Presidents - Who is/was the best?

03-29-2003, 11:21 PM

Lots of discussion on this board about presidents current and past. Here's your chance to pick the best one in your opinion.
*** Note ***
Please don't use this poll or topic to flame anyone elses choice or any of the presidents that you don't like.

[ 03-30-2003, 12:29 AM: Message edited by: Stew ]

Sea Nymph · 03-30-2003, 07:42 AM

My 1st pick would have been George Washington. If it were not for him, America may quite possibly have turned out to be just another 3rd world country rulled by petty power hungry dictators.

At least Reagan was an option.

SN

[ 03-30-2003, 08:43 AM: Message edited by: Sea Nymph ]

STGRule · 03-30-2003, 07:49 AM

I chose Carter. He is honest as the day is long and cared about what was happening at home as much as beyond our borders. I still think he is great man. He would be my choice for "Who would you like to have lunch with?"

Gus Orviston · 03-30-2003, 07:51 AM

uh, where is FDR, Abe, JQ Adams, J Adams, Jefferson, and ...? what's with the selection? How does Ford could even get on a finals list when his impact to the the US doesn't even compare to so many of these :whazzup:

gus

[ 03-30-2003, 08:56 AM: Message edited by: Gus Orviston ]

Kruechief · 03-30-2003, 08:02 AM

STG,

You are right. Carter is an awesome man. He may have mishandled the Panama negotiations and Iran but he was the most honest and selfless President we have had (IMHO). People don’t realize that his father and Jimmy did more for equal rights then most self-appointed chest-thumpers.

Loren

03-30-2003, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gus Orviston:
uh, where is FDR, Abe, JQ Adams, J Adams, Jefferson, and ...? what's with the selection? How does Ford could even get on a finals list when his impact to the the US doesn't even compare to so many of these :whazzup:

gus

I should have said recent past

Geez there's alway gotta be someone who complains.

1pump · 03-30-2003, 08:04 AM

Yeah, I would've picked FDR, or his distant cousin Teddy. Wilson and Truman were also underrated.

Sea Nymph · 03-30-2003, 08:06 AM

[ 03-30-2003, 09:09 AM: Message edited by: Sea Nymph ]

Sea Nymph · 03-30-2003, 08:08 AM

decided it was better to keep my mouth shut on this one...

[ 03-30-2003, 09:10 AM: Message edited by: Sea Nymph ]

Sea Nymph · 03-30-2003, 08:09 AM

[ 03-30-2003, 09:11 AM: Message edited by: Sea Nymph ]

Gus Orviston · 03-30-2003, 02:38 PM

Straydog · 03-30-2003, 02:43 PM

How interesting.

Some Hollywood type leading the pack.

I thought most on here thought Hollywood types were not worthy of an opinion, let to be president!

Who'd a thunk it?

Gus Orviston · 03-30-2003, 02:54 PM

Probably the biggest difference is he wasn't a talking head, he actually had a career in politics. Where the celebs of today often use the celeb status to make pot shots at policy.

Straydog · 03-30-2003, 03:01 PM

One man's opinion is another man's pot shot at policy.

Even RR had to start somewhere. Same with Charlton (sp?) Heston, spokesperson of the NRA.

Many would argue that they are smart, thinking people. Would they have if they had had the technology and desire to be public about their respective thoughts on policy when they were young actors? Would they have been scoffed and rediculed for having an opinion?

I know, only if their opinion had not been in line with the norm.

03-30-2003, 03:33 PM

None listed.

AuntyM · 03-30-2003, 06:24 PM

Wilson. :tongue:

Born to be Wild · 03-30-2003, 06:34 PM

Sea Nymph,

I didn�t vote for Reagan in the poll, but would have to agree with you and he would have been one of my top choices. If it weren�t for Reagan and his cold war stance, we would probably still live in a more unstable and dangerous world than what we have now days. Fortunately some of us realize the implications of becoming a weak military threat or defense.

You never know, Bush Jr. has a long way to go and is respected by most by his stance on issues and honesty also. Can�t realistically judge him yet, because he has a long way to go. I hope a second term is in order.

