Since I was born in February 1981, I remember very few details of Ronald Reagan’s presidency. But I always held a great respect for the man who was able to communicate his message of freedom and hope so simply and effectively. Recently, that admiration led me to study and learn more about the “Great Communicator.”
I’ve read and watched biographies as well as listened to a CD set, “Reagan in His Own Voice.” The more I learned of him and his life, the more my respect and interest grew. But few care enough to go through the trouble of sifting through biographies and articles to learn about our beloved former president. They rely on popular culture, the media and opinions of others to form the way they view history.
Film is a powerful way of communicating messages – even propaganda. It can make outrageous events seem so very real.
During this year’s November sweeps, CBS will be showing a miniseries called “The Reagans.” CBS has dubbed the movie as a historically correct potrayal of Reagan’s life, but the few who have seen excerpts of the movie report it to be nothing more than a slanderous rewrite of history by the vengeful Hollywood left.
Since Reagan’s presidency, numerous books and various other publications have come out that paint a factual picture of all aspects of Reagan’s life and presidency.
Reagan now is 92 and a shell of the man he once was, and he is in no position to defend himself. His wife, Nancy, has the undesirable task of helping her bedridden life love cope with the latter stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Those who hate Reagan have taken this chance to darken his reputation among this generation attempting to take revenge on the conservative icon.
The New York Times said of the movie, “This deconstruction of his presidency is shot through a liberal lens, exaggerating his foibles and giving short shrift to his accomplishments.”
After receiving much criticism, CBS chairman and longtime Clinton friend Les Moonves said the network would make some changes, saying a few scenes “go too far.” Yet the network released a statement sayng, “The film has been meticulously researched and offers a respectful and balanced portrayal of the Reagans.” In order for this movie to be respectful or balanced the whole premise of the film needs to be left on the cutting floor.
Reagan is potrayed as a weak, idiotic homophobe who is often controlled by an overbearing wife. There are plenty of fictitious conversations, but little mention of the historical successes Reagan had during his administration.
Before filming even began, eyebrows were raised by the casting of James Brolin for the part of Ronald Reagan. Brolin is the husband of avid liberal activist Barbra Streisand. Streisand reportedly spent quite a bit of time on the set advising producers and her husband on how to correctly portray Reagan.
The misinformation goes from unimportant details such as incorrectly framing Reagan as a second-rate actor to other scenes that give viewers the impression of an incapable man being controlled by an overzealous wife.
The movie has scenes in which Reagan says he thinks he is the anti-christ, Nancy slapping their daughter in front of Ronald, Reagan forgetting his National Security Adviser’s name, the first couple intoxicated and numerous other scenes depicting Reagan as a foul-mouthed buffoon.
The movie’s screen writer Elizabeth Egloff inserted a statement in the script she admits that Reagan never said or anything similiar to. Attempting to make Reagan into a hateful homophobe the movie has Reagan remarking about people who have AIDS that,” They that live in sin shall die in sin.”
The fact is that Reagan was far from homophobic or heartless to people stricken with AIDS. Against the advice of some advisers, Reagan opposed a 1978 California initiative that would have discriminated against homosexual teachers. His administration even launched a massive effort to begin AIDS research.
The entire movie is nothing but a politically motivated attack on a dying man’s legacy. CBS hopes the controversy will turn into huge ratings for November sweeps. Every decent person regardless of ideology should oppose this wretched rewrite of history.
You can let CBS know how you feel by visiting the Web site at www.cbs.com and clicking on the feedback on the bottom of the page.
Hopefully, this situation will help the newtworks realize they cannot continue to carry their propaganda in the name of truth.