Dwight David Eisenhower hops in the time machine recovered from Roswell and weighs in on the 2012 Republican Presidential ticket:
Now it is true that I believe this country is following a dangerous trend when it permits too great a degree of centralization of governmental functions. I oppose this--in some instances the fight is a rather desperate one. But to attain any success it is quite clear that the Federal government cannot avoid or escape responsibilities which the mass of the people firmly believe should be undertaken by it. The political processes of our country are such that if a rule of reason is not applied in this effort, we will lose everything--even to a possible and drastic change in the Constitution. This is what I mean by my constant insistence upon "moderation" in government. Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes you can do these things. Among them are H. L. Hunt (you possibly know his background), a few other Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or business man from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid [President Dwight David Eisenhower, letter to Edgar Newton Eisenhower, November 8, 1954].
Paul Ryan's supporters will point out, of course, that Ike was a RINO pinko commie.
Eisenhower also never used a teleprompter.
Ryan gesturing cops about woman rushing the stage: "see this one here?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PXCxBDTMqQ
Here is some background on Eisenhower:
Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th. President of the United States (R) Unknown Mason Status. Was also a member of the Anti-American organization known as the Council of Foreign Relations (CFR). Was also a member of the all-male ultra-exclusive Bohemian Club to which every Republican President since Herbert Hoover has belonged. Secret Societies, Bohemian Club Also grew up as a Jehovah's Witness. Why Eisenhower Hid His Jehovah's Witness Background
By secret Executive order by President Eisenhower, the Jason Scholars were ordered to study mans impact on the Earth. They reached the conclusion that by, or shortly after, the year 2000 the planet would self destruct due to increased population and man's exploitation of the environment with out any help from God or the Aliens. The Jason Society confirmed the findings of the scientist and made three recommendations called ALTERNATIVES 1, 2, and 3.Vice President Richard M. Nixon 1953-1961. Unknown Mason status. 1953-1961 President Eisenhower’s Special Advisor for Cold War Strategy was Nelson Rockefeller. Confirmed Illuminati. * The Old Boys- The American Elite & The Origins of the CIA by Burton Hersh, On page 41. See also: Secrets Of The Watchtower And Bible Tract Society
http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/uspresidentasmasonspt3.htm
Eisenhower personally wired WTC 7 to blow.
I always liked Ike, Lincoln, TR and Grant as Republican presidents. The others, not so much. Thanks for the great Eisenhower quote - I will use it in my Modern U.S. History class. The quote is a good reminder of what has happened to the Republican party over the last 50 years. I don't know if any of the aforementioned Republican presidents would recognize the GOP today. Ryan is a reptile.
Oh, to be teaching U.S. History in an election year! What fun, Robert!
--=I will use it in my Modern U.S. History class. The quote is a good reminder of what has happened to the Republican party over the last 50 years. I don’t know if any of the aforementioned Republican presidents would recognize the GOP today.
Your bias is showing, and it is what is wrong with today's educators.
Where in today's Dem party will one find a Bob Casey or a Scoop Jackson?
The ideological cleansing of the Dem party would shock even racists like LBJ and Al Gore, Sr.
--Oh, to be teaching U.S. History in an election year! What fun, Robert!
Based on your name-calling and other comments made here, I for one thank god that you're not "teaching". Your inability to think and express yourself logically without contrstucting a strawman disqualifies you from any classroom.
--Ryan is a reptile.
Bozo Biden is a racist parasite.
President Carter gets prime-time slot: POLITICO.
Julie,
I won't use my own quote about Ryan being a reptile but I will let my students decide for themselves about the evolution or devolution of the Republican party and/ or the Democratic party based on policy and quotes like the one that Cory used above. I try my best to be historically accurate and objective in the classroom. Students frequently ask me which party I belong to (I never answer). I do like this blog because it does allow me express my political views in a public forum.
By the way, what do you think Ike, Lincoln, Grant and TR would think of the GOP today? As a historian, I would say that they would have a hard time recognizing the Republican party. Your thoughts?
