“America is too great to dream small dreams.”
"I have wondered at times what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the US Congress."
"No matter what time it is, wake me, even if it's in the middle of a Cabinet meeting."
Words spoken by a man who lived his dreams to there fullest. If ever there was a wiz who was.. RONNIE REAGAN IS THE shIT!! A man who lived straight by the words he spoke, and dreams he dreamed, it was, “The Gipper.”
Facts are facts!! So let us face 'em! ....
According to Genesis - Ronald Reagan was SUPERMAN, & he's alive and well today!! In EVERY WAY! (But shhh...it's a secret so don't tell anyone..Let's not get any Elvis rumors started..LORDY!) Heh... from a figurative standpoint - he was an AWESOMELY SUPER of a MAN... and his legacy is STILL alive today... THAT IS TECHNICAL! MmmBut it's NO secret so that becomes a flip flop - a vice-a-versa, a turn around/turn about.. if you will. SchPILL!! FoSho! What I'm ULTIMATELY getting at is that - Ronald Reagan was the shIT! Everyone liked him! Proven fact! Even the voters who voted for him... talked shit about him, then voted for him again, and talked 4 more years of poo about him.. No doubt they too, we're family to him.. psshh!! 😶 Indeed he was a GREAT and AWESOME person. Few folk I've known of in my life, have lived life to the fullest!! Ronald was just such-a-man! He didn't care what folk thought of him. If you disagreed - you were WRONG.. A yella-dawg-Democrat (he used to beeeee one!)... or an asshole! (in either case he could care less what you thought.) I loved that about him as a kid, and conformed it to my way-o-thinking! Still today, that-a-way - I'm a staunch-rounch Republican mostly.. BUT Independant at heart! Nowadays - they are like grade school children and their show?? Getting RIDICULOUS!! Ronnie was Democrat turned Republican by virtue of the female... ALL of Hollywood was in the beginning.. 'cept Reagan. Amongst my favorite photos is one where I am photog-in at work.. with my favorite co-worker Greg Glover - as he is interviewing Ronald Reagan, Jr. I could really show you better than I could tell you, eh? He went from humble beginnings, to the depths of Hollywood, to the White House of D.C... And into the TOP of history... Speaking of history.. Here IS.. His story.. 😉
YESSS... Ronald Reagan. His celebrity?? Born & bred proper... upon the Warner Bros. lot.. From there - he rose like Superman (also a Warner Bros. alum) to take head on ANY challenge he faced... and he faced it well! Truly a B-E-A-U-T of a human being.. From actor.. to President of the free world.. starting from poverty.. he rose to become amongst Warner's TOP actors ... and slid quite comfy, into an Oval Office. Upon assuming the Presidency - he was a seasoned pro.. and had they gave 'em (and they should coz it's a 75% acting gig.. the other 25% of the time your not in a public spotlight..) he woulda NO DOUBT gotten an Oscar... for BOTH terms!! When elected to the Presidency... your next 4 years, depends on how you act your first 4. As I said seasoned pro! Only in America!! We love to love you as a candidate for President.. we love to HATE you AS PRESIDENT. Build you up soz we can tear you down and then, the next sucker comes in. It's a cycle... a brutal one - but - there it is! Some? You wonder HOW they either got IN or OUT of whatever polished college they tout they went to! Ohsawah - and on and on... mmmbutt anyywayys... yeah, on with thy show so here we go, yo... Ya know??
Ronald Wilson Reagan was born in Tampico, Illinois, on February 6, 1911. Born in this apartment building on the 2nd floor. As you might imagine... the place has become a regular Reagan shrine. Seriously!! APESHAT would be an understatement!! If the first sign don't catch your eye.. the next one SHORELY will.. If those two don't.. OPEN YOUR EYES MAN 'cause the wall HAS GOT TO!! Or you may just find Ronnie's eye, catching you!! My dad is from Springfield & while there are subtle reminders that is the 'town of Lincoln'.. It's NOTHING like Tampico's schtick for Reagan.. But it's understandable.. That IS their hometown hero!! Wanna see the room in which he was born?... the waiting-on-Ronnie-to-be-born, waiting room?... The 2nd in the line - he had an older sibling. As a little boy... Ron's dad nicknamed him 'Dutch,' due to his "fat little Dutchman-like appearance,"and his 'Dutch Boy haircut.' A nickname that stuck throughout his youth. They moved around (goin', goin', GONE!) the Illinois state frequently before settling in Dixon, here in this stoop. (but not with this sign I am shore.) On the ROAD OF HIS SAME NAME!?!? Coincy-dink or WHAT??? Or WHAT.. I know! Wanna see the park young Ronnie used to spend hours playing in?? MmmKay then! The 'midwestern small universe" is where a young Ronnie would come into his own. He went to Dixon High School... where he excelled - especially in the drama dept... and through said drama dept. -a keen love for acting developed. He also excelled at sports. His first job was at the Rock River in Lowell Park, where he was a lifeguard. He worked there six years and performed approximately 77 rescues...(but who's counting, right?)
