Reagan's Wisdom

UB_S · #1 01-06-2007, 12:02 AM

I came across this website and started reading President Reagan's speech a the GOP Convention in 1992. Last week's death of President Ford had made me think how much their generation has seen and lived through. Add to this the always present optimism of Ronald Reagan and his belief in the future...incredible! It makes me wonder what he would say to 9/11, the Jihad and the war in Iraq:

From Revolution to Reconstruction
Presidents: Ronald Reagan - Speech at the National Republican Convention 1992

..."Tonight is a very special night for me. Of course, at my age, every night's a very special night. After all, I was born in 1911. Indeed, according to the experts, I have exceeded my life expectancy by quite a few years. Now this a source of great annoyance to some, especially those in the Democratic party.
But, here's the remarkable thing about being born in 1911. In my life's journey over these past eight decades, I have seen the human race through a period of unparalleled tumult and triumph. I have seen the birth of communism and the death of communism. I have witnessed the bloody futility of two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf. I have seen Germany united, divided and united again. I have seen television grow from a parlor novelty to become the most powerful vehicle of communication in history. As a boy I saw streets filled with model-Ts; as a man I have met men who walked on the moon. I have not only seen, but lived the marvels of what historians have called the "American Century." Yet, tonight is not a time to look backward. For while I take inspiration from the past, like most Americans, I live for the future. So this evening, for just a few minutes, I hope you will let me talk about a country that is forever young..."

from:
http://www.let.rug.nl/~usa/P/rr40/speeches/rnc92.htm