On election night in 1980, I was getting into make-up at the Gainesville Little Theatre, a few blocks form the University of Florida. I was playing Tony Kirby in You Can’t Take it With You. We were going to go out after the show and watch the election returns come in.
Less than a minute before we went on, one of the stage managers practically shouted through her tears: “It’s over! Oh, God, we’re all gonna die!”
“What’s over?”
“The election! Ray-Gun won! He’s going to go to war with Russia!”
Even then, in my most rebellious, least informed, most liberal, least coherent days, I thought that was laying it on a little thick.
I spent the eight years of his presidency dismissive of the senile old idiot who didn’t have sense enough to raise taxes. I’ve spent the last eight years laboring to atone for those eight, and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. Unlike so many of you, I never had the chance to enjoy the man while he was in office. But I did turn back towards the light before he died, and living in Los Angeles, I have been to several events at the nearby Reagan Library.
I always find a few moments to step out, alone, and stand there, head held low, muttering apologies. I wish I could have met him — just to thank him, perhaps shake his hand, or have some other tangible memory of him, like so many of my colleagues are so fortunate to have. Don’t take that for granted.
I cannot think of my own journey without hearing his voice and seeing his smile as he talked about our common country, and can’t read — let alone speak — my favorite Reagan quote without choking up.
“And she’s still a beacon, still a magnet for all who must have freedom, for all the pilgrims from all the lost places who are hurtling through the darkness, toward home.”
Not all of us pilgrims come from overseas. Some journeys take place in the heart.
— Bill Whittle is a commentator for PJTV.
I have a similar story - but I was in high-school and only thought I knew what was going on. It was several years before I stopped being both an idiot and fool. Thankfully, I too have taken that journey toward home. You're right, not all the pilgrims have come from overseas. We did not realize how good we had it then. Hopefully, it is not gone yet so that others can know about it. We aren't Camelot just yet! Though I can hear Richard Harris getting ready just off the wings.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI too regret my knee jerk dismissal of President Reagan back in the day. My conversion also was too late to enjoy him in real time - something I truly regret.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhat a moving "coming of political age" story. I wasn't as tuned into politics when President Reagan sat behind the desk in the oval office as I am today, so I didn't appreciate him as much then as I do now, but I do remember being perplexed about the ugly things people said about a kind and reasonable man.
Today I understand that those who berated and mocked President Reagan did so because they already knew what many of us did not. Ronald Reagan is much more than the 40th President of the United States; he is - and will continue to be - the inspiration for generations of conservatives who love America and cherish the values and principles upon which she was founded.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI started at UF in the fall of 1983, and the first election in which I was old enough to vote was Reagan's re-election in 1984. I watched the returns coming in at the now long-gone Johnson Hall Rathskeller, pleased as punch at the results. My appreciation of Reagan, and of his love of country, has only grown over the years. Thank you, Mr President.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHow am I supposed to drive my kid home from practice when I'm sitting here sobbing over all these wonderful Reagan memories!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt is great to see Bill Whittle on NRO (again).
For those that are unfamiliar with Bill's writing, I can not recommend his book Silent America quite enough. When you read his essays you can't help but be struck by the thought, "these essays should all be read out loud, by a great voice." Bill's work on PJTV is top notch - and his own voice is just fine for the words.
Bill really does tap into the Reagan understanding of America and constantly credits Reagan for his growth and understanding of conservatism.
As for me, I get to celebrate my 45th birthday on Sunday February 6. I couldn't pick a better person than RWR to share a birthday.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI thought you were going to apologize for admitting you wore make-up even if it was one the job? Wait that doesn't sound right.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThough I have always been a great fan of Ronaldus Magnus, I have only recently begun to appreciate his genius of using America's exceptionalism as the main weapon to win the Cold War.
It also strikes me that we are facing the same struggle today : freedom and Liberty vs tyranny. Today the tyranny comes not from Communism but from Islam. Please, God, give us someone like Reagan with the clarity of thinking and vision to defeat this new tyranny.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseLet me recommend three places to find Bill Whittle in all his talented glory: DeclarationEntertainment.com; BillWhittle.net; and PJTV.com. His writing is superb, but his verbal witness for all things conservative will have you nearly as weepy as many of us get when reading the Reagan quote above.
I was in the Army in Germany when Reagan bombed Libya. What joy it was to spend an hour trying to get on base while the guards searched for bombs under the car, and all of us laughing at the myriad Mickey Mouse cartoons with his middle finger extended to Quaddafi that adorned our rear windows. Yes, even and especially in the military.
I didn't fully appreciate him then. I try to do so now.
Thanks, Bill, for 399 fine words.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThis essay speaks for me also.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI was up to my eyeballs in diapers and baby clothes throughout the 80's, my whole world contracted around my own little house and husband and two darling girls. I was only vaguely aware that the one-time actor who had become California's Governor had now become President. It was years before I got interested in politics - and I realized just how much misinformation I had absorbed about him when I read "In His Own Words." There's nothing like going to the Original to clear out the dust bunnies.
Sometimes the very best things are not recognized for what they are until time has silenced the shrill voices of negation and misdirection, and led the opportunists on to more promising ground. Brass can be mistaken for a precious metal by someone who has never seen the real thing, but when it is set side-by-side with GOLD...well, then there is no question of which is the real thing and which is the cheap imitation. Reagan was the Real Thing....and we've had a lot of brass since he showed us the vision of the splendid thing America could be.
I pray every day for more gold. Don't you?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseBill,
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseGreat to see one of my favorite writers/speakers merried back up with The Corner. Welcome back.
I was a couple of years behind you at UF (NROTC '87), and thankfully avoided the "most rebellious, least informed, most liberal, least coherent days". Heck, it was even kind of fun to walk through the Plaza of the Americas in uniform by then. Also great to see you back on Trifecta. All the best, e2a2j
Thanks Bill... I was at least as incoherent as you.
The day he was elected, was my first day to vote. I voted against him, knowing that if I lost, I would be sent to war. After all, my liberal parents told me so. To save my neck, I went to the USCG Training Center in Alameda that very day to begin basic training. If I was busy guarding the Coast, he wouldn't be able to send me off somewhere to be killed, you see.
I said I was clueless... not stupid. Saving lives in helicopter rescue with the Coast Guard was a thrilling experience, and I'm left with no regrets.
It would be some 10 years later that I would start to see what I fool I had been, and just how wrong my parents were. How mistaken they were of the nature of his character, his abilities, and his intentions. Somehow, I don't know how, I found Reagan. Thank God I found Reagan... long out of office, yet triumphant still... with victories so astounding in their dimensions.
Thank you, Bill, for reminding me of my days leading out of the darkness, and the greatest President that this nation has known.
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