…and one of the first stops is Lindenwald, the home of our eighth President, Martin Van Buren. In the non-military academic world I live in, if you don’t have a decided opinion on MVB, yea or nay, you’re weak. My take: Interesting man, first President not of the Virginia-Massachusetts aristocracy or a former war hero (like Jackson). First President born an American, not a British subject. Spoke Dutch as his first language. Consummate politician, bridge-builder, negotiator, on the right side of most issues. Lackluster President, though–economic crisis, Trail of Tears happened on his watch, and VB did little to prevent or mitigate them. May have been victim of circumstances beyond anyone’s control, but ultimately takes the rap for not being forceful or talented enough to shape events to the nation’s advantage.
Anyway, it’s good to be back, and look forward to seeing or speaking with everyone.
April 20, 2009 at 4:29 am |
Hey Pete,
I’m so happy to hear that you’re home on leave for a little while. I’m glad to see that the top half of your face is safe and unscathed after the first part of your tour of duty in Afghanistan! Enjoy your break. Rest: you deserve it!
Best,
Chris
April 20, 2009 at 3:58 pm |
Hey Pete,
That has got to be one of the more pointed (yet fair, I think) critiques of Martin Van Buren in all of the military blogosphere. It’s good to know that your expertise on all things 19-C American is still serving you well. Any chance that you’re going to be swinging by the Bloomington area while you’re at home on leave? I imagine that they’re keeping you pretty busy here on the home front as well.
Jon
April 20, 2009 at 10:02 pm |
Chris, Jon: My harshest critics, and by far the better craftsmen, posting straight from the American heartland…. It was always my ambition to write the best critique of Martin Van Buren in the military blogosphere, and it warms my icey heart to think I might have come close.
Thanks for your love and support–no trip to Indiana this time around, unfortunately, but next fall/winter for sure.
-Pete