Eulogy for Ronald Wilson Reagan : Indybay

Ronald Wilson Reagan was born in Tampico, Illinois in 1911 and died quietly in his California home on June 5th, 2004, after living for several years with Alzheimer's disease. Yet it seems that Reagan's Alzheimer's was contagious. While mainstream media fall over themselves in a rush to construct a public memory of the man as a hero, the truth about the life and times of the actor/governor/president is quite different.

Reagan's support for right-wing murderers, most famously in the Iran-Contra scandal; provision of weapons and military training for murderous dictatorships in Latin America (Argentina, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Panama, Grenada),Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa; role in perpetuating apartheid in South Africa; unprecedented promotion of nuclear proliferation; his denial of funding for AIDS research; affront to women's rights; undercutting of environmental protections, perpetuation of racial segregation and discrimination; and gutting of social services are only a few of the events that mark the Reagan years as among the most corrupt and devastating in history. This is the Reagan that must not be forgotten.

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REAL REAGAN TIMELINE

1911	Ronald Reagan born Tampico Illinois
1964	Reagan's final starring film: “The Killers”
1967	Reagan becomes governor of California Reagan cuts budget in California by 10% Major cuts mental health system in California Major cuts for the University of California and institutes tuition for the first time in history of the University system. Begins state repression of anti-Vietnam War protests
1969	Sends armed National Guard to end student strike at the University of California, Berkeley.
1970	Reagan re-elected governor of California Widespread cuts in state welfare
1973	Reagan defends Nixon during Watergate scandal
1981	Reagan sworn in as U.S. president Reagan calls for deep budget cuts, primarily from Carter's "Great Society" programs to benefit the poor Major recession and unemployment, while defense budget and nuclear development remain intact. "We love your adherence to democratic principle, and to the democratic processes." in a toast of newly re-inaugurated President Ferdinand Marcos by George Bush Reagan administration attempts to loosen Clean Air Act standards White House acknowledges that Reagan believes Webber ruling, allowing unions and management to enter into affirmative action agreements voluntarily, should be overturned. In PBS interview, Reagan argues that New Deal advocates espoused fascism. Social policy: pro-school prayer, anti-abortion Reagan doctrine supports Marcos in the Phillipines El Salvador: El Mazote massacre: slaughter of 800 men, women, children. 70,000 eventually killed.
1982	U.S. Marines arrive in Lebanon Reagan signs deal to grant tax-exempt status to racially segregated schools. (Bob Jones University, etc.) Reagan comments that anti-nuclear proliferation demonstrators are supported by Communists Commodity Credit Corp backs $1.5 billion loan to Iraq as Saddam arms A coup brings Gen. Efraín Ríos Montt to power in Guatemala, and gives the Reagan administration the opportunity to increase military aid.
1983	10000 U.S. troops invade Granada Unemployment soars Reagan expands defense budget Reagan reveals Space Defense Initiative (SDI), Star Wars Benigno Aquino shot dead in the Phillipines: 1990, military officials convicted of his murder Coup in Guatemala replaces Ríos Montt. The new President, Oscar Mejía Víctores, was trained by the U.S.
1983-1989	Reagan ignores AIDS epidemic
1984	Reagan publicly supports Contras in Nicaragua, claiming the Contras are freedom fighters Reagan signs National Security Decision Directive 138 Congress outlaws direct or indirect support of Contras (2^nd Boland Amendment, outlaws funds to C.I.A., defense or any intelligence agencies “supporting, directly or indirectly, military or paramilitary operations in Nicaragua by any nation, group, organization or individual." U.S. spends $10 million to direct elections in El Salvador
1985	Reagan begins new term as president Reagan Administration acknowledges “Reagan doctrine” of support for armed insurgencies against Soviet-backed governments in the “Third World” Senate authorizes 38 million in 'non-military' aid to Contras Approval of direct & indirect U.S.-Isreali military support of Iran against Iraq. Oliver North allowed control of arms sales to Iran
1986	1500 anti-tank missiles sent to Iran Reagan seeks $100 million in aid to Contras U.S. bombs Libya North admits Iran weapons sales funding Contras, while Reagan signs bill banning arms sales to nations supporting 'terrorists' Reagan denies weapons sales and their purposes to Iran Iran-Contra connection investigated – revealing Reagan administration knowledge that weapons were exchanged for hostages and profits were diverted to Nicaraguan Contras U.S. military support of Honduras soldiers against Nicaragua troops Immigration Reform and Control Act passes Reagan speech on South Africa - “constructive engagement”
1987	Reagan denies knowledge of Iran-Contra Welfare cuts drop 442,000 families, food stamps ended to 1 million Reagan publicly uses the word “AIDS” for the first time.
1988	Oliver North indicted
1989	Panama 1989-90 Troops, bombing Nationalist government ousted by 27,000 soldiers, leaders arrested, 2000+ killed. The end of the Presidency