Comments on: “We Have Nothing to Fear… http://mullentown.com/we-have-nothing-to-fear/ Home of Heart, Mind and Really Big Issues Sun, 23 Nov 2008 14:12:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: lostinutah http://mullentown.com/we-have-nothing-to-fear/#comment-2955 Wed, 25 Jul 2007 04:18:55 +0000 http://mullentown.com/we-have-nothing-to-fear/#comment-2955 Blanche Wiesen Cook wrote a couple of volumes on Eleanor that I very much enjoyed. You might check those out if you get on a Roosevelt roll, which I do once in a while. I also read Doris Kearns Goodwin's book about the Roosevelts. FDR died before my parents were even born, but my Grandmother is a proud 89 year old Idaho Democrat and I have always admired his visionary approach to keeping America going, and his willingness to do it at the expense of "The Veddy Rich" which he of course was. He fully realized they would still have more than enough. Wish GWB would figure that out....thanks for the tip, will have to pick up that book. Blanche Wiesen Cook wrote a couple of volumes on Eleanor that I very much enjoyed. You might check those out if you get on a Roosevelt roll, which I do once in a while. I also read Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book about the Roosevelts. FDR died before my parents were even born, but my Grandmother is a proud 89 year old Idaho Democrat and I have always admired his visionary approach to keeping America going, and his willingness to do it at the expense of “The Veddy Rich” which he of course was. He fully realized they would still have more than enough. Wish GWB would figure that out….thanks for the tip, will have to pick up that book.

]]> by: chardonnay http://mullentown.com/we-have-nothing-to-fear/#comment-2954 Tue, 24 Jul 2007 22:47:00 +0000 http://mullentown.com/we-have-nothing-to-fear/#comment-2954 My comments above read like a high school lecture, sorry. I was part of a tour to the USSR in 1959, American College of Surgeons group led by Dr. Ross McIntire (I was with my grandfather). Anyway, Dr.McIntire was FDR`s personal physician 1943-45 and gave this press announcement in 1944: "Nothing organically wrong with him at all. He`s perfectly O.K. The stories that he is in bad health are understandsble around election time, but they are not true." Well...Bullshit. Roosevelt was dying and McIntire knew it. One night at the hotel bar in Helsinki some of the docs had a very acrimonious discussion about this. Dr. McIntire said the country needed FDR and the past was the past. From this remove I would agree. My comments above read like a high school lecture, sorry.

I was part of a tour to the USSR in 1959, American College of Surgeons group led by Dr. Ross McIntire (I was with my grandfather). Anyway, Dr.McIntire was FDR`s personal physician 1943-45 and gave this press announcement in 1944:

“Nothing organically wrong with him at all. He`s perfectly O.K. The stories that he is in bad health are understandsble around election time, but they are not true.”

Well…Bullshit. Roosevelt was dying and McIntire knew it. One night at the hotel bar in Helsinki some of the docs had a very acrimonious discussion about this. Dr. McIntire said the country needed FDR and the past was the past. From this remove I would agree.

]]> by: redtazz http://mullentown.com/we-have-nothing-to-fear/#comment-2952 Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:29:02 +0000 http://mullentown.com/we-have-nothing-to-fear/#comment-2952 My grandmother was a True Blue Democrat from Provo, Utah all her life. She was born in 1899 and died in 1990. She was a grand lady full of spunk and determination. She raised a family of four children on a farm in Spanish Fork, Utah, during the depression. One year, her husband, (my grandfather) only made $2 for the whole year. They were very poor and the depression was a difficult time for them. FDR was their Savior. Growing up, I heard numerous stories about FDR. My mother tells of the family gathering around the large Motorola radio to listen to the President's Sunday Evening Chats. He was a hero in his time and well-loved by that generation. In those days, it was very common to find devout Mormons who were also Democrats - and very proud to be both. Now, it seems that democrats who are LDS are often questioned for their political allegiance. Eleanor Roosevelt is one of the individuals of whom I admire the most in history. My favorite quote by her is, "No one can make you feel inferior without your permission." She also said, "You must do the thing that you think you cannot do." I admire her for the strength that she brought to the presidency as well as the things her husband did. She overcame a lot of challenges (as well as her husband), including dealing with his infidelity. I will get the book and enjoy reading it. My grandmother was a True Blue Democrat from Provo, Utah all her life. She was born in 1899 and died in 1990. She was a grand lady full of spunk and determination. She raised a family of four children on a farm in Spanish Fork, Utah, during the depression. One year, her husband, (my grandfather) only made $2 for the whole year. They were very poor and the depression was a difficult time for them. FDR was their Savior. Growing up, I heard numerous stories about FDR. My mother tells of the family gathering around the large Motorola radio to listen to the President’s Sunday Evening Chats. He was a hero in his time and well-loved by that generation. In those days, it was very common to find devout Mormons who were also Democrats - and very proud to be both. Now, it seems that democrats who are LDS are often questioned for their political allegiance.

