Sergeant at Arms Jon Kelly recalled that this week marks the 30 year anniversary of President Ronald Reagan's historic speech in West Berlin which contributed to the end of the Cold War. "We welcome change and openness for we believe that freedom and security go together, that the advance of human liberty can only strengthen the cause of world peace. There is one sign that the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace. General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall."
Speaker:Peter Wallison, Co-Director of the American Enterprise Institute Program on Financial Policy Studies. He was previously White House Counsel to President Ronald Reagan, General Counsel of the U.S. Treasury Dep't., held many other vitally important positions in Washington and is the author of many books, including 'Hidden in Plain Sight: What Caused the World's Worst Financial Crisis and Why it Could Happen Again'. He is a frequent contributing opinion writer in the Wall Street Journal.
Mr. Wallison described the events in 1986 and 1987 known as the Iran/Contra scandal that threw the Reagan Presidency into turmoil similar to the events occurring today with the Trump Presidency. Mr. Wallison, as counsel to Ronald Reagan, was tasked with dealing with a national information crisis, so severe, that in a 90 day period starting in November 1986, more than 1000 related articles were published in just The Washington Post and the New York Times alone. Leaks, lies, misinformation, political agendas, press inaccuracies, misremembering by President Reagan and other factors had to be addressed. He pointed out the almost eerie similarities between then and now. Ollie North, John Poindexter, John Tower, Donald Regan and, most importantly, President Ronald Reagan were just some of the people mentioned in his narrative.
If you missed the meeting, You Lost!
Guests: Michelle Holder, City of Aspen--Guest of Club; Joe Amato, Alpine Bank--guest of Roger Nicholson; Lungi Tshuma, guest of Peter Waanders; Trent Palmer, guest of Todd Brewer and visiting Rotarian from Snowmass Village
President Craig Melville detailed recent revisions in the Rotary International policy position regarding guns and announced a new date for the Changeover Dinner. It is now Sunday, July 9 at The Mountain Chalet, cocktails and appetizers at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7. He also mentioned that one of the projects we help fund, Bridges to Prosperity, has completed a long bridge in Nicaragua, that opens better access to jobs, schools, hospitals, etc. for people in remote areas.
Frieda Wallison, Ducky Derby Sponsorship Chair reported that we have reached a total of $108,600 in 2017 Ducky Derby sponsorships. Mike Kosdrosky, Head Duck, says that Duck Adoption papers will be ready June 22 and that we can sell duck adoptions immediately using the same internet platform as last year. He asked for help with our float in the 4th of July Parade. We need the use of a truck and a large trailer as well as a generator. Ernie Fyrwald offered to donate a generator is anyone is going to Lowes or Home Depot and can pick one up.
Thursday, June 22--Lee Shapiro 'The Art of Conflict in Relationships'
Thursday, June 29--Alan Fletcher, CEO and President, Aspen Music Festival and School.
Thursday, July 6-- No Morning Meeting due to Changeover Dinner
This week's speaker, Peter Wallison, is appearing on CNN, tomorrow (Saturday)morning at 7 a.m., being interviewed by Michael Smerconish, live from The Aspen Institute.
Happy Bucks: Emily Burr got things started just because she is happy; Craton Burkholder was happy because he won the raffle but unhappy when he drew the six of diamonds; Todd Brewer, Steve Wickes and short timer President Craig Melville were also just plain happy; Dwayne Romero was happy that it was his daughter's birthday.
The Weekly Newsletter of the Rotary Club of Aspen.
