Why JFK?

[TCPeppyTc]

Why is it that people still like JFK so much, liberals especially? He supported the Vietnam War, and his two successors ( LBJ and Nixon) were more liberal in their policies and got much more done than he did. It was a tragedy that he was assasinated, but I think I am on of the few people who hear about Kennedy and think "meh"

[Faisul]

He wasn't Nixon.

[TCPeppyTc]

Your right. He wasnt Nixon, who ended the Vietnam War, and who did wonders for womens rights and the environment. If he hadn't had watergate, history would have remembered Nixon kindly

[Faisul]

Just stating the comedy response, bubs. I'll let people more knowledgeable of US presidents argue for or against your points.

[DZComposer]

Recently declassified CIA documents revealed that Nixon's campaign blew-up LBJ's peace talks, in an act that is arguably treason, so that he could slap Humphrey around with the war. LBJ was not happy about this, but in a surprisingly un-LBJ-like move, he kept quiet about it publicly. Here is LBJ discussing it with Republican Senator Everett Dirksen: http://www.hark.com/clips/nlkchrfcqr-dirksen-lbj-vn68

I didn't think his policies were awful, but Nixon was a fucking dirt bag. Somethings are starting to come out that suggest he may have even been mobbed-up, though the sources I have heard that from so-far are not the kind I trust 100%.

I like what LBJ did more than Kennedy, but what I like about Kennedy is that he was an inspirational guy. His speeches spoke of a great America, but not in a nationalistic way. Perhaps his most famous speech line is "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" (probably more of a paraphrase than a quote, but whatever).

[CrypticQuery]

Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" (probably more of a paraphrase than a quote, but whatever).

I'm fairly certain that is the actual quote, and not just a paraphrasing. :P

[TCPeppyTc]

Of the three I think my favorite was LBJ. He had a wierd combination of being manipulitive, dictatorial and mean as all hell, but also really kind, generous and persistent. He was truly responsible for the civil rights act. It was terrible he is just remembered for his Vietnam war mistakes.

He also was a dirtbag too in a way. He lied all the time, bullied people, and possibly stole his first election.

I notice your from Texas. What do they think of him down there now? I am from Minnesota, and let me tell you we love Humphery! At least the democrats do...

[Harlow]

It's the looks and the youth. Whatever he did, that factor's still a stark contrast with the senile geezers that mostly go in politics (And as early as 1940/1950, it was revolutionary).

Also, 3/4 of the people only know politics on a VERY superficial level, so they focus in other more superficial factors (Looks, state of origin, gender, party).

It's what possibly helped in Mexico (1) and Ecuador (2) (Even with both being unpopular for other reasons), and what the US (3) and Venezuela (4) are experiencing as well.

(1) (2)

(3) (4)

Take it as a derivative of the "missing white woman" syndrome. Or the Jane Lynch case. (A solider injured in battle that got humongous coverage over her comrades. She was a blond woman, and her comrades, an African-American woman and a Native American)

In short, this:

[Faisul]

It's the looks and the youth.

That is extremely important, as you say, for how following generations outside of academic circles think of their previous statesmen. Comparing JFK's good lookin' confident smile as we often see him in photographs with Nixon's vaguely menacing scowl and somewhat comical potato nose it isn't surprising that most of the politically uninitiated would view JFK as more desireable to be nostalgic/think highly about. You also have the fact that he was kind of a martyr for the Democrats and released MLK from jail, helping in some way to spur on the Civil Rights movement - which regardless of his actual policies would make him a sort of mystical figure for many.

o hello disciple of Ayn Rand I see you're holding the wrong book there. the spectre of your glorious reptilian goddess is much displeased that you are not holding a copy of atlas shrugged and shrieking, in tongues, of how muc- BOOTSTRAPS DAMN LIBERALS LIBERALS BOOTSTRAPS DAMN LIBERALS AMERICAN DREAM BOOTSTRAPS!!!

