Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters Dads' Rights
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations Illinois Legislature
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” Crime
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs Business
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago Cook County
  • On Saturday, October 4th, Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar hosted the Fifth Annual 16th District Dia de los Muertos Resource Fair at his district office. Partnering with Commissioner Aguilar were the Village of Lyons, Lyons School District 103, Teamsters Local 777, and Rincon Family Services.
    Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Fifth Annual Dia de los Muertos Family Resource Fair  Cook County
  • Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025
    Jesse Jackson Jr. Launches Candidacy for Congress Civil Rights
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to Celebrate Diwali by Recognizing Indian Community Leaders Cook County
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Statement of US Attorney Andrew S. Boutros and Federal Law Enforcement Leadership in Chicago on Ongoing Criminal Immigration Enforcement Operations Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes Cook County
  • Road construction cement truck. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Hastings: $123 million in IDOT projects will improve South Suburban roads through collaboration with local leaders construction
  • Source: Electric Power Monthly - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
    Ratepayers will lose in the rush to approve battery storage electricity legislation in Springfield Business
  • Joyful reunion photo courtesy of Jeffery M. Leving & Assc law firm
    Leving Team Prevented a Father’s Wrongful Separation from His Child Dads' Rights
  • CTF Illinois Orland Park, 18230 Orland Pkwy, Orland Park, IL 60467
    Hastings, Giannoulias announce opening of temporary driver services facility in Orland Park Baby Boomers
  • Emagine Theater Pink popcorn
    Popcorn with a purpose: Emagine Theatres brings back Pink Caramel Corn to support Pink Fund during Breast Cancer Awareness Month Business

Right from the Middle: Nicaragua and the leadership of Reagan and Tip O’Neill

Posted on December 16, 2022February 4, 2024 By William Lipinski No Comments on Right from the Middle: Nicaragua and the leadership of Reagan and Tip O’Neill
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Right from the Middle: Nicaragua and the leadership of Reagan and Tip O’Neill

Former Congressman Bill Lipinski looks back at President Ronald Reagan’s efforts to undermine the communist rise in Nicaragua and how Communism continues ot upward growth threatening the West and America today

By William O. Lipinski

William O. Lipinski former Congressman from Illinois (5th and later 3rd District). Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
William O. Lipinski former Congressman

Back in the nineteen eighties when I was in Congress and President Ronald Reagan was in the White House military aid to the Contras was quite a controversial issue in the US House of Representatives.

The Contras were Freedom Fighters in Nicaragua opposing the Communist Sandinista led by Daniel Ortega who were ruling Nicaragua at the time.

President Reagan being a strong anti-Communist sense his days working in the Motion picture industry did not believe we should tolerate another Communist government in the Western Hemisphere, the other being Castro’s Cuba.

President Reagan’s very first request for Military aid to the Contras passed easily in the US Senate, but the house had defeated the request four times in six month. The opposition to Reagan’s request in the house was led by Speaker Thomas P “Tip” O’Neil.

President Ronald W. Reagan, 40th President. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

 

Tip as everyone called him was a very popular leader. Besides being Speaker of course, he was also the leading Democrat in the house, he was a very easy-going down to earth person who would help individuals in both parties.

 

He was the only speaker I served with that, every afternoon when the house was in session, would come out of his office and sit on the floor for a couple hours for members of both parties to speak directly to him. Nevertheless he was a very strong partisan liberal Democrat from Massachusetts.

His position on the situation in Nicaragua was greatly influenced by the left wing of his Democratic party and his sister, who was a Marynoll Sister working with the poor in Nicaragua.

They believed the Sandinistas were not Communist but were simply leftist trying to better the life of the poor in Nicaragua and other Central American countries.

Then, the House position turned around because of very heavy personal lobbying by President Reagan and the fact that after the fourth defeat of the legislation to aid the Contras Daniel Ortega the head of the Sandinista government traveled to Moscow to meet with his friends in the Kremlin.

This finally enabled the house to pass legislation giving $100 million dollars of military and humanitarian aid to the Contras to overthrow the Communist Sandinistas government.

A very personal notes at this time I am very proud to say I supported every piece of legislation put forward by President Reagan to remove the communist government from Nicaragua.

In fact, I supported President Reagan’s overall policy to confront communism around the world and defeat the Soviet Union in the Cold War.

President Reagan and the Pope won the Cold War. Very unfortunately shortly after legislation giving military aid to the Contras was passed the Iran Contra scandal broke, severely Limiting the US aid impact in Nicaragua. Because of this scandal the years since the nineteen eighties has seen the Sandinistas in power in Nicaragua for all but a couple of years.

