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Subscribe to RSSFormer Supreme Court justice Fred Vinson, affectionately dubbed 'dead Fred' by the frat brothers at Centre College in Danville, Ky., where the judge had attended college, will live on via a portrait brought to the vice presidential debate hall. NBC's John Yang reports.
DANVILLE, Ky.—At least one spectator will not have trouble obeying moderator Martha Raddatz’s admonition to remain silent during tonight’s vice presidential debate here at Centre College: former Supreme Court chief justice Fred Vinson.
He died in 1953.
But Vinson, Centre College Class of ’09 (that’s 1909), lives on in a portrait that hangs in his fraternity on campus, Phi Delta Theta. Since his death, frat brothers have taken the painting—affectionately called “Dead Fred”—to every home football game and other big events on campus. Earlier this week, chanting “Dead Fred,” they marched it to the debate hall for tonight’s face-off between Vice President Joe Biden and Rep. Paul Ryan.
“It’s just like he’s another one of the guys in the fraternity,” says senior Oakley Watkins. “He’s another fraternity brother of ours.”
“Getting him to witness different events on Centre College’s campus has been something of a tradition for us,” says sophomore Steven Sims. “It’s just one of the quirky little things that makes us different.”
Says frat president Beau Sauley: “ ‘Dead Fred’s’ pretty cool.”
When Centre College hosted the 2000 vice presidential debate between Dick Cheney and Sen. Joseph Lieberman, “Dead Fred” was given a wing chair in the audience. This time, he’s perched on a ledge high above the hall.
Frat brothers say he’s not pleased.
“I didn’t hear him say anything,” says Sims, “but he just had a look on his face. You could tell.”
Vinson, a member of a prominent family of Democrats, has the distinction of having served in all three branches of the federal government: elected to three terms in the House, Treasury secretary in President Harry Truman’s administration and nominated to the Supreme Court by Truman, the last chief justice named by a Democrat.
So you think he’d be backing President Obama and Vice President Biden for re-election, right?
He’s not talking.
Leave a Comment:
why don't they try resurrecting the ambassador they killed in Libya. He might be dead but i'm sure Obama will get his vote "wink wink "
Why don't you learn how to properly spell Libya prior to spouting off your hateful rhetoric?
I'm sure Ambassador Stevens family appreciate your condolences...
I think Lyin Ryan isn't gonna say much either. In fact, Lyin Ryan just might get spooked and run off the stage just like he did before!!!
The clip (featured below), which had been posted to ABC 12′s website and captured by BuzzFeed before the station took it down, show’s Ryan being asked by a local reporter:
“Does this country have a gun problem?”
Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/357199/paul-ryan-abruptly-ends-interview-after-odd-question-video/#eg7xDTrJsZXjiUeb.99
4 more 4 44
Obama/BIDEN 2012
michigan northerner -
Your comment is crude and makes absolutely no sense (you're saying a bunch of frat boys killed the Ambassador?), you can't spell either "resurrecting" or "Libya", you've apparently never heard of punctuation, and you obviously never read one word of the article you just commented on.
But other than that, hey - great post. And you were the first one on here. Do you work for NBC too?
feisty don't hate because i beat you to a post. I'm the one that defends you not being a paid troll, just a desperate housewife
and the vote was in reference to Dead Fred, my bad.
Don't flatter yourself - if anything I pity you!
I'll happily concede the first spot to you, so you dazzle us with your creepy brand of Christian Family Values!
"and the vote was in reference to Dead Fred, my bad."
Nice try, michigan, but I don't think anyone's going to buy that one.
You said it, you own it.
michigan northerner - what a disgusting and disrespectful post. The death of our ambassador appears to be "comedy" to you. You show what a typical Republican you are. You lack any sense of integrity, honor or class
Obama/Biden 2012
Yikes Michigan! You'd think if you were at the top of the thread, you might but a little more thought into what you post!
Obama/Biden 2012
whats disgusting and disrespectful is the way the Obama administration tried to cover up the murder of ambassador Stevens from there failures. I'm sure there family appreciates that
michigan northener
You're a sicko. Do you have any respect for the ambassador's family and friends? If you did you would not post such irreverence. Furthermore, it's quite obvious you and your rightie cohorts care very little about those deaths.
