30 years ago today: President Reagan shot
March 30th 1981, I was a freshman in highschool and honestly did not pay attention to politics at all because I was just a kid of 14 years old, but this is a day that most people remember and I still remember hearing the news.
I was in machine shop when my teacher came in and gave us the news, I honestly did not know what to think. I guess I was in shock.
Shortly before 2:30 Eastern time a deranged man named John Hinkley Jr.–in an attempt to impress Jodi Foster, with whom he was obsessed–fired six shots with a .22 caliber pistol at President Reagan, hitting the president as well as James Brady, police officer Tom Delahanty, and secret service agent Tim McCarthy (who shielded the president with his body and took a bullet aimed at the president.)
President Reagan–known for his optimism and sense of humor–was rushed to the hospital where he famously quipped to the surgeons who were about to save his life, “I hope you are all Republicans,” to which the surgeon replied, “We’re all Republicans today.”
America's Watchtower 
The day President Reagan was shot was one of those days I can remember exactly where I was. I was a freshman in college and classes were halted because of the concern about Reagan’s well being.
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It is hard to believe it was so long ago, but this is one of those days that you remember where you were when you heard the news.
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“President Reagan–known for his optimism and sense of humor–was rushed to the hospital where he famously quipped to the surgeons who were about to save his life, “I hope you are all Republicans,” to which the surgeon replied, “We’re all Republicans today.”
Anyone who is familiar with Reagan can read this paragraph and not even be surprised, he was indefatigable. I remember a speech he was giving after his getting shot. During his comments, someone knocked over a chair in the audience, which resulted in a very loud “BANG!” Without even flinching, Reagan waited a second, then quipped into the microphone, “You missed.” What a bad ass.
I would also like to point out, damn, you and Larry are old as dirt!
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Easy there, Colin. Dirt has at least 10 years on me. I can speak for Steve, since I am older than he is.
I had not heard that quote from Reagan, but knowing how he was, it doesn’t surprise me. He took everything in stride.
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We might be getting older, but we aren’t that old yet! 🙂 I hadn’t heard that quote either but I can hear him saying it.
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I hadn’t heard that story but it certainly sounds like Reagan. Once he saw Nancy after the surgery he told her that he forgot to duck.
You are being a little harsh about the age thing, aren’t you? 🙂
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LOL! Harsh about the age thing? Remember what Reagan said when he was asked about his age? He said that he wouldn’t let his opponant’s lack of experience become an issue.
What a man!
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Reagan’s exact comment:
“I want you to know that also I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience.”
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Ah yes, another great line by President Reagan. I wish I had thought of it when I was answering Colin.
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Hey! Even old dirt needs a hug now and then. Be nice Collin, if your lucky , one day you’ll get to be old dirt too. LOL
Reagan was one of a kind. I miss him.
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We could use another Reagan right about now.
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I was out of college, a young married . . .
I also remember the chill of terror that ran down my spine when Secretary of State Al Haig announced, “I’m in control.”
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I am ashamed to admit that I never knew about that until yesterday when I started searching around the internet in preperation for this post. It is a little scary that Haig didn’t know the order of succession.
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Wow… where did the years go. I was too young to really appreciate Reagan. But I remember the inflation, and sitting in long gas lines with Carter, and my parents being glad Carter was gone.
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I’m with you, I was still too young to appreciate him also, but I do remember those lines also.
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Anti-gunners are using this as another justification for trying to ban guns. Never let a crisis – even one 30 years old – go to waste, right?
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So true! It is unbelievable that they would fall back on this to renew gun control debate.
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