TOTA - MADAM PRESIDENT

I was elected President of the Legal Studies Club at a Club meeting this week.  I was really looking forward to a debate (or two) and had many ideas for a dirty campaign!  But I was the only candidate and no one dared, well, nobody was foolish enough to take on the responsibilities.  I founded the Club early this year and have been planning, conducting and overseeing all the meetings.  I nominated other Club members for the positions of President-Elect, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer.  We were officially elected by acclamations for a one year term. 

I prepared a short acceptance speech that reads, "My dear Legal Studies Club members, Thank you for your votes.  I am humbled by your trust and support.  I promise you that under my administration, I will uphold the Constitution, protect our Freedom and Liberty.  I will never abuse the executive power to cover up my incompetency, no illegal surveillance, or targeting any particular groups for political gains.  I will do my very best to be a competent leader.  I will always tell the truth, so help me God.  Thank you again for your support.  God Bless you, our Legal Studies Club and God Bless America." 

I have a question, "As president, would I still be able to get a tattoo and ride a Harley to meetings, instead of using Air Force One?"  My first executive order could be no more expensive golf outings, overspending vacations and unproductive oversea trips.  That would save lot of money and cut down our federal deficits.

FRIDAY SKY - UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THE PRESIDENTS

These photos sure come in handy for this Friday Sky post and for President Lincoln's birthday on Sunday, February 12th, President Washington's birthday on February 22nd and for President's Day on Monday, February 20th. (Yes, I admit that I am way late, again, writing about these holidays.) This is all I have write for this post. I was about to ask the question, "Who do you think is the best president who has done great things for America?" but I am afraid I might get in trouble asking such loaded question. On the other hand, it might help this boring blog getting more comments and lot of followers. Come to think of it, I prefer to keep this blog of mine boring and remain unknown in blogsphere. So consider it is a rhetorical question, no need to send your comments.

FRIDAY "SOUTH DAKOTA" SKY

We had beautiful sunny comfortable weather 9 days out of our recent 10-day road trip. The only day when it was pouring was when we were in Iowa. I am bringing back the Friday Sky series (Hey Qaptain Qwerty, it is not "Friday Freaks") with these photos taken while we were in South Dakota.

MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MONUMENT

Monday, September 5th - We continued north from Hot Springs (US385), then to SR244 to Crazy Horse Memorial Monument and to Mount Rushmore National Memorial monument.

The admission was $11 per vehicle. After finding a nice spot (away from all other cars, especially those gas-guzzling SUVs with big, wide doors) for the Mustang, we walked from the parking lot, up the steps, down the Avenue of Flags, toward the Monument.

It was a beautiful sunny and comfortable day - such the day that made me feel so blessed to be alive, sort-of in good health, proud to be an "interesting" American and to be living in America!

At the memorial, there are many facilities including Carvers Cafe & Gift Shop, the Mount Rushmore Bookstore, the Sculptor's Studio (on-site studio for sculptor Gutzon Borglum but only open during the summer season), and Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center. Lincoln continued the work after his father died in 1941. Once again due to the tight schedule, we had to skip the 1/2 mile trail that would take visitors to the base of the mountain for a closer look at the monument.

Looking up at the 60-foot heads of the four U.S. Presidents on a 5,675-foot granite peak, I was a bit surprised that the monument was not as big as I have imagined. The carving began in 1927. George Washington's head was finished in 1930, next were Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and the last head of Theodore Roosevelt was finished in 1941. Thomas Jefferson's head was supposed to be on the right side of George Washington. Workers cut the stone, but it was not strong enough for the sculpture and had to be blasted away. The 2nd try placed Jefferson's head on the left side of Washington.

"... let us place there, carved high, as close as heaven as we can, the words of our leaders, their faces, to show posterity what manner of men they were. Then breathe a prayer that these records will endure until the wind and rain alone shall wear them away." Gutzon Borglum, Mount Rushmore Sculptor, 1930.

When I saw the motorcycles (below photo), a thought came to my mind, what would these presidents, WJRL, prefered as mode of transportation, motorcycles or the Mustang? (The readers probably are thinking, "TOTA, you sure have weird thoughts!") I would guess that Washington would drive the Mustang for comfort and because he was a rather serious and proper individual.

Jefferson would drive the motorcycle because it would allow him to explore the surrounding (or checking what Lewis and Clark missed). Roosevelt also would ride the Harley being that he was an avid outdoor man. Mr. Lincoln himself would have to be in the T-bird with the top down to accomodate his tall hat - haa haa.

We had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Don "Nick" Clifford (his wife Carolyn was standing next to him in the above photo) who was one of Mount Rushmore workers from 1938-1940. Mr. Clifford worked as a driller. Dangling in mid-air, the drillers used jackhammers to drill holes in the side of the mountain. They hung on to the drills while chipping away the stone (back then there was no agency called OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration - to enforce safety on the job sites). Next to Mr. Clifford was the honeycomb rock that carvers made small holes in the rock so they could carve details.

I bought two copies, one for myself and one to send to my nephew, JL. I thought the book would be an educational item for JL than another t-shirt or something that was mass-produced in China!