"FOCUS OF EVIL IN THE MODERN WORLD"

PRESIDENT REAGAN SAYS THE SOVIET UNION IS AN "EVIL EMPIRE"

Orlando, Florida (JFK+50) On March 8, 1983, President Ronald Wilson Reagan, speaking to the members of the National Association of Evangelicals*, referred to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as an "evil empire."

The President spoke in the Citrus Crown Ballroom of the Sheraton Twin Towers Hotel here in Orlando.

Although the 40th POTUS had previously condemned totalitarianism and predicted the inevitable collapse of communism, it was the first time he used the term "evil empire."  

The President said the Soviets are...

"the focus of evil in the modern world..." and exhibit 

"aggressive impulses of an evil empire."

Paul Kengor points out, however, that Mr. Reagan did not pretend his own country had been guiltless of evil in its own history.  The President pointed out the denial of equal rights to minorities, racism, anti-Semitism and other forms of ethnic and racial hatred.

By June 1988, President Reagan's harsh view of the U.S.S.R. had mellowed when he visited Mikhail Gorbachev** in Moscow.

*NAE, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is an association of evangelical denominations, organizations, schools & churches.  NAE represents 40 Christian denominations & 45,000 churches.

**Mikhail S. Gorbachev (1931-2022) served as Secretary General of the USSR 1985-1991 & head of state 1988-1991.  MSG moved from Marxism-Leninism to social democracy by the early 1990s.  He won the Nobel Peace Prize & was instrumental in ending the Cold War.

SOURCE

"Truth Sets You Free:  Reagan's 'Evil Empire' Speech," by Paul Kengor, March 7, 2023, Providence, www.providencemagazine.com/

President Reagan Speaking

Orlando, Florida

March 8, 1983

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

NARA Photo

"GOD BLESS YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. WE'RE ALL PRAYING FOR YOU"

PRESIDENT REAGAN SURVIVES ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On March 30, 1981, President Ronald Wilson Reagan was shot as he was leaving a speaking engagement at the Hilton Hotel here in the Nation's Capital.  Mr. Reagan became the first president since JFK to be hit by gunfire.

The President and three others were shot by John Hinckley, Jr.* who was immediately taken into custody.   The assassination attempt, which came just 69 days into Mr. Reagan's first term, took place at 2:27 p.m. as the president, accompanied by aides and Secret Service agents, exited the hotel.   

Six shots were fired from a Rohm RG-14 .22 caliber pistol.  Special Agent Jerry Parr of the United States Secret Service pushed Reagan into the back of the Presidential car in an attempt to get him out of the line of fire while Special Agent Timothy McCarthy, placing his body in front of the President, took a bullet in the abdomen.

The other victims included James Brady, Reagan's Press Secretary and Special Agent Thomas Delahanty. The President was taken to nearby George Washington University Hospital.  After getting out of his car, the President's legs became wobbly and he was taken into the hospital where he was attended by a surgical team headed by Dr. Joseph Giordano.

Mr. Reagan, who had been given blood, was wheeled into surgery at 3:24 p.m. Although groggy, the President said to the doctors..."I hope you are all Republicans."    Dr. Giordano replied..."Today, Mr. President, we are all Republicans."

A bullet was found in Mr. Reagan's lung just an inch from his heart.  Thanks to the quick action by the Secret Service and the medical staff at George Washington University, President Reagan recovered.

During his recovery time at GWUH, few visitors were allowed in to see Mr. Reagan.  One who did get in was Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill** (D-Massachusetts).  Presidential assistant Max Friedersdorf describes the visit...

"Tip got down on his knees next to the bed and said a prayer for the President and he held his hand and kissed him and they said a prayer together...the 23rd Psalm.  (Then) I heard (Tip) say...'God bless you, Mr. President.  We're all praying for you.'"

JFK+50 NOTE

In today's political climate, it would be well for Americans to remember there was a time when, despite their differences, our political leaders could demonstrate respect and civility toward one another.

