Who is your favorite President of the US?
Mines FDR:2thumbsup:
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Who is your favorite President of the US?
Mines FDR:2thumbsup:
Woodrow Wilson ...
Not really rational, my first ever thesis written was on his points and the League of Nations, so I just like him.
That and he was a bit of a pacifist, only going to war when he had to.
Err...
Wrong forum perhaps?
Anyways, Wilson wanted to get into the war, the only problem was he had to convince the American public, which was rather easily done considering the Germans were sinking British ships that had a fair number of American civilians on board.
Well sorta, but the Zimmerman Telegram really swung it.Quote:
nyways, Wilson wanted to get into the war, the only problem was he had to convince the American public, which was rather easily done considering the Germans were sinking British ships that had a fair number of American civilians on board.
As for favourite President....
Freddy Roosevelt I guess but it's close
To quote Gigagia, SCC:
:help:Quote:
I want to say, that I think the greatest US president ever is the great George W. Bush. He is so wonderful, I would nominate him for a third term if I had a chance.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Freddy? I've never heard of FDR being referred to as such before. Or are you talking about Teddy, Theodore Roosevelt?Quote:
Originally Posted by ShadesPanther
Robert E LeeLBJ. IVE BEEN TO HIS HOUSE!
Theodore! He's my favorite. A real socialist who put the leashes on the trusts, was one of the ealy conservationists, and yet also reaffirmed the Monroe doctrine, and set America on the road to imperialism, bigtime. We lost that later, when we stopped focusing on the idea of being a true emire, and instead propped ourselved up on the pretentious pedestal of "world peacekeeper". Teddy was also a monster of a man, figuratively speaking; he was a latter-day renaissance man, keeping active and vigorous into his later years, before his expedition into the Amazon basin shortened his life so severely.Quote:
Originally Posted by AntiochusIII
The Great White Fleet, anyone?
https://img452.imageshack.us/img452/...tefleet3mz.jpg
Abraham Lincoln.
Written shortly after the victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg in the summer of 1863:
His sense of the sublime was matched by his appreciation of the ridiculous:Quote:
Peace does not appear so distant as it did. I hope it will come soon, and come to stay, and so come as to be worth the keeping in all future time. It will then be proved that among free men there can be no successful appeal from the ballot to the bullet, and that they who take such appeal are sure to lose their case and pay the cost. And then there will be some black men who can remember that, with silent tongue and clenched teeth and steady eye and well-poised bayonet, they have helped mankind on to this great consummation, while I fear there will be some white ones unable to forget that, with malignant heart and deceitful speech, they have strove to hinder it.
Quote:
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.
my favorite president would have to be for teddy.
Definately Abraham Lincoln. I don't know of any other President, except FDR perhaps, who was more eloquent, longsuffering, and steadfast to his obligation to the United States. He could say more in one paragraph than a multitude of books could convey. We could sure use someone of his character in the white house now. Our debt to him is immense, for only he could envision the final victory and national reconciliation following the War between the States.:book:
PS: @evil maniac from mars- I've heard it said...George W. Bush is analogous to a mail clerk who somehow became the CEO of a major corporation, who should have never left the mail room. As for me I would vote for PM Tony Blair before I would for George W. Bush.....no offense intended to our British or European freinds out there.
At first I thought it should've been a poll, then I realized that a poll with 40-something choices would be quite unreasonable, and one must always be impartial to establish a decent poll. No barring out Calvin Coolidge or something similar...
So I've decided to answer my own choice here:
Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Probably the most influential American President of the 20th century, FDR has reigned for longer than any other Presidents, and arguably accomplished much more. His "New Deal" tackled the worst economic depression that hit the 20th century world, laid the foundation of a system of social net, albeit currently haphazardly managed, that was nonexistent in the quite unpleasantly social darwinist American society prior to his time; his projects inspired the massive development of the West from "frontier lands" into economic powerhouses; his international conduct--though not exactly perfect or ideal--arguably put the United States at the forefront among the Allies, helped in saving the world from Nazism, as well as helping laid the foundation of the United Nations with the Atlantic Charter and other diplomatic initiatives. Not many American Presidents succeeded in so much; of course, such a career would be filled with not a few mistakes, but it was still a spectacular "reign." What's most important in my mind, however, is not what he had done, but what he hadn't done: he did not push himself for a dictatorial position the way many leaders did in their respective nations, relying on the economic depression, but tried his best to save a chronically falling system.
