This week, I had the distinct pleasure of speaking at the Reagan Presidential Library on my book, Rage and the Republic. I was able to spend time with the outstanding staff of the library and the foundation, who were kind enough to give me a tour of this unique and inspiring place. I hope that sharing some pictures from the visit might lead some of you to plan a visit to the library in Simi Valley. It is truly extraordinary in the breadth of its collection and its presentation of historical artifacts. Give yourself a few hours because you will want to explore every corner of this amazing place.
The Reagans originally hoped to build the library and museum at Stanford University, but they were rebuffed due to the politics of the former president and the presence of the Hoover Institution (a conservative think tank) on campus. While the board approved the site, faculty and other protesters objected, and it was eventually abandoned.
After Stanford’s disgraceful opposition, a donor stepped forward to offer some land in Simi Valley, roughly 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles. When Reagan visited, he fell in love with the site. It is gorgeous. The foundation has now purchased another 300 acres, bringing the total to 400 acres, to preserve the beautiful view from the library.
Opened in 1991, it is now the repository of presidential records from the Reagan administration. However, it is far more than that and the museum is truly a thing to behold. The designers created a truly unique space that features Air Force One and period cars, including the presidential limousine.
Reagan and the First Lady are buried in a lovely spot facing West, as stipulated by the President.
The site clearly reminded Reagan of his beloved ranch, and architect Hugh Stubbins created the space in the Spanish Mission style that Reagan favored. When it was opened, four presidents stood shoulder to shoulder with Reagan: Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and George H.W. Bush. Six first ladies attended: Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, Betty Ford, Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan, and Barbara Bush. It harkens back to a more civil time in our politics.
In addition to the wonderful vistas, the site’s exterior features an F-14 Tomcat, a Stealth fighter, and an M1 Abrams tank.
The museum itself is not just brilliantly laid out but a heck of a lot of fun, from horses (shortened for better images) that you can sit on to look like you are riding with Reagan.
It contains items from Reagan’s youth in Illinois, including his college sweater.
For those who can remember the Reagan Administration, there are special items like Reagan’s microphone from his famous “I paid for this mike” moment in the presidential debate as well as Nancy Reagan’s Gridiron Dinner dress (that she wore after being criticized for looking too elegant in an earlier appearance at the White House).
There is also Reagan’s suit from the assassination attempt showing the entry hole. The suit was cut off Reagan, who was upset because it was his favorite suit. He then ordered the exact suit to be made and wore it for his famous “tear down this wall” speech. (That suit is also on display).
There are also the notes that Reagan wrote to nurses since he could not talk due to the breathing tube. They are charming and funny asides about how he felt spoiled by their attention.
One fun item is Reagan’s award of the Order of the Garter. By tradition, the original medal is used by the Queen and then replaced by a substitute. However, Reagan loved it so much that he asked Queen Elizabeth if he could keep it. Forgetting the tradition, the Queen said, “Of course.” Only later did her staff raise the problem and the Queen decided that Reagan could keep the original for his life and it would then be returned upon his death.
Two weeks after his death, Buckingham Palace showed that they had not forgotten the agreement and asked for the swapping of the medals. Reagan Library officials, however, sent them the visitor records for the library, showing that millions would see the medal. Buckingham Palace relented, so this remains the original medal. In the end, Reagan got to keep it.
There are also wonderful curiosities, like a portrait given to Reagan by an African nation, composed entirely of moth wings.
There is also Reagan’s favorite portrait of Nancy in his personal office – and of course plenty of his favorite jellybeans.
The highlight of the visit for many is the ability to walk through Air Force One. Seven presidents used this plane, though it was replaced by the current plane after Reagan. The plane holds original items from the typewriter used for Reagan’s speeches to the uniform of the officer who carried the “football” on his flights.
What is most striking about the plane is how small and spartan it was. It is quite modest and the President and First Lady did not even have a bed. I was frankly shocked by how drab and basic the interior was.
One curious item was a birthday cake. Reagan wanted a cake on every flight in case it was the birthday of any crew, staff, or press member.
