Sunday, June 1, 2008

From the Nixon Files: Tricky Dick on the Greek Philosophers




May 13, 1971: While discussing a recent CBS documentary that was sympathetic to homosexuality, President Richard Nixon weighed in on the great Greek philosophers Socrates (right) and Aristotle (left):

"I don't mind the homosexuality. I understand it. Nevertheless, goddamn, I don't think you glorify it on public television, homosexuality, even more than you glorify whores. We all know we have weaknesses. But, goddammit, what do you think that does to kids? You know what happened to the Greeks. Homosexuality destroyed them. Sure, Aristotle was a homo. We all know that. So was Socrates."

(From the May 13, 1971 White House Tapes.)

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