George McGovern and Al Haig 100 -- July 19, 2022

Senator George McGovern of South Dakota was born 100 years ago today, on 19_july-1922. He served in the US Army Air Force during World War II, piloting B 24 Liberators and earning a Distinguished Flying Cross.  A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the House of Representatives and the Senate.  He ran for President in 1972 against incumbent Richard M Nixon.  McGovern might have lost anyway, but Nixon disgraced the office of President through a horrible campaign to discredit and harm McGovern.  McGovern continued to lead a useful life. 

"It doesn't require any particular bravery to stand on the floor of the Senate and urge our boys in Vietnam to fight harder, and if this war mushrooms into a major conflict and a hundred thousand young Americans are killed, it won't be U. S. Senators who die. It will be American soldiers who are too young to qualify for the senate."

"No man should advocate a course in private that he's ashamed to admit in public."

If I had been old enough to vote in 1972, I would have voted for him. 

He died in 2012. 

Also born 100 years ago today was bebop pianist Al Haig. We should not confuse him withArmy General and politician Alexander Haig. Al Haig the pianist was accused of domestic abuse.

Al Haig Trio - Confirmation

 

Al Haig Solo - Embraceable You