[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVZBPduhWKM[/youtube]
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”
Brilliantly prophetic.
It amazes me that people thought Reagan was such a mug – think Obama is such a wonder.
The roots of freedom depend on goodness. When it is gone our freedom will have gone with it.
Hey, does anyone think Reagan ever read Chesterton? His references to intellectual elitism and belief in the common man suggest the possibility.
Yep, he did:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Notes-Reagans-Private-Collection/dp/product-description/B00D9TF6ZI
Reagan read quite a bit from quite a few authors and would often take notes on passages that struck him. He quoted Chesterton in his Christmas speech of December 23, 1981:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2AxXNwzZvQ
As in freedom, so in faith, it is alway first generation.
Thanks for Reagan’s speech. Chesterton also poked fun at the idea we could not get the good things back. When it comes to values we must try and as for presidents, can you imagine one speaking so clearly of faith and Christmas? I hope we can find and elect one in my lifetime.