[Harlow]

o hello disciple of Ayn Rand I see you're holding the wrong book there. the spectre of your glorious reptilian goddess is much displeased that you are not holding a copy of atlas shrugged and shrieking, in tongues, of how muc- BOOTSTRAPS DAMN LIBERALS LIBERALS BOOTSTRAPS DAMN LIBERALS AMERICAN DREAM BOOTSTRAPS!!!

Who cares? He still floods undesicive voters' panties.

[Faisul]

Which is kind of disconcerting since what he appears to be championing is the kind of F U got mine mentality that makes his overtures towards medicare seem disingenuous. At first glance he appears very much to be the 'born with a silver spoon up his ass' politician that is out of touch with what the dwindling middle class of the US actually needs from the state in order to not end up dying on the pavement outside of overpriced, ruthlessly privatized health clinics.

And his last name is the same as this charming, sharing and caring video game character:

[Harlow]

Which is kind of disconcerting since what he appears to be championing is the kind of F U got mine mentality that makes his overtures towards medicare seem disingenuous. At first glance he appears very much to be the 'born with a silver spoon up his ass' politician that is out of touch with what the dwindling middle class of the US actually needs from the state in order to not end up dying on the pavement outside of overpriced, ruthlessly privatized health clinics.

You have the advantage that the actual candidate isn't Sarah Palin the II here and it's the pasty rich guy instead. That would surely alienate people.

[Thu'um]

Why is it that people still like JFK so much, liberals especially? He supported the Vietnam War, and his two successors ( LBJ and Nixon) were more liberal in their policies and got much more done than he did. It was a tragedy that he was assasinated, but I think I am on of the few people who hear about Kennedy and think "meh"

there are people that just are admirable. George Washigton, did nothing as president......wait thats the best thing any president has done! Anyway, back to point JFK was just a cool dude. I still hear most democrats throw him down as their ace, but by todays standerds he would be republican.

[ballisticwaffles]

Sir, if you speak ill of George Washington again i will discipline you.

George Washington Saw the articles of confederation ruining the country so he helped organize the constitutional convention. When they wished for him to be their King, he denied. He resigned from his post after two terms because he knew his continued residency in office would only hinder the democratic process he had just fought to obtain. If we really wish to stretch things, He issued a statement of isolationism, essentially saying we would not land troops in europe for any reason which was upheld until 1917, effectivly preventing us from getting involved in those Darn Napoleonic wars.

Now, for Kennedy His being more attractive than the arguably more experianced Richard [buhble-buhble-buhble] Nixon did prove to be a deciding point in the elections. In fact polls of people watching the television said that Kennedy won the debate they had that was televised, while people listening in on the radio claimed that Nixon won.

Admittedly his accomplishments make him stand out more than some presidents

He established the Peace Corps.

He [sorta] Prevented the Cuban missile Crises

[He Invaded Cuba. Bay of pigs and all that. I know it was a bad thing just putting it here for posterity]

He drafted and signed a Nuclear test limitation with The Soviets

He Started to help end segregation, and ultimatly it was in his honor that The Desegregation laws were signed

Not to say other presidents didnt do as much, but he was an idealist struck down tragically in his prime by a d*ckwad with a gun. And history has proved again and a again that nothing motivates more than a Martyr.

[DZComposer]

LBJ is still popular where I am. He was actually a teacher by profession, something many people do not know.

I went to Texas State University, which is actually LBJ's alma mater as well (It was call Southwest Texas State Teacher's College at the time). He signed his education bill in what is now the music building. The school is still well-known for it's teaching school (I studied business computer information systems, though). There's a life-size statue of him on-campus, and buildings named after him. He built his library at UT, though.

Lots of things in the Austin area are named after him. The big lake in the middle of the city is named after his wife.

Here's an interesting contrast: At LBJ's library, you get in for free. At Pappy Bush's in College Station, you have to pay to get in.

