Sitting around yesterday, waiting for "it" to begin to heal, I watched an old PBS American Experience profile of FDR. It was fascinating in so many ways, particularly right now as the U.S. is poised to inaugurate Barack Obama into the unfortunate position of president.
It is a terrible job, being president. Hardly anyone has ever excelled at it, and even FDR, considered one of the greatest presidents in our history, had to get us into WWII to turn the economy around. His social programs were wonderful and helped lots of people, but it was the business of war that made us wealthy again. Yikes.In fact the most significant truth of American presidents is that they channel the American soul. Maybe that's what sucks the life force out of them - they all age at twice the rate of normal people. Lincoln literally developed giantism in order to hold the country together during our Civil War. "W" was a perfect cartoon representation of the greedy, violent, bloated, clueless American empire just before the beginning of the meltdown. The footage of Pres. Hoover in the documentary was amazing - he was the absolute picture of depression. Someone was quoted as saying, "...if you put a rose in Hoover's hand, it would instantly wilt." Just as our country had wilted.
Hoover detested the cheerful, upbeat, confident and relentlessly positive FDR whose most important accomplishment - and it was a monumental task - was to bring hope to our country during the Great Depression.
Sounds familiar, doesn't it?
24 comments:
Love your blog. Your pixs are fun and creative. I'm new to this whole blogging thing and found your site inspirational. Thanks for the time you put into it! Hope your hand gets better soon!
I wouldn`t want that job, either!
Amen!
I am in love with your blogs..
I love your blog. Great writing, interesting pictures. Clueless W and the meltdown, Hoover and depression, yes. But I do think that President Lincoln's Marfan syndrome had nothing to do with his presidency - except an edge in the tallest-guy-wins aspect of any contest among men.
The marfan syndrome is metaphorically perfect though, don't you agree?
The Onion had a headline after the election: "Black man gets worst job in nation". Interesting times.
That last pic of the upside down building seems quite apropos as a metaphor for our country right now. Sure how our new prez can turn it right side up. I'm hopeful.
Have to agree that he's taking on the world's worst job.
too familiar
take care of you
and love from the midwest
Scary job, president. Those American Experience programs are always so well done. I would have enjoyed it. I'll have to go to the PBS website and see if they're airing it again.
hope "it" gets better soon
i admire your blog. Nice articles and pics as well....
Love your blog. Just wanted you to know that!
Great blog. The problem with FDR was his arrogance. At that time the new president was not seated until March and the country suffered greatly during those months that Hoover was the lame duck. FDR never lifted a hand to help or to meet with Hoover. He just bided his time until he was president and could implement his policies.
I'm reading Truman now and the brief glimpse I had of FDR through this book is distressing. His policies were impressive, but he wasn't such a good guy. He was all about politics! But where would we be without people who dedicate their lives to the betterment of society. Theodore Roosevelt (FDR's cousin) was an admirable politician as was Truman.
I have every bit of hope I can muster on our new president-elect. Just a short time to go...and hopefully this will show the world that not all Americans or Texans are as clueless about the rest of the world as the past 8 years have made us appear.
President is a brilliant job, but hardly to be engaged brilliantly. Do welcome the inauguration of Obama. A strong-minded country could conqure any problem no matter how terrible the depression is. No need to be so critical at your president, and give him an applause as long as he tries his best on behalf of American interest.
Here in South Africa the general feeling is Obama is there to save Africa as well. It is as if the entire African continent has put their trust in him to make all things better.
One can only say ones prayers about all things political and go about our daily lives living in hope.
God Bless America and Africa toooooo.
Also, I also saw the FDR profile on PBS. It was very good. They have been running a good Einstien documentary on History channel.
It is just great news that Obama wants that job! xv
we are all hoping for the best on both counts - 'it' healing fast, and the new pres of USA. Not an enviable post but he has brought in hope to so many already :-)
Oh,how nice pictures!
oh yes!
Wise words girl!! And boy do I love your description of W!!! :)
But I have a good feeling about 2009 and perhaps even beyond.... We HAVE to be positive. The flip side is just too awful to imagine. So - lets take some giant strides forward towards a more balanced planet and erase all memory of the bumbling, incompetent turkey you guys have had in power for the past 2 terms!!! Gees will I be glad he is gone!
Safari B - YES!!
I ;\like Rob Breszny's idea of PROnoia - expecting the best. yes yes yes!!
hoover is often ranked among the worst presidents ever so I'd say there is some really freaky parallels!
hope it is healing.......
A person has to have an ego the size of Montana to think he can pull off the job of being Prez.
really thought-provoking post Reya
its easy to get angry and blame these people, but the role they have certainly seems to take its toll
Blair def. seemed to age at twice the normal rate while PM
and poor gordon...
Post a Comment