Four Days and Seven Hours Ago

I Had the Idea to Compile a List of Speeches Given by Acting Presidents

Author’s photo. From my back yard. First daffodil two winters ago, surrounded by Russian olive tree seeds.

Alan Alda “Canadian Bacon”

“Surrender. Pronto. Or we’ll level Toronto.”

Shitzky, that’s just not as funny as it was in 1995 when the movie was released.

Bill Pullman “Independence Day”. Bet you can’t watch this one without crying.

Harrison Ford “Air Force One” 1997

Tonight, I come to you with a pledge to change America’s policy. Atrocity and terror are not political weapons and to those who would use them, your day is over.

Michael Douglas “The American President” 1995

America isn’t easy. America is advanced citizenship. You’ve got to want it bad ‘cause it’s going to put up a fight. It’s going to say, “You want free speech? Let’s see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil who’s standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you have spent a lifetime opposing at the top of yours. . . ”