He attended college here.. at Eureka College... And you'd better believe he was in a fraternity, brother!! At the college.. he developed a rep as a 'jock of all trades' Haha.. THAAT's funny!! He even gave cheerleading (shhhhh) a go... which apparently was HUGE with his fellow frats. He was an ace in theater and (surprise).. Campus politics... No doubt in his mind - knocking on Hollywood's door.. Getting his feet wet... & wiping his feet on the mat before the knock at the White House door... figuratively... of course. He was elected (his 1st landslide) as student body president, where he led a revolt against the dean of the college for cutting back faculty. Without a doubt - young Ronnie enjoyed the view from the top, it tickled his fancy.. & the top fancied him!!
Upon graduating from Eureka... he hit the road to (huh?)(yesums) Iowa! There he landed several gigs as a 'jock' (haha) radio announcer.. He held several radio jock jobs before landing at WHO radio in Des Moines, announcing Cubs games. Whilst traveling with the Cubs (by hook or crook), Ronnie found himself in Los Angeles where a casting call had just went out to the public. Ronnie answered that call and got a 7-year Warner Bros. contract from it. The first few years... he was in the 'B film unit.' Working there, in just 2 years, by 1939, he'd been in 19 credited films. Not necessarily the top billed actor - but he certainly worked with 'em. TOP Warner talent that included Bogie, Bette, and Errol. In 1940 - Ronnie got the top billing he longed (and I'd say worked his ass off for!) The film 'Knute Rockne; All American.' It was his persona in this film that garnered him his nick name throughout the rest of his life...'the Gipper' from George 'the Gip' Gipper.
By 1941 - he was voted 5th most popular star/younger generation, which, no doubt gave him a lil more meat on the chops at the bargaining table.... oooorr.. would have - had he kept going in film. Ronnie had his eyes set on a political field and stepping to it - through a military career... He was also elected to the board of SAG (Screen Actors Guild), in 1941. Below is a compilation of 'Reagan years' bloopers straight from the WB archives I compiled some years ago..
Though he never attained the illustrious star shine status of some of his former co-workers at Warner, he did amass a pretty nice loaded, smothered, and covered resume! Thus - he was a household name & in 1947 - was elected SAG (Screen Actors Guild) president. Ronnie led the SAG through some of Hollywood's most tumultuous times... The Taft-Hartley Act, House Committee of Un-American Activities (HUAC) hearings, and the Hollywood blacklist era. In 1945 - he had an indirect connection in discovering actress Marilyn Monroe. Albeit - this is one discovery Ronnie had some help on 'prolly'... No DOUBT Nancy, too, oversaw this discovery! During the late 1940s, however, Ronnie along with wifey, became an FBI informant in which he delivered the FBI names of actors within the motion picture industry, who he believed to be communist sympathizers. It's important to note, however, most ALL he listed were NOT, nor had EVER been, affiliated with or influenced by commies. It was a shot in the dark - a very BAD shot in the dark. No One ever said Ronnie was a marksman sharpshooter! FoSho!
Politically, Ronnie had been a Democrat... at a time when most of Hollywood was Republican. As Ronnie shifted to a Republican - Hollywood was making a transition to Democrat. I always found that humorous.. I dunno why. Hmmm... Anyway - Yes he'd been a lifelong Democrat, however that all changed when he started courting a Republican actress - Nancy Davis... (mmhmm she doeth have a resume.) He remained a Democrat, while backing Republicans... a gesture that no doubt left many a Democrat scratching their head. The 'FINAL' shift in becoming Republican only helped his cause when, in 1954, he was hired onto Edison's company, General Electric.. to host their General Electric Theater. A drama series for the company. Being fresh as a fiddle Republican - Ronnie slid right (literally) into the views of the corporations conservative sponsors. Ronnie lived hurr durin' this time.. waaay back in time, Sugartits!! 😉 You know what I'm sayin'!!
In 1964 - Ronnie gained 'uh-BIIIG' national boost of recognition for a speech he wrote for then Presidential contender Barry Goldwater. Twas his 'A Time for Choosing' speech.. mmbut twas not enough to boost a failing Goldwater campaign, and Goldwater lost. It was (some say) THE key that turned Ronnie into a national political visibility. On the wings of the 'A Time for Choosing' speech... he announced his candidacy for the California governor's seat in 1966. Wouldn't you JUST KNOW.... 'HE WON!' On a side note - a humorous focus in that campaign was to 'send the welfare bums back to work.' Try running with THAT line now-a-days. Ronnie worked as the Governor - and protesting Nixon. When it failed - he stood side-by-side for photo-ops... no doubt cussing him right and left in his head! When the time on Nixon's meter expired.. Ronnie ran... The long haul of 2 successful terms as Cali's governor helped, no doubt, in his main focus... The White House.'