Not to mention the fact that his time was the first time those utterly demonized modern liberals in America had their chance for glory and experimentation in full force, unhampered, or less hampered, by the conservative climate, and consequently his demonization by the Right. :2thumbsup:
It would seem, though, that Teddy is popular with the crowd...
George Washington.
Offered a monarchy by some, he squelched the notion.
He exercised power without loving it.
Encouraged to run for office yet again (and perpetually) he returned to his farm.
Lincoln is a towering figure in many ways, and Booth harmed the South that evening far more than he could have known, but something about the personal decency and sense of restraint Washington brought to the office set a high mark for all who followed him to work at achieving.
I agree with Seamus.
The last person who should have the job is the one who wants it. Washington was the last president who didn't want the job. All the others after have been politicians. Politicians do what is expedient or popular rather than what is right. Politicians are in the business of getting elected and re-elected because they want the job. They tell the electorate what they think it should hear rather than what it should hear; or, as is sometimes the case, what the electorate wants to hear rather than what it should hear. ;)
I meant Teddy :oops:Quote:
Originally Posted by AntiochusIII
I liked TR too, but I'm going to have to take issue with Zorba on defining TR as a Socialist. He actually limited the power of unions as much as any corporation. Despite TR's shameless self-promotion in this area, the true "Trust-buster" was his handpicked successor, WH Taft.
TR didn't believe in price controls, unemployment, welfare, abortion (yes, it was an issue, even back then), universal suffrage or any of the other left issues of his day. Calling him a socialist... well, I suppose you can define the term 'socialist' as you see fit Zorba. You're the first I personally have ever seen use the term in this setting. Populist, sure. But Socialist?... Hmmm....
Well, they say bigger is better so I’ll vote for Taft. ~D
But honestly Teddy Roosevelt’s Bull Moose boldness has always had a real appeal to me (perhaps because we haven’t had a president like that since). I’ll also give props to Ronald Reagan, who I think really helped to shape the US into what it is today.
Favorite: FDR, maybe Abraham Lincoln
Least favorite: George W. Bush OR Nixon
Harry Truman. He had some big balls to order the bomb to be dropped on Japan. He also wanted from rags to riches to become our president. He sold hats, at one time, in NY City.
Killing innocent people isn't so great is it? 100-220,000 is a lot of innocent people you know...Quote:
Originally Posted by Ice
And that's not even counting radiation...
:shame:
Washington should always come first, but I hold Lincoln is very high regard too. He stood head-and-shoulders above his contemporaries (literally as well as figuratively!). Too bad he couldn't have finished his second term - the South would not have suffered nearly as much under a Lincoln reconstruction...
From a later period, Teddy Roosevelt has to be considered something of a larger-than-life figure. He accomplished so much, and did so with so much verve, you just have to admire the man.
Of Presidents in my lifetime, I'd have to rate Eisenhower at the top - none of the Chief Executives since have been of his caliber.
How many do you think typical bombing runs killed? How many American and Japanese lives would an invasion cost?Quote:
Originally Posted by Alexanderofmacedon
Killing is never great, but sometimes it has to be done, one way or another.
You obviously didn't learn much about him in that exercise then.Quote:
Originally Posted by Keba
Eisenhower rules!
Washington certainly sounds like a contender, at least from this article I just happened to read last night.Quote:
Originally Posted by Seamus Fermanagh
I don't know if I have a favourite US President - most of them said, or did, pretty objectionable things at one time or another - but I've found things to admire about Teddy Roosevelt, Lincoln and FDR.
Kansas City, Ice.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ice
There is an awful lot to like about Truman. He served in WWI, rising to the rank of Colonel. He was the last man to reach the presidency without receiving a college education. In spite of this he was remarkably well read, especially in history.
.Quote:
I never did give them hell. I just told the truth, and they thought it was hell
As the Don says, TR was definitely not a socialist. He can fairly be called a Progressive - the actual name of the "Bull Moose Party", whose candidate he was in the 1912 presidential race, was the Progressive Party. He was also the author of a book titled Progressive Principles (1913).Quote:
Originally Posted by Zorba
TR published at least one scholarly paper on birds.
Really? I always heard NY. Thanks though. :book:Quote:
Originally Posted by Atilius
Reagan.
Food for thought I guess...Quote:
Originally Posted by Ice
:2thumbsup:
You should know your American historyQuote:
Originally Posted by rotorgun
Even if your not American~:thumb:
Ronald Reagan.
ummm.... Carter.
nah. Good Ol' Abe, and then the darkhorse Nixon.