You're only using this tragedy as a method to fear monger and politicize just like FOX NOISE. You and your cohorts have a weak argument toward our Presidents Foreign Policy.
Why did you righties choke when Ronald Reagan, an advocate of robust military power, didn't respond to Soviet fighter pilots after being told 269 people, including 60 Americans were shot it down? He called it a "crime against humanity,". What about the wave of fierce anti-American protests across the Middle East in 2003, as President George W. Bush was preparing to invade Iraq?
The State Department was so alarmed it advised Americans to avoid 17 different countries across the region and beyond.
Under Bush, there were violent attacks on American embassies in Yemen, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, India and Turkey. A U.S. diplomat was assassinated in Sudan. Another was murdered in Pakistan.
Our President is doing a great job at keeping US safe.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2012/09/14/a_weak_foreign_policy_narrative_115458.html
4 MORE 4 44
Obama/Biden 2012
So, just so we have a clear understanding....you believe we should vote for Obama because you think he was like Bush?
I see.
michigannortherner ....
#14.6 - Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:07 AM MDT
Seriously ironic that when you finally do get "your" turn, you mess it up so badly.
Beverlyin Chicago, Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL and PatBoston MA must be paid political operatives of the Obama reelection campaign. There is simply no other way to rationalize their posts.
Only a fool of the greatest magnitude could ever consider voting for a man who steadfastly refuses to even place his hand over his heart during the playing of America's National Anthem!!! Any man who views this country with the level of resentment and disdain Obama has demonstrated by these actions is clearly unfit to serve in this hallowed role as President of the United States!!!
Beyond the posts of these paid political operatives, any more myopic minded single issue constituency's that blindly support Obama without carefully examining his background and true agenda are in fact FOOLS OF THE GREATEST MAGNITUDE!
Romney/Ryan 2012
actually it amuses me that it upsets you so bad. the only one here harping about a 1st post is you libs
Hey what gives?
I haven't seen anyone call Romney a liar on this thread!
You lefties are slipping!
:o)
Fred Vinson was a failure as Chief Justice, a crony of Truman. As President, Truman was from "good' by his contemporaries to 'great' with hindsight. But Vinson was never upgraded.
Vinson did not provide a good leadership during the case of Brown v Board of Education, so when he died before the case was decided - a fellow justice said Vinson's death was perhaps the only evidence of the existence of God he has ever witnessed.
Earl warren came on to be chief (nominated by Ike) to achieve an unanimous decision to end segregation. In a sense our Pres. Obama is part of the great change started in Brown decision.
.
Change We Can....
.
FORWARD....
Don't worry the LIB TARDS are saving their "LYING BARRAGE" for tomorrow..they are just so mindlessly predictable.....
and Fred was a Democrat.
The Romney Campaign doesn't care about fact-checkers so why do you care what they...or we...or anyone else says about how fast and loose your candidates are playing with the facts?
Personally, I think the "Dead Fred" thing is fun. It really is just a group of young guys, doing a traditional thing to have some fun with a portrait of one of their most famous graduates. This is not a situation where a politician is trying to obtain some political advantage off a recently deceased person, this is fraternity guys having fun.
Latest Polls
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10/7 - 10/11
47
44
Romney +3
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47
46
Romney +1
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47
48
Obama +1
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47
46
Romney +1
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49
46
Romney +3
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48
47
Romney +1
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46
45
Romney +1
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46
49
Obama +3
ARG
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48
47
Romney +1
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45
45
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What the heck happened since last week? I like Uncle Joe even if I'm not voting for him. They said the first debate did not matter, however many millions got sto see Romney for the first time and if Ryan wins this debate then you will see an even bigger margin.
Yeah you're right Da Nerd....how's that HOPE and CHANGE lie working out for you..GOOB?
Every time Red and Bev post, they spew their lies and propaganda. Typical Chicago politics.
As far as Dead Fred goes, the Liberals just love to go after the people who are dead and get them to come alive for one day to vote.
