Some Future Historian

In an article published in the New York Times in 1971, journalist Patrick Anderson asserted, “Barbara Tuchman, in her most recent book, has viewed the American experience in China in 1911-45 through the career of General Stilwell, and I think some future historian may decide that the Cold War experience can well be seen through the focus of Clifford’s career. This is not to say that Clifford is a heroic figure, or always an admirable figure, but that he is a representative figure, very American in his strengths and weaknesses, and pre-eminently a man caught up in the tides of his time.”[1] And that, right there, is why I am writing this thesis.

---

[1] Patrick Anderson, Clark Clifford “Sounds the Alarm,” New York Times, August 8, 1971.

Shut Down by the President (in case you had any doubt about who exactly Sen. Russell was addressing)

"[Senator] Russell: Well, I don't hardly know how to reply to all of this because it is so damn general and deals with suppositions of which I have no knowledge at all. I want to say something but damn if I can see any place to put my teeth in other than to build up a straw man. Then you go calling up reserves--that would make me look silly.

President [Johnson]: Well, I think you ought to say that first the Committee of the Congress and the reservists themselves have been urging that they be called up because we have a strategic reserve--twelve divisions when we go into this thing and it is down to six and they ought to be called up. Now, the President has had the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs to talk to you about it, the President has talked to the other chairmen [sic] about it, you believe the President has talked to a good many Senators, and if any Senator wants to talk to the President about it you are sure the President will be glad to hear his views. There has been no President that has ever consulted to much with the Senate as the present President. Now, so far as the Senate running the war, this is something else.

Russell: No, of course, the Senate cannot do that."

"Telephone Conversation Between President Johnson and Senator Richard Russell," March 7, 1968, Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964-1968 Vol. VI (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2002), 344.

Harry C. McPherson, a Presidential Counsel, Dies at 82

This happened last Saturday, but I only got around to reading the obituary today.

I spent a good part of the day reading through McPherson's Oral Histories from the Lyndon B. Johnson Library while writing my thesis (you can find his oral histories here if you are interested). At one point, McPherson casually mentioned borrowing a pair of the president's pajamas and sleeping for a few hours after being called in to work at 2am. That little detail truly tickled me. Can you imagine taking a nap in LBJ's PJs?!

Here is the New York Times obituary. It's a great tribute to an extraordinary man. Clark Clifford is even mentioned: "[McPherson] and Defense Secretary Clark M. Clifford helped persuade the president to scale back the bombing of North Vietnam." That's exactly what the latest chapter of my thesis is about.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/18/us/politics/harry-c-mcpherson-jr-counsel-to-lbj-dies-at-82.html

Occupy NYC is Being Raided

Watch the live feed at www.livestream.com/occupynyc

Spread the word. The whole world is watching.

Great Article on the OWS Movement

Here's a great article on the Occupy Wall Street movement.

The parallels between OWS and the protests of the 60s are uncanny.

But can we make a difference? God, I hope so.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/how-i-stopped-worrying-and-learned-to-love-the-ows-protests-20111110#ixzz1dVD9dXXG

Oakland 2011, Similarities?

In response to the last post about the protesters and police Oakland in 1960's, here is a picture from Tuesday when the police tear gassed the protesters of Occupy Oakland:

Oakland 1967

Police officers clash with draft protesters in downtown Oakland. October 20, 1967. Bill Crouch, photographer. Gelatin silver print. Collection of Oakland Museum of California. The Oakland Tribune Collection. Gift of ANG Newspapers.

Source: Oakland Museum of California

Wise Words from LBJ

"If you make a commitment to jump off a building, and you find out that the building is too high, you may withdraw the commitment."

From Clark Clifford's memoir.