Marine One is even more Spartan. This was not Reagan’s helicopter. It was the Sikorsky VH-3 Sea King used by Lyndon Baines Johnson, including the one that was used for part of the trip to take him back to Washington after the Kennedy assassination.
Near Marine One is a particular delight in the museum. Some of us can remember when Reagan visited Ireland and went into O’Farrell’s pub in Ballyporeen, where Reagan had a beer in 1984. The museum later learned that the pub was going to close, so they took it apart and rebuilt it inside the museum. It is all original and they actually still serve food and drinks from the bar during some events.
Here are a few more pictures from the presidential exhibits from the recreated Oval Office (with original furniture and art) to the motorcade vehicles to the sweater that Reagan wore in the hospital:
Another delight of the museum is its rotating special exhibit. I was fortunate to make it before the end of its cowboy exhibit, a subject that is perfect for a Reagan museum. As a Western movie fan, I was in pig’s heaven.
The exhibit includes an interesting use of AI: it took a picture from the 1800s of a cowboy on a roundup and turned it into a moving film to give you a realistic view of the life of a cowboy.
The exhibit includes the actual stuffed dog and horse (Trigger and Bullet) of Roy Rogers, as well as Dale Evans’ horse Buttermilk.
It also includes Teddy Roosevelt’s buffalo coat and gear as well as the outfit of Clint Eastwood from Unforgiven and Pale Rider. There is stuff from Gunsmoke and even Kevin Costner’s gun from Tombstone. They even have the mask of the Lone Ranger.
I truly hope that you can find your way to the museum. It is a joy to behold. You will remember much and learn even more. Many of the staff have been there for over a decade and truly love this place. They are unbelievably knowledgeable and universally eager to answer any questions. I am a history nut, but came away with a load of new stories and facts about the Reagans.
Trust me on this one. Get yourself to the Reagan Library and Museum.
Did you take a few Jelly Belly jelly beans from Ronnie’s jar?
https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/reagans/ronald-reagan/jelly-bellyr-jelly-beans-and-ronald-reagan
Reagan’s home:
I’m so glad you got to see the Ronald Reagan Library.
It really is a wonderful place to visit.
Air Force One was originally designed to be a network of flying meeting rooms. Utilitarian. There was no opulence about it.
Ronald Regan’s own beloved ranch was a no frills place, as well.
I hope when you are in Southern California, that you are able to take the opportunity to hike through the poppies now blooming farther north.
Karen it’s good to see you back here, seems like it’s been a while. I always appreciate your commentary.
Thank you for the pictures.
Prof. Turley, Thank You A Million Times for the Great Tour and ALL the GREAT PHOTOS! I spent he Day at he Reagan Library 3 years ago and was sad that they cordially but finally insisted we had to leave at closing – As you’ve so well said.. it is an EXTRAORDINARY piece of American History that truly is unlike any other ‘Library,’ ‘Museum.’ or Exhibition on the Planet, The Architecture, including the Breathtaking more Modern Hangar for Air Force One, Marine One, and all the Cars, etc.. all simply Breathtaking, as are the panoramic views everywhere you turn.. The F14 was amazing.. yet It seemed a bit small compared to the Stealth to-day… I would have loved to have seen the Special Cowboy Rotating Exhibit.. mine was on Christmas Decorations, so many of them sent to the Reagans at the WH from around the world…Your Photos – as All your Photos – are simply The Best and put mine to shame.. Besides the ‘visit’ you have given us, I get to keep your Photos now and often bring the visit to Life… until I can return again.. Last but not least, those Fortunate Souls who got to hear your Speech there are very Lucky indeed.. I am sure Ron and Nancy’s Souls were full of Pride to have you there as well…Thank You..
Thank you so very much for “including” us on your visit! This was, for me, a trip down memory lane. The only thing missing would have been a quilt from the quaint restaurant in Clifton, VA where Mrs Reagan and George Will would go for a cozy lunch.
