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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA familiar name came up on "The Roosevelts"
Just finished watching the final episode of "The Roosevelts" (i watched all seven parts online). My ears perked up at the mention of FDR's cousin, Laura Delano, who was with him in the last days of his life at Warm Springs, Georgia, and to whom fell the task of providing the details of his death to Mrs. Roosevelt when she arrived there (including the fact that also with him had been her long-time nemesis, Lucy Rutherford Mercer).
In the 1990s, I met, on many occasions, Laura Delano, who by then was known as Laura Delano Adams Eastman (her last marriage, prior to her coming out as a lesbian, had been to the heir of the Eastman-Kodak fortune). She was a regular in attendance, along with her partner, Ms. Bunny Diehl (whom she would introduce as, "my partner, the formerly straight Miss Bunny Diehl" at the Sunday services of the Episcopal Chaplaincy of Fire Island Pines, over which my friend, Fr. Craig Bustrin, presided and for which I often played piano. She was a wonderful woman, who spoke in the same patrician accent as her famous cousin and carried herself with all of the dignity and refinement as one would expect. And yet, there was not the slightest hint of snobbery about her. She was very warm, VERY funny and never took herself too seriously!
NRaleighLiberal
(60,014 posts)All have been remarkable - the WW2 topic of tonight could have filled many hours, of course.
Watching the country rally, watching the brilliant political maneuvering - one wonders if this was just a unique point in history with unique people that couldn't be replicated if needed in today's climate.
MissMarple
(9,656 posts)This has, more often than not, held true. It is because of our very complicated human nature. People step up all the time, it isn't always recorded. And it is hard to see if it happens around us.
I remain optimistic, we all should.
NRaleighLiberal
(60,014 posts)but seeing the sort of hatred and opposition that FDR dealt with, and the darkness of that period of history, seeing how it eventually resolved does indeed give hope.
msongs
(67,405 posts)markpkessinger
(8,396 posts)Oldtimeralso
(1,937 posts)Will it be a comedy or fantasy?
ChiciB1
(15,435 posts)Yes, this documentary is simply "the best" and has me mesmerized by it's inclusiveness. Tomorrow, the sad end. I will miss watching!
choie
(4,111 posts)does the documentary discuss the attempted coup which was stopped by Smedley Butler?
ChiciB1
(15,435 posts)But when he was told that the Corporations & rich would leave the country he said "I will miss them."
Just looked up Butler and reading about him it sounds like HE wanted to START the coup, not stop it. Hadn't heard about him before.
navarth
(5,927 posts)Might need to read elsewhere. Sorry can't provide links at the moment.
This guy was a hero.
markpkessinger
(8,396 posts). . . although they probably could have made an episode about that incident alone! But the focus was more on the events that specifically shaped TR, FDR and ER, and how they responded to them.
choie
(4,111 posts)How can you not cover that? If only to educate Americans, most of whom know nothing about that event. That's very disappointing.
markpkessinger
(8,396 posts). . . but I don't think it had all that much direct impact on FDR.
navarth
(5,927 posts)markpkessinger
(8,396 posts)ChiciB1
(15,435 posts)I wish I could splurge and buy them, but just can't. Documentary is fabulous, I will miss them, as Roosevelt said.
ReRe
(10,597 posts)... in her latter years reminds me very much of my Grandmother. Thank you so much for your memories.
MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)I love brushes with history.
We used to spend time on Campobello island, where FDR had his summer mansion. While it *is* a mansion, it's quite a small one. Given how many folks it housed at once, there actually isn't much space - probably less, per person, than the average American home.
It struck me that to have such a house, FDR and family must have been warm people who greatly enjoyed the company of all. Sounds like Laura was made of the same stuff.
m-lekktor
(3,675 posts)your post made me curious so i googled her name! she sounded interesting. lucky you to have hung out on Fire Island!
btw, what an excellent documentary!
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E3DA1230F93BA1575AC0A9639C8B63
justiceischeap
(14,040 posts)I'm curious if they've yet touched on Eleanor's rumored lesbianism.
markpkessinger
(8,396 posts). . . in mentioning her very close relationship with Lorena Hickock.
markpkessinger
(8,396 posts). . . All seven episodes are available to watch online at PBS' website.
justiceischeap
(14,040 posts)Can't stand to watch TV on my tiny laptop.
rooseveltcousin
(1 post)Laura Delano Franklin Adams Eastman, who you mention knowing, is NOT the Laura Delano who was with FDR in his last moments. Laura Delano Franklin Adams was born in 1926 and passed in 2005. The Laura "Polly" Delano who was with FDR was born 23 Aug 1885 and passed 27 Jan 1972. She was the daughter of Warren Delano III and Jennie Walters. She never married. Laura "Polly" Delano and FDR were first cousins. I am a Roosevelt cousin and have extensively researched our family tree. Also, FDR's friend's correct name is Lucy Page Mercer; she married Winthrop Chanler Rutherfurd on 12 Feb 1920. Her married last name is Rutherfurd, not Mercer.