Today is the 212th anniversary of the birth of Millard Fillmore, our 13th president.
Perhaps unjustly, his 2 1/2 year administration is frequently evaluated as a failure (at worst) or mediocre (at best). Let's be charitable and call it mediocre. If for no other reasons, we can be grateful for his establishment of the White House Library and providing the nomenclatural inspiration for the comic strip Mallard Fillmore.
Should America be appreciative of its mediocre leaders? Nebraska Senator Roman Hruska thought so. (The "h" in Hruska is silent, so what a wonderfully alliterative name!)
The year was 1970. Richard Nixon nominated G. Harrold Carswell to serve on the United States Supreme Court. Many found Carswell a mediocre judge, and opposition quickly mounted. Nonetheless, Hruska leapt to the Senate floor in Carswell's defense, arguing: "Even if he were mediocre, there are a lot of mediocre judges and people and lawyers. They are entitled to a little representation, aren't they, and a little chance?"
In any case, Hruska's impassioned plea in defense of mediocrity fell on deaf ears, and Carswell's nomination was rejected.
But what if Hruska were right? What if mediocre people do deserve a little representation, a little chance? Why not let them (us) rise up and claim Millard Fillmore as their (our) own? Millard Fillmore Day - a grand celebration in praise of mediocrity!
Happy Millard Fillmore Day!
2 comments:
You made me laugh out loud when I read the punch line.
Although, my mother often told us (sports was the context) that sometimes it's better to be mediocre at many things and have the time to enjoy them instead of fantastic at only one.....
Dear Katy,
A wise Mother, indeed!
Cordially,
Charlie
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