I wish Harry Truman would quit beating around the bush and say what he really means.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Last edited Mon Jun 10, 2019, 03:28 PM - Edit history (1)

President Truman’s scathing (unsent) reply to Joe McCarthy's telegram claiming that Truman's State Department is “nest of Communists,” February 1950:

Link to tweet

[Lulu KC]

1. Wild About Harry

I was never very affectionate towards him because of Hiroshima and Nagasaki until I read his bio by David McCullough. I don't know that any other president would have made a different decision under the circumstances. I have a feeling I might be starting a big fight and may end up deleting this just to get out of it, but if you haven't read it, I would recommend.

[Arkansas Granny]

3. Truman was faced with a decision that had no good outcomes.

No matter what course of action he took, hundreds of thousands would die.

I'm not saying using nuclear was the best solution, just that he had few choices.

[Wounded Bear]

4. Too many people try to re-write history using modern moralities...

sure, some things are universal, but given the fire bombings that had already been committed prior to the atomic attacks, using the bombs were considered more 'efficient.'

Don't forget that it was a bit of a warning to the Soviets as well. Stalin had finally declared war on Japan was beginning moves into East Asia at the time.

[MyOwnPeace]

2. He did that often........

he would write letters to let off steam, then simply put them into the drawer and never see them again.
What a book they would make!!!

[hibbing]

5. See the one he wrote to New York review of his daughter singing

Mr. Hume:

I've just read your lousy review of Margaret's concert. I've come to the conclusion that you are an "eight ulcer man on four ulcer pay."

It seems to me that you are a frustrated old man who wishes he could have been successful. When you write such poppy-cock as was in the back section of the paper you work for it shows conclusively that you're off the beam and at least four of your ulcers are at work.

Some day I hope to meet you. When that happens you'll need a new nose, a lot of beefsteak for black eyes, and perhaps a supporter below!

Pegler, a gutter snipe, is a gentleman alongside you. I hope you'll accept that statement as a worse insult than a reflection on your ancestry.

H.S.T.

https://www.trumanlibrary.org/trivia/letter.htm

Peace

[duforsure]

6. He also called Nixon

A crook. Met him once outside his Independence Missouri home once. Very down to earth guy , and funny. No BS about where he stood , and told it as it was to him.

[Arkansas Granny]

7. Harry was known for telling it like it was.

Once, the story goes, Harry Truman was talking about farming and explaining the role of manure on soil.

"You should tell the president to say fertilizer," a friend told Mrs. Truman.

And Mrs. Truman replied: "You don't know how long it took me to get him to say manure."

I've heard this story for years, but I can't say for sure that it's true.