20 years ago today, on June 12, 1987, President Ronald Reagan, in a speech before the Berlin Wall in Germany, demanded of the Soviet premier, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall."

A few years later, the wall came down, and shortly afterward the Soviet Union collapsed, freeing more people from oppression in a single event than ever in the history of the world.

Some say that the arms buildup Reagan initiated, hastened the demise of the Soviet Union by compelling them to start developing arms they couldn't afford. Others maintain that the USSR was on its way to collapse anyway due to its inefficient economy and unproductive workforce, which was not strong enough to recover from recent droughts and crop failures.

Whichever is true, it was a stunning demonstration of the inadequacy of the socialist system in place there, to feed its own people and produce prosperity.

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The Constitution isn't perfect, but it's better than the system we're using now.

well said...BUT, get ready...they are coming.....come forth my children .. children of the utopian faith ...bursting with relativism........remember, never look back...5 year plans.....40 million dead...its all relative isn't it? etc....

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Every decent man is ashamed of the government he lives under.

Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.

H. L. Mencken


Mortgage Backed Security survivor

Breaking news?

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"Jesus said: I have cast fire upon the world, and behold I guard it until it is ablaze."
Gospel of Thomas

Yes. One must not ignore the advances made by the Soviets. But then one must decide whether it was worth it.

My answer is no.

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"Jesus said: I have cast fire upon the world, and behold I guard it until it is ablaze."
Gospel of Thomas

well at first, when I read the title of this thread I thought I heard sgt. pepper playing in the background

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Every decent man is ashamed of the government he lives under.

Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.

H. L. Mencken


Mortgage Backed Security survivor

no to reagan or the ussr...? ..just checking..I am never sure about you donkey...

__________________
Every decent man is ashamed of the government he lives under.

Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.

H. L. Mencken


Mortgage Backed Security survivor

I'm a flaming mad raging liberal, but I have no time for people (like my ex roomie) who try to whitewash history.

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"Jesus said: I have cast fire upon the world, and behold I guard it until it is ablaze."
Gospel of Thomas

okay thx....at least your realist.......

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Every decent man is ashamed of the government he lives under.

Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.

H. L. Mencken


Mortgage Backed Security survivor

Nah, that was 40 years ago today (same as the Six-Day War ).

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"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither breaks my leg, nor picks my pocket."

Thomas Jefferson

Not wanting to rain on anyone's Revisionism Parade, but:

I'm wondering if a floundering war in Afghanistan might have played at least one role. . .

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"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither breaks my leg, nor picks my pocket."

Thomas Jefferson

And, how much impact could a few silly words about a wall REALLY have? I mean, COME ON!

This Cult of Reaganism is almost embarrassing. . .

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"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither breaks my leg, nor picks my pocket."

Thomas Jefferson

Funny, I have no recollection of either Reagan or Gorbachev using hammers to knock down that wall.

Personally, since I passed through Checkpoint Charlie a short time before the wall came down, I feel I deserve as much credit as anyone for its fall.

I'll give you an address to which you can send checks later.

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When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears