Reagan’s Mountain

I was filled with a sort of disbelief when I read the Kolpacoff letter, which blindly idolizes Ronald Reagan. That disbelief quickly turned to disgust, and then to anger.

He stated: “Young people today will look back on the 1980s with the warmest remembrances . . .” Surprise, Mr. Kolpacoff: the future of all of us young people looks rather grim, due to the dangerous bumbling of the “Great Communicator.” I am filled with fear every time I think of our suicidal involvement in Nicaragua. It is my generation that will be forced to fight this futile war if it escalates into another Vietnam. The parallels are there, sir.

And what of the alarming escalation of weapons during Reagan’s two terms? They are not quite objects of reassurance to the youth of today. Rather, they are the stuff of which nightmares are made (I’ve had my fair share, thank you!).

Kolpacoff attempts to use Reagan’s 75% approval rating following the Reykjavik summit to prove the competence of the President. However, the true reason for such a high percentage was the frantic, frenzied news blitz by Reagan and his people following his failure at the summit. Being a nation easily swayed by the glamour and glitz of these media ploys, it is natural that many were taken in by the glib assurances of slick government officials.

The truth, Mr. Kolpacoff, is that our President’s popularity is based on persona, not concrete issues. Reagan is an affable, reassuring leader, and by telling the public exactly what they want to hear, he has soared in popularity. Unfortunately, the truth is usually not pretty, and therefore, we seldom hear it from Reagan.

SANDI GLEZAKOS

Huntington Beach