Mark — regarding whether or not HST is susceptible to a downward historical revision, it is worth noting that he left office at W levels, and was the beneficiary of an impressive historical UPgrade 30-odd years ago.

Maybe the truth is, as time passes we tend to either airbrush or deface the memories of our presidents. I think HST’s legacy is still in play, but maybe not. Think of President Grant — who in my opinion is one of the most under-rated of all our presidents. (Brooks Simpson has written several very interesting biographies of him) despite having served in very turbulent times, and who ran on the slogan “Let us have peace” — upon which he delivered unless you were an American Indian — (which should also heavily besmirch Andrew Jackson and his “removal” policies…but we digress!) — and in the case of American Indians, Grant put in place many programs (educational programs and the like) that turned out to be ahead of their time

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_rankings_of_United_States_Presidents

I don’t think you can really criticze him on his stance towards the USSR and Communists in government. He’s been blasted from both sides for being too easy on the Russians, and for overreacting to the so-called threat to Communists in the government.

He didn’t have access to the increased surveillance available today (a lot of good that does you, huh W?), and evidence does point that the Soviets were trying to inflitrate the US Government.

A lot of people lay blame on him for the A-bomb, but once again, that is a very defenable decision. As history shows, several critics at the time were mad that he didn’t drop more of them.

I think a very valid criticism of Truman was the pervasive corruption and cronyism in government (although is it any worse than today? I don’t see how…). However, I do think that the amount and type would be similar if one of Truman’s contemporaries was at the helm; I think Harry’s drawback was that to him, that’s just business.

I don’t think he’s one of the greats, but I think he’s above average, and certainly better than anything we’ve seen recently.

agreed

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_rankings_of_United_States_

The Rosenbergs. More an example of the Red Scare issues of the time than civil rights. Although Truman refused clemency, so did Eisenhower in the first six months of his presidency, and the Supreme Court refused nine time to hear the case. Can’t lay all of that at Truman’s feet. Their guilt or innocence will be argued for a long time, as information continues to come out about the case. When you read about their children and what they have written since, it was certainly harrowing and sad for them, though.