-- By the way, what do you think Ike, Lincoln, Grant and TR would think of the GOP today? As a historian, I would say that they would have a hard time recognizing the Republican party. Your thoughts?
They, and their Dem contemporaries, would have a hard time recognizing their country.
What do you think FDR ,Truman and LBJ would think of the Dem party today? As a historian, I would say that they would have a hard time recognizing the Dem party. What do you think?
--Students frequently ask me which party I belong to (I never answer).
Students aren't stupid so why be so coy?
-- I do like this blog because it does allow me express my political views in a public forum.
"Ryan is a reptile" is NOT a political view. Coming from an educator, it's shameful.
If one of your educator colleagues were to suggest that Barney Frank is a reptile, you'd be screaming for his resignation.
--Thanks for the great Eisenhower quote – I will use it in my Modern U.S. History class.
--I try my best to be historically accurate and objective in the classroom.
Your selection of the quote contradicts your claim of objectivity.
Julie,
If someone were to say that Barney Frank was a reptile or reptilian, I would ask them what personal qualities or policies he has advocated make him a reptile. I am not beyond being critical of the Democratic party.
--I would ask them what personal qualities or policies he has advocated make him a reptile.
Yet, you described Ryan as a reptile without bothering to explain why. You assumed that your reader(s) would automatically agree with you so there was no need to explain, because heck, all proper thinking and informed readers should agree: Rep = Ryan = reptile, right?
--I am not beyond being critical of the Democratic party.
You've posted here quite a bit. Quote yourself being critical of a Dem or the Dem party.
"The quote is a good reminder of what has happened to the Republican party over the last 50 years."
Like the Democrat Party has not also moved to the left.
"Ryan is a reptile."
And you are a teacher. I feel very sad for the children. Why don't you teach some of Eisenhower's background that I provided?
Robert, you are sufferring from the same foot in mouth disease that has inflected Joe Biden. Where do you teach, I may want to file a complaint.
Feeling bitter and uber defensive today?
SInce we're quoting Eisenhower:
"We . . . must avoid the impulse to live only for today, plundering for our own ease and convenience the precious resources of tomorrow. We cannot mortgage the material assets of our grandchildren without risking the loss also of their political and spiritual heritage. We want democracy to survive for all generations to come, not to become the insolvent phantom of tomorrow."
Farewell speech, 1961
[CAH: ...which is exactly why we need to resist Paul Ryan's call for cutting taxes for the rich, collect revenue now to pay for the things we've already bought, and free our grandchildren of that burden.]
When I was 5, near Madrid, President Eisenhower and Generalissimo Franco drove by me in a motorcade to wage war against the Soviet Union together.
We won, right?
--Where do you teach, I may want to file a complaint.
I don't think he's incompetent or unfair in grading, but his knee-jerk statement that, " I try my best to be historically accurate and objective in the classroom," is usually an indicator that biases do enter the classroom (it's akin to saying that "some of my best friends are black" to defend oneself against prejudice).
In any case, students are not stupid and will inevitably parrot what their teacher wants to hear, and THAT's what's really shameful and sad.
if he doesn't think that his students don't read his comments here, and won't make some informed conclusions about their teacher, then maybe he should go.
NO ONE is sugesting that he cannot air his views; I am suggesting that it is inappropriate and will have a chilling effect in his classroom.
I'm surprised he would not know that. Unless your goal is to indoctrinate regardless.
In a few short days Willard Romney and Paul Ryan will drive by in a motorcade to bring Generalissimo Franco from the grave to begin a new holy war.
Pro-life or just pro-ethnic cleansing?
Ms. Gross (NE)
I have a few questions.
You indicate that you abhor liberal bias. Do believe that conservative bias also exists?
You claim that it's imporper for a teacher to air his views on a blog. Do you believe that teachers should not write letters to the editor? Do you believe they should refrain from voting? Should they serve on church boards or the boards of civic groups?
