Polk and Lincoln? Neither would be as good a third baseman for Boston as my personal fave, Thomas Jefferson. I must confess, Lincoln I found to be an uninspired, common and politically easy choice to make. He was great, but a lot of stuff attributed to him, including his "desire" to be the Great Emancipator, are false attributions. He wanted to keep the slavery issue out of the war as long as possible, he considered it a State's Rights issue leading to war. The legend of Lincoln vs. the man gets him a bit more credit than he probably deserves although he is one of the greats under particularly bad circumstance. What can I say? I'm a Jeffersonian and I own that bias. But I must say the Polk choice is indeed inspired and subtle though. He was a masterful diplomat often overlooked.

Where in Boston is Keith going to be?

Well, here's my top four Presidents. Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Nelson Mandela, Eamon deValera. Ok, reasoning. . .first of all, who said they had to be American?! Theodore Roosevelt was probably the most uncoruptable man to be in the Presidency other than Carter. The man cleaned up New York City's corrupt police force and then political system. He also tended to lock people in a room until they compromised. FDR because he managed to get this country through two major crises by trying to fix things and if his fix didn't work, trying something else. Mandela because he was willing to go to jail for his convictions and had the will to survive in jail until his freedom came. He then did something rare for an African President. He transitioned a nation from apartide to a relatively stable democracy and then reliquished power peacefully. Eamon deValera gets in on a technicality. I don't like a lot of what he did on a more personal level, but he did bring Ireland out of colonial rule, and established a safe, stable democracy when it would have been way too easy to create just another dictatorship. I feel that we do not do enough to honor those who step up to power and then reliquish it. Washington would have to be number five, and probably Lincoln number six and not because of the whole slavery issue.

Boston one of my favorite teams,but I do think Roger Clemens is one of the all time traitors that showed the Democrats how compromise looks.I wouldn't want to face him in a game though.Mound or otherwise,he looks like he could kick some serious ass.It's always easy to talks shit when they are walking away from you or not near ya.That fast ball is lethal.Boston is a great team with character and class.I love the stadium,the fans,the players,the hats,gave my sweat salted one to a lady from Boston who was working out here for Governor Wilson years ago and she loved it.By the way C. A. from AL, those Marines that get to play some 7 inning hardball on Sundays,use wooden bats.None of that damn tink, tink, tink.As I said my son is a Corpsman with em and hadn't seen a real pitch in 4 years till about two weeks ago.He got to watch quite a few strikes and a guy paint the corners with some great curve balls.Well he knows what they look like now,strikes that is.The local team he played on here we had a guy by the name of J.P. Howell on our "Babe Ruth Little League 12-13 yr old deal" that kid went on to eat up some of old Roger's records at UT.And guess what he didn't turn his back on Boston.heh heh heh.Kind of nice just knowing that. By the way Ms. Bridgette Beneshe,Brunswick,GA. you are one of the more intelligent people who writes posts on here and fun to read.I bet the folks a Countdown enjoy them as they edit and read them.Beterr yet hire you.It would be fun to see you on the show with Keith O.with some of the other bloggers as a Countdown of a couple of "blogger guests" invited on yearly satellite hookup segement from your hometowns at Christmas or New Years if not to do nothing more than to wish Peace and Happy New Year.Say What?What the hell is a blogger?Ah what the hell I was the guy that always threw in the suggestion box more money for the guys in the shop.

Afghanistan Keith? You've got to be kidding! As with Iraq, they had nothing to do with 9-11. They were attacked because they refused to sign onto an oil deal. http://archive.democrats.com/view.cfm?id=5166 Then once they got the Taliban out of the way--albeit only temporarily--they installed UNOCAL's top adviser and CIA asset, Hamid Karzai, as Prime Minister. If that's the best U.S. intervention you can come up with, I've got a bridge in Alaska to sell you.

That picture of himself is ridiculously cute.

Good morning, everyone. Going to Gettysburg is quite a powerful experience once you get past the tourist traps and do a little exploring on your own. The burials of unknown soldiers are marked by a plain blank approximately 5"x5" cement square, and there are hundreds. When you connect each one of those cement squares with a family or with someone who loved them, it's truly humbling and makes you appreciate the sacrifices being made by the men and women in harm's way today, no matter what your political leanings are. To paraphrase the great Edward R. Murrow, Good morning, and good luck.

All good choices. I especially liked Bridgette's one, Eamon de Valera. I named my Irish Wolfhound after him. "C'mere, Eamon!"

i'm not sure i can find 5 top presidents. my list would include truman, t roosevelt, and LBJ. yeah, that's right. a man who was misled by his generals and gave into a war that he could have stopped...............oh wait. i have NO good redsox moments, except those when they lost to the Mets in 1986. missed you KO on the broadcast.

