Former President Reagan rarely awake - report

[NNN0LHI]

Please no smart comments on this one. I admit that I almost did, but I really do think DUers should be above it. Please bite your lip like I did. He is dying. Thanks. Don

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N04200664.htm

LOS ANGELES, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Former President Ronald Reagan, who suffers from advanced stages of Alzheimer's Disease, is now confined to a bed, rarely awake and unable to walk or talk, People magazine said in a report issued on Thursday.

In an essay accompanying the article about the former president's condition, daughter Patti Davis said people may still think Reagan, 92, is somewhat mobile and active, despite his well-publicized illness, because his family has guarded his privacy so zealously.

"But it would be a disservice to every family who has an Alzheimer's victim in their embrace to say any of that is true, and I don't believe my father would want us to lie," she wrote.

The magazine said Reagan spends his days either in a bed or occasionally in a wheelchair, in a small room at his home in the exclusive Bel Air section of Los Angeles, where he is kept out of the sight of all but his closest family and helpers.

more

[donotpassgo]

1. lip biting lip biting

edited for not actually reading the article before I posted.

[Hawkeye-X]

20. I happen to know that the Reagan family HATES Bush family with a passion..

I've heard Nancy Reagan mention that often...

Hawkeye-X

[tom_paine]

128. Which should make it easier for the Busheviks to murder him

Finishing the business they started in 1980.

[mlawson]

133. You know what Nancy might do?? Ask Big Dog to do the eulogy!!

After all, he did one for Nixon. She doesn't HAVE to even invite any of the bushes. And she is powerful enough a celeb to face them down.

Let's see: Former Presidents present at the Reagan funeral -- Ford, Carter, Clinton, and maybe Gore. Works for me.

[wuushew]

2. He will be dead by November 2004

and that does not bode well for us. I don't think I can take the dual pressures of the Raygasm and GOP convention in the same year.

[Minstrel Boy]

9. "Win one more for the Gipper"

Even as they hold the pillow over his face.

I can hear it now. :eyes:

[NashVegas]

122. Throw the Wellstone Memorial in Their Faces

if they try that crap.

[tom_paine]

129. What good would that do to people without conscience, without shame?

Might as well try and shame Nazis for their hypocrisies.

The EXACT same effect. Alright, maybe the Busheviks won't have you arrested and taken away.

That's more of a 2020 thing...

[tom_paine]

127. No pillow...potassium chloride behind the ear

Untraceably causes a heart attack.

Of course, even if they did decide to whack him in a forensically detectable way, who would say it, who would print it?

But yes, Augustus was assassinated, and Raygun, though a figurehead for Poppy and the PNAC boys, was the Augustus of Imperial Amerika.

He will be murdered to serve the cause of Tiberius* Bunnypants...

[donotpassgo]

11. what we need to do is....

not fight Raygun and Bush at the same time.

Instead we should use Reagan against Bush...say Reagan promoted strength, pride, and honor...qualities Bush does not posess. Its all BS, but whaddyagonnado.

I think their keeping Reagan on ice so he could "die" at a convenient time.

[eleny]

24. My thoughts as well

My first thought was that Rove is praying for a "timely" demise. After all, everything is political. But no matter when, they will use RR's death to their advantage and in the worst taste. It's Republican way, after all. The talking points have probably already been distributed and memorized.

[CO Liberal]

42. I Think He's Already On Ice

And they plan to thaw him out a few days before the election.

[Bertha Venation]

74. "use Reagan against Bush"

and "I think their keeping Reagan on ice so he could "die" at a convenient time."

:wtf: IBYFP? It's all politics, then, eh?

A man's hideous death, the tragedy of it augmented by his disproportionate deification by the right, used to blast a fellow party member?

Bullshit.

Do I misunderstand you? I hope so.

[okieinpain]

118. well you better get ready, it's a coming.

[hlthe2b]

141. Easily... six months to a year...

Pneumonia/Flu are big threats to him now....

All politics aside, I think it would be a blessing to Nancy and the family. He is truly nothing more than a vegetable now, and one requiring lots of costly care. They are fortunate to have the resources to

[Zomby Woof]

3. never going to hold my tongue...

"But it would be a disservice to every family who has an Alzheimer's victim in their embrace to say any of that is true, and I don't believe my father would want us to lie," she wrote.

Now, you go on believing that. :eyes:

[supercrash]

4. Jeeesh...

It's not like he doesn't deserve it

October Surprise
Arming the Contras
Arming the Mujahedeen
Arming Iraq
Arming Iran
Iran/Contra Crimes
Iraqgate
War on drugs or importing cocaine into the US
Iran/Contra coverup
Sleeping at meetings
Not funding aids programs
Picking Bush sr. for VP

The guy was a hack

[wuushew]

8. Don't forget his reign of terror as governor of California

and his role in the destruction of numerous hollywood careers.