*John Warnock Hinckley, Jr. was born on May 29, 1955 in Ardmore, Oklahoma.  He grew up in Dallas, Texas and attended Texas Tech University. 

**Thomas Phillip 'Tip' O'Neill, Jr. (1912-1994) was born in Cambridge, MA & served in the U.S. House of Representatives (1953-1987).  TO was Speaker  (1977-1987).

SOURCES

"Memories of the Attempted Reagan Assassination," by Tim van der Voort, University of Virginia Miller Center, www.millercenter.org/

"Ronald Reagan:  Grace Under the Scalpel, the Great Communicator Strikes Again," by David Emery, www.urbanlegends.about.com/

President & Mrs. Reagan

Returning to the White House

April 11, 1981

www.reagan.utexas.edu

ARE YOU BETTER OFF THAN YOU WERE 4 YEARS AGO?

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 2119

RONALD REAGAN DEFEATED JIMMY CARTER 36 YEARS AGO 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On November 4, 1980, President Jimmy Carter was defeated for re-election by Republican challenger Governor Ronald Reagan.  The result in the Electoral College was 489-49.

The President carried his home state of Georgia along with West Virginia, Maryland, Rhode Island, Minnesota and Hawaii.  Governor Reagan won 44 of the 50 states.

Mr. Carter's four years in office had been marked by high inflation and high interest rates.  Along with the failing economy, 53 Americans had been taken hostage by Islamic militants in Iran.  The President was unable to orchestrate their release.

In the one debate between the two major candidates, Governor Reagan asked the American people...

"Are you better off than you were four years ago?"

The final popular vote totals in the Election of 1980 were...

RONALD REAGAN (R) 43,903,230 (50.7%)
JIMMY CARTER (D)     35,480,115   (41.0%)

SOURCE

"The Election of 1980," American Experience, www.pbs.org/

Reagans on Campaign

Columbia, SC

October 10, 1980

Reagan Presidential Library Photo

THE REYKJAVIK SUMMIT

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 2086

REYKJAVIK SUMMIT ENDED IN STALEMATE 30 YEARS AGO

Reykjavik, Iceland (JFK+50) Thirty years ago today, October 12, 1986, a summit meeting between Soviet Secretary General Mikhail Gorbachev and United States President Ronald Reagan ended in stalemate here in Reykjavik.

The fast-paced two day summit held promise of the elimination of nuclear weapons forever, but ended with no agreement largely due to a disagreement over President Reagan's proposed Strategic Defense Iniative which Mr. Gorbachev was determined to "make sure...would never be implemented."

President Reagan walked away from the summit angry that they had come so close to a final agreement but failed in the end.

The Reykjavik Summit, however, set the stage for future agreements such as the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty of 1987 which eliminated an entire class of nuclear weapons.

SOURCE

"The Reykjavik Summit," October 11-12, 1986, www.thereaganvision.org/

Hofdi House

Reykjavik, Iceland

Photo by Laurentgauthier (2007)

Reagan & Gorbachev

Reykjavik, Iceland

October 12, 1986

White House Photo Office

FAREWELL ADDRESS OF RONALD WILSON REAGAN

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 1825

PRESIDENT REAGAN SAYS "SO LONG"

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Twenty-seven years ago this evening, the 40th President of the United States Ronald Wilson Reagan* gave his Farewell Address from the Oval Office at the White House.  The address was carried live on national radio and television.

The speech marked the 34th time President Reagan had spoken to the American people from the Oval Office.

The President began by saying...

"It's been the honor of my life to be your President.  Nancy and I are grateful for the opportunity you gave us to serve."

The things that Mr. Reagan said he was proudest of during eight years of service was "the economic recovery....(and) the recovery of our morale."

He said..."America is respected again in the world and looked to for leadership."  While the President went on to acknowledge the nickname "The Great Communicator" which had been given to him, he said that "I never thought it was my....words...that made a difference, it was the content."

*Ronald Wilson Reagan (1911-2004) was born in Tampico, IL.  He graduated from Eureka College and then entered a career in Hollywood where he starred in over 50 films.  RWR served as Governor of California for two terms & later two more as POTUS.  Diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 1994, the former president died in Los Angeles at the age of 93.

SOURCE

"Ronald Reagan, Biography," www.biography.com/

Ronald Wilson Reagan

1981-1989

Official White House Photo

BERGEN-BELSEN

REAGAN VISITED NAZI DEATH CAMP 30 YEARS AGO TODAY

Bergen & Belsen, Germany (JFK+50) Thirty years ago today, May 5, 1985, President Ronald Reagan visited the site of the Nazi concentration camp Bergen-Belsen located near the towns of Bergen and Belsen in northwest Germany.

The camp was originally the largest military training area in Germany built between 1935 and 1937.  Although it became part of the Nazi concentration camp system in April 1943, Bergen-Belsen did not have gas chambers.

Bergen-Belsen Memorial

Photo by Arne List (2003)

CC BY-SA 3.o

Nonetheless, of the 120,000 prisoners who passed through the camp, 50,000 died including Anne and Margot Frank.  In January 1945, a "Large Women's Camp" was established at BB due to the increasing numbers of female prisoners transported to the camp.

Bergen-Belsen was liberated by British forces on April 15, 1945. Eleven of the Nazi staff of the camp were sentenced to death and executed on December 12, 1945.  Nineteen others were sent to prison and fourteen were acquitted.

On May 5, 1985, standing alongside a mass grave of 50,000 victims, President Reagan said:

"Here they lie. Never to hope. Never to pray. Never to love. Never to heal. Never to laugh. Never to cry."

SOURCE

"Bergen-Belsen," Holocaust Encyclopedia, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, www.ushmm.org/

President Reagan Lays a Wreath 

Bergen-Belsen Memorial

May 5, 1985

Photograph from www.reagan.utexas.edu

TODAY, MR. PRESIDENT, WE ARE ALL REPUBLICANS

PRESIDENT REAGAN SHOT 34 YEARS AGO 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Thirty-four years ago today, March 30, 1981, President Ronald Wilson Reagan was shot as he left a speaking engagement at the Hilton Hotel here in the Nation's Capital.

The President and three others were shot by John Hinckley, Jr.* who was immediately taken into custody.   The assassination attempt, which came just 69 days into Mr. Reagan's first term, took place at 2:27 p.m. Eastern time as the president, accompanied by aides and Secret Service agents, exited the hotel.   

Six shots were fired from a Rohm RG-14 .22 caliber pistol.  Special Agent Jerry Parr of the United States Secret Service pushed Reagan into the back of the Presidential car in an attempt to get him out of the line of fire while Special Agent Timothy McCarthy, placing his body in front of the President, took a bullet in the abdomen.

The other victims included James Brady, Reagan's Press Secretary and Special Agent Thomas Delahanty.President Reagan was taken to nearby George Washington University Hospital.

After getting out of his car, the President's legs became wobbly and he was taken into the hospital where he was attended by a surgical team headed by Dr. Joseph Giordano.

Mr. Reagan, who had been given 4.5 units of blood, was wheeled into surgery at 3:24 p.m.  Although groggy, President Reagan was able to say to the doctors...
"I hope you are all Republicans."  Dr. Giordano replied..."Today, Mr. President, we are all Republicans."

Reagan, who would become known as "The Great Communicator," was also able to paraphrase movie comedian W.C. Fields'..."All in all, I'd rather be in Philadelphia."

During a very tense surgery, doctors located a bullet in Mr. Reagan's lung just an inch from his heart.  Thanks to the quick action by the Secret Service and the talent and training of the medical staff at George Washington University, President Reagan recovered.In his book "Reagan's America: Innocents at Home," Garry Wills writes...

"The grace and humor Reagan showed after the attempt to assassinate him...added a mythical quality to his leadership, revealing his character in a way that made it almost impossible to dislike him."

