Sunday, March 06, 2016

Nancy Reagan Is Dead at 94


The former first lady lived a long and glamorous life, yet somehow her charms were lost on me. Perhaps President Reagan's policies poisoned the well, but it's hard for me to have respect for a woman who supposedly controlled her husband yet somehow was unable to get him to do much of anything about the AIDS crisis. That her conservative stance on stem-cell research only changed when it directly affected her further demonstrated her fickle (read: opportunistic) empathy ... and don't get me strated on the astrology crap. There's no altering history. But it will forever break my heart to imagine how different the early days of AIDS might have been if someone of Princess Diana or Michelle Obama's caliber had been our mother-in-chief instead of an extra from "Dynasty." Elizabeth Taylor was truly an angel to step into the role. But imagine how much more powerful the message would have been coming from the home of the leader of the free world. 

If only there were Terry Sweeney clips online ...


Joan Didion nailed Nance's smile when she described it as "a study in frozen insecurity." 


UPDATE: Look what I found on NBC(dot)com!


An interesting response to my post on Facebook:

6 comments:

Kenneth M. Walsh said...

If she had apologized in any way -- or if any of those people had magically come back to life -- I'd be more than willing to let it go.

Matthew Rettenmund said...

Anyone who thinks laughing at an AIDS joke was ever okay is an ass. Second, though, Kenneth—are you referencing the story about Nancy wanting Hillary as prez? That was actually a hoax. Or is there another quote floating around. Circling back to the AIDS joke—I remember reading this, but there's no video. Could it be fake? That's a harsh joke for Bob Hope. Just wondering, and fuck anyone who uses the phrase "gay democrat robot" when faced with someone whose opinion differs from their own.

Kenneth M. Walsh said...

@Matt: I hadn't heard it was a hoax, thanks for the crx.

Michael H said...

I concur with you on the Nancy Reagan stance, Kenny. Like you, I was a teen in the Reagan era, as well. I can't say I really followed their every move, but I never bought her phony sincerity on matters.

And I find it completely appropriate to look back on Reagan's lack of AIDS awareness and research funding at this time as a reminder of their/his lack of concern.

Travelingman Rick said...

Matt I read an article about the Bob Hope quote too. I believe it was a private cruise for the La Te Dah set and Hope made the joke at a dinner. If I find the link I will send it to you. It was the weekend of the unveiling of the refurbished Statue of Liberty.

Jeffery said...

David Brinkley's comment on the Carters is appropriate to me for the Reagans. "Never liked the man, never liked his family. Don't think they belonged in Washington."