Stew, let me guess. You voted for JFK? I think he was a great president also and handled the Cuban missile crisis as good as anybody could have. He as all presidents had a lot of input from the �hawks� (wrong answer), and family, (Bobby), and others. (Which reminds me, Bush isn�t a dictator and these decisions have more to do with him alone). My favorite quote by any president ever is: Ask not what your country�
Wonder if that was written by JFK or one of his speech writers? Great speech regardless and we should all live by that!

Can�t believe anybody voted for Mr. Impeachment- Monica chasing Bill! Or maybe they thought that included Hilary? Sorry Stew, couldn�t resist Mr. Bill. (Nobody knows who voted for him anyway).

Straydog, did you really vote for Pat Paulson? Just kiddin�!

Reagan was probably the most charismatic and best orator that the modern presidency has seen and should represent what American values are all about.

Dan

03-30-2003, 06:48 PM

I wasn't voting age in 1960 Dan :grin:
I admire JFK because of he was a strong leader and had the courage to face down the USSR.

Born to be Wild · 03-30-2003, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Many would argue that they are smart, thinking people. Would they have if they had had the technology and desire to be public about their respective thoughts on policy when they were young actors? Would they have been scoffed and rediculed for having an opinion?

I know, only if their opinion had not been in line with the norm.

Straydog,

BS! Alot of those you mentioned know close to nothing about politics and world events as demonstrated. Some of them are downright ignorant and uneducated as demonstrated. You have rich rapper's and uneducated actors/actresses expressing there anti-war rhetoric, but they don't have a clue what is really going on! Where is Shawn Penn now?

Reagan wasn't a good representive of Hollyworld and in fact was a great American and president. Too bad he has Altimers and can't express his opinion on current events.

Ozzie Osbourne is of Hollyweird and has a lot of money and fans. [img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img] I would not be interested in hearing his smart opinions of the current US decisions.

Dan

1pump · 03-30-2003, 06:58 PM

Quote:

My favorite quote by any president ever is: Ask not what your country…
Wonder if that was written by JFK or one of his speech writers? Great speech regardless and we should all live by that!

JFK was known for writing his own speeches and not relying on speechwriters, although I'm sure he didn't write all of them.
As for Clinton, he simply had the misfortune of not keeping it in his pants when he should have. FDR had a mistress, as did Eisenhower, and JFK was reputed to be a horndog. But they didn't live in the era of "no-holds-barred" media like Clinton did. Add some partisan persecution (Ken Starr) and you have a mess that consumed vast amounts of time and energy and detracted from the business of running the country. Sure, he "embarassed" the Office of President, but not nearly as bad as Nixon or LBJ did.
Take the adultery talk out of the picture and Slick Willie did a pretty good job. [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

[ 03-30-2003, 08:00 PM: Message edited by: 1pump ]

Born to be Wild · 03-30-2003, 07:07 PM

Quote:

I wasn't voting age in 1960 Dan
I admire JFK because of he was a strong leader and had the courage to face down the USSR.

Oh, I know Stew. I wasn't of age either or into politics. I meant voting on this poll. :grin:

I would agree with you and he had other strong important points also. But he didn't do it on his own. And Ronnie had the courage to face the Ruskies also but on different terms.

03-30-2003, 07:14 PM

Quote:

JFK was known for writing his own speeches and not relying on speechwriters, although I'm sure he didn't write all of them.

JFK wrote two books "Why England Slept" which he wrote while recouperating from injuries he received from the sinking of his PT boat.
It was rumoured the "Profiles in Courage" was ghost-written but later proven that it was not. JFK received a Pulitzer Prize for this book.
Reagan was definately charismatic and a great orator.

Born to be Wild · 03-30-2003, 07:14 PM

That's definately a matter of opinion 1Pump. Not mine! I think they ought to prosecute the ex.

My .02 cents!

Straydog · 03-30-2003, 07:16 PM

Dan,

I mentioned two, Reagan and Heston.