:unitedstates: Lincoln :unitedstates:
LBJ
Sure Vietnam was all f’d-up but he LBJ gets too much blame (while JFK and Ike get off much too lightly); but had the guts too really attack poverty and discrimination something JFK failed to do and unlike some presidents also paid for his war with a tax surcharge.
I beg your pardon? If you recon that a Tennessean is not an American (at least a North American), than you might want to check your geography. :book:Quote:
Originally Posted by Csar
Could you please explain where in your cotton pickin' mind you think I came from? :laugh4:
It's funny how all the rightwingers who like Teddy "take issue" with my calling him a socialist. ~:joker:
Well, maybe it isn't the best term, but he did move a lot further left than his fellow Republicans. And notice I never said "trust-buster"- I know he never tried to break up trusts, he just restrained them in the name of a more fair economy.
...All right, I guess he is more of a populist.
Damn... I was going to congratulate you on your bravery.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wakizashi
Hes from Texas. The best state ever.Quote:
Originally Posted by rotorgun
Just more fuel for the debate:
Found these quotes by George Washington and thought it was amusing:
"As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality."
"I'm not a member of any organized political party, I'm a Democrat!"
"I despise people who go to the gutter on either the right or the left and hurl rocks at those in the center."
"Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty."
"The United States is in no sense founded upon the Christian doctrine." (I just threw that one in there, and can add Jefferson and Madison quotes as needed, for those who still claim that the Founding Fathers created a Christian nation)
"It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it."
"Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness."
An uncommonly moral man who derived his morality from the Enlightenment of reason. A man who exercised power while recognizing and fearing its tendencies to abuse. While everyone has faults, and Washington as much as the rest of us, he was more free of them by virtue of his desire to recognize them than most of us.
The first one sounds like George -- it has his very deliberate tone.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aenlic
The second one is a famous gibe by H.L. Mencken, whose ascerbic assessments of US politics are still valid in most instances, but it is NOT by Washington.
The last one is, obviously, about and not by Washington.
Did you mis-label your intent? Were these really quotes relating to Washington's anti-party, personal responsibility attitude?
Mencken is a blast.
Oops, nice catch. I should proof my posts; but rarely bother. Actually, the second one is Will Rogers, not H. L. Mencken. It slipped itself in there while I was cutting and pasting the Washington quotes into a list I keep of favorite quotes. I agree about Mencken, though. And Will Rogers too, for that matter. Men of rare and seemingly boundless wit.Quote:
Originally Posted by Seamus Fermanagh
The last quote is indeed Washington. Or are you mistaking my comment at the end, the one not in quotes, as a quote?
There was a time when being liberal or even a democrat wasn’t a bad thing.~DQuote:
Originally Posted by Aenlic
Probably.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aenlic
I've always loved Rogers and Mencken (and enjoy Mark Russell as well). If you can't have a good laugh at the expense of your politicians, you really are desperately in need of a life.
Sorry bout that I misread your first postQuote:
Originally Posted by rotorgun
I keep missing Mark Russell when he does his TV show, although the songs sometimes get a little old.Quote:
Originally Posted by Seamus Fermanagh
Politicians should be laughed at much more often. I love it when John McCain goes on The Daily Show. I'm not much of a McCain fan; but you have to respect a guy who doesn't take himself too seriously. It's nice to see someone who can go on that show and laugh with others at himself. Even if there might be a hint of the self-serving, let's play sax for the young crowd Clintonism in it.
There's a great quote by Lincoln about this very subject; but I'm having trouble finding it. Maybe it wasn't Lincoln. Was close. Maybe it was Grant or perhaps Jackson.
That's cool Russianstar. I call those pre-senior citizen moments myself. I have several of those per diem.Quote:
Originally Posted by Russiantsar
To Strike For the South, good try! Even though a few Tennesseans helped Ya'll out at the Alamo, it doesn't quite qualify us for Texas citizenship. I do agree with you that Texas is a great State though. I sure would like to ride a good quarter horse on the Texas plains someday with the cowhands. I can sing a "purty" decent ballad and strum my "gee-tar" at the campfire to earn my keep.
While I ain't much of a George "W" fan, I did vote for his Daddy a few times. Now...he weren't too awful bad a President. If only he had never said "Read my lips...no new taxes!" I think he would have made a second term.
Read my lips, you’re probably right, that was the worst thing he could have said. :smile:Quote:
Originally Posted by rotorgun