We'll Always Have Nixon to Kick Around

Kathy at Edge of the American West puts together some of the finest bits from the Nixon recordings. Some highlights of the highlights:


3.  On Jews and pot  (May  26, 1971)

You know, it’s a funny thing, every one of the bastards that are out for legalizing marijuana are Jewish. What the Christ is the matter with the Jews, Bob? What is the matter with them? I suppose because most of them are psychiatrists. 

6.  On abortion: (January 23, 1973)

There are times when an abortion is necessary. I know that. When you have a black and a white. Or a rape.

10.  On the glorification of homosexuality in an All in the Family episode (May 13, 1971)

Nixon: I do not mind the homosexuality. I understand it. (14-second beep to hide personal information) But nevertheless, the point that I make is that goddamit, I do not think that you glorify on public television homosexuality… even more than you glorify whores. Now we all know that people go to whores. …we all have weaknesses. But, goddammit, what do you think that does to kids? What do you think that does to 11 and 12 year old boys when they see that? …You know what happened to the Greeks! Homosexuality destroyed them. Sure, Aristotle was a homo. We all know that. So was Socrates.

Ehrlichman: But he never had the influence that television had.

 

I would give anything to read that 14 second bit of personal information bleeped out.