Reagan has died. I am not going to try to do what others have already done better than I could, so if you are interested in reading an excellent discussion of his political life I strongly suggest that you visit Pejmanesque especially for his excellent discussion of the fact that Reagan was instrumental in the fall of the Soviet Union.
Reagan died of Alzheimer’s Disease, a disease that I have taken quite an interest in. In fact I read an excellent book about it on the way to Vancouver last week: “Decoding Darkness” by Rudolph E. Tanzi and Ann B. Parson. I firtst became interested in Alzheimer’s disease when I found out that my paternal grandmother was dying of it and other ailments. Later I discovered that my maternal grandfather is dying of it. It is an awful disease which robs its victims of their memories. I saw my grandmother lose her ability to recognize anyone in my family (except perversely me, which I think irritated some members of my family who spent more of her last years with her.) I am now seeing my grandfather forget my mother’s name from time to time though he still knows what their relationship is.
“Decoding Darkness” is an overview of the research path regarding Alzheimer’s. I won’t try to replicate the findings of the book, but I highly recommend it if you have any basic biological knowledge and are interested in the topic. One interesting finding was that Alzheimer’s decays the connections between the neurons. Its progress can be slowed by making large numbers of connections. This can be done with intensive mental activity. Surprisingly (at least to me) this can also be done with regular exercise. Apparently almost everything good for the heart is also good for delaying Alzheimer’s. This includes such things as regular exercise, certain types of oils, and there may be a link to low cholesterol. Chalk up another thing for good cardio-vascular health.
Reagan, I hope you can remember Nancy now.
the fact that Reagan was instrumental in the fall of the Soviet Union
Right-wing myth, not fact. Other than that, excellent post, Sebastian.
My great-aunt was suffering from multi-infarct dementia when she died. I worked for a while for a charity which deals with people suffering from dementia and their carers. I disliked Reagan as a politician, but neither he nor his family deserved the pain that Alzheimers inflicts on all who care for the person with dementia.
On Political Animal, someone suggested that in honor of Reagan, a bill should be introduced for legislation to enable true stem cell research – which may enable a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease to be discovered. I think that’s a great idea, and I’m trying to endorse it in as many places as possible.
Right-wing myth, not fact.
Those noted right-wingers Lech Walesa and Mikhail Gorbachev seem to disagree, but I suppose you know better than they do.
Right-wing myth, not fact.
I’ve got to echo Phil. Also, I must add that the myth is that he caused the fall of the Soviet Union. He didn’t. A lot of what he did, from the INF placement (supported by Sakharov’s widow for the pressue it caused) to coming right out and calling the USSR an “Evil Empire” (which emboldened many Soviets) played an important catalyzing role.
When you look at his overall strategy towards the Soviets, it’s hard to question his importance. Depressing oil prices (how the Soviets got hard currency), reducing European dependence on Siberian natural gas, forcing a choice between arms reduction talks or an American buildup, expanding Carter’s support for the Afghan mujahideen, etc, etc, etc, taxed the Soviets in ways that caused fissures to develop more quickly than they otherwise would have.
Don’t forget Vaclav Havel, he doesn’t know much about what was needed to fight communism either.
It is probably too early for a joke about Reagan which begins, he forgot more about fighting Communism than….