The Lady Bird Special. From a time when the nation's First Lady sought to heal instead of divide

[Dennis Donovan]

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/13/politics/melania-trump-racism-coronavirus-protest-lady-bird-johnson/index.html

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Dual tragedies


Lady Bird Johnson shaking hands with a young supporter during the whistle-stop tour of the South, October 1964.

But coronavirus isn't the only force challenging American life right now. The country also is finally facing a racial reckoning -- years in the making -- following the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police last month.

Perhaps there was no other first lady from the past who has a more parallel path with what is happening today than Claudia Taylor "Lady Bird" Johnson.

As America took crucial steps to desegregate the country, with the passage of President Lyndon Johnson's Civil Rights Act of 1964, Lady Bird sensed she should, and could, use her role to step in and help soothe a country grappling with change. And unlike Melania Trump, Johnson was keen to do so in person, knowing the power of her voice in the South could be all the more impactful than a letter-writing campaign, or even at an appearance alongside the President.

In October of 1964, Lady Bird Johnson embarked on a solo whistle-stop tour of the South, in a customized train with a special caboose, trimmed with a striped awning and a giant "Lady Bird Special" sign. She visited eight states in four days, traveling from DC's Union Station to New Orleans, making 47 stops, and speeches, along the way.

The South was a place Lady Bird knew well, having grown up in East Texas and spent time as a child in Alabama with family. Yet with the passage of the Civil Rights Act by her husband, the South was embroiled in change, there was anger and frustration.

"Lady Bird Johnson put her life on the line in 1964, as the first first lady to campaign without her husband," said Kate Andersen Brower, author of "Team of Five: The Presidents Club in the Age of Trump." "The Civil Rights Act had infuriated voters. Lady Bird was from the South, and she spoke their language. There were death threats, but she persisted."

There were bomb threats, and protesters, signs saying: "Black Bird! Go Home!" and chants of anger. At every stop, for as many supporters as showed up by the thousands to catch a glimpse of the five-foot-four-inch, 51-year-old first lady with the lilting Southern accent, there was opposition.


Lady Bird Johnson addressing a crowd from the back of a train during her whistle-stop tour of South; daughter Lynda Bird Johnson accompanies her.

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[gordianot]

1. Anyone associated with Donald Trump made a Faustian deal.

As long as you are associated with Donald Trump you are among the walking dead.

[Roy Rolling]

2. He's Collecting Souls

Before he slithers away he will damage as many people—supporters included—as subhumanly possible.

[delisen]

3. Claudia Taylor made wildflowers visible to millions who

Millions who had disdained wildflowers in a time when we were beguiled by the chemicals, fossil fuels and poisons which have brought us to the edge of global ruin.

Rachel Carson was the scientist we needed to be listening to in the 1960s
We cannot build a future on the gender prejudice of the past and expect to survive.
The first lady title needs to be left in the past. It harks of the time when the majority of Americans did not have equal rights and has kept us from having the best people in the seats of power.


Let Melania be the last of first. Some traditions need to be left in the pas so we can build a democracy

[bobbieinok]

4. Had forgotten this. Thanks for posting