As my crew and I awoke this morning in the great state of South Dakota, we all had our minds set on one thing: Well, maybe one or two things – the largest of them being Mt. Rushmore. (Probably the only reason people flock to Rapid City, SD). That and the karaoke at the local Cheers, my crew totally smashed out last night.
Anyway we’re on our way up the mountain and funny enough not one of us on this Murs for President tour can name all four of the men in stone. And I’m sure we’re not the only ones. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and the one we couldn’t get right Thomas Jefferson. We thought it was TJ or Andrew Jackson or John Adams.
I did start to feel better once I overheard an older white woman having the same problem. She also went on to say she didn’t understand why any of them except for George was up there. Teddy and Tom aside. But, ABE come on! I guess the freeing of my ancestors wasn’t a big deal to her. No offense taken.
Here’s what I figure. George: cuz he started this shit. Abe: cuz he freed the slaves. Thomas J: because of the Declaration of Independence and Teddy: because of his fireside chats or to quote the brochure directly “He ignited progressive causes such as conservation and economic reform.”
Designed by Gutzon Borglum, Mt. Rushmore was blasted into existence between the years of 1927-1941. I say blasted because 90% of it was done with dynamite. Amazing right? Each head is about 465 ft. in height. The sight of it is truly awe-inspiring. Along with the random mountain goats that walk right up to the fences that border the main walkway. Very cute. But is it worth packing the family in an RV and heading up for the weekend? The M4P crew has to say no. After waterslide at the hotel and sing along fun, there isn’t much to do. But if you’re on one of those epic cross-country trips (ie Elizabethtown) then go for it.
In closing I did notice that there is room for one more. Who do you think it should be? The only real answer is JFK. But does he deserve to be up there with that company? Or do we do something new with him, MLK, Gahndi, and Mother Theresa? Will we ever love another president as much as JFK? I think whomever gets us through the Ultimate Depression might just earn that place in our hearts. BTW it’s Ultimate because Great has already been taken.
Sincerely yours and signing off from Dakota South
Murs
Bringing hip-hop to Sioux Falls since two thousand and right now
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