Reagan at 100

Former President Ronald Reagan would have been 100 today. That being the case, there have been and will be many tributes written about him, both the man and the myth. Indeed, there doesn't seem to be much which can be added to what has already been said and done.

That his influence on American and world history has been great and that his legend will continue to grow is without question. If there was another world leader in the 1900s who may have outshone him, though we doubt this will continue through time even if currently true, it would be Franklin Roosevelt. No rational list of the great Presidents would be right if it did not include Reagan in the top ten, or, more properly, in the top five. He made us believe in ourselves after a very rough patch in our history. America was said to be in decline; if so, Reagan brought us from the ashes.

True, he wasn't perfect. But what's the point in dwelling on that now? Every one of us could have and should have done better with what opportunities we have had. Facing the pressures he faced and coming through them with good grace, the more important remembrance is that he accomplished great things, often against great odds. He stood by and for certain ideals and kept our eyes focused on those. If along the way he had to cut deals with the devil, well, that's more on the devil than on him in the end. We are far better off for having him than not, and we need to keep that in mind.

Happy Birthday, Mr. President.