May 05, 2004
*Presidential Fun Fact of the Day
Some tidbits from FDR's first inauguration:
(Note: I am only covering his first since he had so many. And this is also a test. If you read these presidential entries and enjoy them, please leave a comment here. Otherwise I am going to assume no one actually reads them and stop doing them once I get through GWB. Thanks and have a lovely day.)
1. Before the inauguration, the Roosevelts called on President Hoover. FDR and Hoover were at odds over the New Deal proposals and had endured a bitterly-fought election. After an awkward tea, FDR politely told Hoover he did not "have to return our call if you don't want to." Hoover coldly informed FDR that the President "calls on nobody." Eleanor hustled her family out of the White House before FDR could respond. James Roosevelt later remarked that he'd never seen his father angrier.
2. FDR began the custom for the president-elect to attend church services the morning of the inauguration.
3. As was tradition, FDR and Hoover rode to the Capitol together before FDR was sworn in. FDR's attempts to be polite failed miserably as Hoover refused to speak to him.
4. During the Oath, FDR omitted "so help me God" but he remembered it for his next three inaugurations.
5. The Roosevelts held a luncheon for 1,000 people after the inaugural ceremony. Eleanor helped the staff serve, and the new President had to wait his turn for food just like the other guests.
Posted by Jennifer at May 5, 2004 02:24 PMTweet
Don't discontinue these, I love 'em!
They're not the most commentable posts but these and the Pres trivia and the quotes are all very cool.
Posted by: Jim at May 5, 2004 02:39 PMI enjoy them!
Posted by: Perry at May 5, 2004 03:08 PMI've read every one of these post that I've seen from you. I definitely find them worthwhile!!!!
Posted by: Jack at May 5, 2004 05:55 PMJim is right. I read 'em all, too, it's that there usually isn't much to say about 'em except "Well, I'll be darned..."
Yeah, it's nice to know fersure that one's work is at least noticed. Even if you know that someone's with you it's still to hear "I'm here" once in a while!
So, for this installment I'll say:
Even though I can't defend Hoover's manners with re Roosevelt, I kind of understand his trepidation at the unprecedented election of a socialist. And FDR was a socialist. Not there's anything wro-o-o-o-ng with that...
:)
Posted by: Tuning Spork at May 5, 2004 08:11 PMOne other thing that I bet would help.
I've discovered that I am much much much less likely to read an entire entry if it's mostly written as an extended entry. I'm not sure exactly why it should matter, but, when faced with the decision to click or move on, I often just move on unless I'm sure that the entry is worth my while (i.e.: contains a punchline, photo, rivetting story that's successfully teased in the "naked" entry).
These Presidential Fun Fact posts aren't that long and I'd suggest just having the entire text out in the open. It'll flow better and I bet most readers'll be more likely to check 'em out.
But maybe it's just me. Whadda the rest o' yous guys think?
Posted by: Tuning Spork at May 5, 2004 08:24 PMJen,
Yes they are interesting & I'd vote for keeping them.
Although personally I would have preferred ommitting the bad Roosevelt. Trying to forget him is hard enough with the mess he left the country in (that it's still in).
& Spork, considering what that socialist bastard did to the country I'm thinking Hoovers treatment of the Great Usurper & Transgressor was too mild. A bitch-slap would have been too mild. Slow roasting over an open pit would have been too mild.
But in theory you're right - there's nothing wrong with socialism. As long as it's not forced on anyone without their individual consent I have no problems with it. It's when the government strong arms you into it that it's wrong.
Re: FDR. This is not a political blog, although I do occasionally give my 2 cents regarding current events. All presidents, first ladies, and their families are covered in the "Presidential Fun Facts" with the same degree of respect. I don't spin them one way or the other based on my own opinions. If my readers want to, that is fine.
Posted by: Jennifer at May 6, 2004 08:20 AM
Jew