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From: jmd@rduxb.UUCP (Joseph M. Dakes)
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Re: the bombings will start...
Message-ID: <638@rduxb.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 20-Aug-85 10:30:02 EDT
Article-I.D.: rduxb.638
Posted: Tue Aug 20 10:30:02 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 24-Aug-85 00:35:30 EDT
References: <3679@decwrl.UUCP> <1533@pyuxd.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Reading, PA
Lines: 29

> I don't think it's a "paranoid thought pattern" at all.  Reagan is, let's
> face it, a cowboy actor whose image is paramount to him.  Given his jackass
> macho attitude, the scenario is entirely possible and frighteningly likely.
> The same jackass macho attitude that got him elected by comparing him to
> Carter who did "nothing" during the Iran hostage crisis like a "wimp".
> (Note however, how wimpy Reagan was in action during the Beirut hostage
> crisis.  This didn't stop him from talking tough and keeping up his tough
> guy image with total disregard for the safety of the hostages---image was
> more important.)

If Reagan had such disregard for the safety of the hostages then why didn't
he bomb the hell out of Lebanon instead of playing it cool and waiting for
the SAFE return of our hostages.

As for Reagan's "bombing joke", he told the joke kiddingly to a few friends.
If it weren't for the mic being on and the press making such a big issue out
of it no one would have given it a second thought.  How many of you people
said something jokingly or not to a few friends about something you wouldn't 
want the whole world to hear.  A whole lot of you I bet.  Hey, Reagan is a
regular guy, just like you and me.  The only difference is he has a more 
important, more stressful job.  To have a sense of humor helps eliminate some
of the stress.  I liked Reagan's comment during one speech when one of his
aides dropped a chair.  It made a loud bang similar to a gun shot.  Reagan
paused, looked over to where the noise came from and said "you missed me."

						Joseph M. Dakes
						AT&T Bell Laboratories
						Reading, PA
						rduxb!jmd