‘Reagan’s Just an Old Softie’
Bethell’s article is the PR snow job we usually get about Reagan. Bethell points out that “For Years Reagan has been mercilessly and falsely depicted by his political opponents as uncompassionate, hard-line, bellicose and hawkish. There never was any truth to this characterization. Nancy Reagan was closer to the mark when she said in 1984: ‘They portray Ronnie as mean and cruel and an uncompassionate man, when they know better. He’s the softest touch in the world.’ ”
Bethell ended his article by stating, “Machiavelli said, private virtue also can be public vice.”
In my opinion, the former statement, rather than the latter, more accurately describes Ronald Reagan. I’m sure we all recall his ruthless attacks on Jimmy Carter for his compassion for the hostages in Iran. In “The World According to Ronnie,” he confused compassion with weakness. What makes Bethell think he has changed now?
He has been carrying on now for six years in the most powerful office in the world with his “winkin’, blinkin’ and nod” approach to everything. In his press conferences he never answers questions directly and, unfortunately for us, the press in recent years has not challenged his answers, his ramblings and out-and-out lying. Now the press has its you-know-what in gear and it is really doing its job. It is the press, along with Congress, who will ferret out the facts about the Reagan-Iranian-Nicaraguan scandal. The wound must be opened and exposed to the air for the good of the country.
KATHLEEN C. NYBERG
Panorama City