It looks like our friend "Northern Michigan", where the trees are all just the right size, has frost bite of the brain. Posting such drvvel won't win any friends and may actually turn fence sitters to the other side.
I find BIGGGG FEASTY'S criticism of michigan northener's spelling of "LIBYA" to be rather hypocritical ... it is spelled just exactly like you did big'un !!
But then again, you were probably face down in a large bag of popcorn with extra, extra butter when you should have been reading what he actually said !!!
But thanks for making yourself look foolish ... again. You are amusing.
In the fable, ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’, everyone gets to
see who the emperor really is, literally. The preside4nt has been exposed for
his inability to even challenge his opponent. It’s no wonder he is reluctant to
meet with world leaders. They would walk all over him. Without his teleprompter,
he has the confidence and ability of a below average high school sophomore Do
you really think he has the ability to be the leader that is required to bring us back from the brink?
About half way through the verbal conflagration, I could only see him there with a little, jeweled golden crown on his head; nothing else, no clothes, nothing: just his tall slender frame behind the podium. Exposed. How sad. The Emperor has no clothes.
This debate however, should be entertaining, for Mr. Biden should, and will, create several gaffs during the debate. Will the media laugh it off, or focus on the errors?
After this debate, will it be Team Obama 0 - Team Romney 2?
safecracker123
What the heck?
Last election season's Republican leader, Sarah Palin, is writing a fitness book with daughter Bristol, the worst dancer on Dancing With the Stars. A month from now, Mitt Romney will be marketing himself as a consultant to high school debate clubs.
President Obama will be negotiating a peace settlement in Syria. Biden will be working with Senate colleagues. Hillary will be preparing for 2016. Americans like politicians they can trust, who are experienced, smart and admirable.
Yesterday the mother of the dead Seal that Romney "claims" to have met personally.And is using on his campaign stops as a personal moment. Said she doesn't trust Romney and to stop playing politics with her dead son.
http://www.salon.com/2012/10/10/romney_to_shut_up_about_benghazi_victim/
Safecracker thanks for being original.
In all your glory of keen observation you offer nothing but pugilist's metaphors that are totally meaningless.
Obama's presidential record speaks volumes to the betterment with over 100 accomplishments that anybody can Google for themselves.
Romney's, Bushx2, Regan's, Ford's records can, as well.
There is no doubting the differences. In spending and leading. Those are facts.
The Emperor has no clothes? Seriously? O_o
Oh faahhhrrrrttttt, again you try to magically elevate your unsuppoprted opinion to "fact". Obama's record of massive annual federal deficits with NO BUDGETS at all ... speaks VOLUMES about his financial ineptitude !
Ahhhh, King Troll. I knew I could count on you rearing your ugly head! How the heck are you?
Facts are not in your vocab. But, ummm you need a diaper change, buddy, you keep crapping all over yourself!
OBAMA/BIDEN *SNIFF SNIFF* JESUS CLEAN HIM UP!
It's nice to hear that frat boys never change.
We can only hope that Martha Raddatz is better at asking questions than Jim Lehrer was. "So....the economy....do you see a distinct difference between your two position?"
I miss the fun I used to have in college!! Thanks for the giggle and the memories FR!
Obama/Biden 2012
Actually, I think Ambassador Stevens family might have appreciated more security...especially, when days before he feared something like that might happen.
bucsdad -
Out of respect, I won't pretend to speak for the Ambassador. I will, however, let Utah Republican Congressman Jason Chaffetz speak for himself on this one:
"Later in the interview, CNN Anchor Soledad O’Brien asks, “Is it true that you
voted to cut the funding for embassy security?”
Chaffetz answers, “Absolutely. Look we have to make priorities and choices in
this country. We have… 15,0000 contractors in Iraq. We have more than 6,000
contractors, a private army there, for President Obama, in Baghdad. And we’re
talking about can we get two dozen or so people into Libya to help protect our
forces. When you’re in tough economic times, you have to make difficult choices. You have to prioritize things.”
