sturtle [dot] com

I understand that people mean one thing to those who know them and other things to those who don’t.

I understand that some people who seem to me devoid of redeeming qualities can seem to others loving, thoughtful, and magnanimous.

I understand that losing a loved one is not pleasant.

I understand that it is a matter of human decency to respect the fragile feelings of those in mourning.

I understand all these things, but it’s not enough: I want to gloat over Reagan’s death. I want to steal the rhetoric of George W, the man-who-would-be-Reagan, and shout to the world that a wellspring of evil has been finally capped off. I want to see the man who refused to utter the word “AIDS” laid to rest on the floor of the rotunda in a clear, glass coffin so the entire nation can watch him rot away to nothing and be sure that he’s gone.

At the other end of the spectrum, others are no doubt working to canonize him.

To Nancy, Miss Ron, and all the other Children of Reagan, genetic and otherwise: I’m sorry you feel bad, but this was not a nice man. I guess I’m not either.