Young America S Foundation

A political group that promotes conservative values on college campuses has purchased the Santa Barbara ranch that was Ronald Reagan's Western White House, and plans to make it the centerpiece of a leadership development program. The deal was scheduled to close today on the 680-acre spread bought by Young America's Foundation of Fairfax, Va., a 29-year-old group that teaches patriotism, limited government, and other values espoused by the Reagan presidency.

When Nancy Reagan, aided by Marines from Camp Pendleton, lays a wreath at her husband's tomb Sunday, it will be to commemorate the centennial of his birth. But in a nod to historical accuracy and to the Great Communicator's genial humor, staffers at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library are referring to the day just as he would ? not as his 100th birthday, but as "the 61st anniversary of his 39th. " "He loved that line," said John Heubusch, executive director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, organizer of centennial activities that over the next few days will bring about 10,000 people to the newly renovated hilltop library in Simi Valley.

MY 15 MINUTES of fame can be measured by Googling "phallus" and "phallologocentrism" together. As of Jan. 10, all 30 entries on the first three pages of results mention a course I am about to teach at Occidental College. The course is titled "The Phallus" and includes an exploration of what philosophers mean by the word "phallologocentrism." My course's notoriety owes much to the Young America's Foundation, which named "The Phallus" No.

Hannah Giles was in the middle of her guerrilla warfare lecture this weekend at the young conservatives leadership conference when a man in the audience interrupted her. "We love you!" he cried out. The crowd erupted in applause and whistles. "Aw," Giles said into the microphone. "I love you guys too." At age 20, Giles is a rock star of conservative activism. She shot onto the national scene in September after posing as a prostitute at ACORN offices around the country, where she secretly videotaped employees who appeared to give her advice on tax evasion, human smuggling and child prostitution.

Hannah Giles was in the middle of her guerrilla warfare lecture this weekend at the young conservatives leadership conference when a man in the audience interrupted her. "We love you!" he cried out. The crowd erupted in applause and whistles. "Aw," Giles said into the microphone. "I love you guys too." At age 20, Giles is a rock star of conservative activism. She shot onto the national scene in September after posing as a prostitute at ACORN offices around the country, where she secretly videotaped employees who appeared to give her advice on tax evasion, human smuggling and child prostitution.

When Nancy Reagan, aided by Marines from Camp Pendleton, lays a wreath at her husband's tomb Sunday, it will be to commemorate the centennial of his birth. But in a nod to historical accuracy and to the Great Communicator's genial humor, staffers at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library are referring to the day just as he would ? not as his 100th birthday, but as "the 61st anniversary of his 39th. " "He loved that line," said John Heubusch, executive director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, organizer of centennial activities that over the next few days will bring about 10,000 people to the newly renovated hilltop library in Simi Valley.

When the news came that a conservative foundation had bought Ronald Reagan's ranch for a leadership training ground, I whimsically envisioned a horde of cadet brownshirts goose-stepping across the meadow with assault rifles. A new generation of Reagan Youth would be indoctrinated with the Gipper's philosophy and inspired to become foot soldiers--then leaders--in the national conservative movement. The Reagan Revolution would reignite for the next millennium and last for 1,000 years.

It's as though the Gipper never left. Near the front door of the main house at Rancho del Cielo is Ronald Reagan's sweat-stained ball cap. A luffa sponge, glycerin soap and Head & Shoulders shampoo are still in the shower he and Nancy shared. But three years have passed since the nation's 40th president visited his beloved mountaintop hideaway--known to a generation of Americans as the Western White House.

MY 15 MINUTES of fame can be measured by Googling "phallus" and "phallologocentrism" together. As of Jan. 10, all 30 entries on the first three pages of results mention a course I am about to teach at Occidental College. The course is titled "The Phallus" and includes an exploration of what philosophers mean by the word "phallologocentrism." My course's notoriety owes much to the Young America's Foundation, which named "The Phallus" No.

It's as though the Gipper never left. Near the front door of the main house at Rancho del Cielo is Ronald Reagan's sweat-stained ball cap. A luffa sponge, glycerin soap and Head & Shoulders shampoo are still in the shower he and Nancy shared. But three years have passed since the nation's 40th president visited his beloved mountaintop hideaway--known to a generation of Americans as the Western White House.

Re "Democrats Lose One for The Gipper," Capitol Journal, April 27: A "right-wing" group, such as Young America's Foundation, makes George Skelton "whimsically" envision Nazis. I wonder if "left-wing" groups, such as the ACLU or NOW, make Skelton whimsically envision Soviet gulags and mass murder. YAF's only crime is the desire to promote the legacy of Ronald Reagan. President Reagan peacefully advanced the human rights of more people than any man in history. He was right about the Soviets, the arms race and Nicaragua--and American liberals will never forgive him for it. JEFF MELLINGER, South Pasadena I found the column so offensive that I am compelled to protest.

When the news came that a conservative foundation had bought Ronald Reagan's ranch for a leadership training ground, I whimsically envisioned a horde of cadet brownshirts goose-stepping across the meadow with assault rifles. A new generation of Reagan Youth would be indoctrinated with the Gipper's philosophy and inspired to become foot soldiers--then leaders--in the national conservative movement. The Reagan Revolution would reignite for the next millennium and last for 1,000 years.

A conservative political group in Fairfax, Va., could decide as early as today whether to purchase the Santa Barbara-area spread that doubled as Ronald Reagan's Western White House and make it a historical landmark and tourist attraction.