Eloquent pieces precede today on television, the press, and the internet, but as we watch the memorial discussions and reminiscing, some real and some (to be expected) exaggerated, I think it appropriate to wish his family peace, and to honor this American President in the most fitting way possible. Not a coin, not Mt. Rushmore, as some Republicans have proposed but with the memorial Nancy asked for personally and from the heart.
Whenever Reagan's name comes up, and overblown tributes are suggested that seem inappropriate, this should be the humble response.
-- In a rare appearance last month, former first lady Nancy Reagan spoke at an event to raise money for embryo stem cell research. She hoped, she said, that others would benefit from research on such diseases as Alzheimer's, which had afflicted her husband, Ronald."Ronnie's long journey has finally taken him to a distant place where I can no longer reach him," she said. "Because of this, I'm determined to do whatever I can to save other families from this pain."
Reagan, 82, who was married to the nation's 40th president for 52 years, had been by the ailing president's side, particularly as the family publicly acknowledged his bout with the disease 10 years ago.
Reagan's recent public support of stem cell research, however, has put her at odds with other Republicans, including President George W. Bush, who opposes the research.
Still, Reagan, whose support carries much clout, is doing what she says she has to do. "I just don't see how we can turn our back on this," she said at the fund-raiser.
I agree with Nancy Reagan. I don't see how we can turn our back on this, either.
