Trumping Trump

At the close of last week, I was reminded of that brilliant satirical British TV show of the 60’s “That Was the Week That Was /it’s over, let it go/”.I can only imagine what David Frost & crew would have made of the recent USA election coverage.  Saturated by the 24/7 TV, bemused by the electoral processes, I am sure we were all more than happy ‘to let it go” and settle in for a relaxing weekend.

So, what a joy, what a delight, to pick up the 7/8th Weekend Australian and savour John Connolly’s article entitled “Jumbo History of Colourful Leaders” (you need to read it to get the nuance). How could one not continue after such a teaser of this first paragraph below: 

Quote: “Of course, the millions around the world who think Donald Trump is too wacky to be president conveniently forget that many of his predecessors make him look like Winston Churchill”

Having caught our attention John continues with a potted history of some of the more eccentric behaviours of American presidents, many of which do outshine even Donald Trump’s oddities.

Included are the stories of Chester A Arthur who had to sell the White House furniture to pay for the Tiffany renovations, with John making it sound like the greatest garage sale ever. Then of Eisenhower and his solution for the removal of Sciurus Carolinensis (google this one) from his putting green, and Rutherford Hayes who won by one electoral vote in a very disputed election (which took 4 months to resolve) and henceforth Hayes was known as His Fraudulency.

Of course, there is much more salacious material to mull over and not wishing to spoil all your fun we won’t mention the elephant in the room!!  It is not a Jumbo history for nothing.

An article not to be missed, go to google and type in 'America’s history of colourful leaders makes Trump look positively statesmanlike' and click on the first link of 'The Australian'.

Enjoy

Reviewed & written by Jennet Cunnington