Reagan

Arnfinn Madsen · #1 04-05-2005, 03:48 PM

Hi,
Instead of replying in every John Paul vs Ronald Reagan thread I will put my point here:

Reagan was unpopular in large parts of Western Europe, Eastern Europe and large parts of Latin America. He was considered a jerk, not a world leader. He was seen as a dishonest man with blood on his hands. I know it is hard to realize this as he was loved in the US, but it is still the reality.

He founded much of the Anti-American sentiment you find in the same areas today.

When Bush was elected the sentiment here was "oh no, not another Reagan".

If it is justified I don't know, but it still is the reality.

BCPVP · #2 04-05-2005, 03:57 PM

That's funny.
Would you rather be speaking Russian now, Comrade?

I'd rather have someone who was trying to lead instead of trying to win popularity contests.

jesusarenque · #3 04-05-2005, 04:00 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I know it is hard to realize this as he was loved in the US, but it is still the reality.

[/ QUOTE ]

Along with being one of the most-loved presidents in the U.S., Reagan is also one of the most-hated. It just depends on which side you are on.

Arnfinn Madsen · #4 04-05-2005, 04:03 PM

[ QUOTE ]
That's funny.
Would you rather be speaking Russian now, Comrade?

[/ QUOTE ]

It is a interesting point, because I grew up in Norway and it was discovered that we were one of the first countries to attack if the Russians would decide to attack Europe. Still during this period he was very unpopular here and was in no way respected (his handling of i.e. Latin America was seen as morally unacceptable here and worse than Soviet behaviour). Gorbachow on the other hand became very popular.

Broken Glass Can · #5 04-05-2005, 04:13 PM

Nothing new here, we know all this. The European polls before the 2004 election had Kerry winning by at least 2 to 1.

We find it amusing how out of touch Europe is about the USA, but then we realize how socialistic much of Europe is, and we disagree on both economic and foreign policy issues.

America see these issues the right way, by the way. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Arnfinn Madsen · #6 04-05-2005, 04:27 PM

[ QUOTE ]

We find it amusing how out of touch Europe is about the USA, but then we realize how socialistic much of Europe is, and we disagree on both economic and foreign policy issues.

America see these issues the right way, by the way. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]. Seriously, however Europe seems to be in touch with Asia, Africa, Latin America and much of the Middle East. The current "we don't need to win the popularity contest"-politics of the US will backfire severely. US has in no way the political and cultural influence that is needed to end conflicts and thereby terrorism and is completely dependent upon other countries to have success. Those countries have become more and more reluctant to help.

BCPVP · #7 04-05-2005, 04:34 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Still during this period he was very unpopular here and was in no way respected (his handling of i.e. Latin America was seen as morally unacceptable here and worse than Soviet behaviour). Gorbachow on the other hand became very popular.

[/ QUOTE ]
This is exactly why I said that being a leader doesn't mean everyone must like you.

HDPM · #8 04-05-2005, 04:39 PM

"his handling of i.e. Latin America was seen as morally unacceptable here and worse than Soviet behaviour)."

LOL. Sorry, whatever you think of Reagan the fact people in your country would view what reagan did in Cent. America as worse than the Soviets is crazy. There is plenty to criticize Reagan on, but worse than the Soviets? Please.

Il_Mostro · #9 04-05-2005, 04:45 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Would you rather be speaking Russian now, Comrade?

[/ QUOTE ]
Would Europe have been part of the Soviet Union now if Reagan had not been president in the 80:s?

Arnfinn Madsen · #10 04-05-2005, 04:46 PM

[ QUOTE ]

LOL. Sorry, whatever you think of Reagan the fact people in your country would view what reagan did in Cent. America as worse than the Soviets is crazy. There is plenty to criticize Reagan on, but worse than the Soviets? Please.

[/ QUOTE ]

It was a dirty war and I guess no side was better, and it wasn't my point, my point was that the Sandinistas for instance managed to become popular, while the Contras were very unpopular; and they were associated with Reagan.

It is the same as with Bush now, he was a PR-disaster for the US.