Posted on 09/04/2011 7:00:48 PM PDT by Rufii
Library Throws Book at Nixon
by Brian Calle
Some controversy over the recently revised Watergate exhibit at the Nixon Presidential Library & Museum in Yorba Linda has provoked some questions over presidential libraries, their value, purpose for public consumption and their role in the remembrance of past presidents.One docent at the Nixon library, my Register colleague Will Alexander, opted to resign in protest of the new exhibit after 10 years of volunteer service. And friends and former colleagues of Richard Nixon have been critical of the museum's new director, Timothy Naftali. Some critics have even suggested that the Nixon library is becoming an anti-Nixon monument.
On March 31, the library opened a new exhibit on the Watergate scandal that forced Nixon to resign the presidency in 1974. It replaced the original Watergate exhibit, which dated back 15 years and in which Nixon was involved in curating. The new exhibit offers a much harsher depiction of Watergate.
The visual imagery and titles reflect a strongly critical vibe, if not a completely anti-Nixon tone to the presentation. The start of the gallery features big, bold, red and black letters spelling out “Road to Resignation.” Other parts of the exhibit are labeled “Dirty Tricks and Political Espionage” and “The Cover-Up, Break-In and Evidence,” just to give a few examples. After walking through the gallery, one would be hard pressed to feel warm and fuzzy about the former president, who died in 1994 and is buried on the library grounds.
(Excerpt) Read more at ocregister.com ...
Ever been to the Lincoln Library and Lincoln Museum? They are truly impressive in scope of scholarship far beyond just President Lincoln.
There is a means of recourse. The House committee that oversees the National Archives is headed by Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC), a Tea Party Republican. I hope he gets wind of some of these shenanigans.
History will be kinder to him in the future once the current batch of libs and commies in the press die off.
The Left never forgave Richard Nixon for nailing their fair-haired boy Alger Hiss. That's why they hound him to this very day.
He stunk. Disgusting human being. And now that I think about it, why the heck does he have a library. I never in my life could understand how failures can be honored. Well at least he hasn’t gotten a ship named after him.......he better not!!!!
Compared with what we’ve got today, Nixon was a saint.
“The Left never forgave Richard Nixon for nailing their fair-haired boy Alger Hiss. That’s why they hound him to this very day.”
Indeed. Considering how liberal President Nixon actually was for a Republican, it’s amazing how much the left hates him for that.
I’m sad to read about this happening. Nixon has no lack of criticism and derision(much of it warranted, I concede) from left and right elsewhere. Having one counterbalance wasn’t hurting anything. It’s a shame his family turned it over to the government to run and to ruin. I wonder if Julie and Tricia are happy with their decision now.
I’m so happy I went back in 1991 when Mr. Nixon was still alive.
and one of the more ethical.
Is that an imperative or declaratory statement?
Is it true that the Nixon sisters don’t get along? I hadn’t heard anything about that (not that I follow them closely). I seem to recall that one of them, or one of their kids endorsed Obama in ‘08 (maybe one of Julie’s since much was made of the Obama endorser being a grandchild and great-grandchild of Republican presidents). But lots of people’s kids do stupid things.
I guess this means in another decade or so we’ll see Monica Lewinsky, Paula Jones and Ken Starr speaking at the Clinton museum? I don’t think every president has to have a museum in his honor (especially when the cost of running the place falls on taxpayers), much as I don’t think we should have “President’s Day” instead of Washington’s birthday.
“Is it true that the Nixon sisters don’t get along? I hadn’t heard anything about that (not that I follow them closely). I seem to recall that one of them, or one of their kids endorsed Obama in ‘08 (maybe one of Julie’s since much was made of the Obama endorser being a grandchild and great-grandchild of Republican presidents). But lots of people’s kids do stupid things.”
Indeed. Like Christopher Buckley. Anyway, Julie endorsed Obama(probably due to the influence of her sister-in-law Susan) while Tricia endorsed McCain. I used to like Julie but I think it’s ridiculous than either Nixon daughter would endorse someone for President who makes George McGovern look conservative by comparison. I’m sure Obama was brought up to despise Nixon.
Any word on how David took her endorsement?
I’m guessing he probably supported Obama also(although I can’t say for sure). His dad John Eisenhower endorsed John Kerry in 2004.
“...unless a new Republican administration appoints as National Archivist an activist determined to clean up the National Archives.”
I really want the next republican president to demand resignations from EVERY SINGLE person whose resignation can be demanded. I want them all vetted and when necessary replaced.
This doesn’t need to be done all at once, only the Dept. of Justice ones need to be done immediately.
But I don’t see any reason why the process can’t be completed in a year.
I think Bush left way too many lefties in place.
This is a BIG REASON why we need a president who will not care what the NY Times says about him or her.
Interesting. My first reaction was that it was pretty bizarre, then I realized the GOP of the Eisenhower/Nixon era is as different from today’s GOP as today’s Dems are from the Kennedy/Johnson era. Guess they’ve all gone Lincoln Chaffee.
Yep. They also seem to be sending the message(intentional or not) that either Hubert Humphrey or George McGovern should’ve won instead. Definitely not messages I’d be expecting from that family considering how anathema the Democrats find Nixon.
Notice how the Reagan museum teamed up with Politico and MSNBC.
Alexandr Haig was a big motivator to get Richard Nixon to swing into action to help save Israel during 1973 war. By resupplying them like crazy via air transport. Nixon was dawdling
I cannot imagine Hillary giving her OK to that trailer park Clinton library....I wonder the nit wit that hated Clinton sure got one past them when he put up that ugly thing...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.