Watch the clip - he actually sounds PROUD of it:
http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/10/rep-chaffetz-says-he-absolutely-cut-funding-for-embassy-security/
Well, sorry dear....you immediately lost me with that "crack" unbiased anchor quote from Soledad O'brien...we all know how she operates. Although I did not see that particular interview (I prefer not to watch that hack) I'm sure congress has to make decisions on spending cuts that effect security. But, ultimately, who makes the decision where to spend the money. I guess I just wonder why you couldn't take a few resources from that "army" protecting Obama in Badhdad and put them where they are needed more. After all, around that time he was sitting on the couch being "eye candy" and chatting it up with the GIRLZ on the VIEW.
JoAnne -- You left out that actually more democrats than Republicans voted to cut the spending and Obama signed the bill -- right? Hmm, me thinks the state department is responsible for how it budgets its money.
Ambassador Stevens didn't want more security as he wanted to be closer to the people of Libya. Stevens is a martyr for the cause of freedom for the Libyan people and for democracy. Things were chaotic and no one really knew what was happening. Once things were sorted out and the true assessment took place we found out that the story is different thatn originally told to us by those who were there. We can only go by what they tell us as we weren't there to witness the events unfold. Even if we were would we have understood, at the time, exactly what was happening. Stevens tried saving lives he is a hero my any measure. To politicize his death and the deaths of the other three people in the embassy is simply wrong. Besides one incident where 4 people lost their lives is nothing compared to other things that could have happened but were stopped. Those things don't make headlines or are useful for anti-administration rhetoric and so they go unnoticed.
Great post, JoAnn. There shouldn't be too much investigating with this kind of obvious after-the-matter fact. +1
Bucsdad
Hating to concede the facts, bud? A republicon was quoted in something that implicates your party to the death of the Ambassador, and you are playing dense.
What should we all expect.
faahhhrrrrttttt, More Democrats voted for the cuts than Republicans. But lying about reality seems to be about all you libs have left.
Stevens is dead because of this administration's willful negligence followed by a massive coverup attempt.
RTK don't pretend to think you own the facts of the matter. You know s**t from shineola.
Republicans were quoted to cut funding for security. That is fact, bumpkin.
Readjust your diaper, Jimmy.
Tonight will be a real laugh fest as the Wisconsin Wizard pummels Premature Joe.
In other news, our brave Mr Obama's still out talking smack as long as he doesn't have to look Romney in the face while he does it.
Wisconsin Wizard??????????????????? Pemature Joe???????????????
ROTFLMAO OMG, I know you didn't??? XD
Your boys keep running away from their positions and Biden will have Marathon Man's breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And then serve up a big can of whOOp ass.
OBAMA/BIDEN YEP, YEP
I wonder how Chief Justice Vinson would feel about Supreme Court justices appearing in front of partisan gatherings sponsored by the Koch brothers? My guess is that he would be appalled.
There is no shame in politics today!
It's known as "Honor among thieves!"
Dear Friends:
Who is resurrecting from the dead? There is only one that I know of!
Is this false teachings like the Mormonism? Idolatry is against all Christian, true Christian faiths. Mormons practice Idol try! J Smith and Brigham Young. Is this your God! Excommunication may happen if you are a Catholic and support or practice Mormonism. Check it out! Your Creed Catholics! Ask the Pope! Hypocrisy and offending God may bring about his Avenges to mankind.
Dead Fred get back in the RIP! or Campus!
There is only one that has resurrected from the dead.
Amen.
Dear Friends:
Tell Big Bird that Romney looks like a doo doo bird! Then again it is near Holloween and costumes are out. Is Ryan a real Catholic or pretender?
Dear Friends:
Get all my messages to your Govenment officials.
After the Nov. 6st election maybe they can take a picture of DEAD exlax ETCH-A-SKETCH and hang it alongside DEAD FRED'S!
I will be going home early from work today to make sure that I see the debate and I will be tuned to msnbc. Yes, I know is punishment, but I want to see Rachels bobbing head fall off if Ryan wins. I also want to see Rev Sharpton (aka the mummy) be as silent as he was after the last debate.
