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Article: Time to unravel Reagan riddle?
- Article from:
- New Pittsburgh Courier
- Article date:
- June 20, 2004
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright New Pittsburgh Courier Jun 20, 2004. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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On a hot summer day in August of 1980, Ronald Wilson Reagan spoke before the National Urban League about the need for dignity and opportunity for all Americans. A few days earlier, amid the ghosts of Cheney, Schwerner, and Goodwin, he addressed an audience, some waving Confederate flags, about his strong belief in states' rights. He was so self-effacing that after being shot he quipped, "I forgot to duck," but he was so self-assured that he told Mr. Gorbachev, "tear down this wall." He was sometimes aloof with his children, but he loved them and held strong family values. He spoke of an America that was the home of fair play, but he tolerated the obviously illegal transgressions of those in ...