Yes, it was a stunning place! And for a week we wandered around the high desert, oblivious to the political expostulations we're normally immersed in.
But near the end of our trip, we saw the headlines about Reagan's death in some Utah newspapers. The Utahans are Reagan worshippers, and the editorials of their papers expounded on the "earth-shaking" things he did. But if you ask anyone in Esteli what they thought and think of Reagan, you will get a different answer:
After returning here, I was stunned at the differences of opinion in the DC area. While thousands mourned their hero in the parade on the Mall, many others shook their heads and wondered whether America has changed at all since the 80's (or the 50's). William Raspberry, writing in the Post today, pointed out how Reagan had given tax exemptions to the racist Bob Jones university. This afternoon, a caller from So. Africa to NPR's Kojo Nambe show recalled Reagan's inability to reject the fascist government that jailed Mandela. Others quoted the polls of Reagan's last year in office: his popularity was lower than Clinton's immediately after the votes for impeachment.
I'm heading for the mountains again Thursday. It's time to abandon what serves for civilization.
Thanks for the article from Nicaragua.Mack and I worked hard to change that policy. Several church peace groups here tried to enlighten our uninformed population at the time. Also, your pictures are a good trip substitute for less mobile old folks. Helen
Posted by Helen.One sunny day in 2005 an old man approaches the White House from across Pennsylvania Avenue, where he'd been sitting on a park bench. He speaks to the U.S. Marine standing guard and says, "I would like to go in and meet with President George W. Bush." The Marine looks at the man and says, "Sir, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here." The old man says, "okay" and walks away.
The following day, the same man approaches the White House and says to the same Marine, "I would like to go in and meet with President George W. Bush." The Marine again tells the man, "Sir, as I said yesterday, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here." The man thanks him and, again, just walks away.
The third day, the same man approaches the White House and speaks to the very same U. S. Marine, saying "I would like to go in and meet with President George W. Bush."
The Marine, understandably agitated at this point, looks at the man and says, "Sir, this is the third day in a row you have been here asking to speak to Mr. Bush. I've told you already that Mr. Bush is no longer the president and no longer resides here. Don't you understand?"
The old man looks at the Marine and says, "Oh, I understand, alright. I just love hearing it."
The Marine snaps to attention, salutes, and says, "See you tomorrow, then, sir!"
Posted by no sympathy for the devil.Thanks for the article from Nicaragua.Mack and I worked hard to change that policy. Several church peace groups here tried to enlighten our uninformed population at the time. Also, your pictures are a good trip substitute for less mobile old folks. Helen
Posted by: Helenat June 15, 2004 10:30 AMOne sunny day in 2005 an old man approaches the White House from across Pennsylvania Avenue, where he'd been sitting on a park bench. He speaks to the U.S. Marine standing guard and says, "I would like to go in and meet with President George W. Bush." The Marine looks at the man and says, "Sir, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here." The old man says, "okay" and walks away.
The following day, the same man approaches the White House and says to the same Marine, "I would like to go in and meet with President George W. Bush." The Marine again tells the man, "Sir, as I said yesterday, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here." The man thanks him and, again, just walks away.
The third day, the same man approaches the White House and speaks to the very same U. S. Marine, saying "I would like to go in and meet with President George W. Bush."
The Marine, understandably agitated at this point, looks at the man and says, "Sir, this is the third day in a row you have been here asking to speak to Mr. Bush. I've told you already that Mr. Bush is no longer the president and no longer resides here. Don't you understand?"
The old man looks at the Marine and says, "Oh, I understand, alright. I just love hearing it."
The Marine snaps to attention, salutes, and says, "See you tomorrow, then, sir!"
Posted by: no sympathy for the devilat June 16, 2004 01:23 PM