In you mind, should anyone who disagrees with your postions be allowed to teach?
Just curious
Julie and Steve,
If I am a biased liberal Democrat, why would I admit that I liked Ike, Lincoln, TR and even Grant as Republican presidents? Do modern Republicans still revere these men or have they just forgotten what they stood for?
--You indicate that you abhor liberal bias. Do believe that conservative bias also exists?
History, biology, sociology, and polysci are almost totally dominated by liberals ands their biases, and it's a self-contained unit, meaning conservatives do not advance. What typically happens is that teachers in these areas adopt a "crusade" attitude: whether it's a green agenda, an LBGT agenda, or "raise awareness about _____", or wear pink to fiht cancer--these teachers conscript their students to join the cause.
--You claim that it’s imporper for a teacher to air his views on a blog.
The word I used was "inappropriate".
--Do you believe that teachers should not write letters to the editor? Do you believe they should refrain from voting? Should they serve on church boards or the boards of civic groups?
I think that teachers should refrain from doing so, especially conservative teachers. As we saw at the FRC in DC, simply holding conservative views about say, gay marriage, can endanger one's life let alone a career.
--In you mind, should anyone who disagrees with your postions be allowed to teach?
A parent would not know or notice the political, ideological or religious views of a good teacher; so there would be no basis on which to disagree.
--If I am a biased liberal Democrat, why would I admit that I liked Ike, Lincoln, TR and even Grant as Republican presidents? Do modern Republicans still revere these men or have they just forgotten what they stood for?
1. Why haven't you asked the same question about modern Dems? I gave you the opening, yet you failed to go through it.
2. Where's your critical quotes of Dems? You've written 1000s of words here, and claim to have been critical of Dems, but where are your quotes of your criticisms?
If you cannot provide #2, I must conclude that your statement,
"I am not beyond being critical of the Democratic party." is BS.
Waiting...
Should teachers model healthy body images? Or would obese teachers have to work only with obese children?
Obesity rates in christian states far outnumber those in blue states: all people with a BMI over 23 has to move to a red state.
"Do modern Republicans still revere these men or have they just forgotten what they stood for?"
You mean destruction of state's rights, and replaced with central control in DC?
THEODORE ROOSEVELT (1858-1919)
Twenty-sixth President (1901-1909)
MASONIC RECORD
Initiated: January 2, 1901, Matinecock Lodge No. 806, Oyster Bay, New York. Brother and President Roosevelt visited the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania (in its present home, the Masonic Temple at One North Broad Street) on November 5, 1902, for the Celebration of the Sesqui-Centennial of Brother George Washington's Initiation into Freemasonry.
http://www.pagrandlodge.org/mlam/presidents/troosevelt.html
Julie,
Here are some of my historical criticisms of my Democratic party :
LBJ waged a war in Vietnam that was based on deception and lies. JFK (my favorite president) authorized the assasination of a popular leader of a foreign country (Castro). Carter was a moral man but he is not always seen as a great president by most historians. I could go on.
Should I teach some of these things in my class? Students examine these ideas in class. Students are free to discuss these ideas. I do not engage in hagiography in my classroom. Both parties and their leaders are subject to scrutiny and criticism.
Thomas Jefferson revered the Enlightenment, Steve, and believed god to be a mere plate-spinner: he was a Mason, right?
ICYMI: Max Baucus has been getting roasted by the Montana Democrats blogosphere in part for selling Tom Daschle down the river.
-JFK (my favorite president) authorized the assasination of a popular leader of a foreign country (Castro).
1. Popular? Castro was popular? How does one measure the popularity of a leader who develped his own cult of personality under the threat of jail or death?
2. Under Cuba's constitution from independence up to the time of Castro's overthrow, the US retained the right to interveve in Cuba's internal affairs, finances ,and foregn affairs. So, the US had the LEGAL right to intervene.
Facts anyone?
