Weird Woodrow Wilson
Two further odd reasons why Woodrow Wilson is recalled as one of our worst presidents: sweet sorghum and no wine!
Comments
Hey, Paul. There's nothing wrong with sorghum syrup. My grandmother on mom's side, she was raised in Nebraska, used it and I developed a taste for it as a kid. It was used in place of very expensive maple and cane syrups. Corn syrup was not in widespread use like it is today. I would put the thrust of the story as showing that Wilson was a practical man in his tastes.
The second story concerns Bryan, not Wilson. Although I wouldn't put it past Wilson to ban intoxicating alcoholic beverages from the White House table as well.
The second story concerns Bryan, not Wilson. Although I wouldn't put it past Wilson to ban intoxicating alcoholic beverages from the White House table as well.
Posted by KDP on 09/13/12 at 10:22 AM
Well, now Wilson is only the 3rd worse president we've ever had.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 09/13/12 at 10:32 AM
KDP--I will have to trust your evaluation of sorghum. Not a big Yankee thing. I see it's available on Amazon, so maybe I'll get curious and try some.
As part of the Wilson Administration, Bryan's sins must be laid directly at Wilson's desk! "The buck stops here!"
As part of the Wilson Administration, Bryan's sins must be laid directly at Wilson's desk! "The buck stops here!"
Posted by Paul on 09/13/12 at 11:22 AM
Sorghum beer is growing in popularity because it's gluten free. Anheuser-Busch makes one called Red Bridge that's available in most supermarkets.
Posted by Alex on 09/13/12 at 01:23 PM
Never knew that, Alex! Intriguing!
Posted by Paul on 09/13/12 at 01:37 PM
The best thing about sorghum is that you can ferment it. Besides that, it is what food eats.
Bryan, however, did not seem to understand the immense political value of being able to get foreign diplomats stinking drink.
Bryan, however, did not seem to understand the immense political value of being able to get foreign diplomats stinking drink.
Posted by tadchem on 09/13/12 at 03:59 PM
Heard the word sorghum, never knew what it was though. Interesting!
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 09/13/12 at 09:00 PM
Wilson was a bad president? Not according to historians. Check out the cool table in this Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_rankings_of_Presidents_of_the_United_States
I've never had sorghum syrup, but I once picked up something called milo meal, which is made from sorghum grain and is used as a sort of porridge in Haitian cooking. I believe sorghum is also used in broom-making.
I've never had sorghum syrup, but I once picked up something called milo meal, which is made from sorghum grain and is used as a sort of porridge in Haitian cooking. I believe sorghum is also used in broom-making.
Posted by ges on 09/14/12 at 02:02 PM
GES--pretty impressive rankings for WW. Guess I'll have to unlearn the urban myth of his uselessness.
Posted by Paul on 09/14/12 at 08:42 PM
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Category: Eccentrics | Food | Government | 1910s | Alcohol