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What Ronald Reagan Taught Me About Civility

We can disagree without despising and debate without dehumanizing others.
Ronald Reagan Surrounded by Admirers
A smiling Ronald Reagan shakes hands with a group of young admirers all at the same time, as he walks among the crowd during a brief campaign stop. (Photo from the Bettmann Collection/Getty Images)

Last month, an assailant targeted two Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses, killing one couple and gravely wounding the other. A few weeks before that, two staff members from the Israeli Embassy were tragically shot and killed on the streets of Washington, D.C., just days before they were set to become engaged.

Frederick J. Ryan Jr. is the chairman of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and a member of The Dispatchs board of directors. He served in the White House as assistant to the president and was chief of staff to the former president after he left office.

 

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