Difference between revisions of "Ronald Reagan"

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(removed superfluous (and dubious) biography better presented at Wikipedia than here)
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[[Ronald Reagan]] (February 6, 1911- May 5, 2004) was a former Hollywood B-movie actor who was Governor of California from 1967 to 1975. He was President of the United States from 1980-1988.  
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'''Ronald Reagan''' (February 6, 1911- May 5, 2004) was a former Hollywood B-movie actor who was Governor of California from 1967 to 1975. He was President of the United States from 1980-1988.  
  
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Reagan is credited for restoring America's self-confidence, patriotism and image after the defeat in the Vietnam War and Watergate Scandal in the 1970s. His warm and optimistic image and tendency to tell amusing anecdotes and jokes during speeches made him sympathetic in the eyes of his audience, although some of his critics claimed that by doing this he avoided talking about actual, complex issues. Due to Reagan's past as an actor he felt confident in front of the cameras and was able to convincingly read texts written by his speech writers. He was the oldest U.S. President taking office and his age sometimes made him appear confused or unable to remember certain things. His critics often satirized him as if he was a senile old man who was used as a marionet by his advisors, but it's still a matter of debate whether Reagan was really always forgetful or, in regard to his former fame as a Hollywood star, just acting that way. Despite all this, after his presidency he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
 
  
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The Reagan administration was also noted for spending millions of dollars on defense, especially against international [[communism]]. During the early 1980s Reagan was both praised and criticized for his aggressive denouncing of the Soviet Union (even calling it ''"the evil empire"'' in 1983). His government ordered several nuclear missiles to be placed in Europe, which lead to large protests in the continent. In 1983 Reagan introduced his [[Star Wars]] defense plan, intended to protect the U.S against possible space missiles. After [[Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev]] became Soviet leader in 1985 Gorbachev and Reagan started more peaceful negotations and signed several treaties decreasing both countries' nuclear arsenals. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and total collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Reagan is often seen as the man who ended the [[Cold War]], even though this honor could also be attributed to Gorbachev.
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==Zappa referring to Reagan==
  
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Reagan's foreign policy was criticized for financially supporting several dubious organizations and Presidents in their battle against Communism, including Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden. After a left-wing military coup in Grenada in 1983 Reagan sent troops to succesfully restore the old regime. In 1985-1987 Reagan ordered bombings in Libya in reaction to several terrorist attacks supported by [[Muhammar Khadaffi]].
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''"Mount Rushmore should either be replaced or have a companion. Another part of the mountain, carved up with some heads that had the biggest influence on what America is today... [[Richard Nixon|Nixon]]'s head should be there. And Reagan's head should be there. These people have done more damage to the idea of Democracy than anybody-from another country- could ever imagine."''  (FZ in [[The Lost Interview]], part 1 of 7, 1990)  
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In 1986 the Iran-Contra affair severely damaged President Reagan's believability. He and several other U.S. officials, including [[Oliver North]], [[Ed Meese]], Caspar Weinberger and [[John Poindexter]] secretly faciliated the sale of weapons to Iran in exchange for hostages so that the money could be used to finance the Contra rebels in Nicaragua who wanted to overthrow the socialist government in Nicaragua. Under the Boland Amendment, further funding of the Contras had been prohibited by the U.S. Congress, making the entire affair illegal. While North, Meese, Weinberger and Poindexter were forced to resign and convicted, it remains unclear how much Reagan knew about these illegal proceedings. The Tower Commission, who investigated the case, could not find direct evidence that he had prior knowledge of the program, but did claim that he as President was responsible and should've informed himself more about these activities.
 
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Reagan also introduced a new economic system, which was criticized for causing huge budget deficits and quadrupling the United States national debt. His political and social views were supported by the religious right, the so-called [[Moral Majority]], which consisted of controversial preachers like [[Pat Robertson]] and [[Jerry Falwell]].
 
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Today Reagan is still an icon for Republicans and conservatives and considered to be the most influential American President since Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s-1940s.
 