[Zomby Woof]

13. only the tip of the iceberg

James Watt and the rape of federal lands for developers, Anne Gorsuch and her EPA playground, lying about negotiating with terrorists, ties to the Religious Right, the HUD scandal, Ed fucking Meese, Antonin Scalia appointed to SCOTUS, deficits, debt, and dumbasses galore. There's MUCH more, but time is important.

Fuck the doddering diaper-assed dimbulb.

[Hubert Flottz]

135. And the twenty mule team he rode in on!

I hope it hurts like hell!

[stevedeshazer]

139. Well, Mr Zomby,

I hope no one in your family ever suffers from Alzheimer's disease.

You must have no idea what it is like to have a family member with Alzheimer's disease.

I despise Reagan and his policies, but it takes a really cold, heartless person to say, "Fuck the doddering diaper-assed dimbulb."

Nice contribution. Which of your kids will pick out your nursing home?

[Zomby Woof]

159. I am unrepentant

I don't care what you think. :P This isn't about Alzheimer's, it's about an asshole who happens to have Alzheimer's. It's your problem if you confuse the two.

I am sure though, you feel quite smugly satisfied to be oh so superior over me. :D Enjoy it, because it's fleeting.

Reagan's Alzheimer's set the country back 50 years. So fuck him, and his shitty diapers. ;-)

[Zomby Woof]

161. oh, and by the way!

I won't have any kids. I don't like kids, and if I end up shitting my pants in a nursing home, I'll send you the bill. :P

One more thing, someone who sports a racist anti-semite (and the father of neocons) in his avatar shouldn't be lecturing me on moral superiority. Makes you look like an awful hypocrite. ;-)

[stevedeshazer]

165. I already get the bill for your shitty pants

So will my kids. They'll pay for it when you die alone, I guess. It's called Medicare.

Moral superiority? Wishing a horrible death on another human being?

Yeah, right, I am a racist anti-semite. And a hypocrite.

Come on, we probably agree on 90% of stuff, what's up with this?

Peace, out.

G'night.

[AntiCoup2K4]

40. Now in all fairness, Ronnie had very little involvement in most of that.

Granted, as the alleged President, he's legally responsible, but let's face it, all that covert bullshit was Poppy's doing. Reagan was more of an empty suit figure head than Junior. Quite literally the "acting President".

But at least he was elected.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

5. Do you think they're keeping him alive.

That would be unnecessarily cruel.

[Capn Sunshine]

10. THE THOUGHT HAS CROSSED MY MIND

If true, they will pull the plug in Late March, 2004

Imagine the Reagan fest they would have at the convention.

[SharonAnn]

138. Nancy wouldn't want to help the Bushes, would she?

So I doubt that she's keeping him alive just for the GOP, since that benefits Bush.

[LTR]

149. Doubtful Nancy really gives a sh*t

about the GOP, especially the Bushes. She's retired, and probably has her hands full tending to her husband.

[elperromagico]

156. I would imagine that Dubya's waffling on stem cell research

pissed Nancy off something fierce. And nobody messes with Nancy.

[Gin]

142. remember Dave?????

gin

[ringmastery]

6. I hope he can hold out utnil the election

With our luck, watch him die right before the election and Bush at his funeral says....win one for the gipper. :eyes:

[last_texas_dem]

100. I wonder...

...if the "liberal" media would then call Shrub on the carpet for doing something like that the way they turned Paul Wellstone's friend's comments at his funeral into a pre-election "scandal"?

[Forkboy]

7. So what's new?

Sorry Don,the man was a complete asshead.Lots of people are dying too because of his policies,they deserve the sympathy far more than him.

[THUNDER HANDS]

14. LOL

asshead

I gotta remember that one. :D

[Kanary]

23. Yup, he's getting off easy.... where's the karma...

ooops, lips didn't bite so well...

[Neshanic]

134. He can't say what is going on in his mind.

Constant reruns of Bedtime for Bonzo, with all gay actors and an explicit sex scene concerning a oversexed monkey and Nancy.....ok my lip is bit.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

12. He has been demoted to 2nd worst president

just above the current bucket of Texas cow waste infesting the WH.

[AntiCoup2K4]

48. Nope. He's still the worst.

But only because Junior isn't the President :evilgrin:

[Cleita]

15. This is not a smart remark but a reality.

An ordinary person in that advanced stage would have been unplugged, given hospice care and allowed to die with dignity. At this stage of his disease, keeping him alive artificially, whether it's with feeding tubes or other methods is not merciful. He can't get better, so it would be best to let him go naturally as it appears to be his time.