Lastly, have you discussed in any of your classes, Obama's decision to assassinate at least 2 US CITIZENS without accusation, trial, or conviction?
--Carter was a moral man but he is not always seen as a great president by most historians
Moral? Sorry.
When Jimma ran for governor in 1970, he was against busing, he was in favor of publicly-funded private schools to avoid desegrefgation, and wanted to invite segregationist Geo. Wallace to come to Georgia to give a speech. His campaign also distributed photos of his opponent celebrating with black basketball players.
In 1980, Jimma was about to try the same dirty tricks on Reagan but was warned that his shenanigans from1970 would be used against him.
Was it moral for Jimma to personally lobby for the ongoing payments to the sexual harassing founder of Habitat for Humanity?
Time & time again, when Jimma had the opportunity to take the high road, he chose to futher his own career.
Wow--a historian rewriting history!
--Carter was a moral man but he is not always seen as a great president by most historians
That's an odd phrasing. Your other two criticisms were given as fact, but this is qualified as "by most historians". Do you agree with most historians?
Reagan's election campaign promised Iran concessions to hold hostages until after President Carter left office: Jimmy has long redeemed his mistakes with action.
Julie,
I have made a reasonable attempt at displaying my objectivity. I have not discussed your last issue in any of my classes but I think I will now that you mention it. We could discuss Operation Mongoose and Obama's assasination attempts on U.S. citizens like Anwar al-Awaki. Thanks.
Mr. Cordts: I have a feeling that I would love for my children to have you has a history teacher. It seems that you embrace the idea that students should be forced to think and ideas should be challenged and tested and not accepted on face value. The problem is that people like Sibson and Julie NE jump all over people that don't think the way they do and try to she them down.
Julie (NE) I am sure you must oppose the teaching of the Grapes of Wrath since it promotes a socialistic agenda. Maybe you don't like the fact that a history book might mention that slavery in the United States was a great evil. I see that one skill you failed to learn in school was the idea of respect and understanding for your fellow being.
--It seems that you embrace the idea that students should be forced to think and ideas should be challenged and tested and not accepted on face value.
How should students challenge a teacher who says, "Ryan is a reptile"?
--The problem is that people like Sibson and Julie NE jump all over people that don’t think the way they do and try to she them down.
Well, first you claim that challenging & testing ideas is a good thing, and then criticize me for doing just that. Pick one please.
--Julie (NE) I am sure you must oppose the teaching of the Grapes of Wrath since it promotes a socialistic agenda.
1. Unrelated.
2. Strawman
--Maybe you don’t like the fact that a history book might mention that slavery in the United States was a great evil.
"Evil" sounds rather judgmental--I thought history was supposed to be objective and fact-based. "Evil" is a value judgement. Would you mind if history books decsribed homosexuality as a evil, since well, nearly every culture & society condemned it throughout history?
--I see that one skill you failed to learn in school was the idea of respect and understanding for your fellow being.
I see that you enjoy jumping to your own conclusions. I hope you do not teach.
Almost a million hits: bet PP wishes he wouldn't have flushed the War Toilet....
"The problem is that people like Sibson and Julie NE jump all over people that don’t think the way they do and try to she them down."
You should know, you seem to be an expert at that.
Should US taxpayer bail out the catholic church?
http://www.economist.com/node/21560536?fsrc=scn/tw/te/pe/earthlyconcerns
Julie: -How should students challenge a teacher who says, “Ryan is a reptile�-
First of all, he doesn't say that to students. So who is bringing up the straw man argument?
-Well, first you claim that challenging & testing ideas is a good thing, and then criticize me for doing just that. Pick one please.-
Okay. Challenge and test, not gripe and threaten. There is a major difference. Are you opposing the culture of his classrooms or his personal belief structure. I have not seen one comment from you that shows that you would support an open and honest discussion without personal attacks and in a balanced way. I have a feeling based on Mr. Cordts comments that my child would be exposed to both the positive impact that Nixon had in foreign policy and the negative impact his action had on trust of the government. Your attempts to demonize a person does not make it a challenge but a personal attack. I choose the path of challenging in a civil manner.
