Harry S. Truman: the Buck-Stops-Here President

Harry S. Truman - an American politician, soldier, and the 33rd President of the United States - was known for his no-nonsense approach to politics, his colorful language, and his ability to make tough decisions. Whether it was dropping atomic bombs, confronting the Soviet Union, or standing up to Congress, Truman was the epitome of a buck-stops-here leader.

Early Life

Truman was born in a small farmhouse in Missouri, where he developed a love for reading, music, and the occasional whiskey sour. Despite having poor eyesight, he eventually passed the Army’s physical exam and was shipped off to fight in World War I. He later joked that he was lucky to have survived the war, as he had been “outgunned, outmanned, and out-stewed.”

Political Career

Truman’s political career began when he was elected a county judge in Missouri. He later became a U.S. senator, where he famously tangled with a corrupt political machine in Kansas City. Truman was not one to back down from a fight, as evidenced by his confrontation with a newspaper editor who had accused his daughter of being a “dipshit.” Truman stormed into the editor’s office, slammed his hat on the desk, and barked, “If you ever print another word about my daughter, I’ll come back and shove this hat down your throat!”

Truman’s political fortunes took a huge turn when he was tapped by Franklin Roosevelt to become his vice president. Truman was largely kept out of the loop during Roosevelt’s final days, but when the president died, Truman was thrust into the role of commander in chief.

Presidency

Truman’s presidency was marked by a number of landmark decisions, including the decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan. Truman later joked that the decision to drop the bombs was easy: “If you’ve got ‘em, use ‘em!” He also confronted the Soviet Union in the early days of the Cold War, famously telling them that he had a “big stick” that he was not afraid to use.

Truman’s no-nonsense approach often landed him in hot water with Congress, but he was never one to back down. When Congress refused to pass his Fair Deal economic program, Truman famously quipped, “These guys wouldn’t know a fair deal if it jumped up and bit them on the ass!”

Legacy

Truman’s legacy is still debated today, but one thing is clear: he was not a man to be trifled with. Whether it was facing down the Soviet Union, dropping atomic bombs, or standing up to Congress, Truman was the Buck-Stops-Here President. As he once said, “The buck stops here, and if you don’t like it, tough shit.”