Ronald Reagan, who was the first president to survive being shot in an assassination attempt, was hit by the sixth bullet which ricocheted off the side of the armored vehicle and entered under the left arm.  The bullet grazed a rib and lodged in a lung.

President Reagan was able to return to the Oval Office on April 25, 1981, but James Brady, who suffered a serious head injury, was left permanently disabled.  Agent Delahanty was forced to retire due to his wound.

John Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity on June 1, 1992. The motivation for the crime was determined to be Hinkley's fanatical obsession with actress Jodie Foster.

Rohm RG-14

Photo by Winged Brick
June 19, 2012

*John Warnock Hinckley, Jr. was born on May 29, 1955 in Ardmore, Oklahoma.  He grew up in Dallas, Texas and attended Texas Tech University.  

JWH developed an obsession with actress Jodie Foster after seeing her 1976 film Taxi Driver.  This led to an effort to impress her. After collecting information about the JFK assassination, he directed his evil attentions to President Reagan.

SOURCE

"Ronald Reagan:  Grace Under the Scalpel, the Great Communicator Strikes Again," by David Emery, www.urbanlegends.about.com/

INVESTING IN AMERICA'S FUTURE

JFK'S VISION FOR AMERICAN EDUCATION

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Fifty-three years ago today, February 6, 1962, President John F. Kennedy sent a Special Message to the United States Congress on American Education, outlining his vision for the future.

The President stated that the failure to educate our Nation's young to their "maximum capacity" will negatively effect not only them but also "their families, their communities....and the United States of America."

JFK cited the following statistics for 1962...

*1 million students drop out of high school annually 
*thousands of qualified students do not attend college
*of those students who attend college 40% fail to complete their course of study
*the numbers of students entering school are growing rapidly

The President's message included a request for $5.7 billion "to cover improved infrastructure and classroom construction, increased teacher salaries, training and certification, and more."

JFK reminded the Congress that it is the responsibility of the federal government "to ensure access to education for ALL Americans," and that investing in education is of vital importance to the Nation.

SOURCE

"JFK: Money Needed for Education," JFK Day By Day: A Chronicle of the 1,036 Days of John F. Kennedy's Presidency, by Terry Golway and Les Krantz, Running Press Book Publishers, 2010.

PRESIDENT REAGAN BORN 104 YEARS AGO TODAY

Tampico, Illinois (JFK+50) The 40th President of the United States, Ronald Wilson Reagan, would have been 104 years old today.  He was born here in Tampico on February 6, 1911.

Having defeated President Jimmy Carter in the Election of 1980, Ronald Reagan was sworn in as President on January 20, 1981.  Surviving an assassination attempt early in his first term, Reagan was re-elected in 1984 and despite being the "oldest President", he completed two terms of office.

President Reagan helped restore national pride and one of his greatest speeches came at the Berlin Wall where he said...

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall."

President Ronald Reagan

Berlin, West Germany

June 12, 1987

Reagan Library Image

REAGAN DOCTRINE ANNOUNCED 30 YEARS AGO TODAY

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Ronald Reagan announced the Reagan Doctrine* three decades ago today, February 6, 1985.   The President said...

"Freedom is not the sole prerogative of a chosen few; it is the universal right of all God's children.  We must stand by our democratic allies.  Support for freedom fighters is self-defense."

*The Reagan Doctrine (1981-1991) was a strategy employed under the presidential administrations of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush to oppose the world-wide influence of the USSR.  

AN EVIL EMPIRE

REAGAN LABELED USSR AS AN EVIL EMPIRE 31 YEARS AGO TODAY

Orlando, Florida (JFK+50) Thirty-one years ago today, March 8, 1983, President Ronald Reagan, speaking to the National Association of Evangelicals here in Orlando, referred to the Soviet Union as an "evil empire".

The President's message was in response to a Soviet backed proposal to establish a nuclear freeze which would have prevented the deployment of United States missiles in Europe.

