"Hawke" wrote in message
...
...
By the way, regarding Barack Hussein Obama's stated desire to
eliminate nuclear weapons. I think that it is election talk and is not
realistic.

The US would, in fact, have an even greater mililtary advantage over
current nuclear countries if everyone got rid of nuclear weapons. But
they are not stupid and would not do such a dumb thing as to get rid
of nuclear weapons. So it is not going to happen.

Historically, nuclear weapons are a guarantor of peace and are very
inexpensive compared to their value.

i

Nuclear weapons have only one value; deterrence. Aside from that they are
of
no value to anyone. In today's world the use of a nuclear weapon would
accomplish nothing good but would bring about vast harm. Not something you
would actually want to use. Good for threatening but not for using.



This is one of the areas in which Ronald Reagan had important insights,
and
one of those in which he unraveled the claims that he was an "amiable
dunce." I'd put his thoughts on this subject near the top of that list.

The dunce part was correct. Amiable, not so much.

I take it you knew him personally, then?

I'll tell you who I take it from: George Will. Will knew Reagan, and said he
was a smart guy with exceptional insights. I knew George Will -- even before
he wore bowties -- and he's a smart guy with exceptional insights. He's also
the most acutely critical person I've ever known. That is, the most critical
*intelligent* person. So I've always been wary of the leftish criticisms of
Reagan's intelligence.

The "amiable dunce" line came from Clark Clifford, JFK whiz-kid (although he
was a very elder "kid"). The people who respect Reagn's judgment are not
part of that crowd. Some of his writings in his memoirs suggest a person who
was distant and vague in informal contacts, but not like that at all inside.

The problem with Reagan
was that none of us knew the truth about his mental deterioration the same
way the public was unaware of FDR's disability. I've lived in California
for
over 30 years so I know all about Reagan.

Aha. Is this anything like you knowing all about the Surpreme Court
justices? g

snip

--
Ed Huntress