Because of the goodwill of the last few weeks, combined with sensitivity about the death of a loved one, Ron Reagan Jr. has been given a mostly free ride for his insipid comments at his father's burial and in subsequent interviews.

Last night the former ballerina and dog show host was on Larry King Live, again selling his silliness. It's unfortunate that he trades on his father's name (which he has shamelessly ridden all his life) to get media appearances in which he shoots down the very things his father valued most.

Larry Elder has an excellent column today, finally debunking the main load of nonsense that Ron's been shoveling since the funeral: that Ronald Reagan believed his Christian faith was something to be kept behind closed doors and out of public debate and policy. Nothing could have been further from the truth.

One thing is clear: Jane Wyman is considered the "bad" wife for having left Ronald Reagan. Whatever the merits of that argument, the proof is in the pudding, and she sure did a heck of a better job raising children than Nancy ever did. Michael and Maureen Reagan are honorable people. Ron and Patty are twerps.