President Reagan said...

"We know that living in this world means dealing with...the phenomenology of evil...

A freeze would be a very dangerous fraud, for that is merely the illusion of peace.

The reality is that we must find peace through strength."

The President continued...

"Let us pray for the salvation of all those who live in totalitarian darkness...but let us be aware they are the focus of evil in the modern world."

President Reagan concluded his address, just as Senator John F. Kennedy concluded his acceptance speech for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1960, by quoting Isaiah 40:31...

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run, and not be weary."

The Soviet response was that the United States was an imperialist superpower seeking to dominate the world.

TASS, the Soviet news agency, said that Mr. Reagan was thinking simply in "terms of confrontation and lunatic anti-communism."

SOURCE

"Evil Empire Speech" by Ronald Reagan, March 8, 1983, www.nationalcenter.org

President Reagan

March 8, 1983

Orlando, Florida

JFK GIVES HIS VIEWS ON EDUCATION

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) At his sixth news conference held 53 years ago today, March 8, 1961, President John F. Kennedy was asked to give his views on the subject of education.

The President said:

"I do not think that there is anything more important than to have good schools and well trained and competent teachers.

When the Massachusetts Bay Colony was established, one of the first acts....was the establishment of a public school.

We are as good....as our schools are....and....I am extremely interested in seeing this country place added emphasis on education."

JFK+50 SPECIAL REPORT

President Kennedy would be very proud of the high school where I taught history for 29 years and where I am serving as an interim teacher this term.

Yesterday in Los Angeles, Carter High School of Strawberry Plains, Tennessee was presented with the 2014 TAP FOUNDER'S AWARD.*

The award, which includes a $50,000 prize, was presented to our principal Ryan Siebe, former CHS principal and Knox County Secondary Supervisor Cheryl Hickman, and master teachers.

Carter High achieved the maximum score of 5 on value-added growth.


Congratulations Carter High School.

*TAP is The System for Teachers and Student Advancement founded by Lowell Milken.

SOURCE

www.tapsystem.org/

Reagan's Farewell Address

RONALD REAGAN SAYS GOODBYE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Twenty-five years ago this evening, January 11, 1989, Ronald Wilson Reagan*, the 40th President of the United States, gave his Farewell Address from the Oval Office in the West Wing at the White House.

Ronald Wilson Reagan

 Official White House Photo

The President's address, carried live on national radio and television, marked
the 34th time Mr. Reagan had spoken to the American people from the Oval Office.

The President began by saying:

"It's been the honor of my life to be your President.  Nancy and I are grateful for the opportunity you gave us to serve."

The things that Mr. Reagan said he was proudest of during eight years of service included...

"the economic recovery....(and) the recovery of our morale."

He said:

"America is respected again in the world and looked to for leadership."

While the President went on to acknowledge the nickname "The Great Communicator," which had been applied to him because of his skills as an orator dating back to his days in radio, television and motion pictures, 
he said ...

 "I never thought it was my....words...that made a difference, it was the content."

The President continued:

"As long as we believe in ourselves, the future will always be ours.  We meant to change a nation and instead we changed a world."

On the negative side, Mr. Reagan admitted that some things had changed for the worse in the 1980s.  

He said:

"Young parents aren't sure that an unambivalent approval of America is the right thing to teach modern children....(but) we've got to do a better job of getting across that America is freedom--and freedom is special & and rare."

He continued:

"We've got to teach history based on not what's in fashion but what's important--why the Pilgrims came here, who Jimmy Doolittle was and what those 30 seconds over Tokyo meant."

Mr. Reagan advised:

"Let's start with some basics: more attention to American history and a greater emphasis on civic ritual."

As was his style, however, President Reagan finished on a positive note.

