A Ronald Reagan Christmas post

My boys saw this and wondered if it was from some other planet.  I explained we were still in fear of Reagan at that point.  He hadn’t nuked the world yet, but we were pretty sure that was his intention.

He did survive an assassination attempt, and some critics begrudgingly admitted he had some grit.  But on the whole, Tip had sworn everlasting opposition, and we were holding our breath.  After all, by that time, detente had come to mean the two biggest kids with nukes facing off until someone pulled the trigger first.  Then we died.

Now, looking back at how things turned out, it all seems a bit silly.  Even if you give Reagan no credit at all, preferring to heap endless praise and adoration on the leader of the Soviet Union, you have to admit he didn’t nuke the world.

And given the state of things in the late 70s and early 80s, that’s not bad.  What a wonderful Christmas present, not being nuked by the man who was supposed to end it all.  So thanks for the Christmas present Mr. Reagan.  And thanks for the reminder of the world then, good and bad.

It’s also worth noting that the way he handled giving a nod to Christmas, while also including other holidays then known, seems a far better approach than much of ours today.

BTW, sometimes I think I should just link to The American Catholic as a first order of business. I love that site because it shows Catholics can be serious about their faith, admit to America’s failings, and yet love and admire America’s history nonetheless.