eliot]

99. I hated Reagan too

He was a heartless bastard and a terrible president who has somehow earned a pass from the media and the American people. I'll never be convinced that his campaign didn't make a deal with Iran to keep the hostages captive, which made his presidency possible.

[Stephist]

104. I Agree 100% With The OP

I absolutely do not find the original post disgusting nor disturbing But I'll tell what I think is... The amount of people on this board the last few days who have gone out of their way to kiss the asses of Freepers and people like Reagan. Now thats getting disgusting.

Reagan was evil pure and simple. Do you people here who are defending him realize The amount of careers and lives this man destroyed in his life time? Sorry I didn't bad mouth the man after he died but now that he has been gone awhile lets not be afraid of the truth... he was vile.

[Moderator]

105. locking

This thread is a bit insensitive
and the discussion has run its course.


DU Moderator