Comments on: Lady Bird Johnson, 1912 to 2007

By: casual observer

casual observer — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 12:48:24 +0000

She also played a large role in the creation of the National Historic Preservation Act, which was signed by President Johnson I think in ‘69. The NHPA is the nation’s primary vehicle for preserving our historic sites–from historic county courthouses to Ice-Age mammoth hunting camps. Her role was behind the scenes, but fundamental.

I live just a few miles from Stonewall, Texas, and can report that the heavy rains this year produced a bumper crop of wildflowers across the countryside. They will still be blooming when she comes home to Stonewall.

By: Arnie

Arnie — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 08:49:54 +0000

The last time in the US, driving south of DC, the interstate roadside was brilliant with wildflowers. Lady Bird’s hand was all too evident still. What a long way off course the country has gone, once there was a consideration for beauty in the public discourse; that now is sorely missed. But life was richer then, when the public goal was to expand and include. The political goals now are so bankrupt.

Thank you Lady Bird, ya done good.

By: Mabel’s Wig Shack

Mabel’s Wig Shack — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 03:02:48 +0000

elmake @ 69

A couple years ago there was a piece on NPR about tapes from the Johnson Administration being released. They played a great bit in which Lady Bird gave Johnson some straight talk, analysis of a speech he’d given, (maybe? — please forgive my bad memory of the details). Johnson tried to cut in. Ladybird put him in his place politely but firmly. She made him listen, delivering her words with insight and authority. He said, “Yes, Ma’mam. Yes, Ma’mam.” It revealed her political acumen, and his great respect for her. It was a revealing window on their relationship.

so she must have agreed with him to reverse the secret Kennedy memorandum revoked on the Monday following the assassination regarding troop withdrawal from Vietnam?

By: Mabel’s Wig Shack

Mabel’s Wig Shack — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 03:01:01 +0000

Aboard Air Force One as a bloodstained and grief stricken shocked Jacqueline Kennedy stands beside them during a hasty swearing in ceremony.

A few flowers on the side of a highway made up for it all I’m sure.

By: Mabel’s Wig Shack

Mabel’s Wig Shack — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 02:59:54 +0000

Ladybird?

I think of the photo of Ladybird with Lyndon aboard Air Force One as Lyndon turns and nods to a winking and grinning Congressman Thomas (the photo series is not hard to find).

Innocent bystander?

By: wgg: tokin lib’rul

wgg: tokin lib’rul — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 01:59:07 +0000

The Dems will find a way to fold, cave, retreat, and surrender…
Of that I am utterly, 1000% confident.

By: Harold

Harold — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 01:54:32 +0000

Scroll down for some beautiful pix of opium poppies:

http://www.pa-chouvy.org/Photo.....htm#photos

By: Knut Wicksell

Knut Wicksell — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 01:47:27 +0000

Hugh @ 59

JGabriel @ 56

Anyone else have some further thoughts on what the Bushies strategy is here?

I don’t think they have a strategy beyond stonewalling. The closer you get to Bush the bigger the stonewall. I think also that Miers not showing up is an indication that she unlike Taylor is considered by the White House to be a major player.

Hate to move this thread away from Lady Bird, who was an inspiration to all of us and deserves a thread of her own, but must put in my two sous worth on Bush and company: at this point they are making it up as they go along, just like in Iraq. No deeper explanation.

By: Harold

Harold — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 01:36:39 +0000

They are corn or field (as in Flanders) poppies (papaver rhoeas), not opium poppies (papaver somniferum).

I am proud today to be a New Yorker whose great aunts were high school teachers in Marshall Texas, alma mater of Ladybird and Bill Moyers.

By: bagel seed

bagel seed — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:54:38 +0000

Hey Cristy,
By the way, those pretty red flowers in your picture are Asian poppies, otherwise known as opium poppies.