[terrya]

16. I can't make fun of this.

My dad passed away from cancer 6 months ago. I watched him deteriorate both physically and mentally...from the chemo and cancer. He was this strong, healthy guy. At the end, he was skeletal.

I think about others in my family who might be ultimately afflicted with Alzheimers. It's a horrible way to die.

I didn't like Reagan, either. But I just can't find any humor about this. I can't gloat about this.

So, flame away.

[jiacinto]

19. I agree with you

Whatever you may think of the man's policy taking pleasure in someone's death is just plain wrong.

[Forkboy]

27. I dont take pleasure in it

I just dont feel sympathy.His policies to the poor affected my family horribly.

[jiacinto]

30. I disagreed with his policies

But ridiculing or taking pleasure in his death is wrong.

[Bertha Venation]

90. I'm sorry about your dad, terrya. n/t

[elperromagico]

157. Agreed.

I feel sorry for his family. I wouldn't wish Alzheimer's on anybody, not even Dubya. No, I just wish Dubya would forget to run for President in 2004...

[felonious thunk]

17. Luckly, we'll be able to remember him with:

The Ronald Reagan Fundamental School

Ronald Reagan Elementary School

Ronald Reagan California Republican Center

Ronald Reagan Building

Reagan Center

Ronald W. Reagan Federal Courthouse

Ronald Reagan Leadership Program

The Ronald Reagan Library and Center for Public Affairs

Ronald Reagan Freeway

Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center

Ronald Reagan Chair in Public Policy

Ronald Reagan Institute of Emergency Medicene

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

The Ronald Wilson Reagan Republican Center

Ronald Reagan Avenue

Ronald Reagan Turnpike

Ronald Reagan Parkway

The Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Center

Reagan Boyhood Home

Ronald W. Reagan Middle School

Reagan Drive

Reagan Physical Education Center

Ronald Reagan Peace Garden (!)

Ronald W. Reagan Leadership Program

Birthplace of Ronald Reagan

Reagan Park

Ronald Reagan Highway

Ronald W. Reagan Trail <2000>

The Reagan Hope Home

Ronald Reagan Boulevard

Ronald Reagan Highway

The Reagan Leadership Society

Ronald Reagan High School

The Ronald Reagan Scholarship Fund

USS Ronald Reagan

[oasis]

47. A vast amount of Reagan's supporters are actually good hearted folks.

Not a fan of his myself, but he was waaaaay better than Bush.

[edzontar]

50. The only ship worse than the REAGAN....

Is the USS George H W Bush (now building in Newport News).

That said. I really hated Reagan and hated his policies, considered his election the worst thing that happened to this coutnry in my lifetime (until recently, of course), etc.

But, having had a father die horribly from cancer not long ago, I can only feel empathy for his family.

So shoot me.

[AntiCoup2K4]

58. And coming soon.... Reagan on Mt Rushmore

...soon to be followed by the "terrorist attack" on Mt Rushmore :nuke:

(and it won't neccessarily be Al Qaeda)

[edzontar]

98. I have heard about that--what a vomitous idea.....

I think we should rename all the ships named after Pukes for 60s Radicals.


USS Reagan becomes the USS Abbie Hoffman

USS Bush becomes the USS Huey P. Newton

Etc.

THAT would show 'em.

[catzies]

131. Wasn't a mountain in Maine renamed after him too?

IIRC... :shrug:

[jiacinto]

18. I didn't agree with a lot of what Reagan did as president

But I am not going to take pleasure when he dies. I wish Alzheimer's disease on no one and my heart goes out to Nancy Reagan.

I am sure that when he passes on the celebrations will be difficult to stomach, but life will go on.

Taking pleasure in someone's death is cold and callous.

[Paragon]

21. I'd like to see a General Discussion thread...

...where people post what they would actually say in polite company, instead of spitting bile like the closet maniacs who listen to right-wing hate radio (welcome, dildoheads!) in the privacy of their cars.

Unless you'd actually say some of these things to a 92-year-old invalid with his family in the room, you're full of shit.

Please shut the fuck up. Thank you.

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

26. I agree

I know a litle bit about this disease since my husband's aunt has it and it sounds exactly like the course her disease is taking. She is not on any artificial life support and I doubt if Reagan is either. I feel sorry for his family. It's horrible to see a person you care about die that way.

[Forkboy]

31. There's nothing I say here on DU

that I wouldn't say to anyone in person.

