ROLE MODELS – PART THREE
Part two of this series was posted December 16 and I requested readers to send me names of people who they feel would be role models for our children to admire. My blog reaches over 150 people and so far I received only one name verbally, Bill Cosby, from my dear friend Vickey Chau on Christmas day. My initial intent was to expose younger individuals who could be an impact on the younger Americans. I certainly agree that Cosby is a true role model. It appears all of the role models I admired are dead.
Vickey also asked me to expand my search and develop what I perceive to be the requirements that would result in a specification for future Presidents of the United States. By stroke of fate I received a message today that could be useful in writing a specification. The message also busted my bubble when I read about one of my role models when I was younger, John Kennedy, who was at least a leader.
Review these observations that were made by the Secret Service agents that were close to these Presidents. They were likely closer than family. I want to thank another friend, Wally Kittman for sending me this information. I have started my search to create a specification for the President of the United States and your suggestions and comments would be greatly appreciated. C Brewer
Would you consider any of them to be a role model?
From the Secret Service/Very interesting snippets from Ronald Kessler’s book about our presidents. Here are snippets from a book of “Impressions & Observations” of Secret Service personnel assigned to guard U.S. Presidents/First Ladies and Vice Presidents.
*JOHN & JACQUELINE KENNEDY*
*A philanderer of the highest order. *
*She ordered the kitchen help to save all the left-over wine during a State dinner, mixed it with fresh wine and served again during the next White House occasion.*
*LYNDON & LADYBIRD JOHNSON*
*Another philanderer of the highest order. In addition, LBJ was as crude as the day is long. Both JFK and LBJ kept a lot of women in the White House for extramarital affairs. Both had set up “early warning systems” to alert them if/when their wives were nearby. Both Kennedy & Johnson were promiscuous and oversexed men. *
*She was either naive or just pretended to “not know” about her husband’s many liaisons.*
*RICHARD & PAT NIXON*
*A “moral” man but very odd, weird, paranoid, etc. He had a horrible relationship with his family and in a way was almost a recluse.* *She was quiet most of the time.*
*SPIRO AGNEW*
*Everyone in the Secret Service was surprised by his downfall. *
*GERALD & BETTY FORD*
*A true gentlemen who treated the Secret Service with respect and dignity. He had a great sense of humor. *She drank a lot.
*JIMMY & ROSALYN CARTER*
*A complete phony who would portray one picture of himself to the public and very different in private e.g., would be shown carrying his own luggage, but the suitcases were always empty; he kept the empty ones just for photo ops.
Wanted the people to see him as pious and a non-drinker, but he and his family drank alcohol a lot! He had disdain for the Secret Service and was very irresponsible with the “football” with nuclear codes. He didn’t think it was a big deal and would keep military aides at a great distance. Often he did not acknowledge the presence of Secret Service personnel assigned to serve him.*
*She mostly did her own thing.*
*RONALD & NANCY REAGAN*
*The real deal — moral, honest, respectful, and dignified. They treated Secret Service and everyone else with respect and honor. Thanked everyone all the time. He took the time to know everyone on a personal level.
* One “favorite” story that has circulated among the Secret Service personnel was an incident early in his Presidency, when he came out of his room with a pistol tucked on his hip.
The agent in charge asked: “Why the pistol, Mr. President”
He replied, “In case you boys can’t get the job done, I can help.”
It was common for him to carry a pistol. When he met with Gorbachev, he had a pistol in his briefcase.
Upon learning that Gary Hart was caught with Donna Rice, Reagan said, “Boys will be boys, but boys will not be Presidents.”
[He obviously either did not know or forgot JFK’s and LBJ’s sexcapades!]*
*She was very nice but very protective of the President and the Secret Service was often caught in the middle. She tried hard to control what the President ate and he would say to the agent, “Come on, you gotta help me out.”
The Reagans drank wine during State dinners and special occasions only; otherwise, they shunned alcohol; the Secret Service could count on one hand the times they were served wine during their “family dinner”.
For all the fake bluster of the Carters, the Reagans were the ones who lived life as genuinely moral people.*
*GEORGE H. & BARBARA BUSH*
*Extremely kind and considerate Always respectful. Took great care in making sure the agents’ comforts were taken care of. They even brought them meals, etc. One time Barbara Bush brought warm clothes to agents standing outside at Kennebunkport; one agent was given a warm hat, and when he tried to nicely say “no thanks” even though he was obviously freezing, President Bush said “Son, don’t argue with the First Lady, put the hat on.” He was the most prompt of the Presidents. He ran the White House like a well-oiled machine.*
*She ruled the house and spoke her mind.*
*BILL & HILLARY CLINTON*
*Presidency was one giant party. Not trustworthy — he was nice mainly because he wanted everyone to like him, but to him life is just one big game and party. Everyone knows of his sexuality.*
*She is another phony. Her personality would change the instant cameras were near.
She hated with open disdain the military and Secret Service.
She was another one who felt people were there to serve her.
She was always trying to keep tabs on Bill Clinton.*
*ALBERT GORE*
* An egotistical ass, who was once overheard by his Secret Service detail lecturing his only son that he needed to do better in school or he “would end up like these guys” — pointing to the agents.*
*GEORGE W. & LAURA BUSH*
*The Secret Service loved him and Laura Bush. He was also the most physically “in shape” who had a very strict workout regimen.
The Bushes made sure their entire administrative and household staff understood they were to respect and be considerate of the Secret Service.
*She was one of the nicest First Ladies, if not the nicest; she never had any harsh word to say about anyone.* *KARL ROVE was in fact, though, the guy who was the most caring of the Secret Service in the administration.*
*BARACK & MICHELLE OBAMA*
* Clinton all over again” – hates the military and looks down on the Secret Service. He is egotistical and cunning; looks you in the eye and appears to agree with you, but turns around and does the opposite — untrustworthy. He has temper tantrums.*
*She is a complete bitch, who basically hates anybody who is not black; hates the military; and looks at the Secret Service as servants.*
“A taxpayer voting for Obama is like a chicken voting for Col. Sanders.” ANON
A Conservative View 
The trouble is Clyde you never hear about the ones you would prefer as role models. They just go about their business under the radar. We have a nineteen year old councilor here in Kingston city. He represents our ward. He is well dressed, well spoken, polite and does face up when on Council. I would nominate him but that would be lost in the scheme of things. How about the millions of Americans who served community dinner for those less fortunate over Christmas. The firemen who not only risk their lives on duty, but assist the community and those in need every day. Your young people of the military who do the same. Colin Powell who by his biography cannot make himself serve either political party, but served your country all his life. Dick Cheney, who would have blown them all out of the water if not for his health. The youth of America who assist whatever political party because of their belief in America and democracy, and every day probably attend a college or university to improve themselves and their community. As I said Clyde the list is long. Time magazine would do well to pick them as Person of the Year rather than some self serving politician.
Baxter
P.S. Oh I nearly forgot. Then there is you and me.
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Thanks for the feedback Baxter. I have several to reveal in a later posting. Getting people to get involved with feedback is most disappointing and I often wonder why I spend the time when few seem to get involved. Without feedback it is difficult to know if anyone besides you and a small group including family have any interest in anyones writing. I will continue as long as you care if no one else ever has comments. I can’t even piss-off liberals to take a shot at me with facts. There are thousands who elect these morons but possibly can’t find facts to dispute my work?