A bit of research shows that the sculptor commissioned to design and execute the carving of Mount Rushmore, Gutzon Borglum, was given wide latitude to choose the faces he would carve. Teddy Roosevelt’s was the only one of the four that seemed to raise any questions, but Congress did not over-rule him or withhold funding.

It’s worth noting that all those presidents were no longer living. Washington and Jefferson had been more than a century in the grave, Lincoln for six decades, and TR a dozen. But Roosevelt’s historical accomplishments on the international stage dated to as much as three decades prior to the initiation of the project. Evidently, someone in Congress sponsored a bill in 1937 to add Susan B. Anthony to the group, but the attempt was neutralized by an amendment.

What of Obama’s vaunted “eloquence?”

Lincoln’s Gettysburg address is considered a gem of oratory, a shining example of writing. But history has given us thousands of elegant and passionate and tightly-reasoned essays and speeches by writers each acknowledged as a genius. Lincoln’s Gettysburg address is remembered not just for its economy and grace, but because it so clearly sets forth the actions and spirit of the man who wrote the words.

Obama is a sham. He is a shadow, effective in obscuring rather than illuminating.

His programs even in success will diminish not advance the human condition.

He is a tyrant on the make.

He will indeed be remembered.

His name is already added to the list of oaths and curses used by people who cannot find relief swearing with language long commandeered by Hollywood scriptwriters.