Don't know much about history

Apparently Barry doesn't. From his Nobel acceptance today comes this bastardization:

Let me also say this: the promotion of human rights cannot be about exhortation alone. At times, it must be coupled with painstaking diplomacy. I know that engagement with repressive regimes lacks the satisfying purity of indignation. But I also know that sanctions without outreach – and condemnation without discussion – can carry forward a crippling status quo. No repressive regime can move down a new path unless it has the choice of an open door.

In light of the Cultural Revolution's horrors, Nixon's meeting with Mao appeared inexcusable – and yet it surely helped set China on a path where millions of its citizens have been lifted from poverty, and connected to open societies. Pope John Paul's engagement with Poland created space not just for the Catholic Church, but for labor leaders like Lech Walesa. Ronald Reagan's efforts on arms control and embrace of perestroika not only improved relations with the Soviet Union, but empowered dissidents throughout Eastern Europe. There is no simple formula here. But we must try as best we can to balance isolation and engagement; pressure and incentives, so that human rights and dignity are advanced over time.

WTF ?!? "Embrace of Perestroika ?!?!" The left can just never bring themselves to give Reagan the credit he deserves. Of course the fall of the Evil Empire was because of Gorbi. Anything else would be sacrilegious to the left! Of course these dopes never realize that Gorbi's Perestroika was a last gasp to save the USSR; not to end it!! But that is a rant for another day.

In the meantime, behold Reagan "embracing" Perestroika:



Thanks to reader LazyLibertarian for the heads-up on this blasphemy.