The architecture and vista look delightful. Everything is in such excellent tasted (except for that gridiron dress which, frankly, looks like what FLOTUS #46 usually wore). No more snide remarks, I promise, even concerning the giant trash can/guard house of #44. Perhaps if Californians see fit to elect a responsible, Republican governor, I shall visit one day.
The wife and I saw the Reagan movie starring Dennis Quaid. It was informative, even if it did border on hagiography. The depictions of his friendship/rivalry with Gorbachev was entertaining. One of the most touching portions of the movie was the depiction of the Gipper in his post-presidency golden years at his ranch in California, where early signs of Alzheimers started to show. He had a loyal aid who helped him through these times. The museum’s location at that ranch is a fitting tribute to one of the best American presidents.
Looks like fun and the setting, location is perfect. Someone painted flower graffiti on an obelisk?
Meanwhile in other news…
They were NOT illegal strikes on Iran….. They were undocumented! So it’s ok.. The missiles self identified as care packages
Iran will no longer be throwing gay people off of tall buildings as Trump has blown up all their tall buildings. Instead they will take them to Obama’s presidential library and throw them from there
Free Palestine!
– Leftists
Don’t free Iran!
– Leftists
‘It’s Just A Flesh Wound!’ Says Legless Torso Of Iranian Ayatollah
– Not a Monty Python movie
US-Israeli strikes damage Iran’s cultural heritage sites. UNESCO World Heritage Sites are at risk, with several monuments, including palaces and a historic mosque, already damaged by US and Israeli strikes, which began on February 28.
– UNESCO
“I want the Iranians to know that if I’m the president, we will attack Iran,” Clinton said in an interview on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “In the next 10 years, during which they might foolishly consider launching an attack on Israel, we would be able to totally obliterate them,” she said. “That’s a terrible thing to say but those people who run Iran need to understand that because that perhaps will deter them from doing something that would be reckless, foolish and tragic,” Clinton said.
– Reuters, April 22, 2008
Anonymous at 2:10 P.M.
it was Mikhail Gorbachev’s policies that influenced the East German Politburo that caused the “Mauerfall” thru loosened travel restrictions for East German. That Politburo (Honecker & Co.) dissolved in 1989, after Reagan was gone. I’m not shocked that Americans are so ignorant.
Give Anonymous enough time and she will reveal that she loves mother Russia. Anonymous just like the Soviets would never give Reagan ant credit. All along Anonymous has tried to convince us that she is just a concerned American citizen. It’s taken awhile but she has finally admitted her loyalty to Russia.
I’ve often wondered why her opinions lack nuance and a willingness to consider the opinions of others on this forum. In her defense of Gobachev she has let the alley cat out of the bag. I suspected it all along.
Now we have it in her own words where she gets her orders from. The old saying is “to clever by half”.
Thank you for the enlightenment Comrade Anonymous.
Let’s go out and win one for the Gipper. All-American
Thank you for sharing the photos. We drive by the museum on our way to Santa Barbara, but haven’t stopped. We’ll have to change that. We do visit the Reagan Ranch and it’s an amazing place. If you haven’t been, you need to go. Because of politics, the state of California refused to make Reagan’s home a historical site and would not preserve the ranch. Fortunately, YAF bought it from Nancy Reagan and has preserved it.
Nancy Reagan was class personified. Melania is a sensation!
“Melania’ Reaches No. 1 on Amazon Prime in US and Worldwide”
Melania Trump’s documentary reached the top spot on Amazon just 24 hours after its release on March 9.
https://www.ntd.com/melania-reaches-no-1-on-amazon-prime-in-us-and-worldwide_1131506.html
Melania is a hooker.
Always was a hooker, and always will be a hooker.
https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/donald-trump-melania-trump-knauss-first-lady-erections
I have a book with nude photos of the young Madonna Ciccone. I assume you would consider the singer a hooker as well?
The anonymous troll you responded to is an ugly, obese liberal woman with purple hair who is extremely jealous of Melania’s good looks.
How young was Madonna ??
Obviously you are into child pornography.
I don’t have ANY books with nude pictures of women or girls.
