Capitol Ideas

By history_tchr

February 22, 2006 08:38 AM | Link to this

Yes it’s a fact that FDR had an affair. Many of our presidents had affairs and other skeletons in their closets. Are we going to demolish the Jefferson Memorial because TJ had slaves and children with one of his slaves? What about the Washington Memorial? Many southern states still honor Robert E. Lee with a day, although he committed treason. I teach my students not to judge past historical figures with today’s mores. You have to look at the totality of the person’s life. They are human like the rest of us with human flaws.

And there is another motive to consider. Is this a partisan issue? FDR was the probably one of the greatest presidents of the 20th Century and ranks near the all-time list, despite the warts. Could the Republican lawmaker see this as a way to deny an honor to a Democrat. It is alleged that the 22nd Amendment was passed as a direct insult on FDR and the fear of Democrats rising popularity. There was also talk on the margins about repealing it so that Reagan could run for a 3rd term.

We will always have good leaders with faults. If we begin to scrub away the good these leaders have done because of moral issues, then our country will become a blank slate.

By Melissa

February 22, 2006 09:10 AM | Link to this

FDR was a great President and should be honored with a special day. It is sick that a small bitter politician such as Hill would try to deny that honor to such a great and powerful President and then hide his partisan rancor behind 1 constituent. Well Hill, How many of your constituents receive Social Security and fought in WWII, but I guess those accomplishments don’t mean enough in your republican playbook.

By nick

February 22, 2006 09:16 AM | Link to this

I, also, can’t believe this, and I’m a Republican. Affairs or no affairs, FDR’s presidency during WWII won us the war over the Nazis and the fascists, and he deserves a day as much as any other president.

By Mike

February 22, 2006 09:19 AM | Link to this

Good luck getting a holiday for middle age white guy in Atlanta, yeah right. Wishful thinking.

By Chad

February 22, 2006 09:50 AM | Link to this

All we talk about around here is days for people……..Coretta Scott King, FDR, geez, we can honor all these people without giving ‘days’ to them. All these people we’ve talked about here did great things, but there have been many great folks and there will continue to be, do we have to honor them all with days and pictures and this and that? Throw FDR in with President’s day or something.

What about Burt Reynolds and Dominique Wilkins? They are great Georgians too, let’s have days for them!

By bill

February 22, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this

Yes, Absolutely! FDR gave us government social programs the likes of which this country had never seen before. So yes, we should commemorate FDR for all that he has done for our country. Lets remember him on May first … May Day. That way we can remember him for what he truly is, - a Socialist.

By jim dumond

February 22, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this

Why not just make a day for everyone that ever visited Georgia?

WHO REALLY CARES??? Don’t our legislatures have more urgent business to attend to? Is this what we elected them for?

Geez

By Reggi

February 22, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this

Yes, FDR would be deserving of such an honor, regardless of his affair.

As for the idiot that said Robert E. Lee was a traitor, he was no more of a traitor than George Washington was to the British government when he chose to take up arms against it.

By jim dumond

February 22, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this

I can’t get over the fact that we pay people to come up with this crap.

By Greg

February 22, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this

I’ve resided in Georgia since 1987. I’ve had to stomach such things as multiple state flags, declaring grits as the official state food, and now creating an electives class in school to teach the relevence of the Bible in our society.

Is it any wonder Georgia ranks dead last in education?

The state is essentially controlled by sleazy politicians who are being greased by the land developers.

Do we get such legislation because we do not expect much?

By Nate

February 22, 2006 12:37 PM | Link to this

Somehow I sense a Jimmy Carter day in the not too distant future !

Carter hasn’t met a dictator or tyrant he didn’t like!

By jim dumond

February 22, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this

If the old axiom is true that you get what you pay for then we are really overpaying the jerks that represent us in government.

This is over the top!

By Charles

February 22, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this

The affairs he had are meaningless; FDR should not be honored because he did more damage to this country’s principles of individual liberty and limited government than any other person in our history.

Many of FDR’s programs to fight the Great Depression actually extended it. His lackadaisacal comment about “unconditional surrender” at Casablanca not only was without the agreement of his allies but cost many thousands of American lives in the Ardennes and along the Rhine. His pitiful performance and toadying to Stalin cost all of Eastern Europe its freedom for fifty years and cost the United States thousands of lives and billions of dollars in the Cold War . Social Security was built on the lie that there exists a “trust fund” to replenish it. The alphabet agencies of the 30’s have been expensively replicated since the 60’s all to the same effect as FEMA had on the Gulf Coast.

No. FDR was a lousy president and did tremendous harm to this country. The foregoing is just a small sample of the lives he destroyed and the money he cost.

He deserves nothing but rembrance of of how and why we must not honor him, nor seek to emulate him.