AGW

My first contribution to this blog is a flash back to high school. This is the first episode of Clone High, an MTV show that takes major historical figures such as Gandhi, JFK, and Cleopatra and places their clones in high school together. It is really fast and dumb, so if you are looking for some time to kill (but who has any time really?) check it out.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6439298546442487740

Hearts and Stars,

HJF

Three Really Great Finds

While browsing around a little antique store that I honestly didn't know existed until this weekend, I stumbled across a gold mine. Hidden on the lower shelf of a coffee table covered in knick-knacks were piles of old LIFE magazines, mainly from the 60s and 70s. While there were at least 6 that I wanted to buy, I settled on these three:

The first, an issue on the year 1968, covers everything from MLK's assassination to the Democratic National Convention. There are, of course, some great tidbits on the Vietnam War stuck in there.

The second, from 1968, is an issue on the Presidency. It is filled with pictures of LBJ in his office, with his family, and speaking to his advisers.

The third was, for me, one of the most exciting finds. This issue has a small section devoted to the bombing halts of 1968. I'm currently writing a research paper on the debates surrounding these same bombing halts. I am also working on an honors thesis on Clark Clifford, Johnson's Secretary of Defense in 1968, and he appears in many of the photographs in this issue.

The other customers were probably giving me strange looks, as I did a little dance every time I stumbled across something new and exciting in each of these magazines.

Now I just have to figure out what I am going to do with them...

AGW

A Cartoon about Political Cartoons

If you haven't already been to www.harkavagrant.com, you should check it out!

Lyndon B. Johnson

Really, you gotta love him.

While avoiding a history paper, I managed to stumble across a Wikiquotes page with some interesting quotes attributed to our dear LBJ. I have no idea how accurate they are, but either way they should make you laugh.

Check them out here.

Also, here we have LBJ skillfully intimidating Richard Russell in 1964. Wouldn't want to get on his bad side. Russell was a Georgia Senator and a non-supporter of Civil Rights.

American Presidents in their Youth

Aww, look at the little presidents!

http://www.funzug.com/index.php/celebrities/presidents-in-their-young-age.html

My friend Trisha sent that link to me, and I thought you all might enjoy it.

Love and Communism,
AGW

Comics

CMS was kind enough to share this comic with me:

http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=229

After I did some investigating, I found these:

http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=230

http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=231

Enjoy!

AGW

Howard Zinn

I love this man.

Another lunchtime tidbit. . .

Check this out. It was circulating on my Facebook newsfeed this morning, and I thought it merited reposting here for the benefit of all of you. Other than the Columbia joke - too soon? - and the fact that they misspelled "Caesar", it makes for a pretty enjoyable few minutes.

Abrazos,
GME

The French Revolution - Meh.

Alright, if you know me, you know that I HATE the French Revolution. You also know that I had to take a 19th Century European class in which I realized that not only do I hate European history, I hate France too. The following semester I had to study the historical methodology of the French Revolution. I will be happy if I never have to learn about that damn revolution again. YOU CAN'T APPLY ROUSSEAU TO REAL LIFE, PEOPLE! Also, the Declaration of the Rights of Man?! Ridiculous. And Unrealistic. And Evil. Technically I'm only referring to one small phrase that says "Law is the expression of the general will" which really pisses me off. It sounds like law will be made by the majority opinion, right? WRONG. It means that every one of the delightfully enlightened people that set about making laws will all come to the same conclusion, and that will be the right conclusion. Good luck with that.

ANYWAY, imagine my disappointment when I saw that the latest vlogbrothers video is all about the French Revolution. However, since this is a history blog, and I am all for educating people about history, this is a pretty good video that you should watch.



Love and Latin American Communism,
AGW

Halloween!

So, I was Che for Halloween. Go figure. Here are some pictures:


On a slightly different note, my history professor had us dress up (NOT on Halloween) as various senior officials from the Lyndon B. Johnson administration and call him Mr. President. I am dressed at Dean Rusk, and Grace is Bill Bundy:


Love and Communism,
AGW

Say What?!

If you only want to hear the funny historical part, start the video at 2:32ish and watch until 3:03.

It's also just a good video, because the vlogbrothers are amazing. If you don't know who they are, you should find out.



Love, Communism, and DFTBA
AGW

A Lunchtime Treat.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Garry Wills
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes 2010 Election March to Keep Fear Alive

Colbert Report Full Episodes

2010 Election

March to Keep Fear Alive

¡Viva la patria!
GME