He said:

"My friends. We did it.  We made a difference.  We made the city (on a hill) stronger; we made the city freer and we left her in good hands."**

Nancy and Ronald Reagan

Boating in California in 1964

*Ronald Wilson Reagan (1911-2004) was born in Tampico, Illinois and educated at Eureka College.  He worked as a radio broadcaster in Iowa before pursuing an acting career in Hollywood.

He starred in the 1940s films "Knute Rockne, All-American," and "Kings Row."

Mr. Reagan served in the United States Army Air Force from 1937 to 1945 and entered politics as a Democrat in the 1950s.

In 1962, he became a Republican and served as Governor of California from 1967 to 1975. 

After leaving the White House, the former president was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Ronald and Nancy Reagan

Los Angeles, California, 1992

Ronald Reagan Foundation Photo

 **reference to John Winthrop's "A City on the Hill" sermon that argued that the Pilgrim settlement in America would be a shining example for the world.

RONALD REAGAN

February 6, 2011


RONALD WILSON REAGAN CENTENARY


The 40th President of the United States, Ronald Wilson Reagan, would have been 100 years old today.  He was born in Tampico, Illinois on February 6, 1911.

Having defeated Jimmy Carter in the Election of 1980, Ronald Reagan was sworn in as President on January 20, 1981.  Surviving an assassination attempt early in his 1st term, Reagan was re-elected in 1984 and despite being the "oldest President", he completed two terms of office.


President Reagan helped restore national pride & one of his greatest speeches came at the Berlin Wall where he said:


"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall."

Reagan graduated from Eureka University & began a career in sports radio broadcasting.

He entered the motion picture industry when he was signed to a 7 year contract with Warner Brothers in 1937.  He would go on to appear in 50 films in his career & serve as president of the Screen Actors Guild.


Divorced from his 1st wife, Jane Wyman, he married actress Nancy Davis in 1952.  She would become & remain his closest "confidante".

President Reagan died at the age of 93 on June 5, 2004.


February 6, 1985


REAGAN DOCTRINE IS ANNOUNCED TODAY!


President Ronald Reagan said today:


"Freedom is not the sole prerogative of a chosen few; it is the universal right of all God's children."


The President also said:


"We must stand by our democratic allies.  Support for freedom fighters is self-defense."*


*Critics will say the Reagan Doctrine prolonged & escalated conflicts & sometimes sanctioned repressive governments.


February 6, 1960


JFK SPEAKS TO DEMOCRATS


John F. Kennedy, Massachusetts senator & Presidential candidate, spoke today at the Stutsman County Democratic Dinner in Jamestown, North Dakota.


Senator Kennedy was critical of President Eisenhower's farm program for 1960.  He said the program will lower farm prices & that it ignores the plight of the corn farmer who is "already suffering".

February 6, 1966


PRESIDENT JOHNSON MEETS KY IN HONOLULU


LBJ met with South Vietnamese premier Nguyen Cao Ky in Honolulu, Hawaii today.

The two leaders issued a joint declaration in which the United States government promises continued aid to South Vietnam in fighting against communist aggression.


The US will also help develop the South Vietnamese economy & to establish the principle of self-determination.


February 6, 1778


FRANCE & UNITED STATES SIGN ALLIANCE TREATIES


Representatives of France and the United States signed the Treaty of Amity & Commerce and the Treaty of Alliance today in Paris.

In the 1st treaty, France will recognize the independence of the United States of America.  It also encourages trade between the two nations.


The 2nd treaty provides for military support to the United States in its'  "war for independence" with Great Britain.*


*The treaties will be ratified by the Continental Congress in May 1778.


February 6, 1952


KING GEORGE VI DIES IN HIS SLEEP


George VI, King of Great Britain & Northern Ireland, died today in his sleep at the royal estate at Sandringham.


Princess Elizabeth, who is in Kenya, will become Queen.

Elizabeth, who is married to Philip Mountbatten, was born on April 21, 1926.  She & Prince Philip have 4 children.  Their oldest, Charles, was born in 1948.*


*Queen Elizabeth II will be crowned on January 2, 1953 at the age of 27.