Also, I don't get why people think all of the politicians you linked to look good. They all look like what I imagine when someone says the word "douchebag."

[Harlow]

I went to Texas State University, which is actually LBJ's alma mater as well (It was call Southwest Texas State Teacher's College at the time). He signed his education bill in what is now the music building. The school is still well-known for it's teaching school (I studied business computer information systems, though). There's a life-size statue of him on-campus, and buildings named after him. He built his library at UT, though.

Lots of things in the Austin area are named after him. The big lake in the middle of the city is named after his wife.

Also, I don't get why people think all of the politicians you linked to look good. They all look like what I imagine when someone says the word "douchebag."

Well, place of origin is also a desicive factor. He was from Austin, so it's logic that you'll find more supporters of him there.

Now compare them with past presidents of the US; the sixty-some businessmen. Then you'll get the picture. Young people (or some that have the luck to age well, like Bill Clinton) have that factor of endearment with some of the population, which make the other guys needing to have a good deed of Biblical proportions to get that popular or to get well with people. Now, there are people who can foresee those aspects and focus on the actual goverment; that minority that knows what's going on.

(Now, the last one (the Venezuelan one) isn't a douche in any kind. It's a last hope. I support him 100%)

[Drasiana]

Maybe the *idea* behind picking Paul Ryan as a running mate for his looks would have had some semblance of cohesive reasoning if it weren't for the fact that he pretty much hates women and is bffs with Todd "Legitimate Rape" Akin.

And then there's, y'know, the fact that thinking women are too dim to vote for anyone on any basis other than their looks is an offense taken by many of the women who Ryan has effortlessly worked to alienate. (Also what is it with Republicans decrying sex but pulling the "my politicians are sexier than your politicians" shit constantly? They did this with Palin too)

Keep in mind that part of JFK's charm was his charisma, not just his looks. You can be a bombshell but you won't get much other than a porn parody if you're as dull as a rusty cannonball (another thing that happened with Palin).

George Washigton, did nothing as president

Excuse you.

(nsfw)

[Thu'um]

Excuse you.

(nsfw)

wat

if that video was ment to creep the hell out of me, and it did, then congrates. But legitly, after winning the war george washigton did nothign AS PRESIDENT, but he did help form the new consitution

[Harlow]

but he did help form the new *consitution*

You're Welcome.

[unoservix]

are we still on this "George Washington didn't do anything as president" thing

here let us consult history. history, what's up man, how ya doin' man, yes, i got the Harry and David basket last Christmas, yeah, totally love those little strawberry candies, it's all good, i hear you're still dating Truth, yeah, well see i got this question, man, see, there's this guy on SFO who says that George Washington didn't do anything as president. what do you have to say about that?

whoa man holy shit slow down one thing at a time okay let's see

he made the first appointments to the Supreme Court and pretty much founded it? well okay that's sort of a big deal.

he basically invented the Cabinet? okay that's probably important.

he established all the traditions and precedents to which his successors would look as the executive officer of the United States, including the customary two-term limit later codified in a constitutional amendment? okay, fair enough

he defeated Indian tribes and captured the Northwest Territory, which would later become Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota? alright i guess that's important, at least if you live in one of those states i guess

he signed a major trade treaty with Great Britain just a few years after American and French troops forcibly wrested American independence from the British? yeah i guess that's a big deal

he put down a rebellion and decisively asserted federal government power? okay fine that's probably big

he formulated and articulated a doctrine of strict neutrality that guided American foreign policy for over a century? i can see that being significant, yeah

he chose the goddamn capital of the country? well now that's just piling on good sir

so man, history, i guess what you're saying is that Washington was actually one of the most influential and important presidents in American history, huh? yeah. see, that's kinda what i thought. i'm sure this guy on SFO will recognize the error of his assertions and correct himself posthaste.

[ballisticwaffles]

unoservix i love you.