What might you be talking about??? :whazzup:

Born to be Wild · 03-30-2003, 07:32 PM

Quote:

I chose Carter. He is honest as the day is long and cared about what was happening at home as much as beyond our borders. I still think he is great man. He would be my choice for "Who would you like to have lunch with?"

I would agree with you STG. I would love to have lunch with Carter. But as his politics� have proven, he is too "soft" and trusting of others i.e. North Korea. His Nobel peace prize awards could prove to be an end of peace as we now know if he were still pulling the strings.

Just my opinion based on history and media.

Anytime you see a president proclaim to base there actions with Christian beliefs and faith, I think you are in pretty good hands as our fore founders did.

Again, my .02 cents.

Snapset · 03-30-2003, 07:38 PM

Abraham Lincoln, hands down. Master of compromise. He prevented the United States from becoming a Yugoslavia, and although it was horrendously painful, we will heal from it.

Born to be Wild · 03-30-2003, 07:52 PM

Well 1Pump, I differ with you on Wild Bill. Me and everyone I know didn't have respect for him prior to his second erection, I mean election, and I had no respect for him and couldn't even stand seeing him on TV representing us (The US). That is probably the only president I could not talk myself into respecting! As I stated before, maybe if he had spent more energy on Osama instead of his hormones, we might still have a couple towers standing?

Gus Orviston · 03-30-2003, 07:52 PM

I have had a change in opinion over RR. When he was our Prez I couldn't stand him,,,almost as much as I couldn't stand Gov. Kitz. After a few years went by I really began to miss him. Time has really changed my impression of him for sure. I don't think that is going to happen with Billy though ? who knows.

Born to be Wild · 03-30-2003, 08:08 PM

Straydog,

Maybe I miss understood your intentions. I was simply pointing out there is a difference between Ronnie (Reagan) and Hollweird.

Even though I like you as a person, I totally disagree with your stance on political events and political stance on exploiting fisheries at the expense of logging.

Just a difference of opinion.

Dan

[ 03-30-2003, 09:13 PM: Message edited by: DepoeBayDan ]

03-30-2003, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stew:

*** Note ***
Please don't use this poll or topic to flame anyone elses choice or any of the presidents that you don't like.

Was there any part of this request you guys didn't understand? :whazzup:

[ 03-30-2003, 09:43 PM: Message edited by: Stew ]

Born to be Wild · 03-30-2003, 09:13 PM

Sorry Stew, but when you get into politics (ifish or otherwise), it is hard or difficult to not get into "POLITICS". I do think your poll was a good one and very interesting one. You might consider another one or two including certain era's: modern day presidents and old predidents and all of the above.
Very interesting poll however.

Dan

Born to be Wild · 03-30-2003, 10:32 PM

Well 1Pump, I guess you made it clear that it doesn't matter if you have an unfaithful husband dictating our world affairs, it's ok? Shows his honesty doesn't it?

[ 03-31-2003, 06:26 AM: Message edited by: DepoeBayDan ]

Straydog · 03-31-2003, 05:19 AM

Gosh Dan, I guess I shouldn't be suprised that you can't tolerate an adulterous President but you can tolerate a booze swilling Coke snorting one...

Let's see, Clinton's daughter is on her way to a very lucrative carreer after her graduation from a prestigious college. Bush's daughter is either coming or going from rehab.

That's a sign of strong, moral leadership, now isn't it.

Born to be Wild · 03-31-2003, 05:37 AM

Straydogie,

You're a pretty twisted person if you think for one minute Bush is a "booze swilling Coke snorting" person. Maybe you got him confused with Billy's brother. I could care less which college Chelsea or Bill graduated from, has nothing to do with their moral character. If you are serious about comparing the moral character of Bush and Bill, it makes me wonder where you get your news from. Saturday night live maybe?

Oh well, were not suppose to bash or critisize on this thread so I'm done. Just very difficult for me not to do when the name William J. comes up.

[ 03-31-2003, 06:44 AM: Message edited by: DepoeBayDan ]

Straydog · 03-31-2003, 06:01 AM

Depoedanie,

Yea, believing the history of our Pres. makes me twisted.

As I said, I am not suprised that one such as yourself would find his actions, past or present ok, even for one in his position.