Last but not least, i want to see if MR thrill up my legs Chris Mathews, will have to be carried out on a stretcher again. Please excuse me if I misspelled any words.
Concern: just don't do any drinking games based on lies your hear from Ryan. If you do, you'll end up in a coma.
Ryan is such a stud, I bet he gives his old lady a great time in the sack. Biden on the other hand is so old he has to take a double dose of viagra to get'r done with his old bag.... Personally I think they should just pull out their wankers and see who's is larger. I think the larger of the units should win! This way niether one can tell a lie! , just like old GW said, that's George Washington....
Dear Friends:
Freedom of Speech and the truth taken away! I will not warn of any of God's messages to Romney or Ryan. Ever.
Bush Jr got the message once hope he gets it now. Those Senators were given the messages. They did not believe. The people of the USA also did not respond fast either. The weather stations failed to give loud enough like on the front pages early enough of the hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Wilma, Gustov, Ivan and more. Including John of the same years.
Romney or Ryan I will never, repeat never give you warnings or messages of sightings what so ever.
Romney, you continuously switch your wrong political policies and proposals thinking you will confuse the citizens, and gain political grounds. Your lies feed your ego and increase your enthusiasm for the White House. You carry a large size bag full of ghostly political promises with you to each one of your vociferous speeches dumping the wrong policies information to all the citizens with no scruples with sole
intention to attain you final goal of the White House. Your lies delivered to
the people are getting better and better in the distorted ideas for a better
smaller government and your hypocritical promises for a better Americas if you become president. Your policies have no logical base, and not budgetary arithmetical truth! Since you were told by a bunch of mental derelicts you won the “Presidential Debate”, but also failing to tell you have deceived seventy five million people, to include Obama, all the way trough the 90 minutes duration of your well rehearsed political performance! You truly have become cocky, and too confident! You think you are on a political success roll on winning the Presidency. But, Romney, your lies
have not yet been fully discovered by the middle class! The mass of the seventy
five millions viewers that saw you putting fake political proposals will come
to realized you were lying all the time! The American people are smart, they
are analyzing each minute of your clownish performance, and then will pass
final judgment on your mix intentions, and cockiness in changing political
positions every day to get people thinking you will be a better president in
body and soul! Soon the finals curtains of your show will come down and the
seventy five million viewers will leave your theater, and condemned you
performance as ridicules, and labeled you a charlatan trying so hard to be a
President. People of America, vote Democrat and raise the curtains of our
Obama’s American live Theater to the next play of full prosperity, protection
in foreign policies, full employment, health care for all, protection of the
old, protection of women rights, schools for all students, government jobs,
food for the poor, fair taxes for all, no wars we are military strong, and
rescue ours brother heroes from Afghanistan, and protection and service for all
citizens!
omg. is it hard living life as a cheap ,stab america in the back p o s ,ramsman?
It's going to be a good debate that both will be able to score plenty of points and it'll end up being a tie or maybe the Vice President coming out ahead by a slim margin. I'm waiting on the next two Presidential debates that's where the rubber is going to meet the road and all the polls and whose in the lead and beating whom will fall into place.
barry will most likely miss one of those because of one of his new manufactured crisis and all joe will do is continue eating penis.
theezle; We KNOW you don't respect the men, but have at least a LITTLE respect for the offices. To not do so is One Foolish Idea! They are the leaders of YOUR COUNTRY, show some respect!
Dead Fred. I love it! It's great - he hears, he knows...he leaves it to us to understand as he does or give reason to an otherwise. Too bad he can't vote.
The more the EXTREME WACKO RIGHT moves rightward, the more IRRELEVANT the former "big tent" party of Reagan is moving to POLITICAL OBLIVION.
Several years ago I told a FAR RIGHT relative (by marriage) that "I may never vote for a GOP candidate again" if the party didn't STOP the EXTREME rightward LURCH and get back toward the center, where most of Americans live. I used to be a moderate Republican until the party was taken over by the EXTREME WACKO RIGHT.
If they don't step back from the cliff edge, I believe the GOP is headed for OBLIVION. To not change the GOPs LURCH to the right is One Foolish Idea!