Ortega today rules Nicaragua with an iron fist, having been elected once again last year with 75% of the vote.

The Sandinistas are the only party allowed to count the votes. He steamrolled his way to reelection by eliminating all vocal opposition.

Seven individuals who opposed Ortega and said they were going to run for president were locked up several months before the election.

Three Catholic priests, two seminarians, and a deacon were locked up several months before the election because of their vocal opposition to Ortega.

The clergy are not the only ones being oppressed by the Sandinistas, over 35 individuals that we know of, have been imprisoned by the Sandinistas for their vocal opposition to Ortega.

President Reagan was right in the 1980s when he said Ortega was not interested in uplifting the poor, he was only interested in power and money for himself and his friends.

The Sandinista’s friends today are China, Cuba, Russia, and Venezuela. Very, very unfortunately no one in the American government cares anymore about Nicaragua, they have too many other problems.

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
William Lipinski
William Lipinski
William Oliver Lipinski is a former U.S. Representative from the State of Illinois. He served as the Democratic Committeeman from the Chicago 23rd Ward from 1975 and as Alderman of the Ward until he was elected to the Congress in 1982.

Lipinski writes the "Right from the Middle" Column twice each month.

Born in Chicago, Cook County, Ill and graduated fromSt. Patrick High School, Chicago, Ill., 1956; attended Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa, 1956-1957; United States Army Reserves, 1961-1967.

Lipinski was elected alderman, Chicago, Ill., city council, 1975-1982; He was a delegate to: the Democratic National Midterm Convention, 1974; Democratic National Convention, 1976 and 1984; Illinois state Democratic convention, 1977.

He was elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-eighth and to the ten succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1983-January 3, 2005)

His email is [email protected]
William Lipinski
Latest posts by William Lipinski (see all)
  • Right from the Middle: Real estate industry problems weaken Communist China - February 3, 2024
  • Right from the Middle: Programs based on Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness undermine merit in America - January 26, 2024
  • Right from the Middle: Both candidates for President are lacking - December 27, 2023
NPV: 25
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Bill Lipinski, Blogger, Commentary, National, Opinion, Politics Tags:Bill Lipinski, china, Communism, Contras, Cuba, Daniel Ortega, Nicaragua, opinion commentary, President Ronald Reagan, Russia, Sandinistas, the rise of communism

Post navigation

Previous Post: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to readers, and the tragedy of O’Hare Airport
Next Post: Lyons police arrest alleged drunk driving offender after he crashes into Brookfield Zoo

Related Posts

  • Christopher Columbus statue Chicago Grant Park. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Defending the statue of Christopher Columbus Blogger
  • Vote sticker from he 2020 election in Illinois
    Voting Right or Voting Blight? Is anyone telling the truth? Blogger
  • Paul Vallas candidate for Chicago Mayor 2023. Photo courtesy of the Paul Vallas website
    Chicago’s Police Officers Endorse Paul Vallas for Mayor Chicago
  • Hurley, Cunningham and O’Shea Host Local Seniors for New Year’s Eve at Noon Pizza Party Chicago
  • Ray Hanania
    The verdict on Jury Duty in Cook County Blogger
  • Store destroyed by looters and arsonists who participated in the Black Lives Matter protests in Chicago at the end of May 2020. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has abandoned victims of looting along with the members of the Chicago Police Department. Photo courtesy Ray Hanania
    New and extremist Chicago political Machine takes over Blogger

More Related Articles

Congresswoman Marie Newman, 3rd District Illinois Six more labor unions endorse Congresswoman Marie Newman for re-election elections
Ray Hanania joins Thom Serafin on The Crisis Cast Podcast this week discussing presidential politics, journalism and how to understand Trump's reality TV persona style Podcast: Musk vs Trump and the impact of media distortion on news Commentary
Kirstie Alley, 1994 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Under-appreciated Kirstie Alley deserves better Blogger
Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas How Technology Changed the Cook County Treasurer’s Office Blogger
Arab American Democratic Club to host online rally Chicago
Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge Candidate for Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge and slate file 4,236 petition signatures for April election elections

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE
    September 20, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaking at a West Side affordable housing dedication
    Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
    September 7, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill
    September 5, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Children of divorce caught in the middle during the holidays
    August 27, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language
    August 8, 2025
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

  • NEWS
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters
    October 9, 2025
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations
    October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz”
    October 8, 2025
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs
    October 8, 2025
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago
    October 8, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme