Lady Bird

[BigD]

I can't help myself, and even at the risk of being shot down, I wish to mention the passing of Lady Bird Johnson. She was an elegant lady who worked hard for the causes she believed in, most notably the preservation of wild flowers in their geographical habitat. I heard it said that she didn't want the whole country to all look the same, that the landscape of the states should reflect their natural beauty, that Vermont should not look like Texas, etc. She also remanined an active Democrat when the whole state, it seemed, became Republicans. And she actively campaigned for the Democratic candidates. I met her once, and even though we conversed for just a few minutes, she showed such interest in me. It was a humbling experience then, and even more so as I think of her again this day. She was truly a lady of grace and charm.

[BgMstr4u]

She truly was a great lady. She stood with LBJ all the way through his career, wiser and kinder than he often was, knowing that the nation needed his gifts. She put up with a man of titanic appetites who would have made Bill Clinton look like a goofy frat boy next to a consummate pro if they had been dwelt upon the way Bill's were. Lady Bird understood him, understood politics and Texas and the American people, and worked hard to propel her husband to a position where he could do good for the rest of us.

 

I wish I could unqualifiedly endorse what he did. Civil rights and the Great Society were his great accomplishments. Vietnam was his (and our) Calvary. IMHO he thought he had to carry on what JFK had started. If he had had more confidence in his own judgement (which I think was better formed than Kennedy's), perhaps he would have pulled the plug early on. He didn't. That is his tragedy and ours. I'm just sorry she didn't spend more time bringing sense to the war room than she did plantings to the highways.

 

But without Lady Bird's business skills LBJ never would have had the financial base to act. Without her discretion and tact he would early on have been cast aside as the doofus he appeared to be. She believed in him and made him what he became. Thank you, Lady Bird.

[Chuck50]

She tried to make "America Beautiful" but we didnt listen. God bless her for her efforts. HUGS Chuck

[Guest alanm]

I was born in Austin. The reaction to Lady Bird's death is respectful, but quiet nation wide because it's been almost forty years since the Johnsons were in the White House.

 

I am in Philadelphia tonight, but there's no doubt that the outpouring of love and affection toward Mrs. Johnson will be overwhelming in Texas

as Austin prepares for several private and public funeral events. Lady Bird Johnson was easily the most beloved person in Texas.

 

She also had extraordinary political judgment.