[Cooley Hurd]

53. I'm as big a Reagan loather as they come, however...

it's cultivating some bad-ass karma when you take delight in the pain and suffering of another human being. I hated the old goof, but take no pleasure in his illness. Alzheimers is a horrible disease whose victims extend beyond the one afflicted...

Sorry, but I can't bring myself to feel anything but compassion for his family...

[mvd]

164. Well, one thing

The Reagans have no love for the Bushes.

[BiggJawn]

125. OK, You're on.

I never liked Ronald Reagan. until George Bush came along, I held him as the WORST president ever. The "cult" that sprung up around him, and which seems to be gaining strentgh in his last days, is truly disgusting, and I hope we're spared such things as Reagan on Mt. Rushmore, Reagan National Park (that's a hoot, given his pick of Jim Watt)Reagan Dam (formerly known as Hoover Dam) and so on ad nauseum.
And I'm sorry, but it WILL be a happy day for me when he goes to his dirt nap.

And I'm toning this down. Care to hear it from The Gut?

[blondeatlast]

126. Amen. Thank you.

[Bridget Burke]

22. At least his family can afford it

They have a home in the "exclusive Bel Air section" that's big enough to isolate him in a small room. There's money for live-in helpers; probably big, muscular ones who helped control him in the earlier stages of the disease. He's past that now, but I'm sure Nancy's never had to change his diaper.

Altzheimer's is a horrible thing. But what about all the sufferers who aren't rich?

[mlawson]

132. 100% right!!

Medicare only pays 20 days in a nursing home, unless you can get the patient into 'skilled care'. Then, you *might* get up to 100 days, but don't bank on it. And of course, 24 hr nurse care is NOT paid for!

I was *fortunate* to get my mother into assisted living, at which she was well cared for, for $1500 a MONTH....

[Beaker]

25. Screw him, I'm glad he's dying. I wish he'd pick up the pace a little, tho

I only hope that somewhere deep inside his mind, he's trapped- fully aware, conscious and in intense pain.
the man was an uncompassionate piece of shit in life, whose policies caused untold suffering on untold numbers of people and I can only hope that he's getting back in spades. Once he's finally dead and gone, I hope that his final resting place is accessible to the public, so that I can enjoy a dance, and a piss, on his grave.

(it's a good thing I decided to bite my lip a little...)

[Name removed]

29. Deleted message

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

[wuushew]

34. What about Hitler or Pol Pot?

How evil do you have to be in order for people to wish for your death?

[jiacinto]

41. That's stretching it

Equating Reagan with Hitler and Pol Pot is gonig way too far. He was no Nazi.

Yes, his policies hurt people. But Reagan didn't kill millions of Jews or kill political opponents like Pol Pot in Cambodia.

Get off the hyperbole.

[Forkboy]

49. "Get off the hyperbole. "

You do realize I have no choice but to save this to toss back at you sometime?

[jiacinto]

55. Show me proof that Reagan killed millions of Jews in the

Holacaust and killed millions of Cambodians and then I'll retract what I said.

[Forkboy]

63. You're arguing with the wrong guy

I just thought your comment was ironic consider you engage in hyperbole on a regular basis.

I couldn't give a wet fart if you retract it or not :shrug:

[eleny]

105. Considering that to fund activities in Central America...

Reagan's people were involved in drug traffic, I presume that too many people's lives were affected.

I can understand how, on a persoanl level, you're taking some posts in a tough way. But once you start protecting Reagan, you've crossed a line. His administration policies did affect millions of lives quite negatively. Just read a previous postings for the list of policies that were horrendous.

We get your point. Now, please take the last word if you need that.

[Zomby Woof]

71. he laid a wreath for SS soldiers

Which is bad enough, and yet another one of his crimes against reason and humanity. He loved the Nazis, he said "they were victims too". :puke:

His policies in Latin America were genocidal, as were his bombings of innocent civilians in Libya (to "get Khadafy"), his support of Marcos in the Phillipines.. oh hell, so much more.

You are devoting an AWFUL lot of energy to defending Reagan. Too much.

[jiacinto]

91. I'm not "defending" Reagan

Where do you get that? What I am saying is that attacking him as he lies on his death bed is crude and crass.

[Beaker]

36. he was a cold-hearted *uck. the world will be better off without him

I only hope that he's in A LOT of pain.

[oasis]

68. It's more likely that you are in more pain than he is. At least you can

recover.

[Beaker]

93. actually no, I can't.

I have a painful and progressive disease for which there is no cure.
that's why I went on permanent disability at age 38.

[Zomby Woof]

38. LOL!

:thumbsup: I was going to post something similar about dancing and pissing on his grave, but I am full of warmth and fuzziness from those Daily Democrat threads, so I was more muted than usual. But yeah, fuck him.