KEITH OLBERMANN is the ONLY newsguy out there who calls bloviatots like O'Reilly, Hannity , and Limbaugh to task for the lies they spin. His tackling of the illegal war-starting neocons who lied us into Iraq is unmatched on cable TV. KO is a true American!

One of the best arguments for Lincoln is what happened after he was assassinated--the disastrous course of Reconstruction that solidified into Jim Crow segregation in the South and can still be seen in lingering regional resentments and political and racial divisions (for example, the shift away from the Democratic party in the South after Johnson signed the civil rights bill. Years ago (Bill Mazeroski was still the Pittsburgh Pirate second baseman and the Pirates were on the verge of a first World Series win in the 70s) I took a history course in which the professor asked us to argue how history might have been different had Lincoln lived. What I learned made me an ardent Lincoln admirer. Keith's idea that Terry Francona is the greatest current member of the Red Sox inspired me to consider who is the best current member of the still-woeful but not as terrible as usual Pittsburgh Pirates. My answer? Bob Walk--former Pirate pitcher, current broadcaster and last Pirate pitcher to win a NLCS game. He has forgotten more about the game that anyone in the current clubhouse knows.

What is really sad is how far back we have to go to find a really good, honest president.

Todd: Have you read about the war of politics between Jefferson and Hamilton. Both penned or used other writers to pen some pretty nasty stuff about one another. Even to the point of Jefferson accusing Hamilton of having extra-marital affairs and Hamilton accusing Jefferson of fathering a child with his favority slave. Even then such affairs were used to demonize someone wishing to increase their career in politics. Hamilton was a favorite of Washingtons that pissed Jefferson off to no end. In fact, much of the heat between Jefferson and Hamilton indirectly led to the duel between Hamilton and Burr. Jefferson was a great philosipher and thinker for his time, but there was a mean spirited side to his desire for political gain. In any regard, this period in our history really interest me and I have at times wished I could have expereinced the birth of this nation right along side these great men. Then again I might have chosen to accompany Franklin to Paris whiling my time away in the arms of several French mistresses. Who knows.

Good work, and entertaining as always, Keith. I particularly found your 2008 projections interesting, as I support Mr. Romney for President (yet I still choose your show over its lame Fox News counterpart, go figure) and I think his time is coming to show off exceptional leadership qualities that are lacking in many of the other camps, Ms. Clinton and Mr. Giuliani aside. Kudos for your originality on Johnny Pesky, I was sure you'd give the usual answer of Ted Williams.

Keith is a really hot guy and this picture makes him look as though he is either crying or having severe intestinal problems. Couldn't you guys have found a better picture?

Reminders so that these stories don't disappear: What is happening with Gonzales? (In my mind even more important that the Iraq action (not war) because it shows the fundamental disregard of the constitution by the administration.) What is happening with the "Dictator Directive" (which scares the bejesus out of me)? How have recent Supreme Court actions affected the civil rights of this country? etc. etc. etc.

Todd, I hate to disagree with you, because I rarely do, but I have to take issue with your characterization that choosing Lincoln as our best president is an uninspired, common and politically easy choice. Sometimes, what appears uninspired is actually just the obvious choice. After all, Lincoln managed to steer this ship of state successfully through a civil war. The path might not always have been in a straight line, and his decisions might not always have come from the highest ideals, but he kept the union together. And, despite my Southern heritage, I still think that is the single best outcome in this country since the Revolutionary War. Having said that, though, I have to admit that Jefferson is my favorite president. He far excels all others in sheer intellect, among other attributes, but to my mind, his best work for this country was prior to his presidency.

Linda-Pittsburgh: Your mention of Lincoln as being one of the top Presidents may be a good choice. I mean to handle the issues of the period while suffering on-going deep depression, living with a woman who was herself not quite right in the head while managing to put you in debt, and losing children you loved deeply at such young ages had to test the sanity of any man let alone their ability to keep the nation intact. Those deep furrows you see in Lincoln's face in many photographs are a clue that this man suffered from serious depression and great personal internal emotional pain during his adult life. At least during the civil war he finally put in place a General he knew would end it all with a belief in uncompromising, never ceasing overwhelming force. But most importantly I believe he felt the pain of the nation personally. And that alone makes him stand out among others regardless of his flaws.

