Cobb

That excerpt probably says more about the quality of Mrs. Reagan than her husband. Either he was a souless politician interested only in political gain (but what politician isn't) or he was a blockhead who did a piss poor job of picking a campign staff. Whichever, it doesn't speak well of his character or judgment.

I sensed more and more though the week long reaganpalooza that it was Mrs. Reagan we should be honoring. Elder's words nudge me just a bit more towards a realization that I was correct.

Myth: Reagan cut social spending

Cobb, you do realize that Elder doesn't specify exactly what falls under social spending. Some of Reagan's critics actually do specify what was cut. I do remember, being that I was affected, the cut in Social Security survivor benefits. I also remember that welfare was changed during his administration. For example, the rules on those on welfare having savings accounts were changed. Additionally, the rules were changed such that it made it harder for in tact families to get on welfare.

Reagan promptly reversed his position

That's a bit of a stretch. He campaigned on restoring Bob Jones' University getting their status back. His administration supported the BJU position. Once they lost, his position changed. Even Michael Reagan doesn't go as far as Elder does. Michael Reagan flat out said his father was wrong.

Myth: Reagan supported the apartheid regime of South Africa. Reagan pursued a policy of "constructive engagement."

Compare the policy of "constructive engagement" to the U.S. policy of engaging the U.S.S.R. Compare the policy of "constructive engagement" the the U.S. policy of engaging Cuba. Compare the policy of "constructive engagement" to how they handled Granada.

The Presidential Portfolio," the "states' rights
speech" so bothered Nancy Reagan that she pushed for a shakeup in Reagan's
campaign to avoid any other such missteps.

In other words, Nancy realized there was a problem, but not her husband?

Elder didn't mention that Reagan's "welfare queen" speech was fraud.

Elder didn't mention Reagan cut civil rights enforcement?

So he was wrong about Bob Jones University. Who did Bob Jones University ever hurt? Racists have to go to college too. People act as if Bob Jones University were capable of destroying the African Diaspora and that Reagan campaigned on that promise and delivered as well.

What does states rights mean today and who is implementing it in what states?

It's crap. It's BS rhetoric and whomever is so poor in spirit that they can be destroyed by those words spoken a generation ago by a dead man needs to eat their vegetables, and stop pestering the rest of us.

Reagan is dead. He can't vote against you any longer. Show me who's living who is the enemy of black politics and we'll have at it.

Show me who's living who is the enemy of black politics and we'll have at it.

Shawn and Marlon Wayans in "White Chicks".

We tend to conflate state's rights with race related issues when the issue is really much broader. Environmental protections, workers' rights, state-city relationships, some types of legal suits, education, welfare, as well as a host of other issues are covered by the phrase "state's rights." And while a progressive argument CAN be made for the concept, historically the concept of state's rights has always been used against those already subjugated.

When I read a political science article that shows persuasively that there is a negative relationship between the size of the black population and the size of the state's TANF grant, I know there is something more to state's rights than rhetoric.

As an aside, one of my colleagues reminded me of a speech that Ms. Reagan gave, where she opened by saying how good it was to see all of the white faces. Can anyone verify this occurred...or debunk it?

People act as if Bob Jones University were capable of destroying the African Diaspora and that Reagan campaigned on that promise and delivered as well.

Image matters, that's why G.W. Bush went there. He could have gone anywhere else in that state to speak to a conservative audience, instead he went there.

If it's a non-issue, then why refer to Elder?

because Elder handles that level of rhetoric and I want my bases covered. Again I don't think it gets much deeper than that on the rhetorical level.

The real question is what goes on in state legislatures that is so hostile such that states rights is an issue. since when does the president visit the state legislature to say 'pass this bill'? I don't see why Reagan has to pay the price for dirt done by state senators or assemblymen.

Which begs the question...

Just what DOES the Tenth Amendment say to us, anyway?

I don't see why Reagan has to pay the price for dirt done by state senators or assemblymen.

When the Reagan administration cut civil rights enforcement, which lead to farmer loan discrimination against Black farmers, which lead to Black farmers losing their farms, why shouldn't Reagan "pay the price"?

When racial complaints to the EEOC went up during his terms in office, why shouldn't Reagan "pay the price"?

And can someone please explain to me why the Bush administration doesn't publicize their support of HBCUs?

I'm sure that Rod Paige does, but who pays attention to republican blacks at the Cabinet level? (That is unless somebody can make a wispy case against him as an uncle tom.)

Bush gets coverage with his "Faith Based Initiative" and he pushes it. When he pushes it, it's noted that many Black clergy support it.

Anyway, I read Elder with a sharp eye. He distorts issues just like those who he wails against.