Dale Says

For more than 20 years I’ve been writing summaries of what’s going on in my life and in the world around me on my birthday. Here’s an excerpt from 1987 …

April 24, 1987

On my birthday I’m 36 years old.

President Reagan continues to make mistake after mistake and somehow he manages to wiggle out of trouble. The most serious (thus far) took place in late 1986. Top level administration staff were involved in selling arms to Iran in an attempt to free hostages taken and held by terrorist groups. Not only was this against stated policy of dealing with terrorists, but the profits from selling the arms were then illegally given to the Contras, a group trying to overthrow the government of Nicaragua. While these transactions were going on, Congress had expressly forbidden any government support of the Contras.

It’s been hard to track the exact circumstances of the Iran/Contra affair, as the involved people have all “taken the fifth” and refused to testify. Admiral Poindexter and Oliver North seem to be the most deeply involved.

Reagan didn’t handle his involvement very well, as he first said he didn’t know anything about either the Iran arms deal or the Contra aid deal, then he said he did know about and approved the Iran deal, then he said he couldn’t remember whether he know about it or not. At one point, he feigned laryngitis to avoid answering questions about it.

This has hurt Reagan and I’m afraid history is going to treat him badly. There is a chance for him to recover, however. Gorbachev, the leader of the U.S.S.R., wants a limited nuclear arms deal and if Reagan can pull that off it could be a good footnote for him. Charles Schultz, Reagan’s Secretary of State, is working a deal to reduce the number of short-range missles in Europe. He has a lot of scepticism in Europe to overcome, though.

Reagan faces a Democratic-controlled Congress his last two years in office. They are out to get him too, as was recently demonstrated by their override of his veto of a highway support bill. Reagan said it was “pork barrel” legislation and despite personal lobbying with Congress, his veto was overridden. (One interesting aspect of the bill allows states to increase the speed limit on some federal highways from 55 to 65 miles per hour.)

Despite generally good economic times, there are some parts of the U.S. that are suffering. The oil producing countries of the world have not figured out how to keep oil prices up, and as a result it is possible to buy gasoline for around $.80 per gallon. Parts of the U.S. that are dependent on oil are hurting badly. Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado are examples where employment is up and housing prices and general standards of living are down. It is sad to see the numerous FOR SALE signs in Denver, for example.

The threat of AIDS is getting scary. Thousands of people are getting it every month, and the general population is starting to get nervous. Condom ads are becoming commonplace on TV and “safe sex” is being preached by religious and political leaders. The threat of catching AIDS is prompting hetrosexual people to have AIDS tests, and causing a substantial reduction in multiple sexual relationships.

For more than 20 years I’ve been writing summaries of what’s going on in my life and in the world around me on my birthday. Here’s an excerpt from 1986 …

April 24, 1986

On my birthday I’m 35 years old.

The U.S. is still reeling from two recent events: the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger and the bombing of Libya.

Seven astronauts were killed on January 28 when a leak in one of the solid fuel boosters that were to propel the Challenger into space ignited the entire spacecraft and turned it into a fiery crematorium. While a presidentially-appointed task force continues to explore the cause, the U.S. space exploratioin effort is on hold.

The Libyan bombing incident last week was the Reagan administration’s reaction to a number of recent terrorist activities which Reagan says were tied to Momar Khadafy and the Libyan government. Those terrorist activities, in European airports and a West German night club, resulted in the loss of several American lives. The Reagan administration has taken a lot of abuse in this country for “doing nothing” to stop the terrorists, and the bombing of Libya was his reaction. While it has received general support in the U.S., many of the allied nations are troubled. Anti-American demonstrations in Germany, Italy, England, and Holland indicate particular discomfort with such an aggressive response. England is the hardest hit, as they are suffering from terrorist attacks for their part in the bombings (they allowed U.S. bombers to fly from British bases to attack Libya). Just where this latest incident will take the U.S. is anyone’s guess, but for this summer (at least) Americans are afraid to travel to Europe.

The price of oil has dropped dramatically around the world. OPEC couldn’t support low production and high prices and the bottom has fallen out of their price for oil. Currently, oil is selling for around $10 per barrel, and U.S. consumers are benefiting. Last week, I paid $.71 per gallon for regular gasoline. Lower prices have driven inflation down to the point that the U.S. actually saw a deflationary C.P.I. last month.

The U.S. and U.S.S.R. are barely on speaking terms, after a relatively successful summit between Reagan and Gorbachev last November. A second summit meeting may or may not take place in the U.S. this summer. Thus far, Reagan has done nothing to encourage friendly relations, and he continues underground nuclear testing and his plans for “Star Wars.”

For more than 20 years I’ve been writing summaries of what’s going on in my life and in the world around me on my birthday. Here’s an excerpt from 1985 …

April 24, 1985

On my birthday I’m 34 years old.

The headlines today tell about the U.S. House of Representatives blocking President Reagan’s request for $114 million in aid to the Contras, a rebellious faction trying to overthrow the government in Nicaragua. Reagan and friends want to get rid of what they see as a Communist-supported government in the Americas. The U.S. has massed large numbers of troops in Hondouras, ready to move into Nicaragua, given an excuse. It seems that the U.S. can’t stay out of other countrys’ business.

The new leader of the Soviet Union (Gorbachev) wants to meet with Reagan, but Reagan is laying down “conditions.” Reagan is still on a honeymoon with Congress, following his huge victory at the polls last November. The romance might end soon, as battle lines have been drawn over next year’s budget. Reagan wants no tax increases, huge defense spending, and no cuts in social spending.

Coca Cola announced yesterday that they plan to change the formula of their world-famous beverage — after 99 years of success. They will call the new drink Coca Cola, but it won’t taste the same.

For more than 20 years I’ve been writing summaries of what’s going on in my life and in the world around me on my birthday. Here’s an excerpt from 1984 …

April 24, 1984

On my birthday, I’m 33 years old.

Today, there was an earthquake registering 6.2 south of San Jose. Fortunately, there was little damage, but the pundits are forecasting a larger one sometime in the next few years.

Gary Hart, Fritz Mondale, and Jesse Jackson are furiously campaigning for the democratic nomination and a chance to square off against President Reagan this November. At this point, Mondale is ahead by around 2:1.

The virus that causes AIDs has just been discovered, with great relief to many in my home town of San Francisco …

The Soviet Union continues to occupy Afghanistan, amid great loss of troops, and the Soviet Premier is trying to decide whether to send athletes to the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.