A comparison of the trajectory of presidential communiques, after the jump ….
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I have neither the time (nor the inclination) to comprehensively detail the change in presidential letters and communications — someone on this site may well have done so already (or is more suited to the task, including having the time to do so).
Instead, I’d just like to look at three examples — within the past fifty years — to see the trend line.
In October, 1968 both Tom and Dick Smothers wrote a letter to President Lyndon Johnson. As David Bianculli wrote in his wonderful book Dangerously Funny — about the landmark Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1967-1969) — the brothers had skewered President Johnson over the Vietnam War numerous times (if not themselves, then via Pat Paulsen and other cast members). And rumor had it that Johnson had contacted CBS boss Bill Paley over their show (and others).
But towards the end of the legendary 1968 presidential campaign, Tom and Dick were genuinely touched by some of the words and deeds of President Johnson, the brothers had admired many of Johnson’s domestic achievements and said they would vote for him (had he not withdrawn his name). And they wondered if … perhaps they had gone too-far in their criticisms of LBJ (due to their anxiety over the war)?
And in their letter to him — the (short) second page is not included for size limitations (it can be read at the link above) — they asked for forgiveness.
2nd page has one paragraph and salutationsThey received a reply ten days later, and a few months later — on what turned out to be the final episode of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (April 20, 1969) — Dick Smothers read the two middle paragraphs of the letter below on-air. LBJ may not have written anything more eloquent.
President Lyndon Johnson’s Nov, 1968 replyIt is well-known to political junkies that when a new president takes office, the outgoing president leaves a note for their successor in the Oval Office desk, as a matter of tradition.
Nearly twenty-five years after the LBJ letter above, one cannot help but note the kind words written by someone … to the man who handily defeated him in his re-election bid.
George H.W. Bush’s note for Bill Clinton, 1993And today ……. well, to be precise: this was written by a then president-elect (who was not yet in office) — and I suppose it’s a bit unfair to expect much in 140 characters. Still, has there ever been a more depressing sign-of-the-times than …… (gulp) …. this?
xHappy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don't know what to do. Love!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2016We need to clear-the-air after that … and having mentioned the Smothers Brothers: in 1988 they were invited by CBS to have a 20th anniversary show. Staff writer Mason Williams had also written the theme song for the show … plus this gem, Classical Gas— which became one of the most popular instrumental hits of the post-Beatles era. So he reprised his tune on that reunion show.
x xYouTube Video======================================================
Now, on to Top Comments:
From ursalafaw:
In the diary by pentupnrgy about the postponement of the vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act — I'm nominating this comment by blue aardvark because it is so poetic and (I hope) prophetic as well.From Canadian Reader:
In the front-page story about George W. Bush’s ethics lawyer convinced that the FBI is discovering acts of treason — This comment by mstaggerlee perfectly reminds us just how far things have now gone.
And from Ed Tracey, your faithful correspondent this evening ........
In the diary by anna19876 about the riposte to DJT’s boast (about batting “100%”) made by Nancy Pelosi after the ACA repeal vote had to be postponed ……. Ammo Hauler gave sound advice on how to roast Our-Man-in Washington going forward.And lastly: yesterday's Top Mojo - mega-mojo to the intrepid mik ...... who rescued this feature from oblivion:
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