–Julie (NE) I am sure you must oppose the teaching of the Grapes of Wrath since it promotes a socialistic agenda.
1. Unrelated.
2. Strawman-
Not really unrelated and not a Strawman attack at all. Grapes of Wrath has been one of those books that were banned in schools (fairly though it wasn't a political issue). Steinbeck was a major supporter of Roosevelt's the new deal and to try and show the role that corporate America was having on the working class citizens. It would be a mistake in my view not to examine the social culture and implications of the book and to discuss if Steinbeck was fair in his portrayal. This goes to the heart of the idea that we should not have things taught in school that might challenge our world views (political or otherwise). My position is that you would not like the discussion on the political issue since it may challenge the view that the government can have a positive role in society and that business and greed can destroy a society.
-“Evil†sounds rather judgmental–I thought history was supposed to be objective and fact-based. “Evil†is a value judgement. Would you mind if history books decsribed homosexuality as a evil, since well, nearly every culture & society condemned it throughout history?-
Evil is a bit strong and you are right. How about a violation of human rights. Just to be clear, you are not saying that slavery was okay are you?
-I see that you enjoy jumping to your own conclusions. I hope you do not teach.-
Ditto
-“The problem is that people like Sibson and Julie NE jump all over people that don’t think the way they do and try to she them down.â€
You should know, you seem to be an expert at that.-
Sorry should have been shut them down. I am, but try to without the physical threat of violence or name-calling usually.
Who's willing to chip in for Date Night in Madville for Sibby and Julie G.? If they aren't in reality the same person, their manic snarkiness and 12th Century ideology seem to be cut from the same cloth. It's time to get these cute, cuddly kids together for some big fun in Lake County. Dinner at Nicky's and a tour of the Prairie Village might be ideal. Any thoughts?
Julie, your headhunting is exactly why far too many teachers, some of the smartest, best-read people in our communities, do keep silent about politics, and that's a shame. I'll vouch for Robert: he knows his stuff and teaches well. I see nothing in his commentary here that makes me think he wouldn't give students a fair reading of history.
Julie, if you really think its "inappropriate" for teachers to express political views on blogs, then you must find my presence online absolutely outrageous. I reject your statement. Teachers have as much right to participate in civic discourse as any other citizen. Students need to see that their teachers are active participants in their communities, not silent drones pretending to have no opinions or feelings. We model good citizenship by speaking here.
And I don't think we've said anything worse than what Eisenhower said, that people of the Romney-Ryan persuasion are "stupid" in thinking that unraveling the social safety net is a good idea.
Dougal, if Julie comes to the Hills (I'm back in Spearfish for the school year), I'd be happy to have her come observe my French classroom for signs of the incompetence of which she accuses me, followed by a dinner at which we could talk things out eye to eye. She can even invite Gordon Howie and Ed Randazzo to make a comedy video of the meeting. I think Julie and I on video would be comic gold.
(And Dougal, were we in Madison, I'd insist on Skippers or El Vaquero, not Nicky's.)
We largely forget the great progressive tradition in the Midwest states largely came out of the Republican Party, and that the party once had solid small business and Mainstreet "good government" conservatives who could counterbalance the big business elite and the cowboy capitalists. Most of the rational people have long since left the party. The devolution of the Republican Party into the party of racists and religious fanatics who do the bidding of the Wall Street elite is one of the saddest things I've witnessed in my lifetime.
As a former school board member, I would just advise that teachers have a constitutional right to freedom of speech that can't be abridged by government (ie., the school board).
Also, teachers, especially in social studies/history departments, have a responsibility in the classroom to engage students in discussion of political issues. Addressing controversial issues and statements is often the best way to make these issues relevant to students who all too often just tune out. Of course discusion should be done with proper respect for a variety of opinions.