As Presidents Day Weekend continues here’s another seasonal post from Balladeer’s Blog. This item looks at the three former presidents who occupied other United States federal government positions after their years in the White House.
WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT
Gang Affiliation: Republican
Post-Presidency Office: Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
Comment: In July of 1921, President Warren G. Harding took time out from letting his criminal cronies run the country to appoint former President Taft as the new Chief Justice.
Among the Associate Justices serving on the Supreme Court when Taft took the position were three of the legends of the Court – Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr, Louis Brandeis and Willis Van Devanter. (I like to think that when the other Justices dissented from a Willis Van Devanter opinion those dissents would start with the words “Whatchoo talkin’ ’bout, Willis?” But I’m kind of weird.) Continue reading
CENTURY CLUB – Teams scoring 100 or more points in Regulation: The BRISTOL COLLEGE BAYHAWKS shredded the visiting QUINSIGAMOND COLLEGE WYVERNS 115-62 ### The OWENS COLLEGE EXPRESS won 100-74 at the LORAIN COUNTY COLLEGE COMMODORES ### And the NORTHERN ESSEX COLLEGE KNIGHTS defeated the UCONN AT AVERY POINT POINTERS 109-90.
ONE-POINT WONDER – The JEFFERSON COLLEGE CANNONEERS welcomed the FINGER LAKES COLLEGE LAKERS. A hard-fought opening Half ended with the Cannoneers up 35-31. From there the contest grew even tighter but Jefferson College held on for an 82-81 win. Owen Coall’s 20 points led the way, while fellow Cannoneer Brian Rivera logged a Double Double of 17 points and 11 rebounds. 
AARON BURR
GHOST OF FLANDERS 
In reality the young man was in a Prisoner of War camp until being released after the war ended on November 11th, 1918. 
CASABLANCA (1942) – Happy Valentine’s Day! A few readers of Balladeer’s Blog have asked me for my opinion on this classic movie so I figured Valentine’s Day was the perfect opportunity. 
Getting back to Casablanca, it’s possibly the greatest “bittersweet ending” romantic flick ever made. I find that it appeals to almost everyone. If you’re young and naïve it can make you ache at the thought of persevering despite your broken heart. If you’re older and cynical it makes you nostalgic for a time when you actually thought a broken heart was the worst thing that could happen to you. 
Even the show’s co-host and co-creator Randy Clower has been bled dry of information on the show by me. Over the years other fans of the show – and a special shout-out goes to “the Cap’n” – have provided info here and there that often led me to concrete source material. 
FIEND WITH-OUT A FACE (1958)
PROFILES IN COURAGE (1964-1965) – This television series took its name from the late President John F. Kennedy’s non-fiction book of that title. Some of the episodes dramatized specific sections of JFK’s book while others depicted what the producers felt were similar instances of political figures facing tough choices. 
Those choices were between following their conscience or following what was best for their political career at the time. 
OSCAR W. UNDERWOOD (Nov 8th, 1964) – Senator Underwood was a top contender for the Democrat presidential nomination in 1924. However, he obeyed his conscience by speaking out against the Ku Klux Klan, one of the Democrat Party’s most powerful forces. 
MARY S. MCDOWELL (Nov 15th, 1964) – Mary McDowell was a New York teacher during World War One. She refused to support the war effort via War Bonds rallies or sign a loyalty oath due to her religious principles as a Quaker. 
And yes, I mean that no matter who the president is or which party they’re from. If lower courts make decisions ordering THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH to cease actions immediately then it should mean that UNTIL THE SUPREME COURT WEIGHS IN ON THE SITUATION the president’s orders stand, not the other way around.
ASTREA – One of the most enigmatic figures from the Silent Film Era. No precise birth or death dates are known. Her surname was supposedly Barbieri but not even that is certain. 
JUSTITIA (1919) – Astrea’s most well-known movie. She plays a prim, ladylike noblewoman who becomes a fiery, two-fisted champion of justice when need be. 
Balladeer's Blog 