Throwback Thursdays

President Reagan was a man of high character who treated people from all backgrounds kindly his entire life, from boyhood. In 1983 he said, “I’ve lived a long time, but I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t believe that prejudice and bigotry were the worst of sins.”

Today, we’ll begin a two-part podcast about Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China by hearing Ronald Reagan’s thoughts in the 70’s and 80’s. Governor Ronald Reagan was a vocal supporter of Taiwan and was first introduced to the country in 1971 when he traveled there at the request of President Nixon. His task was to reassure Chiang Kai-shek that the United States remained committed to U.S.-Taiwan relations, even though Henry Kissinger was holding secret meetings in the People’s Republic of China. Ronald Reagan regarded Taiwan as a loyal, democratic, longtime ally to whom we owed unqualified support and he was concerned how Al Haig and others in the state department were so eager to improve relations with the Peoples Republic of China, that, ultimately as president, tried to press him back from this pledge of support.

President Reagan believe so strongly in communities helping their own, of the private sector supporting their local businesses and neighborhoods and of the importance of volunteerism.

For today’s podcast, we’re showcasing how President Reagan used humor and Irish wit to build relationships, defuse anger and reach across the aisle consistently. We know how he fought with Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill, and we also know how hard he worked to build a relationship with his political foe whom he considered a friend and colleague. You’ll hear him say that we live in “a country which permits two not-so-shy and not-so-retiring Irishmen to have it out on the issues rather than on each other or their countrymen.” A lesson our current politicians seem to have missed.

Ronald Reagan often joked about his age. In fact, one of his most famous jokes was while he was debating former Vice President Walter Mondale during the 1984 presidential campaign and he quipped, “I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth and inexperience.” But all jokes aside, he also believed in the wisdom and contributions of our nation’s older generations.

The subject today? Newspapers. Every year in March, President Reagan would deliver a speech to the National Newspaper Association at their annual meeting, often inviting them to the White House. His remarks were always very entertaining – and well, you know the phrase, keep your friends close but your enemies closer? He always kept his eye on the ball.

Charlton Heston once called Ronald and Nancy Reagan’s love the greatest love affair in the history of the American Presidency. Tomorrow, March 4th, marks what would have been their 70th wedding anniversary.

Today’s podcast on the Olympics is inspired by some of the controversies surrounding the 2022 Beijing games, which is no surprise because controversies have plagued this global event for years. Today, you’ll hear Ronald Reagan’s critical thinking on the subject from the 1970’s.

Ronald Reagan’s mantra was “peace through strength.” Peace was the end, strength the means.

It’s hard to believe that 80 years ago, the Voice of America, America’s radio outreach to spread freedom and truth globally, was created. So, 40 years ago, in February 1982, our 40th president celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Voice of America. We think you will truly enjoy these remarks – not only does he give a history of the Voice of America, but tells some great old radio stories to entertain his audience.