>Charles,
>
>>( Lyndon Johnson was pretty quotable too, but most of his best stuff couldn't get past the bad language filters here on UT :-)
>
>When I think of Lyndon Johnson, I think of his slow drawl at the start of every speech, saying "My Fellow Uhmurkuns..."

David;

I remember him starting his speeches with, “My friends and fellow Uhmurkuns..."

Some other memorable lines, “I come to you with a heavy heart”! That was a sure sign he was going to get what he wanted. Another sure tearjerker was, “President Kennedy would have wanted that”! That line was used when LBJ wanted to push through legislation that was not necessarily popular with all of our nation – like civil rights as an example.

LBJ is my least favorite president for a number of reasons which include our involvement in Vietnam, adherence to the then popular Domino Theory (if one nation falls to communism then those countries surrounding it will also fall), and his ability to lie, cheat, exaggerate, and bully. He had his good points such as the President who knew how to bring both sides of the table together. That was a gift that no other President has equaled.

In 1965-66 I was in the Air Force Security Service stationed at San Angelo, Texas. LBJ was not a popular person in that area especially in Johnson City.

As I drove to work this morning through Silicon Valley, I noticed many billboard advertisements. I thought for a moment about LBJ. No not the President – but Lady Bird Johnson. She had a campaign to clean up America! Yes sir, she went into action to remove all billboards throughout the country and was successful. Nothing lasts forever though!

Another campaign of Lady Birds was, “Protecting native plants”! What is a native plant you may ask? Why in California we call them weeds!

Did you ever notice that everyone in the LBJ Administration had huge ear lobes like LBJ? That seemed to be a requirement I guess! :)

Tom