I guess it is a requirement in the MAGA cult to have pictures of naked girls, just like Trump and Epstein.
The point is that you MAGA morons are holding out Melania as some sort of icon of class and refinement. She is a cheap hooker.
Madonna never made any claims to class and refinement. She is what she is, and makes no claims otherwise, and makes no apologies.
Madonna was twenty when she answered a classified ad for a nude model. While it seems popular to infantilize adult women these days, I reflect that at 20 my grandmother had crossed an ocean, married, and given birth to my mother.
The photos were published in 1979, and republished in Playboy in 1985.
And yes, I own a book — I don’t scour the web for nude photos.
The hate is strong in this one.
So you keep books with naked women as well, just like Trump and Epstein and michaeldix2f64102fb2
How old are the girls ???
It really is a MAGA thing.
Most normal men do not keep pictures of naked girls.
Hook me anytime
Saw the movie. Not a typical movie, but it was an interesting look behind the scenes that one rarely gets. Melania is a class act, and the people who work for her praise her and the way she treats them. Quite a contrast to the toxic environment some other powerful people create. She is also extremely self assured and doesn’t seem affected at all by the haters.
She’s really a beauty.
Speaks five languages fluently, passion for philanthropy helping children. Understands design so is easy to work with, and treats the people around her with respect and kindness, according to them. A class act all around, not to mention elegant and beautiful.
oldman
Melania can barely speak English.
She has never spoken any languages other English and Slovenian in public.
She has claimed to speak 6 languages fluently, but there is absolutely no evidence for this. In fact all the evidence is to the contrary and indicates that the only language she speaks fluently is Slovenian.
When she visited Pope Francis he addressed her in Italian saying that he had heard she was fluent in Italian and started speaking to her in that language. She went silent and didn’t respond. Francis awkwardly motioned for a translator who then translated everything for her.
At the 2017 G7 summit, she was seen wearing translation headphones during a speech by French President Emmanuel Macron, leading to questions about her claimed French fluency.
Former associates and biographers, such as Mary Jordan (author of The Art of Her Deal), state they found no evidence of her using these languages beyond a few basic words. Jordan opined, maybe Melania Trump had taken a page out of Trump’s playbook: “Exaggerating if it builds the brand and polishes the image.”
Jordan said she spoke to people who worked with the future first lady during her modeling days. During the early 1990s Melania Trump also worked in Vienna, where the main language is German. But modeling agent Wolfgang Schwarz told Jordan that Melania knew so little German that they spoke English together.
Jordan said she also spoke with photographers and others who worked with Melania Trump over the years. Some are native speakers of Italian, French, and German, but they said they never heard her use more than a few words in those languages
Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a long-time friend and former advisor, stated she only ever heard Melania speak English and Slovenian.
In public settings abroad, observers note she typically uses only basic, “guidebook” greetings (like “Bonjour” or “Ciao”) before reverting to English or using a translator for deeper conversations.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/04/21/pope-francis-expose-melania-trump-limits-languages/
In addition, there is some evidence that Barron Trump is more fluent in Slovenian than English. He was raised by his mother and grandparents pretty much in isolation from his father.
His mother and grandparents only ever spoke to him in Slovenian as a child. English is his second language. As he grew older it became obvious that he speaks English with a Slovenian accent.
When he was 4 he appeared with his parents on Larry King Live, and King noticed Barron’s accent, when speaking English. Melania confirmed that he does have an accent when speaking English. When King asked Donald what he thought of Barron’s accent, he replied, “I think it’s great. Anything he does is OK with me.”
Apparently he has started taking elocution lessons to lose the accent.
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/celebrity/articles/president-donald-trump-son-barron-221102028.html
I have heard that the first English phrase Melania learned with any fluency was, “That’ll cost extra”.
Yea. And you’d pay, too. She’d take all your money, slap u upside your head and watch you cry all the way home to mommy.
