Freedom's March
I come before you and assume the Presidency at a moment rich with promise. We live in a peaceful, prosperous time, but we can make it better. For a new breeze is blowing, and a world refreshed by freedom seems reborn; for in man's heart, if not in fact, the day of the dictator is over. The totalitarian era is passing, its old ideas blown away like leaves from an ancient, lifeless tree. A new breeze is blowing, and a nation refreshed by freedom stands ready to push on. There is new ground to be broken, and new action to be taken.
Excerpt from Newly-Elected President George H. Bush's Inaugural Address, January 20, 1989
At the end of that very year, the Berlin Wall was torn down.
The Soviet Union died, and a democratic Russia and New Europe was born.
The Cold War was won.
Yet those words still apply today.
posted by John | 6:00 PM
11 Comments:
As an older person, I can tell you that the end of the cold war was a momentous occurance. I remember voting for Reagan, and living through all of what his regime meant. The last thing we ever envisioned was that the wall would come down and that Communism would fail. We expected that, to some degree, but we never really thought we would live to see it. As a kid in the panhandle of Texas, we were always under our desks for tornado drills and to learn how to duck and cover. I have learned that we as a people have lost that memory in a few short years. I think the reason that we did was based on the fact that unpleasant memories can die quickly. Reagan never got the credit he deserved, but I do not think that was his goal.
There are many who disagree with me, but years in the future I think he just may get that. Growing up in the Cold War is just not something that the modern generation can really comprehend. It is like the WWII generation. How do you identify with circumstances that belie believability? In the long run, most people will begin to belive that Communism "had to fall" because anyone can just see that. Just like the 3rd Reich, it seems inevitable to those that are so far removed from it.
JB
Phelonius!
Not exactly a babe in the woods myself.
I remember crouching under my elementary school desk for nuclear attack drills.
Reagan IS getting the credit he deserves--despite having to compete with anti-Reagan revionism (e.g. "It had to fall--on its own," "Gorbachev should get the credit," etc.).
He had Washington National Airport renamed after him befgore he died (although there was MUCH resistance among Democrats in Congress to publicize it on Metro signs, maps, etc.--AFTER they tried to block the legislation).
He had the flagship of a new line of Aircraft Carriers named after him.
He had the second largest government building (after the Pentagon)--named after him (before he died): The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.
The outpouring of people paying their respects when he lay in state in the Capital Rotunda--from all over the world, and myself included--was multitudinous.
Leftists rely on the notorious short-term memory of the American people, and exploit "the fact that unpleasant memories can die quickly"-- but assuming our nation will remain intact and strong over the next century, Reagan will be recognized as a member of the pantheon of Presidential Greatness.
He was a friend of Libertarians, no?
That speech by George H. Bush was given just weeks after the fall of the ruler of Romania, Christmas Day, 1988: I remember watching as the news spread to the West that these winds of change were brewing.
Wind of Change
by (Scorpions)
I follow the Moskva
Down to Gorky Park
Listening to the wind of change
An August summer night
Soldiers passing by
Listening to the wind of change
The world is closing in
Did you ever think
That we could be so close, like brothers
The future's in the air
I can feel it everywhere
Blowing with the wind of change
[Chorus:]
Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow dream away
In the wind of change
Walking down the street
Distant memories
Are buried in the past forever
I follow the Moskva
Down to Gorky Park
Listening to the wind of change
Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow share their dreams
With you and me
Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow dream away
In the wind of change
The wind of change blows straight
Into the face of time
Like a storm wind that will ring
The freedom bell for peace of mind
Let your balalaika sing
What my guitar wants to say
Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow share their dreams
With you and me
Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow dream away
In the wind of change
Kelly, I think Ceausescu,was brought down a year later, at the end of 1989--but a conflation of the rapid events is understandable.
You are right. I just remember being home for Christmas when it all came down.
I had been in Virginia all of 1988 and came home in time for Christmas.
The next year 1989 I had been in Colorado all year and was home for Christmas. So, this was the Christmas that I remember.
Hence, my mistake.
No problem. You nevertheless remember and have captured the essential spirit of it.
It makes Bush Senior's speech almost prophetic.
Yes, prophetic for the Soviet Union, and for the Middle East, as well: "...the day of the dictator is over. The totalitarian era is passing, its old ideas blown away like leaves from an ancient, lifeless tree. A new breeze is blowing, and a nation refreshed by freedom stands ready to push on. There is new ground to be broken, and new action to be taken."
John, I was not trying to say you are too young to remember at all, but I have never known how old you are at any rate so I have learned to be a bit careful in supposing that everybody is as old as I am (not really old, but I work in a college and MAN, these freshmen look like babies to me!)
You bet Reagan was a friend to the Libertarians. He did not go far enough there, but I will never forget the relief when he was elected over Carter. I just think that Reagan will have an even greater legacy as time goes by.
JB
I agree that Reagan will have the greater legacy, but I remember when the polls showed his popularity waning. It has been since his terms of office were up that history has proved what it was he did while serving as our President.
And, I too, remember voting for Reagan.
Phelonius, you are probably not much older than me. So, stop saying you are an 'older' person. "wink"
James, Kelly:
Thank you for stopping by.
Have a great holiday season!
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