barking_iguana | Let Hagiography be Hagiography again.

From Fanatical Apathy:

Ronald Wilson Reagan, 40th and unquestionably greatest President of the United States, is dead. He was 93.

Beloved by friend and foe alike, Reagan (also known as "Dutch," "The Gipper," "The Great Communicator," and "Bilbo") had a simple touch and enormous vision. Despite poll numbers that show his approval ratings lower than Bill Clinton's and (on average) George H. W. Bush's, he was without doubt the most popular President of this or any era.

Reagan preached a simple, easy message: Smaller government, less taxes. He delivered on the latter, and if the result was higher deficits, it was because of Reagan's higher calling. While managing the economy into better, prouder times, he also singlehandedly caused the downfall of the Soviet Union, freed the American hostages from Tehran, and gave Americans something to believe in again, and this was the secret to his enormous popularity.

His accomplishments as President are almost too gigantic to be listed in a single obituary. Where does one begin? From his invention of the personal computer in 1980, to his bold assassination of Leonid Brezhnev in 1982 (critics said the President shouldn't be going under cover on daring one-man missions, but Reagan proved them wrong), to his sledge-hammering of the Berlin Wall in 1988, Reagan's enormous popularity cut through the partisanship that mars contemporary politics and offered an example of heroism, patriotism, and humility that made even the most unrepentant and dirty liberal stand up and salute.

Born in 1911, Reagan made his mark in World War II, where as an enormously popular six star general he led he Normandy invasion, the North African campaign, and the war in the Pacific. Returning home in 1945, he resumed his acting career and went on to win 4 Oscars (Best Actor (twice), Best Supporting Actor, and Best Director). His finest roles included Rick from "Casablanca," Moses from "The 10 Commandments," and Scarlett O'Hara from "Gone With the Wind." He was enormously popular.

Eschewing his still-thriving Hollywood career for politics in the 60's, Reagan was swept into the State House in California by an unprecedented unanimous vote in the 1966 election. As governor he was enormously popular. He created America's first public school system, discovered gold near Sutter's Mill, freed the slaves, and prevented as many as 35 earthquakes. He was elected President in 1980, once again unanimously.

Reagan always stayed above the scandals that typically plague modern administrations, largely because of his enormous popularity. When, towards the end of his Presidency, the Soviet Union unconditionally surrendered, President Mikhail Gorbachev famously said, "Even behind my Iron Curtain, he (Reagan) is more loved than me. Thus, I give up."

Today, long after his career came to end, Reagan remains enormously popular. He will be remembered forever as a founding father, brilliant actor, pioneering scientist, devoted family man, amusing magician, noted author, hilarious stand-up comic, dazzling mathematician, gifted professional athlete, world-renowned chef, heroic soldier, medal-winning figure skater, useful home appliance, trusty steed, super sleuth, handy repairman, daring crimefighter, and groundbreaking choreographer.

But most of all, he was Ronald Wilson Reagan, simple, proud, and enormously popualr American. He will be missed. Dear god, he will be missed.