blinki.st/c87019b62fd6?b…
This morning's free blinks: Richard Nixon, the life by @jaloysius
I definitely don't know much about Nixon, but do know that he is a polarising figure and the Watergate scandal tarnished his legacy, if he had any to begin with.
This morning's free blinks: Richard Nixon, the life by @jaloysius
I definitely don't know much about Nixon, but do know that he is a polarising figure and the Watergate scandal tarnished his legacy, if he had any to begin with.
@jaloysius blinki.st/c87019b62fd6?b…
Nixon had served in the US Navy during WW2. He was a lawyer from a town called Whittier in California. Another officer, Lt Renneburg convinced Nixon to run for congress.
Nixon had served in the US Navy during WW2. He was a lawyer from a town called Whittier in California. Another officer, Lt Renneburg convinced Nixon to run for congress.
@jaloysius blinki.st/c87019b62fd6?b…
Nixon came from humble beginnings. Both his parents were Protestant Christians, and his father was a failed lemon farmer. Two of his brothers died of TB-presumably transmitted from the raw milk of the family's cow.
Nixon came from humble beginnings. Both his parents were Protestant Christians, and his father was a failed lemon farmer. Two of his brothers died of TB-presumably transmitted from the raw milk of the family's cow.
Nixon got the nickname Dick. He was reserved and quiet. A little bookish, shy and awkward.
I can relate to this.🤣
Nixon's aim was to "study law and enter politics so he could do good."
I can relate to this.🤣
Nixon's aim was to "study law and enter politics so he could do good."
Nixon stuggled to get a job after finishing law school and was not a gracious loser. (My dad didn't gamble because he hated losing).
He married Pat in 1940 and joined the navy after realising that wartime service would look good on the CV.
He married Pat in 1940 and joined the navy after realising that wartime service would look good on the CV.
blinki.st/c87019b62fd6?b…
Nixon's politics was a "centrist brand of liberalism". He learnt how to undermine his opponent and discovered his ruthless streak.
Nixon's politics was a "centrist brand of liberalism". He learnt how to undermine his opponent and discovered his ruthless streak.
Apparently his wife was uncomfortable at a lot of stages of the political cycle. From these blinks, it sounds like she was in some ways his conscience. Nixon learnt to stoke public fear in order to win elections.🤷🏻♂️
Nixon v Hiss. Nixon was the only one to suspect Hiss was lying re: his communist sympathies. Nixon was right and his career "skyrocketed".
Ironically, Nixon "was fond of reminding his aides that it was the cover-up, not the crime, that had tripped up Hiss."
Ironically, Nixon "was fond of reminding his aides that it was the cover-up, not the crime, that had tripped up Hiss."
blinki.st/c87019b62fd6?b…
Nixon became known as "tricky Dick". He supported Eisenhower/Taft for the 1952 presidential election. He convinced the Californian Republican delegates to switch sides. This was known as the "great train robbery".
Nixon became known as "tricky Dick". He supported Eisenhower/Taft for the 1952 presidential election. He convinced the Californian Republican delegates to switch sides. This was known as the "great train robbery".
Nixon made history with a television address where he spoke with great sincerity about his humble origins, was vulnerable in addressing the accusations made about him. This was known as the "Checkers speech". The author describes this as part of Nixon's manipulation.
blinki.st/c87019b62fd6?b…
When Nixon was elected vice-president to Eisenhower, he was the youngest in history.
Nixon's "ruthless pragmatism was not always in the service of dark forces". He became a trusted friend of MLK and ensured passage of the 1957 Civil Rights Act.
When Nixon was elected vice-president to Eisenhower, he was the youngest in history.
Nixon's "ruthless pragmatism was not always in the service of dark forces". He became a trusted friend of MLK and ensured passage of the 1957 Civil Rights Act.
"But votes always came first".
😔
This is why I'm less and less a fan of representative democracy. I'd prefer a lottery like @Gladwell suggests in the powerball episode of Revisionist History.
😔
This is why I'm less and less a fan of representative democracy. I'd prefer a lottery like @Gladwell suggests in the powerball episode of Revisionist History.
blinki.st/c87019b62fd6?b…
Nixon found work with Pepsi after being defeated by Kennedy. Interestingly while working in Moscow, he went to visit Khrushchev. Khrushchev was out.🤣
Nixon found work with Pepsi after being defeated by Kennedy. Interestingly while working in Moscow, he went to visit Khrushchev. Khrushchev was out.🤣
Nixon is accused by the author of scuppering a peace deal in Vietnam in 1967 to boost his prospects of election to the presidency in 1968. MLK and Bobby Kennedy were assassinated that year.
Nixon and Kissenger adopted a "madman theory" for Vietnam. They bombed Cambodia which helped Pol Pot take power there. Clearly the strategy didn't work.
blinki.st/c87019b62fd6?b…
Nixon sought to emulate Eisenhower.
The author describes Nixon thus: "Nixon was a pragmatist all the way down: he had no real ideology at all."
Nixon sought to emulate Eisenhower.
The author describes Nixon thus: "Nixon was a pragmatist all the way down: he had no real ideology at all."
"Nixon oversaw huge strides in desegregation in schools: the pragmatic, progressive, lawful thing to do. Yet he actively avoided taking credit for this, because he wanted to retain the Southern vote."
"Sleeping pills and other meds continued to influence Nixon’s moods – and he couldn’t handle his alcohol, either. Three drinks were enough to send his paranoia through the roof."
Alcohol.
Alcohol.
blinki.st/c87019b62fd6?b…
Nixon was looking for some big wins in the lead up to the 1972 election. He got it with his visit to China and normalising of diplomatic relations. He won the election in a landslide
Nixon was looking for some big wins in the lead up to the 1972 election. He got it with his visit to China and normalising of diplomatic relations. He won the election in a landslide
blinki.st/c87019b62fd6?b…
Some sensitive official documents about the Vietnam war were leaked in Jun 1971. Nixon became paranoid and declared war on the press. He "lost all interest in the legality of his tactics."
Some sensitive official documents about the Vietnam war were leaked in Jun 1971. Nixon became paranoid and declared war on the press. He "lost all interest in the legality of his tactics."
blinki.st/c87019b62fd6?b…
Watergate happened, and the cover up was possibly worse than the crime itself.
His wife Pat died in 1993. Nixon died a few years later. “The greatest honor history can bestow is the title of peacemaker.”
Watergate happened, and the cover up was possibly worse than the crime itself.
His wife Pat died in 1993. Nixon died a few years later. “The greatest honor history can bestow is the title of peacemaker.”
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