Wow. Good point. Ergo, Trump sucks? Not only is wok dumber than nails, they are consumed by jealousy and they can’t shed a tear for Laken Riley
That’s a shame. Most guys were hoping to have a deep conversation with her in Mandarin.
Pres. Reagan had many great achievements that historians have come to agree on. Reviving the economy, defusing the leftist radicalism of the ’70s, working with Gorbachev for nuclear weapons controls, encouraging the German and Polish movements to phase out Communism, setting the stage for 1989 Fall of the Berlin Wall, guiding the Space Program through its worst tragedy.
One failure that sticks out in my mind is that, right after taking office he killed off the metric conversion timetable for the US, even though industry was signaling it was ready for the change, and all the other “imperial units” nations were abandoning it.
2 decades later I email Don Regan, his Chief of Staff during that time, asking why did you guys do that? I got back this terse reply:
Don Regan: “Damned if I know”.
This may have been a simple case of oppo-policy….the Carter Admin was for it, therefore….
Reagan had nothing to do with German unification or the Polish union mvmt., which simply gave unionist a place at the table, so to speak. The Berlin Wall (I was in Berlin that day, 09.11.89 . He had nothing to with that, it was Mikhail Gorbachev’s policies that influenced the East German Politburo that caused the “Mauerfall” thru loosened travel restrictions for East German. That Politburo (Honecker & Co.) dissolved in 1989, after Reagan was gone. I’m not shocked that Americans are so ignorant to think such things.
And this: “defusing the leftist radicalism of the ’70s”. Reagan was Pres. beginning 1980 and had nothing to do with the so-called radicalism, that ended abt. 1982. It was local law enforcement with negligible FBI assistance that solved the mass of bombings in NYC, LA, SF.
“Mr Gorbachev,
Tear
Down
This
Wall”
Had no effect on German unification?
Interesting take.
June 1987 Reagan spoke. Nov. 1989, 2-1/2 years later the wall came down. Reagan was gone, already senile, And you think he did it? Whew!
Unification? Reagan too? Try GY Chancellor Helmut Kohl and Mikhail Gorbachev. Again, Reagan was in bed with a case of senility.
Ignorant does not suffice for you mike.
It took 8 years for Americans to land on the moon, but you think two years was too long to bring down the Wall? JFK was long dead when we reached the Moon — does that mean he had nothing to do with it?
Tearing down the Iron Curtain took time. I would say the canon event was the Pan-European Picnic, at the Austrian-Hungarian border, in August, 1989. Hungarian border guards threw open the gates, and a torrent of East Germans moved west.
Reagan accelerated their bankruptcy.
Of course others (Europeans) share credit for the dissolution of Communism and the Iron Curtain. I’m thinking of Vaclev Havel, Solzhenitsyn, Willy Brandt, the Polish Solidarity movement, Pope JPII…even Gorbachev contributed unintentionally by freely acknowledging the dysfunction and lethargy of the Soviet economy. Millions of ordinary people of courage moved the ball forward.
The thing Reagan did was he spoke honestly about the hopes and desires of ordinary folks living behind the Iron Curtain to live under freedom — to throw off the shackles of the Communist police state. In his own mind, he was able to hold a higher expectation, while US and Western European liberals assumed Communism was so firmly entrenched, they could not imagine a different future. Reagan demonstrated the power of leading with positive expectations, rather than succumbing to cynicism/fatalism.
The exact same scenario is playing out as we speak, with liberals unable to imagine an Iran, China, Cuba or Russia overthrowing their corrupt dictators, and fearful of playing any role to liberate those millions. Pres. Trump is projecting Reaganesque expectations that embolden freedom movements.
Good analysis.
With regard to the failure of imagination relative to Iran, China, Cuba, and Russia, you are right in saying that Trump is Reaganesque in thinking outside that box, as shown already with Venezuela (which is transforming amazingly now with the evil dictator Maduro gone). Cuba is on the cusp of something liberating, and Iran may be after that if the great Persian people can manage to overcome the tyranny they live under.
I agree, Reagan broke them economically and Gorbachev was a decent man.
