In today's e-mails:

On behalf of Big Muggitywump, president; Big Cheese, CEO; and Big Kahuna, Senior Vice President and global product officer

In observance of the national day of mourning and funeral services for former President Ronald Reagan, all BIPC offices in the U.S. will be closing at noon on Friday, June 11, 2004.

Of all years for a popular former president to kick the bucket. With tomorrow's eulogy, I expect Bush to claim he carries Reagan's 'legacy' of tax cuts and strong defense (and four more years are needed). And regardless of economic woes or foreign policy disasters, America will nod its head and say "that's right".

And what legacy is that? I believe that, with the exception of the present president, Reagan's tax cuts started the sliding imbalance toward the very rich.

The Reagan years also represent a blind eye towards AIDS. Angels in America says it better, as does the book And The Band Played On. In light of my last entry, if this storm hits again in the next four years, an even more hostile political environment means this time around the aftermath could be worse.

Many times this past week, I've heard Reagan described as Optimistic. Notwithstanding my criticism of him, my opinion has softened even by watching him give old speeches -- "Mr. Gorbachov, tear down these walls!", etc. -- followed by clips of Dubbya flubbering before the G8. How I long for an articulate, intelligent president!

I know how I'm voting and tomorrow night I will be attending a Kerry fundraiser, but I despair of it making any difference.