1. The Conservative Challenge Malls as symbols of an age —the new cathedrals for the youth, single, elderly But essentially, Americans who are searching for something to cling to, gravitate to Reagan’s conservatism

2. The Conservative Rebellion The conservative tide worldwide —resurgence of political conservatism, nationalism, religious revival: Great Britain, Soviet bloc, China Evangelicals —fought secular values, for “school prayer” amendment, “Creationism” Pope John Paul II —his conservatism alienated most U.S. Catholics on birth control, women’s role Pat Robertson and his “700 Club” was at the forefront of the Evangelical tide in America; Pope John Paul II.

3. Topical sitcoms —more programming confronted issues of the day: often seen as secular, liberal, anti-authoritarian—liberal media Lovable “redneck” Archie Bunker and cast from All in the Family and cast members from M*A*S*H.

4. Prime Time with Ronald Reagan The Reagan style —vital, charismatic, contradictory, “Teflon President, ” and lucky? Supply-side economics —taxes, government regulation stifles business: “trickle down” good for all; beat inflation with high unemployment and weakened unions Military Buildup —with lowered taxes, balloons deficit, but enables unilateral action Environmental controversies —open federal lands for private development Tax cuts —25% for all = more for wealthy The transfer of wealth —bucks going uphill, not trickling down: heyday of wealthy Star Wars —space-based missile system The Ronald Reagan “look” and persona that helped make him so popular. END OF READING

5. Standing Tall in a Chaotic World Grenada invasion —easily crushing pro-Castro rebels on tiny Carib. isle Boland Amendment —forbade “direct or indirect” CIA, et. al., monetary support of Nicaragua’s Contras: Reagan reluctantly signed (Top) The scene after a terrorist drove a car bomb into the Marine barracks in Lebanon, killing 239 Marines. They were there trying to stabilize a Civil War and the rest were withdrawn after the bombing. (Right) American armor helps with the takeover in the island nation of Grenada, “saving” several hundred American medical students.

7. Arms for hostages deal —now here’s a goofy idea: Iran “moderates” get weapons-Lebanon hostages (one released)-laundered money-arms for Nicaraguan Contras—all to evade Boland Amendment: Reagan, who publicly wouldn’t negotiate with terrorists, wasn’t much for details Irangate —like Watergate only worse (Presidency run by underlings)—subversion of Constitutional checks and balances: Reagan saved from impeachment by geniality Mikhail Gorbachev —a new, fresh Soviet ready for reform (“perestroika”) and openness (“glasnost”) Mikhail Gorbachev, a new, progressive kind of Soviet leader.

8. And End to the Cold War The fall of communism —given new freedoms and leeway by Soviets, Eastern Europeans rise up and overthrow their communist governments: dismantling of Berlin Wall, Germany reunified, Soviet Union dismantles—end of Cold War—nuclear weapons stockpiles reduced Saddam Hussein —Iran-Iraq War spawns deficits to be made up by invasion of oil-rich Kuwait Operation Desert Storm —true coalition effort led by U.S.: ground aspect done in 100 hrs. (est. 100,000 Iraqis killed)— ecoterrorism—Bush decides not to push on to Baghdad (rely on sanctions instead)

10. Environmental issues —pro-business Bush opposes stricter efforts to curtail global warming at “Earth Summit” The Clarence Thomas hearings —Reagan, Bush’s push for more conservative Supreme Court temporarily stalled by allegation of sexual harassment S&L crisis —fewer regulations led S&L’s to invest more speculatively, causing many to fail: government makes up the difference in billions because of FDIC Gramm-Rudman Act —spending limits forcing Pres., Congress to make hard choices to achieve balanced budget, or automatic cuts: Bush had to deny his lips, raise taxes White-collar unemployment —no wage increases: voters surly “It’s the Economy…” —Clinton pounds away at central theme Anita Hill giving damaging testimony against Clarence Thomas during his confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee.