Does anyone else remember LBJ after Hurricane Betsy?

[11 Bravo]

He went immediately to New Orleans, in the middle of the night, held a flashlight up to his face, and told people, "I'm your President, and I'm here to help you." He was there before the flood waters had receded, and he could still smell the stink of death. Contrast that with Little Lord Pissypants and his fly-over. I'm not a big LBJ fan, but at least the man knew how to lead.

http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/AV.hom/hurricane_disaster.shtm

[xmas74]

1. Love him or hate him he was a real leader.

He showed strength in times that it was needed the most.

[AnnInLa]

2. I didn't know that.....thanks for posting. I think

that is indicative of the difference between a Dem president and a monkey.

[Poiuyt]

3. I remember him going to Viet Nam

I hated the war, but looking back, I appreciate how he went there as a leader, and not slinking in unannounced, under the cover of darkness. If he had been president on 9/11, I can't imagine him not going directly back to Washington (or to NY) instead of hiding in Nebraska.

[H2O Man]

4. The only way

that George W. Bush reminds me of LBJ is when I think of President Johnson's infamous quote, "He ain't a pimple on a good man's ass."

[Warpy]

5. Even poor, demented old Reagan would have done more

Losing a major city is EMBARRASSING.

Georgie still hasn't figured that out yet.

[sandnsea]

6. Does anybody remember the 500 year Mississippi flood

It was just ten years ago and wasn't near the disaster New Orleans is - the entire Mississippi valley. People who don't believe in government can't create a government that functions, it's that simple.

[WI_DEM]

7. Johnson had a great affinity for the poor and suffering that many

presidents didn't have. He grew up in the Texas hill country where there was a lot of poverty and as a young school teacher taught Mexican-Americans who came from laboring classes and many of whom couldn't even afford to wear shoes. It stayed with him for a lifetime and as he said, "The War on Poverty is the war I wanted to fight." Too bad he allowed himself to be dragged into the mud of Vietnam. Without Vietnam, LBJ would have been one of the all-time Greats. As it is, as Ralph Ellison, The author of "Invisible Man" said that LBJ was "the greatest president the poor or the negro ever had."

[Anarcho-Socialist]

8. I absolutely agree n/t

[AnneD]

14. As a fellow Texan,

I admit I have a soft spot in my heart for LBJ. The war was his downfall, but he passed so much great legislation (he knew where the bodies were buried on both sides of the asile and didn't hesitate to make you aware of it). The Civil Rights Act, Head Start, Medicade, just to name a few. He just doesn't get enough credit. Yes, Johnson had balls (too bad I can't find the audio tape of his conversation with Hager Slack guy about needing more room in the crotch...classic plain Texas talk and a real scream). Bush's balls, like his leadership are AWOL.

Found a transcript of tape and recording....enjoy
http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/history/johnson/ushi-lbj3.htm

[EFerrari]

9. That was one great sonuvabitch.

I don't remember but it sounds like him. :)

[spooked]

10. LBJ would also wake in the middle of the night to get casualty reports

from Vietnam...that war killed him. Do you think * is losing any sleep?

[WI_DEM]

11. hell, no! the casualty reports put dumbya to sleep!

[WI_DEM]

12. there is also a famous and very sad picture of LBJ listening to a tape

recording by one of his son in laws (both of whom actually served in Vietnam) and the atrosities he has seen. The picture shows LBJ breaking down.

[spooked]

13. yes...each loss tortured his soul