[tritsofme]

44. I think its sad that you have so much hate for that man,

I didnt like him either, I think he was a horrible president.

But to wish the pain and suffering that this disease causes on anybody is truly beyond the pale.

My brother's mother in law passed on from the advanced stages of Alzheimer's this spring, it is so horrible to see a person degenerate from someone who is strong and articulate, to just nothing. I couldnt wish this pain on my greatest enemy.

[Beaker]

52. where was Raygun's compassion for AIDS victims?

if anybody deserved a slow, painful, wasting death, it's him.

[tritsofme]

70. If thats the way you think,

I truly feel sorry for you.

[Beaker]

88. you must have a pretty empty life-

if you need to "truly" waste your emotions on me, someone you've never even met...as for me- I don't give a rat's ass about you.

[Name removed]

108. Deleted message

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

[thebigidea]

112. apparently, if you don't like Reagan, you're to be drugged like Laura Bush

[Screaming Lord Byron]

121. Shhh! That's only supposed to happen after the next election

All part of the BFEE plan.

[Beaker]

113. depressive?

are you in the habit of prescribing meds over the internet to people you don't know or never met? (is that even legal?)
Aren't you even the least bit concerned with possible contra-indications with the meds I already take?

what state do you practice medicine in...?
(they may want to consider pulling your liscense, and I feel a civic duty to turn you in)

[Name removed]

154. Deleted message

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

[LittleDannySlowhorse]

28. I hated Reagan's guts, but I'll say this for him:

At least he was elected. That's the nicest thing I can say about that motherfucker.

The man may be dying, but that doesn't change the misery and death for which he was directly responsible when he was lucid and healthy. I refuse to be magnanimous for the sake of a man who caused damage that we're still trying to undo. The negative effect that he had on the human race cannot be overstated.

[jiacinto]

32. What if this were Bill or Hillary Clinton?

Step back and just ask. Would you want people on FR making fun of them?

[Zomby Woof]

35. I don't a give a good goddamn about FR

Why should you? Fuck Reagan and his slavish minions over at the FR. At least over here people can dissent about the Clintons and be legitimate liberals. Over there, you'd probably get banned if you didn't want to have Reagan's love child.

[jiacinto]

45. It's kind of funny

If I swithced your words around and substituted "Reagan" for "Clinton" here in this thread your post would actually fit quite in with the folks at Free Republic.

[Zomby Woof]

61. maybe

But that is no reason for me to change my opinion about Reagan or his apologists on DU. :P

Besides, they make up stuff about Clinton (calling him a rapist, etc.). Name one post where I fabricate charges about his negligent presidency.

You can't, because I didn't. You lose, Chuckie.

[jiacinto]

64. I don't lose

I stick by my point. And I am hardly a "Reagan apologist" just because I am not attacking him and making fun of him as he dies.

[Zomby Woof]

76. go find something on cable to watch

Oh, yeah, you don't have cable right now.

Reagan is dying, as will we all one day.

[elperromagico]

162. They DO make fun of Bill and Hillary.

It will only get worse when the Clintons die.

It will only get worse when Jimmy Carter bites the big one.

Or Al Gore. Or Walter Mondale. Or Michael Dukakis. Or George McGovern.

Imagine when Robert Byrd goes to that big Senate committee in the sky.

Or any prominent Democrat, past or present.

I've heard conservatives refer to FDR as "that gimp Commie," so no amount of hateful vitriol surprises me.

[jiacinto]

33. What if this were your mother or father?

I had to watch my mother die slowly of cancer. I sure know that I would not want people mocking her on any public bulletin board.

[Beaker]

43. your mother didn't steal social security money from the masses.

Reagan did.

[jiacinto]

46. Again

I didn't agree with all of his policies, probably very few of his policies; but I am not going to be tactless, crude, and crass and take pleasure in his death.

That's just wrong.

[Padraig18]

54. I agree, jiacinto.

There is no pleasure to be taken in his death from this awful disease.

[mitchtv]

167. you are right no pleasure, but

I sure think karma can be a bitch. what did he sow when he refused funds for AIDS and Alzheimers research? I feel for his wife, tho

[Beaker]

62. you have the right to your opinion-

and I have the right to take great pleasure in his demise, and to hope for a slow painful one for him.

I love this country.

[jiacinto]

66. You're just an insensenitive person then who has crude morals

The first ammendment affords me the right to say that too.

[Forkboy]

84. and to think you were complaining about others being judgemental

try to be consistant will ya?

[Beaker]

101. now you done it...

you went and made me cry... :cry:


i hope you're happy...











































































:eyes:

[jiacinto]

104. I am sorry

I overstretched there. Please accept my apologies.

[Don Claybrook]

56. Is your mother a public figure?

It makes all the difference, legally speaking. It really does. Whether it's in poor taste or not is an entirely different matter. I'd much rather attack the man for all of the destructive things he did while in office.

[jiacinto]

59. You have every legal right to do so

That's what the first ammendment affords you. But it also affords me the right to say that taking pleasure in his death and attacking him when he dies is in poor taste.

I would never have voted for him had I been old enough at the time of the 1980 and the 1984 elections. I was opposed to most of his policies.

But he is dying and I am going to at least give him and his family the time to greive with their loss.

[felonious thunk]

69. Oh good lord

Then stop being so adamant about this. You didn't even live as an adult through the Reagan years. You have no idea what it was like. Yes, maybe it's in poor taste, but you know what? Ronald Reagan wasn't exactly the most emphathetic humanitarian in the world.

[jiacinto]

80. Yeah I do remember the Reagan years

I was 10 when he left office and I remember the 1984 campaign. As a little child my parents forced me to watch CNN, Inside Washington, Face the Nation, Meet the Press, and the McLaughlin Group. So I know what it was like.

[felonious thunk]

83. Yes most 6 year olds have a solid grasp on complex politics

So my apologies.

[jiacinto]

85. No I didn't say that I had a "complete grasp"

but I knew what was going on.

[felonious thunk]

94. Super

Then you understand why Reagan inspires so much anger in many people. You don't have to agree with how they express it, but there's no reason to scold people for legitimate anger. If you're "above that" good for you.

[jiacinto]

99. Legitimate anger is one thing

Being crude and crass when the man is dying is another.

[felonious thunk]

103. Dude, you aren't the arbiter of legitimacy

so deal with it. I find Reagan crude and crass.

[Forkboy]

86. no you dont

watching tv gave you no clue what it was like Carlos.

[jiacinto]

87. Yeah I do

It's funny how you always appear in every thread I post in. It's like your following me from thread to thread here.

[Forkboy]

95. No you dont

Yes Carlos,I'm stalking you :eyes: And I hate you so much I offered you a place to stay at the risk of pissing off my landlord and getting my wife and I booted as well.

[Padraig18]

37. No lip-biting needed here.

Regardless of who he was, who he is now is all that is relevant. He is an old man who is dying a horrible death from a remorseless, wasting disease. He is today someone to be pitied, above all. Let God and history judge his past.

We should pray for a merciful, easy release.

[Malva Zebrina]

39. won't be long now

.

[jiacinto]

51. Did Clinton go to Nixon's funeral?

just wondering. I assumed that Carter and Clinton went there and paid their respects.

[Padraig18]

57. Yes, they were all there.

All the living Presidents attended.

[Forkboy]

65. So?

Presidents do that.We're not presidents.

[Dookus]

73. Yes, of course Clinton went....

I'm really saddened to see the level to which some people here have sunk.

I disagreed with Reagan on just about every issue. I hated his presidency.

The main reason I hated it was because I found it compassionless. He's in a living hell now, as is his family. If we can't gather up an ounce of compassion for that, we're no better than the right-wingers we fight against.

When Bill Clinton dies, there will be neanderthals celebrating it. We should be better than that.

[Forkboy]

78. I do have sympathy for the family

just not for him.

[oasis]

75. yes he did. (eom)

[mlawson]

137. Not only that, but he gave the eulogy.

Political master stroke: NO ONE can give a speech like the Big Dog!!

What if Nancy asked him to do the same for Ronnie?? And the bushes not invited???

[Screaming Lord Byron]

60. They're ashamed of him. Aren't they?

'The magazine said Reagan spends his days either in a bed or occasionally in a wheelchair, in a small room at his home in the exclusive Bel Air section of Los Angeles, where he is kept out of the sight of all but his closest family and helpers.'

That sounds like shame to me. I wouldn't do that with my dad.

[oasis]

79. Most people want their loved ones to remember them in a positive light.

The family is merely shielding his deteriorating condition.

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

81. They are protecting his dignity

What happens at the end of Alzheimers is that the brain starts forgetting to tell the body how to function and the body starts shutting itself down. The person becomes helpless to do anything for himself or herself - including eating and going to the bathroom. Everybody, just hope that you or your loved ones never end up with it because it's a bad way to die.

[stevedeshazer]

144. Excuse me?

My dad went through the same thing, he died this year. Shame?

So I should have wheeled my dad around, a decorated veteran, so he could slobber in public so I wouldn't be ashamed?

If your dad gets Alzheimer's, what exactly will YOU do?

[MoonAndSun]

67. karma......

nothing else needs to be said.

[sleepyhead]

153. I agree

totally.

[Bertha Venation]

72. My grandmother has this disease

and I'll whip out my flamethrower if anyone so much as . . . .

I don't give a shit how lousy a president he was. He's a human being and this is a terrible way to die.

[Padraig18]

77. So did mine, and I agree.

It took her 12 long years to die, and they were HORRIBLE. NO ONE should ever have to watch another person die from Alzheimer's, or take joy in knowing that anyone is.

[wuushew]

82. Isn't wishing for death (Euthanasia) the humane liberal thing to want?

Wishing for him to die would be the moral thing to do since it would relieve him of his suffering.

I have never said I would take pleasure in the death of the man Ronald Raygun, but he is a symbol for an incredibly dangerous and destructive movement in American politics and I will take delight in the death of the symbol.

[Padraig18]

97. I prayed daily that my Granny would pass quietly and quickly.

You articulate the reason well--- it is a prayer for a merciful release.

[terrya]

130. Bertha Venation, I'm so sorry about your grandmother.

God, how horrible.

What a sad thread this is. All of our lives touched in some way by a horrible, horrible disease. Be it cancer or Alzheimers.

[Bertha Venation]

168. TY, terrya

I'm 2,600 miles away from her. In some ways she remains sharp. She knows me when I phone. Lately she's been saying things like "You're Jeannie's baby, aren't you?" -- Jeannie, my mother, is dead nearly 30 years, but this is my father's mother, and she never even mentions him. Weird stuff.

But when I phone, there's is no lingering joy for her, because she forgets that I've called as soon as she hangs up.

[Spider Jerusalem]

170. A human being?

Only by the broadest definition of the term.

[ACK]

89. I may hate the man's politics but ..

I don't wish no ill will upon any of my fellow man.

That is no way to die. My grandfather had Alzheimer's Disease and that is no way for any person to go down.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

92. Actually, I wish him dead.

Alzheimers is awful, and he's better off in the grave.

[Faygo Kid]

107. It won't be long; no fan, but I recall '92 convention speech

No fan here of Ronald Reagan, but I remember when he followed Pat Buchanan's "cultural war" address to the '92 Repuke convention with a message that was upbeat, positive, and called on Repukes to remember the better angels of their nature. Apparently, there were no better angels. How far we have come; today's Coulter/Rove/Hannity GOP is the most hate filled political party in American memory, and the most dangerous. They will trot out ol' Ronnie's memory whenever it suits them (see the CBS movie). Frankly, he would have no place in today's GOP. They have moved to a new, neo-con philosophy that contemplates a transfer of wealth, and a war-making machine, beyond anything Reagan ever contemplated. Again, don't flame me, no fan; I am an FDR guy. But let's remember just how bad it has become - yes, GWB is worse than Reagan, and we ought to be able to make that distinction. (Worse than Nixon, too, wait till you see 2004 election).

[Terwilliger]

96. *ahem* Who cares?

He's an old man who's dying...why is there a need for a "report"?

Is this like the Pope death-watch that was so trendy a few months back?

[Name removed]

106. Deleted message

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

[Terwilliger]

109. what are you talking about?

What difference is there between Reagan and the other thousands of people who are in his same situation? Are we getting reports on them?
You're right...I would care if Nelson Mandela were suffering the same affliction: he's worthy of adoration for his work to bring justice to his people and free them from the injustices of apartheit. Ronald Reagan made soap commericals and decided he was a politician. He served the rich excessage that runs rampant throught the American mindset and I have no special sympathy for him.

And if you're talking about Flushed Limpballs, I think he should rot in the prison that he wants every other addicted person to be thrown into.

[Zomby Woof]

110. a far sight better than...

Conservatives, who have NO compassion for individuals OR people, and HATE everything and everyone who stands in their way.

Hate and a lack of empathy are important to the conservative mindset. Conversely, Terwilliger IS standing up for humanity when he speaks out his anger about Reagan. Reagan was one inhumane motherfucker, and speaking up against him IS showing compassion for everyone.

Reagan is a public figure, and never above contempt. As long as he still draws breath, he has blood on his hands.

[proud patriot]

102. I wish Patti and Ron strength , and hope their fathers

Illness is painless .

I love Patti and Ron and wouldn't lower myself
to insult their father durring this hard time for them .

