Ranking our presidents

 

Donald J. Trump may not be the very worst US president ever in our history. Though certainly not on a par of excellence with George Washington and Ahraham Lincoln, is he actually worse than Ulysses S. Grant? Worse than Richard M. Nixon? At one time, American voters of their eras rallied behind both Grant and Nixon, though Nixon resigned in disgrace. Grant supported voting rights for African Americans (men only) but did not understand much about politics and the presidency. 

Google says: "President Ulysses S. Grant did not fully understand politics and lacked political training, which hindered his effectiveness as president." 

Acknowledging his limitations, ''Grant admitted that being elected Chief Executive was his 'misfortune.' He came to the White House disdaining party politics. While he had a coherent moral and political philosophy—firmly supporting the Radical Republicans' Reconstruction efforts, African American civil rights, and the 15th Amendment—he struggled to navigate the legislative process and often deferred to Congress. His lack of political savvy led to a high turnover in his cabinet. Furthermore, his fierce loyalty to associates led to several political scandals. While Grant was never personally implicated in these crimes, his inability to read the political motivations of others allowed corruption to fester during his two terms."

Here is Google's current ranking of superior US presidents, starting with the best:

1. Abraham Lincoln: Widely regarded as the greatest. He successfully navigated the American Civil War, preserved the Union, and issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

2. Franklin D. Roosevelt: Led the nation through the Great Depression and World War II. His "New Deal" policies permanently expanded the role of the federal government in the economy and established Social Security. 

3. George Washington: Set the foundational precedents for the presidency, including the peaceful transfer of power and the establishment of a functional executive branch. 

4. Theodore Roosevelt: Championed the progressive movement, broke up corporate monopolies, and established the National Park Service..

Here now is how Googls ranks the worst US presidents, starting with the very worst. 

1. James Buchanan (1857–1861)

• The Record: Ranked consistently as the worst president by scholars.

2. Andrew Johnson (1865–1869)

• The Record: Widely viewed as one of the most destructive leaders in office.
• The Flaws: Assuming office after Abraham Lincoln's assassination, Johnso systematically undermined Reconstruction. 

3. Franklin Pierce (1853–1857)

• The Record: Consistently ranked in the bottom across presidential surveys.
• The Flaws: He signed the controversial Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which repealed the Missouri Compromise and directly triggered bloody localized violence over the expansion of slavery.

4. Warren G. Harding (1921–1923)

• The Record: The lowest-ranked 20th-century president in many historical polls.
• The Flaws: His administration is defined by widespread cronyism and massive corruption, most notably the Teapot Dome bribery scandal. While he was personally liked, his poor appointments caused lasting damage to the integrity of the presidency.

Modern Perspectives

• Donald Trump: In contemporary rankings by historians and organizations—such as the C-SPAN Presidential Historians Survey and the U.S. News Worst Presidents Rankings—Donald Trump often polls in the bottom tier. Scholars frequently cite his challenges to democratic institutions, flouting of political norms, and his role in the January 6th Capitol riot as foundational reasons for his low placement.

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Of course, so far, all US presidents have been men. Hillary and Kamala did not shatter the glass ceiling but came close. Even Honduras, my Peace Corps country, has had a female president. Now at age 88, I do hope to see an American woman president before I finally exit this mortal coil. 

Now well into his second term, Donald Trump does not seem overly concrned about his presidential rankimg: "Fake news!" He is the oldest person to ever serve as President of the United States and as he approaches his 80th birthday, he has speculated about serving as vice president on a Republican ticket (pity his unfortunate running mate!).

 

                                            Donald Trump answered questions aboard Air Force One on Friday.  

Wash. Post, Trump defiant in face of rare resistance from congressional Republicans

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Wash. Post, Three fathers killed their families this week as domestic violence deaths remain high

The homicide rate is falling, but domestic killings are not. For those who track this kind of violence, the deaths are both predictable and preventable.

The "right to bear arms," a so-called "right" invented by the NRA, is largely to blame for domestic violence deaths, Family members always get into squabbles. Having a fireaem in the home just escalates the risks. Over half of US gun deaths are suicides, If a firearm were not so readily available, the impulse might soon pass. 

Those born male have always been the gun killers of their own family membes, whether or not they have "transitoned" to being presented as female. Those born female have never in history committed mass murders of their families or others. Testosterone may help men protect their families, but is often fatal to those same families if those men turn against family members. At least 95% of murderers of family members are male. 

But if firearms were not so readily available, many unneceesary premature deaths would be prevented, Why do other modern countrie have so much lower homicide rates than US? Partly because firearms are not so easily available, Right here in little Berkeley Springs, there is a shop selling many types of firarms. If you are age 21, you can probably buy any one you like. If you are 18, you can even buy several types of firearms. Having a firearm in the home is associated with a greater chance of a firearm death within the family--it is not at all protective! 

                        Thieves do not enter homes these days to rob them.

The vast majority of thefts now occur on-line--as happened to me a few years ago, my bank account was decimated by a female thief who apparently worked in banking. 

Here in Berkeley Springs, we never lock our doors when we go out. If a thief should enter, what would that person steal? Pots and pans? Pillow cases and sheets? Maybe this computer? Yes, the computer is the only thing of possible value. Computers are for sale at prices starting at $150. Wouldn't it be easier just to buy a computer? 

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Israeli soldiers open fire on car in West Bank, killing 7-month-old baby

While Israel may not have started this war, that nation has gone from attracting almost universal sympathy after the initial attack to now becoming a worldwide villain, with Bibi Netanyahu only hanging on now because Donald Trump has come to his rescue.  

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                                    In Alaska's wildlife refuge, a caribou chases birds,  

Three very large round black objects appear on my screen in a preview of the post. I don't know how they got there or how to remove them as when I open up my screen, they are simply not there, just in a preview. If they show up for you, please just ignore them.