Connect with a dead president via fb

It’s not unusual for a president to have a facebook account. What is surprising, is that a dead president of the United States has a facebook page that totally resembles a normal profile. Richard Nixon, a very controversial president seems to have a huge fan community. Though he died in 1994, his page is updated daily, sometimes several times a day. People post videos and photos of the 37^th president of the U.S.

At first glance it’s make-believe all over the place. The visitor gets the impression it’s a totally usual profile. I caught myself thinking “Wait, isn’t he dead?” for a second as well. This goes on at the information tab. Birthday, hobbies, political view…the usual. It’s not until the middle of the page when the person behind the page reveals that this is a tribute to Nixon. It’s stated that everyone is welcome to contribute positively or negatively, but with due respect. I’m wondering how they would know what his favorite quote was. I hardly doubt he wrote it down in his diary. “A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits.” The dead president further reveals that he was a Quaker and likes politics and pianos. That he was conservative is not hard to guess, though.

The page’s goodies are the photos of Nixon. Only 13 wall photos, but 73 photos contributed by others. At first it’s the usual: Nixon in Egypt, Nixon with other politicians, Nixon and Dr. King, Nixon and his family. This is a very cute picture of him with his spouse, two children and a dog taking a walk along the beach. There’s also an old photo showing a young Nixon at the College football team. My favorite photo of him has been taken in China. Nixon tried to eat with chopsticks – the look on his face is priceless.

It’s true: Facebook connects people all over the world – and far beyond that. “Until death do us part” may refer to wedding vows, but it is not valid for a president’s relationship to his facebook account.

by US_watch