Eleanor Roosevelt is one of the individuals of whom I admire the most in history. My favorite quote by her is, “No one can make you feel inferior without your permission.” She also said, “You must do the thing that you think you cannot do.” I admire her for the strength that she brought to the presidency as well as the things her husband did. She overcame a lot of challenges (as well as her husband), including dealing with his infidelity. I will get the book and enjoy reading it.

]]> by: Holly http://mullentown.com/we-have-nothing-to-fear/#comment-2949 Mon, 23 Jul 2007 21:27:37 +0000 http://mullentown.com/we-have-nothing-to-fear/#comment-2949 To msteele: Thanks for the comments. I'm only about 90 pages into the book, which has the heft of an oversized marble bookend! I'll be looking for Smith's take on prolonging the Depression as well as the internment matter. The second would be especially enlightening. As per the Eleanor piece of "FDR," Smith writes extensively about her role in the White House, and pulls no punches regarding FDR's lover, Lucy Mercer. I mean, wouldn't you hope by the end of 800 pages the author peeks under every possible stone? I'll be disappointed if he doesn't... To msteele:
Thanks for the comments. I’m only about 90 pages into the book, which has the heft of an oversized marble bookend! I’ll be looking for Smith’s take on prolonging the Depression as well as the internment matter. The second would be especially enlightening.

As per the Eleanor piece of “FDR,” Smith writes extensively about her role in the White House, and pulls no punches regarding FDR’s lover, Lucy Mercer. I mean, wouldn’t you hope by the end of 800 pages the author peeks under every possible stone? I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t…

]]> by: tedwilson http://mullentown.com/we-have-nothing-to-fear/#comment-2948 Mon, 23 Jul 2007 21:25:45 +0000 http://mullentown.com/we-have-nothing-to-fear/#comment-2948 Talk of FDR releases a flood of memories for this second generation Rooseveltphile. I was not raised in a religious home; my dad called us "Seventh Day Recreationalists" to justify our weekend trips to the fishing streams. But if we had religion, it was to the radio set on Sunday nights to hear the fireside chats given by Roosevelt during the war. I was only five or so years old at the time and can not remember anything the Super President specifically said. But I do remember that tone of voice -- that Yankee Blue Blood accent -- that reasuring style and cadence. Even at five, I sensed a nation in trouble and a man prepared to deal with it. It's all, of course, nostalgia for the good ole' days that weren't so "good Ole'." But it has a modern slant you get to in your blog, Holly. Lesson 1: Our current troubles with shabby leadership and followership can be solved by a democratic system to bring in new blood. Lesson 2: A nation can be moved to human concern again. There were few times in our history, including this one, that were as greedy and sell-out to big business as the 1920s. Roosevelt helped to solve that. A new president can start the process in January, 2009. Thank God. Talk of FDR releases a flood of memories for this second generation Rooseveltphile. I was not raised in a religious home; my dad called us “Seventh Day Recreationalists” to justify our weekend trips to the fishing streams. But if we had religion, it was to the radio set on Sunday nights to hear the fireside chats given by Roosevelt during the war. I was only five or so years old at the time and can not remember anything the Super President specifically said. But I do remember that tone of voice — that Yankee Blue Blood accent — that reasuring style and cadence. Even at five, I sensed a nation in trouble and a man prepared to deal with it.

It’s all, of course, nostalgia for the good ole’ days that weren’t so “good Ole’.” But it has a modern slant you get to in your blog, Holly. Lesson 1: Our current troubles with shabby leadership and followership can be solved by a democratic system to bring in new blood. Lesson 2: A nation can be moved to human concern again. There were few times in our history, including this one, that were as greedy and sell-out to big business as the 1920s. Roosevelt helped to solve that. A new president can start the process in January, 2009. Thank God.

]]> by: msteele http://mullentown.com/we-have-nothing-to-fear/#comment-2947 Mon, 23 Jul 2007 20:33:37 +0000 http://mullentown.com/we-have-nothing-to-fear/#comment-2947 Before my time too, surprisingly enough...we didn't have political saints in my home growing up, but our tastes ran more toward Eisenhower, Teddy Roosevelt, and Lincoln. I'd like to know how the biographer weighs in on two controversial aspects of FDR's governance. He certainly brought hope to the people where there was none, but I keep hearing arguments that many of his programs felt good but actually prolonged the depression--that we actually have Tojo and Hitler to 'thank' for the economic revival. And I'd be interested in the writer's view of FDR's role in the internment of the Japanese American population during WWII. Before my time too, surprisingly enough…we didn’t have political saints in my home growing up, but our tastes ran more toward Eisenhower, Teddy Roosevelt, and Lincoln.

I’d like to know how the biographer weighs in on two controversial aspects of FDR’s governance. He certainly brought hope to the people where there was none, but I keep hearing arguments that many of his programs felt good but actually prolonged the depression–that we actually have Tojo and Hitler to ‘thank’ for the economic revival. And I’d be interested in the writer’s view of FDR’s role in the internment of the Japanese American population during WWII.

]]> by: One Utah » Blog Archive » How Truly Great Presidents Lead http://mullentown.com/we-have-nothing-to-fear/#comment-2945 Mon, 23 Jul 2007 19:54:33 +0000 http://mullentown.com/we-have-nothing-to-fear/#comment-2945 [...] In a weird bit of synchornicity, Holly Mullen has a post about FDR at her place this morning and last night, I reread his Four Freedoms speech.  Holly writes: I’m aching to know more about the man whose name in my childhood home was almost on par with Jesus, followed by Jack Kennedy. I’d love to hear from any and all bloggers who can impart memories or knowledge of the Roosevelt legacy to me and others on this space. It’s high time for a glimmer of hope again, isn’t it? [...] […] In a weird bit of synchornicity, Holly Mullen has a post about FDR at her place this morning and last night, I reread his Four Freedoms speech.  Holly writes: I’m aching to know more about the man whose name in my childhood home was almost on par with Jesus, followed by Jack Kennedy. I’d love to hear from any and all bloggers who can impart memories or knowledge of the Roosevelt legacy to me and others on this space. It’s high time for a glimmer of hope again, isn’t it? […]

]]> by: chardonnay http://mullentown.com/we-have-nothing-to-fear/#comment-2944 Mon, 23 Jul 2007 19:01:30 +0000 http://mullentown.com/we-have-nothing-to-fear/#comment-2944 I would rate FDR and Abraham Lincoln as our two best presidents. Roosevelt did everything he could think of to ameliorate the ravages of the Depression, some efforts worked better than others...but I think he saved democracy for America. In foreign affairs some of FDR`s actions were on the fringes of constitutionality. Fighting isolationists and being convinced a Nazi victory would be a world catastrophe, FDR advocated things like Lend-Lease and a peace-time draft. Japan ? I would blame Cordell Hull for the timing of Pearl Harbor. Hull ignored our ambassador to Japan (Joseph Grew) and rejected a plea from Prince Konoye for an October 1941 summit in Honolulu. Would this have avoided war ? Hard to say...but it would have posponed it a few months. Time we could have better used than the Japanese. Yalta was a tragedy..a dying FDR bullied by Stalin & Molotov,leaving Eastern Europe to suffer for 40+ years. Anyway, Bush 43 ? Beneath contempt. I would rate FDR and Abraham Lincoln as our two best presidents. Roosevelt did everything he could think of to ameliorate the ravages of the Depression, some efforts worked better than others…but I think he saved democracy for America.

In foreign affairs some of FDR`s actions were on the fringes of constitutionality. Fighting isolationists and being convinced a Nazi victory would be a world catastrophe, FDR advocated things like Lend-Lease and a peace-time draft.

Japan ? I would blame Cordell Hull for the timing of Pearl Harbor. Hull ignored our ambassador to Japan (Joseph Grew) and rejected a plea from Prince Konoye for an October 1941 summit in Honolulu. Would this have avoided war ? Hard to say…but it would have posponed it a few months. Time we could have better used than the Japanese.

Yalta was a tragedy..a dying FDR bullied by Stalin & Molotov,leaving Eastern Europe to suffer for 40+ years.

Anyway, Bush 43 ? Beneath contempt.

]]> by: UofUman http://mullentown.com/we-have-nothing-to-fear/#comment-2943 Mon, 23 Jul 2007 18:20:33 +0000 http://mullentown.com/we-have-nothing-to-fear/#comment-2943 A few years before my time (born in 55), but both of my parents were like yours Holly. They were shaped by the Depression and getting through it and described FDR as the saint that saved the country through that and the dark early years of WW2. Their stories of the grief that swept the country were moving and I can't help but think if W passed away today, instead of weeping and mourning we would all give a vast sign of relief. A few years before my time (born in 55), but both of my parents were like yours Holly. They were shaped by the Depression and getting through it and described FDR as the saint that saved the country through that and the dark early years of WW2.

Their stories of the grief that swept the country were moving and I can’t help but think if W passed away today, instead of weeping and mourning we would all give a vast sign of relief.

]]> by: larryomiller http://mullentown.com/we-have-nothing-to-fear/#comment-2941 Mon, 23 Jul 2007 17:05:58 +0000 http://mullentown.com/we-have-nothing-to-fear/#comment-2941 No biography or historical analysis of the FDR presidency is complete without including his wife, Eleanor. My favorite anecdote concerns the Daughters of the American Revolution denying black singer Marian Anderson an invitation to sing in one of their events. Mrs. Roosevelt's answer was arranging a concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for Ms. Anderson. Last March when my brother and I stood on the very spot on the steps of the memorial and I was telling him about the event I was moved to tears. The contrast between that act of justice and the current administration is so great as to defy logic and reason. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous "Free at Last" speech on the same spot. http://www.mariananderson.org/ No biography or historical analysis of the FDR presidency is complete without including his wife, Eleanor. My favorite anecdote concerns the Daughters of the American Revolution denying black singer Marian Anderson an invitation to sing in one of their events. Mrs. Roosevelt’s answer was arranging a concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for Ms. Anderson.

Last March when my brother and I stood on the very spot on the steps of the memorial and I was telling him about the event I was moved to tears. The contrast between that act of justice and the current administration is so great as to defy logic and reason.

Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous “Free at Last” speech on the same spot.

http://www.mariananderson.org/

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