The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

POLITICAL STORY

THE INFORMANT, AN OLD IRISH DEMOCRAT, RETIRED DETROIT
FIREMAN, COMMENTED ON THE WISDOM OF ERECTING A STATUE
OF LYNDON JOHNSON IN THE HALL OF FAME IN WASHINGTON:
"THE STATUE COULDN'T BE PLACED BESIDES GEORGE WASHINGTON
WHO NEVER TOLD A LIE, NOR BESIDE FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT,
WHO NEVER TOLD THE TRUTH, BECAUSE L.B.J. IS ONE WHO
CAN'T TELL THE DIFFERENCE."

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT STATED THAT THE STATUE SHOULD BE PLACED
BESIDE THAT OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, THE GREATEST
WHEELER AND DEALER OF THEM ALL. HE STARTED OUT NOT
KNOWING WHERE HE WAS GOING; UPON ARRIVING, HE DID NOT
KNOW WHERE HE WAS; ON RETURNING, HE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE
HE HAD BEEN; FURTHERMORE, HE DID IT ALL ON BORROWED
MONEY.
THE INFORMANT, MY FATHER, HAS UP UNTIL RECENT TIMES
BEEN AN ALMOST SUPPORTER OF THE NEW DEAL AND SOMETIMES
VIOLENTLY ANTI-REPUBLICAN. SINCE HIS RETIREMENT, I
HAVE NOTICED A NUMBER OF ANTI-DEMOCRATIC TENDENCIES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 03-10-1967