This Day in History

Some folks will note that NFL PreSeason begins tonight (Go Skins!) and that former President Clinton will be appearing on the Daily Show.

But, it's also a 30th Anniversary.

On August 9, 1974, Richard Nixon resigned the Presidency.

Some of you may know that I once worked for The Nixon Center. My opinions on his presidency and political legacy are decidedly mixed. I'll always be ambivalent about having the Nixon name on my resume. He was dead several years before I took that job, and my work was not directly connected to pushing his legacy - but rather certain aspects of methodology in international affairs that certainly predated his administration. But still...

There's work as a leader that merits respect - Nixon's support of environmental protection legislation (even as he hated the environmentalists) is once such example. And there is a part of me that will admire how a man who came from almost nothing could work his way to the top of government... But, when I think of Nixon, the first things I'll associate is "Abuse of Power", and a resignation to escape an impending conviction that was justly merited.

This Day in History

Some folks will note that NFL PreSeason begins tonight (Go Skins!) and that former President Clinton will be appearing on the Daily Show.

But, it's also a 30th Anniversary.

On August 9, 1974, Richard Nixon resigned the Presidency.

Some of you may know that I once worked for The Nixon Center. My opinions on his presidency and political legacy are decidedly mixed. I'll always be ambivalent about having the Nixon name on my resume. He was dead several years before I took that job, and my work was not directly connected to pushing his legacy - but rather certain aspects of methodology in international affairs that certainly predated his administration. But still...

There's work as a leader that merits respect - Nixon's support of environmental protection legislation (even as he hated the environmentalists) is once such example. And there is a part of me that will admire how a man who came from almost nothing could work his way to the top of government... But, when I think of Nixon, the first things I'll associate is "Abuse of Power", and a resignation to escape an impending conviction that was justly merited.