From Peter's Ex-Boss: Reagan Tells Russian Jokes
Hit this link for a priceless video of Ronald Reagan telling Russian jokes.
This was sent to me by Tony Dolan, once the Gipper's head speechwriter and thus Peter Robinson's former boss. Tony tells me the following story: Reagan would tell these jokes to his speechwriters who would then put them in his speeches. Sensitive foreign policy poobahs would object, fearing the jokes would cause ill-feelings. After a lot of squabbling, the speechwriters would reluctantly take the jokes out. Then Reagan would give the speech and according to Tony,
"at exactly the same point in the text he would tell the same story. The poobahs would be both furious and scared but were astonished when we told them Reagan never even knew about the fight over the story. Just Reagan being Reagan. They never believed us."
What a great story! Peter, if it's true, let me know. If it's not, don't tell me.
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Dec '10
Re: From Peter's Ex-Boss: Reagan Tells Russian Jokes
Haha! Wow. I love Reagan for all of the big things he did, but it is the small stories and anecdotes like this one you shared AK that make him a legend in my book. The Happy Warrior. I strive to be such in my own life each day, and it is inspiring to know that someone like Reagan was able to do it in the most high-stress environment on earth (outside of a war-zone I imagine). I don't know if it is a coincidence, but the the three men I respect the most (and have learned the most from) - my dad, GK Chesterton, and Ronald Reagan - all possess (or possessed) that child-like, good-natured quality about them.
Nov '10
Re: From Peter's Ex-Boss: Reagan Tells Russian Jokes
Reagan was immensely likeable, thanks in no small part to his warm, wonderful sense of humor. He makes Obama look cold, indeed — like a pickle-faced putz whose funny bone was surgically removed at birth. And, considering the way Obama was raised, that may be the literal truth,
Edited on Jan 17, 2011 at 7:04pmJul '10
Re: From Peter's Ex-Boss: Reagan Tells Russian Jokes
The little Sisyphuses are going to love these. Well done!
May '10
Re: From Peter's Ex-Boss: Reagan Tells Russian Jokes
Wouldn't it be "Ssyphodes"?
Jun '10
Re: From Peter's Ex-Boss: Reagan Tells Russian Jokes
Not necessarily from Reagan, but on the same subject:
A man dies, goes to hell. He discovers that he has a choice between capitalist hell and communist hell. So, he goes over to the door labeled "capitalist hell," and asks the devil standing there, "What’s it like in there?" The devil replies, "In capitalist hell they tie you up, cover you in honey, release biting ants, then boil you in oil, and finally, cut you apart with sharp knives." "That’s terrible...I’m going over to check out communist hell." He goes to the door marked "communist hell," where he discovers a long line of people waiting to get in. Eventually he gets to the front, to find Karl Marx standing there, and asks Karl, "What happens in there?" Karl replies, "In communist hell they tie you up, cover you in honey, release biting ants, then boil you in oil, and finally, cut you apart with sharp knives." "But that’s the same as capitalist hell. Why such a long line?" “Well,” sighs Marx, "Most of the time we’re out of honey, don't have enough oil, and the knives aren't very sharp."
Edited on Jan 17, 2011 at 7:22pmRe: From Peter's Ex-Boss: Reagan Tells Russian Jokes
True, Drew, all true.
Jul '10
Re: From Peter's Ex-Boss: Reagan Tells Russian Jokes
"The Curfew" I busted out laughing!
President Reagan R.I.P.
Jan '11
Re: From Peter's Ex-Boss: Reagan Tells Russian Jokes
"The plumber's coming in the morning."
Oh, my! That one's priceless.
Thanks.
May '10
Re: From Peter's Ex-Boss: Reagan Tells Russian Jokes
I'm not sure how much of an honor having a dog named after you is, but it was the only way I could think of to be able to mention the name of one of my greatest heroes every single day. He answers to Reagan or Gipper.
Nov '10
Re: From Peter's Ex-Boss: Reagan Tells Russian Jokes
I just recognized your avatar.
Dec '10
Re: From Peter's Ex-Boss: Reagan Tells Russian Jokes
Jan-Michael Rives
I just recognized your avatar. · Jan 17 at 10:12pm
Happy to find someone who even could recognize GKC.
Nov '10
Re: From Peter's Ex-Boss: Reagan Tells Russian Jokes
R.J. Moeller
Jan-Michael Rives
I just recognized your avatar.
Happy to find someone who even could recognize GKC.
I practically worship Chesterton, so I recognized your avatar the first time I saw it. In fact, I am currently collecting the Complete Works:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_26?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=chesterton+collected+works&sprefix=chesterton+collected+works