I have written here before about my favorite speech, A Model of Christian Charity, by John Winthrop.
Little did I know, until I checked the absurd grasping clutch at Ronald Reagan on George Bush's website, that Reagan himself once gave a speech on that theme. So I read it, and it's painful to hear such great words twisted in the mouth of an ideologue. Winthrop said that we Americans are chosen by God to build his city and his society. Reagan said that Republicans are chosen by God to defeat all ideological enemies and reign over an adoring world in total infallibility. I think that the speech illustrates a great deal of the depravity of Republicans and the incompatibility of the Republican Agenda with the finest American principles.
Reagan gave the speech at the first Conservative Political Action Committee conference. Here's how it starts:
"There are three men here tonight I am very proud to introduce. It was a year ago this coming February when this country had its spirits lifted as they have never been lifted in many years. This happened when planes began landing on American soil and in the Philippines, bringing back men who had lived with honor for many miserable years in North Vietnam prisons. Three of those men are here tonight, John McCain, Bill Lawrence and Ed Martin. It is an honor to be here tonight. I am proud that you asked me and I feel more than a little humble in the presence of this distinguished company."
Read More