AdamSmith Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Firsthand account of how LBJ got things done. The White House Is No Place for Wimps The best presidents stay away from the middle ground. By JOSEPH A. CALIFANO JR. February 15, 2015 http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/02/the-white-house-is-no-place-for-wimps-115219.html#ixzz3RrjYbfES MsAnn 1 Quote
Members MsAnn Posted February 16, 2015 Members Posted February 16, 2015 Interesting article and I certainly liked his 'swagger'.....I would safely say one of the most progressive presidents in modern history(whatever that means) but I couldn't help but notice that his debacle in Vietnam was sort of glossed over. His policy was a disaster. In my opinion anyway, but then again, what do I know. I'm just another backwater redneck that tends to piss and moan about everything. I'd post links, but they're too depressing to even research, and I don't even want to think about that horrendous war, and besides, I'm in sort of a feel-good moment thinking about his guts, glory, and heroism on civil rights. So I'll just leave it all there. Quote
AdamSmith Posted February 16, 2015 Author Posted February 16, 2015 Well, Califano does conclude his article this way: LBJ's administration oversaw an extraordinary advance of progressive government despite the tragedy of the Vietnam War, and it achieved striking success despite the turbulence and violence that accompanied the civil rights movement, anti-war protests and roiling cultural revolutions in sexual conduct and drug use. To me this demonstrates that even a president who makes a blunder as monumental as the war in Vietnam need not be not limited to middling domestic achievements. He or she still has the possibility of leading a government that can lift up the many as well as the few, that can not only can conceive but also achieve historic steps forward at home. That's why presidential hopefuls -- and voters deciding which of them to support -- should view the Johnson presidency not an aberration, but as an example. Writing a short journalistic piece like this on any given subject, you have only so much room to treat of other issues, even huge ones. I'm not sure calling Vietnam a "tragedy" and "monumental blunder" exactly gloss over the point. MsAnn 1 Quote
Members MsAnn Posted February 16, 2015 Members Posted February 16, 2015 Well, Califano does conclude his article this way: LBJ's administration oversaw an extraordinary advance of progressive government despite the tragedy of the Vietnam War, and it achieved striking success despite the turbulence and violence that accompanied the civil rights movement, anti-war protests and roiling cultural revolutions in sexual conduct and drug use. To me this demonstrates that even a president who makes a blunder as monumental as the war in Vietnam need not be not limited to middling domestic achievements. He or she still has the possibility of leading a government that can lift up the many as well as the few, that can not only can conceive but also achieve historic steps forward at home. That's why presidential hopefuls -- and voters deciding which of them to support -- should view the Johnson presidency not an aberration, but as an example. Writing a short journalistic piece like this on any given subject, you have only so much room to treat of other issues, even huge ones. I'm not sure calling Vietnam a "tragedy" and "monumental blunder" exactly gloss over the point. Are you trying to depress me? I didn't want to discuss this. OK I guess my point is that trumpeting his successes in the social arena is fine, but simply mentioning the war a few times when tens of thousands of young men and women lost their lives on his watch, give or take a few thousand, but what's a few thousand among friends (sorry for the sarcasm) not to mention the thousands more who came home missing limbs (which no one ever talks about), and the thousands who committed suicide, and thousands more who never were able to live a normal life, is insufficient in my book. I got it, that wasn't the point of the article, but I'm workin on my third Bourbon ( I drink it neat) so I'm wound a little tight tonight. Look, I like LBJ, and I loved Lady Bird, but somethings just stick in my gut, and Vietnam is one of them. Quote
Members RA1 Posted February 16, 2015 Members Posted February 16, 2015 Of course, LBJ had a martyr to use as a club (JFK) as well as his years of experience in rough and tumble (read illegal or borderline) politics to help him with his (inherited) programs. He also had a rude personality which included defecating in front of aides while conferencing, urinating in front of male and female staff members as well as the rep as a much worse womanizer than JFK. Quite a list to recommend a President of the USA. Best regards, RA1 Quote
AdamSmith Posted February 16, 2015 Author Posted February 16, 2015 I'm sure you're not saying you would prefer a well mannered pilot over one who knows how to aviate. Quote
Members RA1 Posted February 16, 2015 Members Posted February 16, 2015 Aviate, navigate, communicate is the correct order for successful flying. Fuck you, strong letter to follow may get the message across but many not provide the intended result. Otherwise, it depends upon how cute he is. Best regards, RA1 AdamSmith 1 Quote
AdamSmith Posted February 16, 2015 Author Posted February 16, 2015 Look, I like LBJ, and I loved Lady Bird, but somethings just stick in my gut, and Vietnam is one of them. P.S. Understand completely. Daresay all of us lost people to the insanity of that war. Quote
