The President formerly known as Ronnie

I entered college in the fall of 1979. My family had always belonged to the Democratic party. I feared Ronald Reagan. I truly believed that his election meant the beginning of the end of the world. It was the Cold War. Everyone was a bit edgy.

Back in the day, those of us in the dorm played a card game, Rook, every night. (Yes, Mom, every night.) There was a promising rock star who was a favorite on the dorm floor: Prince. Prince’s song, “Ronnie Talk to Russia,” came to mind yesterday as I watched the news coverage of Ronald Reagan’s passing.

Ronnie talk to Russia before it’s too late

Before it’ too late

Before it’s too late

Ronnie talk Russia before it’s too late

Before they blow up the world

You go to the zoo, but you can’t feed guerrillas

Can’t feed guerrillas

Left-wing guerrillas

You can go to the zoo, but you can’t feed guerrillas

Who wanna blow up the world

Ronnie if you’re dead before I get to meet ya

Before I get to meet ya

Before I get to meet ya

Ronnie if you’re dead before I get to meet ya

Don’t say I didn’t warn ya

Ronnie talk to Russia before it’s too late

Before it’s too late

Before it’s too late

Ronnie talk to Russia before it’s too late

Before they blow up the world

Before they blow up the world

Dontcha.

Don’t you blow up my world

Back then, all of us believed that World War III was inevitable & soon. When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, some of us registered as conscientious objectors. Daily, we were reminded of the Cold War dangers that might escalate into the unthinkable.

When it came time to encourage folks to play Rook, I was known for saying, “Come on guys! One day you’re gonna be 40 years old, married with children, and wishing you were back in Gardner dorm playing Rook!” Anyway, thinking we were all gonna die, we often partied like it was 1999.

Now having crossed that age marker, I hugged my tearful wife yesterday and explained to our children who Ronald Reagan was. It all seems so long ago. I’ve yet to want to be back in the dorm, in the Cold War, playing Rook.

I was wrong. With gratitude, I admit I was wrong … and Ronnie was right.

May God be merciful to him and those who mourn.