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President's Day


In 1982, February 15 also fell on a Monday. That was the first day of my new job as an assistant editor at  a small special education publishing house, the start of a new era for me. Because it was a paid federal holiday for the company, I didn't start until the next day. Nine years ago, I wrote a post about this first job that started me on my writing career. Please click here if you interested.

This being President's Day, I chose to find a quote by President James A Garfield. In doing so, I learned that he was a progressive man for his times, including the Republican Party to which he belonged. It was unfortunate that the 20th U.S. president only served six months in office, of which the last two months, he tried to recover from a bullet in his abdomen. President Garfield was assassinated by a mad man in July 1881. Some experts say that his death could have been avoided if his doctors had sterilized their hands and instruments before treating him.

Here's a quote from "A Century of Congress" written by President Garfield, when he was still a member of the House of Representatives, for the April 1877 issue of The Atlantic: "And this leads me to say that now, more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand those high qualities to represent them in the national legislature."  

I'm sorely disappointed that the former fake president was not convicted for his sins against our country. My thanks to the 57 Senators who know better. 

 “If there be one thing upon this earth that mankind love and admire better than another it is a brave man who dares to look the devil in the face and tell him he is a devil.”  —President James A. Garfield

Comments

  1. My high school U.S. history teacher was obsessed with Chester A. Arthur. Who's that? Garfield's veep who became president after Garfield's death.
    An apt quote. Alas, I guess we as a people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. Well, watching TV and listening to some of these people, I think they revel in their ignorance and recklessness. Those qualities lead to the corruption.

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    1. I think Chester Arthur had a handlebar mustache and wore a checkered suit. . . Yeah, I hope we can put a brake on it at least with the new administration.

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  2. Thanks for this nourishing post.

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  3. Tow stories in ONE . . . with just a click.
    So amazing. Happy President's Day! Happy George Washington's Birthday!!!
    love & love,
    -g-

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  4. I am glad on this Presidents’ Day, we have a real president again

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  5. It is good to think of the great presidents you have had and I pray that Trump will still get charged as a regular person. It’s amazing that money and power still talk even when there is overwhelming evidence that Stump was guilty. I think many voted out of fear and a belief that they need him somehow. This man, despite losing tons of money somehow has a hold on some of the men in the Republican Party and he rules by bullying and threats. I think this is what has driven many to chose to acquit this idiot.

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    1. I've been thinking along the same lines, Birgit. The silver lining for this disappointing outcome is that Trump was declared guilty by the majority of the Senators and that only 10 more votes were needed rather than 17. That's what I'm telling myself. Let the civil suits and criminal charges begin.

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  6. Replies
    1. Sighing is goo. It leads to taking long deep breaths to steady us forward. :-)

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  7. I read an interesting book about President Garfield's medical treatment. His doctor was Dr. Doctor Willard Bliss (love the name), and he didn't believe in cleanliness He frequently probed the president's wound with his unwashed, ungloved hand. I, too, hope that we'll see charges against 45.

    Love,
    Janie

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    Replies
    1. Shudder. The lawsuits and charges have begun to rain. Serves him right, as Mama would have said, but in other words. :-)

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Thanks for the good cheer. :-)

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