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The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,656 posts)
20. James Buchanan is usually listed as the worst (he, not Pierce, preceded Lincoln).
Fri Jan 15, 2021, 09:25 PM
Jan 2021

He took no action to unite a country divided over the issue of slavery and did nothing to stop Southern states from seceding in the lead-up to the Civil War, and dumped the whole mess in the lap of Lincoln, his successor.

But now his ghost is celebrating.

Late at night, in the bowels of the White House, a spectral meeting is taking place. It's the weekly poker game of the ghosts of James Buchanan, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, Andrew Johnson, Warren Harding and Richard Nixon. The Worst Presidents Ever.

"What do you think, gentlemen?" said Buchanan as he cut the cards. "Do you think this Trump will be joining us soon...? You know, I'm no longer the worst president ever. All the historians think he's the worst and he's not even dead yet."

"I expect he might be, what with this bug that's going around," said Harding. "You know, I've been getting grief now for almost a hundred years for my corrupt administration but we were a bunch of Boy Scouts compared to him. It'll be nice to finally move down a couple notches on the Worst Presidents list."

Nixon lit an ectoplasmic cigar. "When I lived here I did have a few problems. It's nice to come back and haunt the place but I hate to see it occupied by such a bunch of low-life grifters. Shit, I never made a nickel off Watergate."

Buchanan dealt the cards. Pierce looked at his hand and shook his head. "Crap, I never had much luck with this game when I was alive, either."

"I got impeached," Johnson said. "I didn't deserve it and I was acquitted. Trump got impeached and acquitted, and now he's been impeached again. He's committed more impeachable offenses than I ever even thought of. He's damn lucky the Senate had even less balls than mine did. Hell, all I did was try to fire Edwin Stanton. I kind of fucked up Reconstruction, too, but at least I never stirred up an insurrection."

"You were a terrible bigot," said Nixon.

"You should talk," Johnson replied. "I heard those tapes of yours. I wish I'd had tapes in my day."

Fillmore sipped his spectral whiskey and remarked, "Harry Truman once said I was a 'weak, trivial thumb-twaddler who would do nothing to offend anyone.' I'm still not speaking to him. But at least I was never a fucking Russian spy and I didn't start a riot."

Nixon said, "We were all shitty presidents. But when Trump arrives I don't think I want him in this game. He'll cheat, for one thing. And he's an asshole."

Buchanan said, "Not only that, but he'll bluster and brag. The man has no class. I don't mind if that little Bush fella joins us someday; he's dumb and he's probably a terrible poker player but he knows some good jokes. By the way, Dick, you were an asshole, too."

"When Bush comes maybe I'll get to win once in awhile," said Pierce.

"Let's have a toast to me. I'm no longer considered the worst president in American history. Trump's got me beat by a country mile. I look like fucking Abe Lincoln next to him," said Buchanan. At that moment Abraham Lincoln briefly materialized and said, "No, Jim, you really don't," and vanished just as quickly. Buchanan sighed and muttered under his breath, "Damn, Abe still thinks he's all that..."

"I fold," said Pierce. "Trump. What a dick. He's already turned out to be way worse than any of us ever were. We merely sucked. He's....."

Nixon said, "That fat fucker is a disgrace even to us, the worst presidents ever. I don't want to wait until he's dead to tell him what's what, since none of the Republicans are gonna do it. You know, I don't even want to play poker with Trump when he croaks. We should haunt him now."

Harding replied, "Brilliant! Let's do it!" He tried to fist-bump Nixon, but because he was made of ectoplasm the gesture was futile.

And so the ghosts of the Worst American Presidents started appearing to Trump in various places in the White House. Pierce tried to moon him but because he was transparent the gesture was not very effective. Although they enjoyed slipping through walls and making obscene gestures, after awhile the ghosts gave up and went back to their poker game because Trump was going batshit crazy without their help.

Will? BBG Jan 2021 #1
I am not sure....Buchanan was very bad too. (did nothing at all to prevent Civil War)...although Stuart G Jan 2021 #2
REC - Great comical timing StClone Jan 2021 #5
Without question! Ohiogal Jan 2021 #3
If Intelligence wins, yes. If Idiocracy prevails, no. OAITW r.2.0 Jan 2021 #4
Have no fear...??? Idocracy vs Democracy vs Intelligency...who will prevail? Stuart G Jan 2021 #8
AND....... MyOwnPeace Jan 2021 #11
My guess? OAITW r.2.0 Jan 2021 #16
I had no idea it was still debateable. Gosh, where have I been?? dameatball Jan 2021 #6
Is. Period. dewsgirl Jan 2021 #7
....Yes, looks that way...but Looks are Deceiving !! Stuart G Jan 2021 #10
Yes. Squinch Jan 2021 #9
...Some from history will argue...but the last two weeks might prevail...Worst?.... Stuart G Jan 2021 #12
Did 400,000 die because he had no plan? (Soon to be 500,000 and who knows, maybe lots more.) Squinch Jan 2021 #26
Actually, James Buchanan was the president right before Lincoln Glorfindel Jan 2021 #13
I was totally wrong...Buchanan was the one...I went to a web site that said it was Pierce.. Stuart G Jan 2021 #19
Well, let's hope so! If worse comes along, we're fucked!!! ret5hd Jan 2021 #14
Is the Pope Argentinian? nocoincidences Jan 2021 #15
At least until Stephen Miller is elected. sop Jan 2021 #17
Not only the worst but left the nation worst Jamesyu Jan 2021 #18
James Buchanan is usually listed as the worst (he, not Pierce, preceded Lincoln). The Velveteen Ocelot Jan 2021 #20
Thank You ...OUtstanding....wonderful post... Stuart G Jan 2021 #21
I'm reccing this for your post. Lifelong Protester Mar 2021 #31
If he doesn't, what will I do with my sign? Generic Other Jan 2021 #22
About..."IDIOCRACY"....Yes, there is a movie by that name...hit link below (you didn't know that?) Stuart G Jan 2021 #24
Does a bear s##t in the woods? Squidly Jan 2021 #23
BECOME? Skittles Jan 2021 #25
Well, to paraphrase William Barr (sorry!): lastlib Jan 2021 #27
Bet the farm. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Jan 2021 #28
*******GOOD NEWS FOR EVERYONE******** Karadeniz Jan 2021 #29
Of course! Even the political historians are saying this. BigmanPigman Jan 2021 #30
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