Ray Charles has left us.

Ray Charles has left us at 73. Too soon for our aching soul, but after several lifetimes of contribution to the American fabric.

Ray Charles discovered America. Everyone knows that. You didn't have to try hard to love that voice. Rich, soulful, pure. The man created that. No Godfather, King, Prince, or nom de guerre. His name. Ray Charles was the original.

Way too many of the young soul-singers and teen band wailers over-use the Ray Charles fluorish, and they squeeze every last drop of soul out of it till it becomes a sickly-sweet, hair-on-the-back-of-your-neck cringe line. They do the man a disservice. And sadly enough, they'll be the ones honoring him during some tribute.

God bless you, Ray. Sing it sweet. Sing it pure.

There are a few things to admire about Ronald Reagan...his presidency isn't one of them.

Ronald Reagan, the Great Communicator, the winner of the Cold War, the -- okay enough, already.

Things to admire about Ronald Reagan?

1) Some of his films weren't all that bad. He was actually, a decent actor, but if his agent had really been looking out for him, why the hell couldn't he have gotten "The Rear Window", or "The Man who Knew Too Much", or something else besides "Bedtime for Bonzo" or "She's Working Her Way Through College"?

2) His relationship with Nancy Davis was quite public by most standards. Two romantics who became the most powerful family in the country for awhile. Their relationship could be on a poster for the institution of marriage, if it weren't practically the only damn good public example out there.

3) Self-deprecation with an edge. Reagan raised it to an art. He wasn't arrogant. Ignorant, yes, arrogant, no. Reagan personified the paternal president.

4) Nope. Not gonna mention the Cold War. That honor goes to Gorbachev. Did Reagan help? Sure, but someone better duct tape your local Republican's mouth here. Reagan responsible? Bah! Funny how they'll latch on to any big idea and call it their own.
Actually, Reagan probably facilitated the end of the cold war by not dealing with Gorbachev like a stereotypical conservative Republican. Yeah, we all thought he was crazy enough to push that button, but in the end, he saw through the propoganda, and let Gorbachev rise to his own historical relevance.

Things that Reagan disappointed us with:

Uh, too many to name. Swelling the ranks of Homelessness, Iran-Contra, abandonement of the Mentally Ill, Poverty, race relations, giant deficits, tax cuts and tax hikes, being a figurehead for petty-minded, selfish, money-hoarding "conservatives", PATCO, etc., etc.

Gallant man, decent actor, warm-fuzzy American Grandpa. Lasting legacy? For Americans of all races and status, let's hope not!