[NRx]

A great and rather rare collection of film shorts showing President Coolidge taking a break from Washington. I love how he effectively moves the executive branch of the government into the room over the village post office. It is also somewhat sad though as these films were made immediately after the death of Coolidge's 16 yo son Calvin Jr. The boy's death hit Coolidge hard and those who knew him say he never fully recovered from his grief. In several parts of the video he is seen wearing a black mourning armband.

[Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Been to Plymouth Notch a few times. It feels bleak and brooding, dark green hills hemming in the view.

That said it also feels like a time capsule to the way most Americans lived until the 40s.

[woweeitsme]

Ping for later viewing.

[WashingtonFire]

One of great Presidents of our last century.

A very different character to Trump, but both men were the right men for their times. They were/are both true Patriots as well who know how to get an economy working

[SMGFan]

Sad we forget how tough life was before antibiotics. Even for the President’s son.

www.shapell.org/this-day-in-history/Death-of-Calvin-Coolidge-Jr

[Albion Wilde]

Terrific. A much underrated president. (The smoking scene at the end -- egads! Didn't see Silent Cal taking part in it.)

“There is a recent development... the greatly disproportionate influence of organized minorities. Artificial propaganda, paid agitators, selfish interests, all impinge upon members of legislative bodies to force them to represent special elements rather than the great body of their constituency. When they are successful, minority rule is established…The result is an extravagance on the part of the Government which is ruinous to the people, and a multiplicity of regulations and restrictions for the conduct of necessary business which becomes oppressive.

“No plan of centralization has ever been adopted which did not result in bureaucracy, tyranny, inflexibility, reaction, and decline. Of all forms of government, those administered by bureaus are the least satisfactory to an enlightened and progressive people. Being irresponsible they become autocratic. Unless bureaucracy is constantly resisted it breaks down representative government and overwhelms democracy. It sets up the pretense of having authority over everybody and being responsible to nobody.

“We must also recognize that the national administration is not and cannot be adjusted to the needs of local government. The States should not be induced to surrender the management of their own affairs. It does not follow that because something ought to be done the National Government ought to do it. I want to see the policy adopted by the States of discharging their public functions so faithfully that instead of an extension on the part of the Federal Government there can be a contraction.

“The principles of government have the same need to be fortified, reinforced, and supported that characterize the principles of religion.”

—President Calvin Coolidge, May 15, 1926, at the College of William and Mary