At long last, after much effort on the part of some determined Americans, the White House is going to display the rug woven by Armenian orphans in gratitude for the United States and her leading role in the rescue, relief and friendship for those who survived the genocide perpetrated against Armenians in 1915. It was to President Coolidge that the intricate rug was given in 1925, an honor he cherished the rest of his life, ensuring its preservation through his son, John. The rug, displayed by President Reagan in 1984 and President Clinton in 1995, was subsequently put away and, despite countless requests, has not been allowed a showing…until now. A sincere thanks goes to everyone who refused to take “no” for an answer. It reminds us all of the devotion Americans still hold, as Calvin Coolidge did, for helping the innocent, standing by those in pursuit of freedom, defending the sanctity of an individual’s life, and supplying that spirit of good will and generosity that unite, not divide, us. It is also a reminder that when Americans rally together behind a just and noble purpose, nothing can stand against them. Coolidge would be proud.

“Instead of putting all the emphasis on the great amount of wealth our country has accumulated, some thought should be given to the amount it is continually giving away. These are our permanent investments on which the returns are most satisfactory” (Calvin Coolidge, May 4, 1931).

Keep posted at the Armenian Weekly

“We Must Turn Back Picketty’s Charge” by Burt Folsom

May 1, 2014May 1, 2014 / gouverneurmorris / Leave a comment

Dr. Folsom has another excellent analysis of the latest (and still just as devoid of substance) “scholarly” plea for taxing “the rich” so that government “helps the poor.” That “help” never gets to those who actually need it, does it? Folsom’s new article, looking back on the ground laid by Hoover and FDR in the 1930s, reminds us that there is nothing new under the sun and redistribution still fails every time. As Coolidge once said, “No matter what any one may say about making the rich and the corporations pay the taxes, in the end they come out of the people who toil. It is your fellow workers who are ordered to work for the Government every time an appropriation bill is passed.”

“US President Calvin Coolidge”

April 2, 2014April 6, 2014 / gouverneurmorris / Leave a comment

Aaron1912 has put up a very entertaining montage of clips of the Coolidges both during the Presidency and in retirement. While both Calvin and Grace knew how to maximize the benefits of technology in film and sound, Mrs. Coolidge is especially accentuating her role opposite Santa Claus (played by Frank Kiernan of the Massachusetts TB League) at 1:27 in this delightful video. Enjoy!