Smart Talk: Why is PA’s James Buchanan ranked so low?; Rotary promotes peace
What to look for on Smart Talk Monday, May 19, 2014:
James Buchanan is considered amongst the nation’s worst presidents by historians.
As a former Pennsylvania state representative, U.S. Congressman and Senator, U.S. Minister to both Great Britain and Russia, and the U.S. Secretary of State, Buchanan had one of the most extensive and impressive resumes of any president before or since he was elected in 1856.
So what went wrong?
In the years leading up to the Civil War, perhaps the biggest crisis in American history, Buchanan was thought to have southern sympathies and didn’t act to stop slavery from moving into some territories or to stop southern states from seceding from the Union.
Even though Buchanan is Pennsylvania’s only president, many Pennsylvanians don’t know much about him, other than his low ranking amongst presidents.
Dr. John Quist of Shippensburg University and Dr. Michael Birkner of Gettysburg College
Buchanan’s story is a fascinating one that is told in the book, James Buchanan and the Coming of the Civil War. The book’s editors — Dr. Michael Birkner of Gettysburg College and Dr. John Quist of Shippensburg University appear on Monday’s Smart Talk.
Rotary International District Governor Hector Ortiz and our District Governor Elect Dr. John Judson
Also, Rotary organizations are more than social clubs that meet each week in towns across the country. In fact, District Local 7390 in central Pennsylvania promotes peace and conflict resolution throughout the world. Two District officials are on Smart Talk Monday to explain.
The education of girls and why it is so important was a focus of the district conference this weekend. Watch this video that highlights the issue.