By Sam Ensley

February 22, 2006 01:10 PM | Link to this

President was one of our greatest presidents. He led the country out of a terrible depressiion. The attempt by Republican legislators to derail a day to honor him is nothing but a partisan sham. President Eisenhower had an affair with his driver. The first President Bush had affairs. ( I know, with a wife as ugly as Barbara, who could blame him.) President Reagan sold guns to Iran which might be brought to fire against us, yet the Republicans want to name everything in the country after him. For once, I wish the hate-mongering, Republican legislators would get over their kid-in-a-candy-store glee at having the power in Georgia politics and do something for the whole state instead of themselves. I hope they remember that what goes around, comes around.

By Jesse

February 22, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this

Attn: Sam Ensley:

Reagan did not sell “guns” to Iran. It was outdated parts for their 1960s -era planes. This junk is so old it will never be used against us. Typical Democrat, distorting the facts!

As for the Republicans in charge of the state house, the Democrats had absolute control of it for 120 plus years. Under King Roy we got such groundbreaking legislation as making a placemat for a state flag & grits was named our official state food. If you don’t like the future of Georgia politics, move to Massachusetts or California. Your day in the sun is mercifully over in Georgia !

By bill

February 22, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this

Nope to Jimmy! Remember, he “lusted in his heart” That’s got to be a disqualifier! Whoops, hold on a second - didn’t Dr. King have many adulterous affairs and he still got a federal holiday. I guess we’ll get a Clinton and Carter day soon - wait a second - lets just have one great big day called Democrats Day - right around Mardi Gras would be appropriate!!!

By E.C.

February 22, 2006 03:27 PM | Link to this

I think that FDR should indeed be honored by the state of Georgia, seeing as the matter has come up. I probably wouldn’t have proposed it myself, but at least this is better than the politicians naming a new “State Frog” or something of the like.

It seems ridiculous to deny an honor to a man so important in the history of the United States, just for the reason that he had an affair. You have to overlook those small imperfections, and focus on the bigger picture. FDR got us out of the Great Depression, improved the average person’s life, and lead America through an absolutely necessary war (which is more than I can say for our current president).

The only Democrat that my Great-Grandmother, a staunch Republican, ever voted for was FDR.

By Q.Q.

February 22, 2006 03:29 PM | Link to this

I think that FDR should indeed be honored by the state of Georgia, seeing as the matter has come up. I probably wouldn’t have proposed it myself, but at least this is better than the politicians naming a new “State Frog” or something of the like.

It seems ridiculous to deny an honor to a man so important in the history of the United States, just for the reason that he had an affair. You have to overlook those small imperfections, and focus on the bigger picture. FDR got us out of the Great Depression, improved the average person’s life, and lead America through an absolutely necessary war (which is more than I can say for our current president).

The only Democrat that my Great-Grandmother, a staunch Republican, ever voted for was FDR.

By Van

February 22, 2006 03:51 PM | Link to this

Sure, lets give Uncle Joe’s(Stalin) buddy a special day. We can remember him for ignoring the situation in the Pacific before the war and for Yalta, where Europe was divided up.

Carrying on in the great Presidential traditions, we should also honor all the Presidents mistresses also.

I’ve read about JFK’s, Ike’s, WJC’s and FDR had one and I am sure there are many many more.

By Mike

February 22, 2006 04:37 PM | Link to this

Carter got just what he deserves, Jimmy Carter Blvd., it’s ugly, full of tacky fast food eating places and 90% of the people who live there are illegals. Yes, he got what he deserves.

By Rex

February 22, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this

Georgia needs an official state “mosquito”.

A “gnat” also.

Okefenokis Bugguss Maximus

By Raz

February 22, 2006 04:59 PM | Link to this

I’d like the legislature to make Jimmy Carter as the official state DoDo Bird.

By WirelessBuzz

February 22, 2006 05:00 PM | Link to this

I agree with Charles. FDR was the epitome of big government and it is a mindset that still holds today. While his intentions with Social Security at the time may have been noble, we are now saddled with a system that is inefficient and allows politicians to buy votes and scare senior citizens just prior to election. Despite all the weaknesses of Social Security, look at how imbedded it has become in light of the recent effort to get some type of private accounts. We are paying the price today for FDR actions 60 years ago. I do not think we should dishonor him, but we should not go out of our way to honor him.

By history_tchr

February 22, 2006 05:08 PM | Link to this

I enjoy reading the blogs everyday. However today I felt compell to give my opinion. Now I understand why I should keep my comments to myself. Based on the posts, I am the only person to link Lee with treason. I just stated a fact. He took up arms against the United States. Is there any other definition of treason? If so, I do not know of it. However, for this comment, I am called an “idiot.” For the record, I admire Lee. He was a man of principles, eventhough what he believed in was morally wrong. I will leave the argument over the cause of the Civil War to another place and time. I could careless if Georgia or any state gives him a day. And btw, yes, the writer is correct that GW should also be considered a traitor. As the saying goes, “one man’s traitor is another man’s freedom fighter.” Also, it’s the victor who writes the history. Perspective.

