Nancy Reagan emerges as public icon

[emad]

BBC News Snip:

Nancy Reagan, who quietly cared for former President Ronald Reagan during his last decade, has been transformed in the eyes of the American public.

Now praised for her unwavering support and fierce protection of her ailing husband's privacy, the former first lady is being lauded as a national heroine and praised for her quiet dignity following Reagan's death.

But it was not always like that. During eight years in the White House, Mrs Reagan was often criticised for being domineering and wielding too much influence over the president.

While she was known for her "Just Say No" anti-drug campaign, she was ridiculed for accepting glamorous outfits from big-name designers and for spending extravagant sums redecorating the White House.

More:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3794125.stm


Personally, I thought the BFEE version last night of the Queen Mother's pre-funeral lying in state looked as excised of truth as Nancy's graceless, surgery-enhanced features.

To hold her up as an icon shows the BFEE's best shot has sunk to a new depth of desperation.

[demnan]

1. She's just another elderly widow who loved her husband

I can't fault her for that.

[LittleApple81]

2. But if she allows this "Extreme Makeover" of personality.. then the gloves

are off!!!

[Poiuyt]

3. I applaud her stance on Alzheimer's research

especially stem cell research. I believe she is sincere in that.

[LittleApple81]

4. Me too. Especially because she knew it would not benefit Ronald.

But she did not do anything to help people who were not connected to her personally when she could (AIDS, poverty, etc. etc.)

[emad]

5. That spin has stood the test of time I guess. Nothing about

her or him is either pleasant, honest, truthful, honorable, decent or remotely connected with reality.

Parading her as an iconic heroine to a lovable ex-pres scrapes the bottom of a morally bankrupt barrel.

[Straight Shooter]

6. Seems to me that God decided to "just say no" to Nancy

Icon. Give me a break. The Repubs create golden calves whenever they can. Disgusting.

[Marymarg]

7. Nancy could be our new best friend.

She hates Bush and she is untouchable for criticism.

When she is able to focus on something besides her immediate grief, I hope she become active for stem-cell research. I really think she might devote her time and energy to this.