Nancy Reagan

All of those people who think Kitty Kelley’s biography of Nancy Reagan is full of lies need to remember one thing: The Reagans’ popular image was manufactured. Both are products of the make-believe world of Hollywood where they cultivated artificial public images.

It was a habit they did not try to shake. In Washington aides perpetuated the popular image with terms like “damage control” and “photo opportunities.” When Ronald Reagan lied or revealed his ignorance, they said he “misspoke.”

Whether or not Kelley’s book is accurate is almost irrelevant. A person whose favorable public image is based on fiction cannot complain about an unfavorable image based on fiction. JENNIFER L. WOOD

Bakersfield