[geniph]

111. Look, I'm sorry anyone has Alzheimer's

and of course, I'm sorry for any of his friends and relatives that will miss him, but I will also say, I will weep not one tear for that evil old man. I do weep for the damage inflicted on my beloved country by him and his vile cabal.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

114. When Margaret Thatcher dies. I will rejoice, I'm afraid.

She ruined so many lives and caused so many deaths, that I will celebrate the removal of such a fundamentally evil person from the face of the earth. I will sing 'ding, dong the witch is dead' and I will Tramp the Dirt Down on her grave. Does this make me evil? I honestly don't know.

[Beaker]

116. pour a bottle of fine Irish whiskey on her grave...

but don't forget to strain it thru your kidneys first.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

117. Yup. LOL

[arcos]

140. I think the same about Pinochet...

sorry, I just wish he dies a very painful death...

[evil_orange_cat]

115. this isn't news, he's faded in and out of consciousness for 20 years!

I remember watching his speeches when I was a kid... LOL it was funnier than betting on Gerry Ford falling out of Air Force 1.

[NNN0LHI]

119. Did anyone ever have one of those threads that you wish you didn't post?

I think this may be one of them.

Don

[oasis]

124. I'd much rather you posted this than some others here. Thanks.

[stevedeshazer]

145. Yeah, I have, too.

Your original post was great. I'm really disappointed by the posters here who jumped all over this thread to wish horrible things on a fellow human being. So much for compassion.

May you all live long enough to remember that you have lived long enough.

[kentuck]

120. I hope he lives to be a hundred and fifty....

Trying to balance out a little of this bad karma that comes around every once in a while. After all, it's not like he's going to run for office again.

[grannylib]

123. I would not wish this situation on anyone, and I do say I admire Nancy

for her devotion to him; that is a tough row to hoe, money or no money.
That said, he was rarely awake while he was president...

[littlejoe]

136. I don't care

care what happens to Ronnie. He didn't care about any of us.

[JohnLocke]

143. I wouldn't wish his condition on anyone.

[Cleita]

146. They just announced on the local news that he's

slipping away and not expected to live more than a few days.

[Cooley Hurd]

148. Really? What local news - I want to try and find a link...

The article in Don's post didn't say anything about him only having a few days to live.

[Cleita]

150. I think it's KCBS in Los Angeles.

I'm not sure about the letters, but maybe you can get a link through CBS.

[Cleita]

152. Here's the link.

There's a video about half way down the page. Darn they didn't use the clip that I saw. This was a different anchor than the one I saw and she definitely said he had days to live, but for some reason or other they didn't include it in the clip.

http://www.cbs2.com/

[Cooley Hurd]

155. Thanks, Cleita! Presidential history is fascinating to me...

..and the passing of this particular President would be big news, indeed! Thanks for the link.

[elcondor]

147. When he dies I will feel the same

as I did when Strom Thurmond died: indifferent. I can't--I refuse--to take pleasure in a fellow human being's death (especially if they are clearly suffering), yet I won't be shedding any tears for the man. But dancing on his grave?! I am not saying that we should all go to Bel Air and hold a candle light vigil for Reagan--but jumpin' crickets! I thought we were supposed to be the compassionate side of the political spectrum . . . he was a horrible president who did horrible things--but to wish he would continue suffering, to wish he would die a slow and painful death . . . I hope I never feel that way about anyone. It's not up to us to dole out who deserves pain in this world. I don't know who is, but it's certainly not compassionless people sitting behind keyboards.

If he is in pain, I wish him a quick release. No one deserves this.

[bhunt70]

151. sad to say

I think its tactless to be glad someone is dying. You may not like the man but he has family and friends that are hurt by this and still living also. I dont think its ever really cool to be gleeful when someone dies. Just shows how sick and disaffected people can become.

Flame me if you want, but I dont take any joy in hearing that a man is dying from a debilitating disease. I don't care what he did in office...death is greater than politics.

[WhosNext]

158. He will die in October of 2004

Mark my word.

[mitchum]

160. His Alzheimer's Disease is off-limits, but his death is not...

specific diseases and disabilities are not universal, so jokes using them as fodder are discriminatory. But since death strikes us all, it is fair game for humor. Otherwise, by joking about death I'm discriminating against who? The mortal?

[mvd]

163. I certainly won't be sad when he dies, and..

I'm sure the extent of the Republicans' commemoration will be irritating. But I won't be jumping up and down. That sounds like something some neo-cons would do when a famous Democrat dies.

[Navy Deep Sea LT]

166. At least USS Ronald Reagan got christened...

Granted Nancy had to do it because Ronald couldn't. But still, a piece lives on...

[wuushew]

169. That ship is cursed

Look at the strange christening ceremony. I would argue that the bar which is hit is not part of the ship. The only thing getting champaign sprayed all over it is shrub.