Truman was not perfect and knew it was immpossible to be so. He was extremely confidant of who he was and he never stuttered or parsed his words. He was intelligent, compassionate and practical.
Campare Truman to George W Bush and the neo-cons.
When Harry Truman assumed the presidency upon Roosevelt's death he addressed congress for the first time as president. He spoke of the necessity for a "strong and lasting" United Nations organization. Isolation, he said, was a thing of the past. There could be no safety behind geographical barriers ever again he said prophetically.
"The responsibility of a great state is to serve and not to dominate the world".
Regarding domestic spying he said, "I've said many a time that I think the Un-American Activities Committee in the House of Representatives was the most un-American thing in America!"
Understanding the dangers of religious and patriotic fervor he said, "Intense feelings too often obscures the truth."
Understanding the need to moderate responsive action he said, "It is understanding that gives us an ability to have peace. When we understand the other fellow's viewpoint, and he understands ours, then we can sit down and work out our differences."
Concerning government intrusion on our freedoms he said, "Those who want the Government to regulate matters of the mind and spirit are like men who are so afraid of being murdered that they commit suicide to avoid assassination."
And on freedom of speech and protest he said, "When even one American - who has done nothing wrong - is forced by fear to shut his mind and close his mouth - then all Americans are in peril."
Concerning the failings of government he clearly understood, "When you have an efficient government, you have a dictatorship. "
And here's the balls that present Democrats lack. This very thing Truman said about Nixon could be said about George W Bush, " Richard Nixon is a no good, lying bastard. He can lie out of both sides of his mouth at the same time, and if he ever caught himself telling the truth, he'd lie just to keep his hand in."
They say the inital S. in Harry's name did not stand for anything, it was just an inital. I think it stood for salty - or maybe salt of the earth.
Gary