In 1976 - Ronnie challenged Gerald Ford, for the Republican nod... and failed. Then went to round 2... it would be round 2 that was to prove the K.O. for Ronnie. In 1981, he became the 40th President of the United States. He carried, along with running mate - George H.W. Bush (the Patriarch Bush), 44 states with 489 electoral votes to Carter's teeny weeny 49 electoral votes. Ronnie's Presidency began like many of his films.. dramatic! During his inaugural address - 52 United States hostages (held by Iran for 444 days), were set free. This no doubt done to spite former President Jimmy Carter. From his peanut farm in Georgia, where he'd returned after the election... I'm sure Jimmy flipped a few peanuts the way of Iran.. along with I am sure a few choice words...
69 days into his Presidency... Ronnie survived an assassination attempt from the evil John Hinckley, Jr... (Whom I might add recently walked free after a mentally ill judge, deemed Hinckley mentally safe to return to society!! ONLY in America!) His press secretary, a Washington popo officer, and a Secret Service agent were also struck by bullets. Upon arrival at George Washington University Hospital.. (nowadays it's pretty easy to spot the hospital ward Reagan was kept..) Ronnie was stabilized in the E.R. - whilst undergoing emergency surgery to remove the evil access. Before undergoing of the surgery, (Ronnie understandably wanted to make sure the docs were all Republican.. of course - I am sure he was willing to convert back to the donkey at that point.) Ronnie recovered and was released amongst a cheery American public with a new 73% approval rating... becoming the 1st U.S. Pres. to survive an assassination attempt. (As history goeth, thhaaat's NO good!) Joking after being released - he shoulda ducked.. (No doubt, apparently NOT remembering himself being THROWN to the ground & dogpiled!) However - must be the secret to great poll ratings since no President since has achieved that high-a-rating. Ronnie went on to say 'I believe God has spared my life so that I may go on to fulfill a greater purpose.' While no doubt thinking... 'like cruising to win in a 2nd term.'
Indeed he did, go on to that coveted 2nd term..this time campaigning on the phrase.. to be 'mourning (uh mean morning) again in America. Again he captured it... BIG-TIME!! LANDSLIDE - FOSHO! Scoring 49 (of the then) 50 States - indeed, throwing a finger (and maybe a few sanctions), on the UNcooperating state!! 👍
Upon being told the news of his 2nd term - his reaction seemed to be a positive one, fosho!
He became the first U.S. President to open the Olympic games in the U.S. ... easy does it, fosho!
Upon leaving THIS home - he lived out the rest of his life here.. beyond the gate. Helicopter provides for us to see an aerial hurr. The street sign, and mailbox (no doubt I'm sure Ronnies hand has been in there.) With all he'd done - TRUE retirement must've been VERRY nice - yet hard to adjust to... YO TOOTS! He did it with style and grace fo sho tho.👍 In 1994 - Ronnie was diagnosed with alzheimer's... In November of that year - he wrote, in an open letter to the public...
My Fellow Americans,
I have recently been told that I am one of the millions of Americans who will be afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Upon learning this news, Nancy and I had to decide whether as private citizens we would keep this a private matter or whether we would make this news known in a public way.
In the past Nancy suffered from breast cancer and I had my cancer surgeries. We found through our open disclosures we were able to raise public awareness. We were happy that as a result many more people underwent testing. They were treated in early stages and able to return to normal, healthy lives.
So now, we feel it is important to share it with you. In opening our hearts, we hope this might promote greater awareness of this condition. Perhaps it will encourage a clearer understanding of the individuals and families who are affected by it.
At the moment I feel just fine. I intend to live the remainder of the years God gives me on this earth doing the things I have always done. I will continue to share life’s journey with my beloved Nancy and my family. I plan to enjoy the great outdoors and stay in touch with my friends and supporters.
Unfortunately, as Alzheimer’s Disease progresses, the family often bears a heavy burden. I only wish there was some way I could spare Nancy from this painful experience. When the time comes I am confident that with your help she will face it with faith and courage.
In closing let me thank you, the American people for giving me the great honor of allowing me to serve as your President. When the Lord calls me home, whenever that may be, I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future.
I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead.
Thank you, my friends. May God always bless you.
Sincerely,
Ronald Reagan
On June 5, 2004 - America mourned at the wretched news that her former President, Ronnie, passed away peacefully at his home, here in Bel Air, Cali., at the age of 93.
History said.. "WOW - Now THAT was a life WELL-LIVED.. & TO IT'S FULLEST!!"
My friend Scott has a TREEEEMENDOUS write up of Ronnie's death that he did on Ronnie @ his Find A Death site.. (the site this one is modeled after)..
Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Reagan died a couple of weeks ago. Actually, on the 5th of June, Nancy Reagan (aka Mommie Poo Pants) announced:
"My family and I would like the world to know that President Ronald Reagan has passed away after ten years of Alzheimer's, at 93 years of age. We appreciate everyone's prayers over the years."
The Reagans lived behind this gate on a street called St. Cloud Road ... read Scott's full story, experience, and see a cool photo from when the National Enquirer picked Ronnie & Nancy's trash. I LOVE that shat!
R.I.P. Ronnie! America will ALWAYS LOVE US SOME RONNIE!! fosho! Leave your virtual flowers & comments to Ronnie here! FoSho'Nuff!!
