[TheRealThing]

Who would have thought you would have given Reagan credit for the release of hostages the same day he took office? Me. Sounds to me like the Democrats of the day were the reason for the release, by portraying Reagan as a "trigger happy cowboy", as you say. The fact of the matter is, that Carter got them released. Anything about being afraid of Reagan is just speculation.

It's hilarious reading RealVille posts about something that happened when he was what? 9? Listen guys, Jimmy Carter left office a humiliated man. NOBODY cut him an ounce of slack, and that includes the media. He was lampooned on Johnny Carson and by Walter Cronkite. When Carter assumed office he believed, in Nancy Pelosi-esque manner, he could negotiate with the Russians and prevail with them. He was going to be the great man of peace and envisioned himself a world healer. He announced as much to the American public, revealing the details of his proposed SALT II & SALT III talks prior to negotiations with the Soviets,. and prior to their having even seen the proposals, thusly, leaving them (the Russians) no room to dicker. The press literally bar-b-qued Carter, referring to the perception that he had his "feelings hurt" when the Russians one word response was delivered "NYET"

Does anyone other than me remember the ridicule Carter endured as the result of his bass fishing trip? He and his fishing buddy were attacked on the water by a, killer, rabid, rabbit. You can't make this stuff up! The characature of Carter and his buddy in a bass boat, drawing back in terror, as the rabid rabbit came at them in the water, was one for the ages. "CARTER AS GOOD AS REAGAN?' Absurd doesn't even come close. News organizations of that day were staffed by folks of integrity. One really could believe and accept the nightly news as factual. Hence, no quarter was given as Carter dscribed the harrowing account, and his fending off the crazed rabbit with a paddle. These days it has become standard practice to present the news in a manner that 'suggests' the facts in a light that is favorable to the Democrats on all but FOX NEWS. And, of course, what is the favorite target of all other main stream news outlets and the Democratic Party? DUH, FOX NEWS! The sad thing is, only those of us who actually lived through the days when the truth was preferable to the party line, actually has a basis for comparison. Several on here parrot the Democratic talking points as if they were really making an eloquent case.

But, as to Reagan, you can bet Iran back in those days didn't have much to back up their bark. And all you true believers can think what the liberal think tanks tell you to think. I was there and the first Ayatolla Khomeini to ever hit the news didn't have much trouble taking Reagan at his word. During his run-up to the White House Reagan promised the Ayatolla he would be hearing from him. The Russians were somewhat more impressed with him than RealVille is too, as they did in fact, negotiate. And maybe, if you paid attention in history class, you noticed it was Reagan who openly challenged the Soviets when he said "Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall" It did come down by the way, in 1989 BEFORE Reagan's second term was up. Just like the economy turned around BEFORE his second term was up. I was there and I can tell one and all, America was comfortably well healed by Mr Reagan's departure. Our nation benefitted greatly by Reagan's policies, and Mr Clinton was no exception, largely due to the rectified ship of state left behind by Reagan, was Mr Clinton able have the success he had. Clinton's two terms were craddled in the lap of prosperity and economic boom. Like Walter said "And that's the way it was"