Personally, I'm curious as to what the photographer/interviewer said just before that photo was shot, to have gotten such a wonderful "amused/WTF" expression in response! Also, if anyone finds the transcript of his ACLU talk that could post the URL it would be nice.

A Dell PC laptop? Man, I thought you were a Mac dude. I wish I knew more about baseball. KO, you are the man, baby.

James Madison -- if not for him our country would likely be (more of) a theocracy today.

C A - Oh yeah, I know all about the Jefferson-Hamilton feud. Including the fact that it was one of the reasons Jefferson came to loathe the office of President. He hated party politics and the Jefferson-Hamilton fight was as dirty and underhanded as anything spun out in the media today. Jefferson's presidency is not mentioned on his tombstone. He believed, as I do, that what a man does for a living and who he is in private life are two distinct and segregated paths and that personal privacy in one's affairs has a paramount value as long as it does not impact the job performance. This is I think why no one not paid by the GOP cared when Clinton got his nob polished and why everyone with sense has become very alarmed at Bush and Cheney's obvious mental illnesses (which DO impact their performance) combined with their TOTAL disregard for the Constitution. They are, to beat the drum again, CRIMINALS. SGP - I would have to agree Jefferson's best work was prior to taking office. I think he had the best grip on the foundations of Democracy, diplomacy, and Constitutional governance of all the founding fathers with the the possible exceptions of Franklin and Adams. In my opinion, he was the smartest guy to ever hold the job. It was hard out there for a supra-genius and he did what he had to to get the job done. Plus I'd lay money on him in a fist fight with the chimp. And were he alive today, there would be a fist fight if not a duel.

2008-OLBERMAN FOR PRESIDENT. Enough with all the B.S.. We need some one in office who isn't afraid of telling things like the are. K.O., you arent Canadian are you?

I still want to know why people think that this peson has to be an American. BTW, best recent book- "Thud!" by Terry Pratchett. The reason, it explors how our perceptions of different cultures and wars can be twisted up into extremism, and how noble men might do anything to keep the people ignorant of the truth.

I agree, Keith for President! Just imagine Bill-O's head exploding at the thought!

Todd: If Jefferson were alive today he would be leading the 2nd revolution. And if he were President today he would be greeting his visitors at the back entrance of the White House in his slippers and night shirt. His dislike of Hamilton and the Presidency arose from fear of another monarchy taking hold under Washington (who quickly dispelled the notion) or Hamilton himself. I'm sure he has done a great deal of turning in his grave in the last several years. And Russell of maryland you are right. Madison was a highly intelligent and moving force during the birth of this nation. They were all great men in their own way.

Brigette, it's simply the law that you must be a American citizen in order to become President. To quote from the Constitution, Article II section 1: "No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President;neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and ben fourteen Years a Resident within the United States."

Darci: I think Bridgette understands that but was asking when Keith was asked the question "Best President " why did he assume (if he did) and those of us responding here with picks assume (if we did), that the question was meant to apply to only American Presidents as their are other Presidents now and in history in other countries. To answer Bridgette I don't think Keith or anyone here was intentionally trying to ignore such people or to be ethnocentric. The question I am assuming just inferred "who was the best Amercian President"? But, it is a good question if we all just assumed it had to be an American President. On the other hand if you asked people in another country who was the best presdient, they most likely would chose a President from their country, in their history, as well.

C.A.--Thanks for the kind words. While I don't want to give a Clintonian "I feel your pain" response, I think you are onto something. One reason Lincoln was a great President is that he never lost sight of the cost of defending the union--lives lost, wounded veterans, whole swaths of land littered with the bodies of men and animals. As a father who had lost a child and a man of the nineteenth century, death was a real thing to him. The Gettysburg address, mocked and belittled in its immediate aftermath, as well as the second inaugural are indicative of how Lincoln saw both the cost of war and the price the country would pay for slavery. And he spoke wrote about it in his own words, not in talking points or prepared speeches written by media spin experts.

::smacks forehead:: sorry bridgette! your comment came immediately after someone asking whether keith was from canada (and adding to the "keith for president" cries) so i applied your question to the wrong thing.

