See HBO's "Reagan"

[H2O Man]

“Comedians have often suggested that Ronald Reagan's immense popularity might have been helped by television-induced confusion. But I would like to make the case that this was concretely true, and that it's not so funny.”
Jerry Mander; In the Absence of the Sacred; Sierra Club Books; 1992; page 90.

Those progressive and liberal members of the Democratic Left who lived through the “Reagan era” do not remember President Reagan fondly. I would even disagree, in large part, with Mander's statement on “Reagan's immense popularity” – because although there were periods where he enjoyed popularity among both the wealthy and the uniformed, his approval ratings were lowered by the Iran-Contra scandals and other issues.

In fact, the best measure of the shallowness of Reagan's “immense popularity” is the fact that there is so few facts to be found in the Reagan myth. Could the gospel of Beck, Palin, and assorted republican necroconservatives be based on anything other than an abiding faith in the future of plastics?

That said, it was worth watching HBO's new documentary “Reagan,” by Eugene Jarecki. There are sections that are filled with the expected lies and distortions. But they are contrasted by other segments that document the truth about both Reagan's personality, and about the scandals that are known collectively as “Iran-Contra.”

Over the years on this forum, members such as Octafish and myself have used the works of Robert Parry, both as a resource and as highly recommended readings. On the HBO documentary, viewers have the opportunity to hear Mr. Parry describe what these crimes entailed. And other experts, including a retired CIA officer, detail the violations of federal law and the absolutely impeachable offenses.

If you have the chance, watch the HBO documentary.

[Blue_In_AK]

1. Thank you.

Ordinarily I wouldn't be watching a documentary about Ronald Reagan, but I respect your opinion and I will try to catch it. The myth needs to be busted.

[spanone]

will do...k&r

[hlthe2b]

2. I certainly will try... (no HBO here)...

Appreciate the recommendation, though. Maybe a neighbor will record for me.

[young_at_heart]

3. How about this unbelievable statement from his time as governor?

Reagan made a speech to a Growers Convention on April 7, 1970 in which he made the following infamous
statement about campus disorders:

"If it takes a bloodbath, let's get it over with. No more appeasement."

Later he said, "I certainly don't think there should be a bloodbath on campus or anywhere else," he said. "It was just a figure of speech."

[byronius]

9. There was a poster in the Evergreen Review from that period with that quote.

It was a photo of an actual one -- the SDS made a black poster with those stark white words and posted it everywhere.

[bleever]

4. "One word:

"Plastics."

A key aspect of the Reagan myth propagated by those invested in it is his "popularity".

It's quite mind bending.

[JohnnyRingo]

5. "Plastics" ...LOL

I agree with Obama's statement that bad opinions of him are generally a distorted funhouse mirror reflection created by right wing media. I imagine the opposite is true of Reagan as the right spent decades crafting an image much in the same way Hollywood made Reagan a brave F6F Hellcat pilot in WWII.

[sharesunited]

6. Good documentary. Makes me want to swat Grover Norquist though.

[kath]

7. Yeah, impeachable offenses like TREASON.

What else can you call selling arms to our enemies?

[WiffenPoof]

8. A Must See...

Just finished watching and I recommend it highly.

Two things I noticed...

I noticed how the press has lost its balls since the 1980's

We impeached Clinton for a BJ....Yet, Iran/Contra was so much worse. Nothing happened to Reagan...WHY? It was a felony and undermined the Constitution.

Whatever "good" the documentary illustrated about Reagan...all of it dealt with superficial things...like making us "feel good."

Great HBO documentary.

-PLA

[Overseas]

10. Thanks for the great heads-up on a new doc by Eugene Jarecki -- loved his earlier Why We Fight.

on the military industrial complex.

And now, I am very glad our filmmakers are documenting Reagan's many destructive activities.

And thank you for asking the question about how much of the New Right's nostalgic imagery about Grandpa Ronnie Reagan is based on pure illusion.

[underpants]

11. I will look for it

thanks

[NYC Liberal]

12. Is there a way to see it without HBO? I have no cable

but if I can rent it somewhere I'd love to.

[spanone]

13. hbo on demand, if you have it!