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==Referenced by Zappa==
 
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''"Mount Rushmore should either be replaced or have a companion. Another part of the mountain, carved up with some heads that had the biggest influence on what America is today. [[Joseph McCarthy|His head]] should be there. [[J. Edgar Hoover]]'s head should be there. [[Richard Nixon|Nixon]]'s head should be there. And Reagan's head should be there. These people have done more damage to the idea of Democracy than anybody-from another country- could ever imagine."''  (FZ in [[The Lost Interview]], part 1 of 7, 1990)
 
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After Zappa voiced his intention of running for President, a journalist asked him what would make him different in comparison with other Presidents:
 
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''"I work more hours. And I'm awake!" '' (FZ, interview in [[Ein Leben Als Extravaganza - Das Genie Frank Zappa]].)
 
  
 
[[Frank Zappa|Zappa]] was very critical about the Reagan administration. As early as the 1960s Zappa criticized Reagan, while he was still Governor of California. The liner notes of [[We're Only In It For The Money]] (1968) mention that the concentration camp in [[The Chrome Plated Megaphone Of Destiny]] is called ''"Camp Reagan".''
 
[[Frank Zappa|Zappa]] was very critical about the Reagan administration. As early as the 1960s Zappa criticized Reagan, while he was still Governor of California. The liner notes of [[We're Only In It For The Money]] (1968) mention that the concentration camp in [[The Chrome Plated Megaphone Of Destiny]] is called ''"Camp Reagan".''
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* In the music video of [[You Are What You Is (The Music Video)|You Are What You Is]] a look-a-like of Reagan is featured on the electric chair.
 
* In the music video of [[You Are What You Is (The Music Video)|You Are What You Is]] a look-a-like of Reagan is featured on the electric chair.
  
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* During the [[PMRC]] debates Zappa wrote Reagan a letter of protest ''([[Z-Pack - Letter to the President]])'', printed in [[The Real Frank Zappa Book]]. He received no reply.
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* During the [[PMRC]] debates Zappa wrote Reagan a letter of protest ''([[Z-Pack - Letter to the President]])''. He received no reply.
  
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* Zappa owned a poster on the wall portraying Ronald Reagan in nazi uniform, featuring the words, ''"He has the right to do anything they want"'' written underneath. ([[Pulse Interview]])
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* Zappa had a poster on the wall portraying Ronald Reagan in nazi uniform, featuring the words, ''"He has the right to do anything they want"'' written underneath. ([[Pulse Interview]])
  
 
* Reagan is mentioned in ''[[The Untouchables]], [[Star Wars Won't Work]], [[Dickie's Such An Asshole]], [[When The Lie's So Big]], [[Reagan At Bitburg]]'', the [[Broadway The Hard Way]] version of [[What Kind Of Girl Do You Think We Are?]] and ''[[Jesus Thinks You're A Jerk]]''
 
* Reagan is mentioned in ''[[The Untouchables]], [[Star Wars Won't Work]], [[Dickie's Such An Asshole]], [[When The Lie's So Big]], [[Reagan At Bitburg]]'', the [[Broadway The Hard Way]] version of [[What Kind Of Girl Do You Think We Are?]] and ''[[Jesus Thinks You're A Jerk]]''

Revision as of 13:44, 26 December 2010

Ronald Reagan (February 6, 1911- May 5, 2004) was a former Hollywood B-movie actor who was Governor of California from 1967 to 1975. He was President of the United States from 1980-1988.


Zappa referring to Reagan

"Mount Rushmore should either be replaced or have a companion. Another part of the mountain, carved up with some heads that had the biggest influence on what America is today... Nixon's head should be there. And Reagan's head should be there. These people have done more damage to the idea of Democracy than anybody-from another country- could ever imagine." (FZ in The Lost Interview, part 1 of 7, 1990)

Zappa was very critical about the Reagan administration. As early as the 1960s Zappa criticized Reagan, while he was still Governor of California. The liner notes of We're Only In It For The Money (1968) mention that the concentration camp in The Chrome Plated Megaphone Of Destiny is called "Camp Reagan".

During the 1980s, when Reagan became U.S. President, Zappa targeted his policy very directly in interviews and songs.

  • In the music video of You Are What You Is a look-a-like of Reagan is featured on the electric chair.
  • Zappa had a poster on the wall portraying Ronald Reagan in nazi uniform, featuring the words, "He has the right to do anything they want" written underneath. (Pulse Interview)
  • He is also mentioned in Dio Fa.

See Also

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