Detest Reagan, much? Reagan’s speech in Berlin was a catalyst for change, much like his Star Wars initiative hastened the fall of the Soviet Union. He didn’t start the 70’s liberal violence nor was he president when the Berlin Wall fell. Reagan was the captain who righted the ship.
Detest? No, what gave you that idea?
Know the meaning of initiative? It was all paper.
No one said he started the 70’s violence. Read the comment
You get A+ for stupidity. A+ for ignorance.
You’re top of the class Dave!
You know nothing about the history of that time. Reagan and Thatcher were instrumental in bringing down the Soviet empire, and the Polish union movement said so at the time.
Polish Union … And of course you have definitive proof. Reagan told you?
BTW, got any names of relevant persons you want to add?
And you’re fluent in Polish I take it? Lech called you too?
I know you’re a old fool, but ignorance transcends time, senility not.
I’ve seen first-hand footage of their meeting with Mrs. Thatcher, in which they made those statements while the camera was rolling. Also, she and Reagan were able to obtain intel showing the USSR spent 50% of GDP on defense, from which they formulated the strategy of banrupting the USSR through additional defense spending with which the USSR would have to keep pace.
You can see all this on a PBS three-part documentary called Commanding Heights.
And it was 1981 when former Soros DA Chesa Boudin’s Weather Underground member parents participated in robbery and murder. Young Chesa was raised by Obama’s terrorist pals, the Ayers.
Chesa’ mom served 21 years; Chesa’s dad did 40.
A movie theater with Ronald Reagan movies showing is needed, certainly the Gipper. ☺
Nancy Reagan was routinely mocked by the Left, for her elegance and beautiful couture in a time when America needed admirable political leaders and an inspiring First Lady. When Michelle Obama dressed in couture she looked like an ape, yet the Left tried to put lipstick on her images. She then looked like an ape with lipstick.
At least Michelle Obama wore clothes, unlike the hooker we have as a First Lady now, although the the term “lady” is a huge stretch.
https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/donald-trump-melania-trump-knauss-first-lady-erections
Ano at 03/14/2026 1:57PM
I do not think I have read or encountered anyone as disrespectful, vulgar and generally full of B.S. as you. I normally scroll past your diatribes but today your attacks go beyond with some social gossip magazine as a basis. Why don’t you go away and let the adults carry on with reasonable, informative discussions.
rcs
So I am being disrespectful by pointing out that Melania is a hooker with a long history of posing naked in many publications for many years.
Mrs Mfume, to whom I responded, said that Michelle Obama is an ape.
Is that an example of respect??
Why didn’t you call out Mrs Mfume?
Obviously a rhetorical question, because in the MAGA cult, racism is a requirement for admission.
my statement stands
rcs
So you agree with Mrs Mfume that Michelle Obama is an ape.
Just as I figured.
You are a worthless, hypocritical, racist MAGA moron. In other words a typical Republican.
I was directing my comment at what you said and continued nastiness you say every day as is evidenced by your reply to my 3:09 statement as well as your comment at 4:09 and 4:31 and shall I go on or is nastiness the only thing you have to say.
rcs
And I was directing my original comment at the fact that you hypocritically called me out for being disrespectful about my Melania in my response to Mrs Mfume who called Michelle Obama an ape.
But you failed to call out Mrs Mfume for disrespecting Michelle Obama.
Obviously you find no problem with calling Obama an ape, but you are offended when I call Melania a hooker.
Totally hypocritical, unless of course you are a racist moron, in which case your response is entirely predictable and consistent.
Did you graduate from the third grade or just advanced after 4 years because you couldn’t fit in the desk. To me that is what you and several others are doing. Squabbling like third graders.
Goomegoo goo is all there is to say about Mike Obama.
Kamala Harris traded sex with a married man twice her age for rwo government sinecures rhat paid her a total of $400,000, and a new BMW. While Melania posed naked for magazines.
If you dislike hookers, I think we dodged a bullet in 2024.
So how does that justify calling Michelle Obama an ape ???
Answer the question.