I just used him to illustrate a point that we should look at the total person. I didn’t say he was not deserving nor any other the other historical figures we honor.

By jim dumond

February 23, 2006 09:29 AM | Link to this

history teach, While I was raised north of the M/D line I just can’t allow this one to go unchallenged.

By definition treason is the offense of attempting by overt acts to overthrow the government of the state to which the offender owes allegiance or to kill or personally injure the sovereign or the sovereign’s family.

Please note that the South was in no way attempting to overthrow the US Government, they were attempting to establish a governement. Thus the reason for the “War of Northern agression”

By jim dumond

February 23, 2006 09:39 AM | Link to this

History teach,

Pick up a copies of Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your High School History Textbook Got Wrong and Lies Across America: What Our Historic Sites Get Wrong. By James W. Loewen and be thankful my son not in one of your classes since he has both books and would be setting the record straight.

By Van

February 23, 2006 09:56 AM | Link to this

jim dumond, please direct your attention to Article III sec. 3 of the US Constitution

“Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.”

When Fort Sumter was fired upon, that was levying war against the US. Draw your own conclusions.

By jim dumond

February 23, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this

The Union was occupying soverign territory of the Confederacy and was given every opportunity to leave peacefully.

Attempts by the Confederate government to settle its differences with the Union were spurned by Lincoln, and the Confederacy felt it could no longer tolerate the presense of a foreign force in its territory.

Believing a conflict to be inevitable, Lincoln ingeniously devised a plan that would cause the Confederates to fire the first shot and thus, he hoped, inspire the states that had not yet seceded to unite in the effort to restore the Union.

On April 8, Lincoln notified Gov. Francis Pickens of South Carolina that he would attempt to resupply the fort. The Confederate commander at Charleston, Gen.P.G.T. Beauregard, was ordered by the Confederate government to demand the evacuation of the fort and if refused, to force its evacuation. On April 11, General Beauregard delivered the ultimatum to Anderson, who replied, “Gentlemen, if you do not batter the fort to pieces about us, we shall be starved out in a few days.” On direction of the Confederate government in Montgomery, Beauregard notified Anderson that if he would state the time of his evacuation, the Southern forces would hold their fire. Anderson replied that he would evacuate by noon on April 15 unless he received other instructions or additional supplies from his government. (The supply ships were expected before that time.) Told that his answer was unacceptable and that Beauregard would open fire in one hour, Anderson shook the hands of the messengers and said in parting, “If we do not meet again in this world, I hope we may meet in the better one.” At 4:30 A.M. on April 12, 1861, 43 Confederate guns in a ring around Fort Sumter began the bombardment that initiated the bloodiest war in American history.

But this is an argument for another blog.

By cc

February 23, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this

Speaking of ridiculous “holidays” - Did you know Georgia celebrates CONFEDERATE Memorial Day… So sure, why not have an FDR day so state employees can have another day off! YAY!!!

By Larry

February 23, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this

FDR started the socialist movement in this country. It continues today. FDR started dependence on government. It continues today. FDR started government growth. It continues today. FDR started the death of individual responsibility. It continues today.

FDR started the death of this country and the ideals upon which it was founded. Honoring FDR would be the biggest insult to the people of this great state since Jimmy Carter was elected it’s governor.

Have a FDR day? No way!!

By William Seddon

February 23, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this

By all means, we should honor the greatest president of the 20th century. His accomplishments far outweigh his indescretions. Without him, my parents had no hope during the depression. My father served in WWII and actually cried when Roosevelt died. He was a master of communication, something that is missing today

By Chuck

February 27, 2006 10:29 AM | Link to this

To: Van

Don’t get amnesia about all of the presidnts who had extra marital affairs. You conveniently left off your list of JFK, WCJ and FDR, the initials “DDE,” which stands for Dwight D. Eisenhower. Tsk, tsk !!!!!

By Getitright

March 3, 2006 01:19 PM | Link to this

FDR had to bring the crumbling society of America back together during and after the disasterous results of the Great Depression - caused by big private business and which happened at a time when republicans were in charge of Congress. Gee, why is it that when Republicans are in charge of the government the economy and standard of living goes down, good laws created for the general welfare, health and safety of citizens gets scrapped in favor of corporate profits, and surcharges and fees (aka taxes) are increased? I remember when Pres. Clinton raised the national gasoline tax 1 penny, and the price on gas did not go up. Yet republicans raised a ruckus over that 1 cent and it was rescinded. Then secretly those same republicans raised the tax 17 cents. Who’s the real scum in government? Wake up people before this great nation is destroyed and vote these bloodsuckers out of office.