Yes Keith, your are the "man of baseball and the voice of sanity in this world of insane American Politics".Thanks for the humor also and reminding us what some of the asses at Fox News look like as well as the Foxes of Power in their similarities to asses. I think it would be fun to watch a game done by you and whoo hoo Chris Berman with all those nick names.Perhaps a few bars of the Wabash cannon Ball in the 7th inning stretch for ole Dizzy Dean. I know all of you folk know this already but as I have said before Baseball is a Path to Spiritual Awakening:This is From Tricycle The Buddhist Review. at least 10 years ago way more or so. Sometimes referred to as "the father of baseball," Doubleday has been claimed by some Buddhist enthusiasts as one of their own for infusing this quintessentially American game with mystical Buddhist numbers -- nine (innings, players, yanas) three (strikes, jewels, vehicles) and four (balls, bases, noble truths). Even the field has been touted as an esoteric reference to the Diamond Sutra. According to modern historians of the sport, however, Doubleday's association with the sport is more mythic than actual. Yet one great mystery remains: the 108 stitches (as in suture or "sutra") on the hardball. This is the total of 9 x 3 x 4: the same number of Buddhist prayer beads on a sacred mala as well as the number used ritually and repeatedly throughout Buddhist cultures. And even if history does disprove Doubleday's influence on baseball, Buddhist sages tell us there are no coincidences. Play ball!And never Take a Call Strike 3:)Yeah like we have never did that.

Darci, it's alright. Honestly, I could have clarified that a bit better. C A, yes, I really am asking why does everyone asume that the question is who was the best 'American' President. Thank you for clarifying that. In my initial post on this thread, I posted a listing of Presidents who I thought were among the best, not just from this country, but world wide.

Re the photo: I just love the fact that he obviously doesn't take himself too seriously.

Has anyone else noticed that many of the "... repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States" as outlined in the Declaration of Independence, could be read in modern context and held in direct correlation to Mr.s Bush,Cheney,Rove, et al? For example,"He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good."(stem cell research);"He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our People, and eat out their substance."(Patriot Act ,Office of Homeland Security)"He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation (National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive/NSPD 51/HSPD-20), just to name a few. As an aside, may I say that C.A. from Tuscaloosa, your insights make me want to drve an hour and visit my alma mater.

Christina - beautiful!!

Christina, Helena, AL,who stated this...,He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our People" Don't you know this whole Admistration suffers from Erectile Dysfuntion,? The whole bunch of impotent greedy little pigs.Whoops now I am sounding like another liberal who got pissed at his daughter on the phone Mr. Baldwin. Yes I could see the whole bunch Karl Rove,Dick Cheney,Dubya,Gonzo the whole giant Electile Dysfuntion Bunch.The broken "cactus thorns" of Washington DC.

B.A., according to the myriad of commercials pertaining to uh,ahem, ED, shouldn't there have been intervention after just 4 hours of sustained erection,not 6 years? Just a thought...

All I can say is i can see the whole bunch(Karl,Dubya,Dickie,Gonzo,Rummy,Wolfie and the whole crew along with Annn Coulter and Rush Limbaugh) on some lonesome hill in TX in bear claw bath tubs holding hands looking into the TX sunset setting in the hills and cactus, with Dale and Roy and Trigger singing Happy Trails.Memories we Left them All Behind.I have to admit you do have a good sense of humor.I hope the Karma Mamma does some serious ass kicking when she finally drops in to collect the freight bill for the damage these grub worms have cost this country.

Gee Whiz, BA - Do you HAVE to see them in TEXAS?? Can't we send them somewhere else? The only good point about Shrub's being in the WH was it got him away from here. (smile).

And B.A, why the claw foot tub? Eww, I must find my happy place after that mental image. I am remodeling our master bathroom and was leaning in the claw foot tub direction. Now the old-fashioned tub idea is forever lost.(sigh)As far as my sense of humor goes, I have to try to laugh at the absurd. I don't want to be so constantly furious over the COMPLETE rape of this Nation's Constitution and citizenry that I scare my kid. I am glad I found this forum where it seems that so many people who share my sentiments may express themselves. I may not post often, but I do read the posts, and on many occasions, have had to keep from cheering(not acceptable in the workplace). All of you, keep asserting your Rights, keep the dialogue going, and know that there is someone reading (though not always posting)who is cheering you on!

Christina: Too late. You are one of us now. You must keep posting your sentiments or we will come hunt you down.

CA, that is very sweet in a slightly threatening way. I am flattered that any of you would be interested in anything I had to say. But to be honest, after working, and the various and sundry items involved in raising a child I am lucky to construct a coherent sentence. I am sure y'all can appreciate that. I promise to post when I have one or two working neurons & synapses.

Christina: Very good and anxious to hear more from you. Oh, and don't feel threatened at all about the hunting you down part. Just a figure of speech. My hunting down days ended when they finally let me out of the jungles of VN. And yes, I do understand the weariness that life can bring with all the responsibilites that befall us. So have a great weekend. Give that young'n of yours a big hug from us all, and take very good care of yourself.

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