As I said you are a worthless, hypocritical, racist MAGA moron. In other words a typical Republican.
You havent gotten laid in decades which makes you jealous
bwahahahahahahaha
Wasn’t Moochie in a Regan movie? I think it was called Bedtime for Bonzo…
Nancy Regan got knocked up to force Ronnie to marry her. They were married in March and Patti Davis was born in October. You do the math. After Reagan got divorced from Jane Wyman, he was not keen to remarry at all. Reagan and Wyman had a pact that they wouldn’t remarry–then Nancy got pregnant. Reagan saw other women after he married Nancy. Neither one of them was much of an actor on the screen. Nancy was extremely image-conscious and dominated Reagan. While she faked the doting wifey lovingly gazing at her husband in public– she was a good enough actress to pull this off– however, in private, she was domineering and dictated to him what he was to do—and he did it. He had Alzheimer’s while he was still in the White House, and she went to great lengths to cover it up. Who cares what some politician’s wife looks like in clothes (or, in Melania’s case–without any clothes)? No one ever “mocked” Nancy for “elegance” or expensive clothes–it was the fact that she bullied Reagan and was a phony.
Thank you so much for this post Professor Turley! I served under President Reagan through his entire presidency. He was so respectful of everyone that served the United States of America. He is, and will always be one of our greatest presidents! I certainly appreciate you for sharing this with all of us!!
Pride of Country as Christopher Gadsden put it; “There ought to be no New England man, no New Yorker known on the Continent; but all of us Americans” was the essence of President Reagan.
Dear Prof Turley,
A stroll down memory lane with the Gipper!
I dimly recall the Gipper. A vague memory of the Iran-Contra affair springs to mind. .. although I doubt there were any mementoes of that on the Gipper’s sunny California ranch.
“The Iran-Contra Affair was a 1980s U.S. political scandal involving secret arms sales to Iran and illegal funding of Nicaraguan Contra rebels, circumventing Congress and public policy.”
If past is prologue, circumventing Congress and Iran policy continues to take-on the fierce urgency of now, today.
On the other hand, I fondly recall the Gipper’s exhortations to Mr. Gorbachev to ‘Tear Down This Wall’. And he did. .. If I remember correctly, Jim Baker and the boys promised Mr. Gorbachev the U.S./Nato military alliance would not move ‘one inch eastward’ from a unified Germany.
That too, has taken on a fierce urgency of now, today.
*California Dreaming .. .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znodcEepIjE&list=RDznodcEepIjE&start_radio=1
Actually, there was video of a Reagan speech where he took full responsibility for the actions of his staff after the Iran-Contra mess. I don’t see that as in-character for Clinton, Obama, or Biden. Chew on that.
Iran Contra was a scandal to no one except to pro-Communist Democrats. but a shining moment for anti-Communists like Col. Oliver North, a man’s man. All of dgsnowden’s comments reflect a miserable sad old man, the opposite of Col North.
Actually, my criticism of Reagan’s covert Iran-Contra policy in no way indicates support for Clinton, Bush Jr., Obama, Trump I, Biden .. . or Trump II.
U.S. Iran policy and circumventing Congress is still a fiercely urgent issue today. Chew on that.
*what goes around comes around: here is Reagan’s speech (1987) where absolutely no one is held accountable for the ‘Iran-Contra mess’. ..
https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/speech/address-nation-iran-arms-and-contra-aid-controversy-and-administration-goals
Do you remember who actually delivered the arms to Iran?
Hint: it was someone from one of those I countries.
That remains quite the story, one that shows just how in bed the US government is in bed with the cartels.
I live about a mile from the library, and have visited many times to see rotating exhibits and attend events. The piece of the Berlin wall is powerful to see. The most powerful exhibit I was fortunate to see, was the Emancipation Proclamation that was touring the country at that time. Most recently was a very moving Holocaust exhibit. It is free to park and wander the outside of the property and to have a meal in the cafeteria. The views of the valley below and the sunsets from the back side of the property are stunning. No matter your politics, the historical items contained here are worth at least one visit.