I don't know Dan, simple logic tells me that two parents watching their daughter graduate from college may reflect stronger family stability and moral character than parents watching thier daughter get kicked out of rehab once again.

I am sure curious though how you know so much about people, what they do and what they think.

I am relating to published history on the President. You say it isn't so and you imply that you KNOW the President's personal behavior pattern. Just as you KNOW all those hollywood types are brain dead morons just as you KNOW I want not to take loggers jobs away just as you KNOW I want to exploit fishing for only my personal gain just as you KNOW I am really a nice guy that you disagree with politically.

The fact is Dan, you don't KNOW any of these things.

Sea Nymph · 03-31-2003, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Straydog:
How interesting.

Some Hollywood type leading the pack.

I thought most on here thought Hollywood types were not worthy of an opinion, let to be president!

Who'd a thunk it?

Through out life you may notice there is an exception to almost every case. Some people seem to smoke forever (I don't really mean FOREVER ok?) and never have problems from it. But most smokers... well, you know the rest.

Straydog · 03-31-2003, 07:58 AM

I agree with the exceptions thing however it appears at this point that the exceptions are based on one's beliefs.

How do the posters on this board "know" that the hollywood people speaking out today are uninformed, spoiled rich people that know nothing about the reality of the world?

Just because one does not want to go into politcs and become president or a high roller with the NRA does not make them less capapble of being informed and well versed with the ways of the world.

By the way, what is so hard about recognizing that words mean what they mean and using them accordingly? It takes much less effort to say people smoke for years or a long time or for decades than to say forever and then qualify it to mean something else. Seems more logical to use the words as their definitions dictate rather than use them and say you don't really mean that.............. :whazzup: Forever means forever. Why must one reinvent the english language?

[ 03-31-2003, 09:08 AM: Message edited by: Straydog ]

Sea Nymph · 03-31-2003, 08:06 AM

obviously they don't know, but they make up their opinion by what a lot of the hollywood folks say and do.

if i'm not mistaken, reagan use to be a democrat. i think during that time the democrats weren't quite as liberal as they are now. i could very well be wrong on that however.

and...dog, relax guy. don't be so bitter. it's not healthy.

take it easy
sn

[ 03-31-2003, 09:15 AM: Message edited by: Sea Nymph ]

Straydog · 03-31-2003, 08:40 AM

SN,

Here we go again...jumping to conclusions about a person (me) based on a couple of internet postings. (as in labling hollywood types based on thier view of the war)

Why do you conclude I am bitter? Do honest questions make one bitter? Gosh, there must be a lot of bitter people in world based on that judgment.

FYI, I am not bitter. I am curious about people and thier habits, but not bitter.

You are right about the Democratic party changing in terms of liberal vs conservative. Acutally, both parties have cycled from the liberal to conservative or vice versa over time.

[ 03-31-2003, 09:46 AM: Message edited by: Straydog ]

speyfly · 03-31-2003, 09:19 AM

Straydog, it is difficult for people to think for their selves and most don�t want to know the truth. It�s painful for them so it is much easier to ignore truth and just go through life believing that our government knows what is good for us. History has proven this time and time again.

Denial is running ramped right now. Lets see, Regan was the best prez. Yes he could deliver a script better than most but I found it kind of scary that he believed in star charts and astrology to help make policy, gave chemical and biological weapons to Saddam, covered up CIA back genocide and in Central America, supported drug money for arms in Central America and more. Hmmmm, don�t think that that makes a good leader.

03-31-2003, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DepoeBayDan:
Sorry Stew, but when you get into politics (ifish or otherwise), it is hard or difficult to not get into "POLITICS". I do think your poll was a good one and very interesting one. You might consider another one or two including certain era's: modern day presidents and old predidents and all of the above.
Very interesting poll however.

Dan

Yeah thanks Dan for honoring my request

Once again this has turned into a garbage throwing contest. How about it mods or Jennie, time for a lock?

The Fishing Geek · 03-31-2003, 09:22 AM

Ya just couldn't keep from flaming presidents, could ya? Topic closed by request.