Pierce was born in Hillsboro, NH, just a few miles from where I live. He’s our guy, and he’s considered one of the worst U.S. presidents.
Here’s a quick summary of Pierce’s life and career along with a few reflections.
History
Pierce was an alcoholic and a Southern sympathizer in the run-up to the American Civil War (1861-65).
He signed legislation that allowed new western states like Kansas to decide by popular vote whether slavery was legal. It created a “preliminary” version of the Civil War known as “Bloody Kansas.”
Pierce wanted to preserve the Union, the “land of the free,” even if it meant accommodating slavery.
Thought: He was on the wrong side of history.
So were artists who failed to make the jump to digital. Kodak is a brand which failed to make that same jump.
History is still out on certain brand strategies: fame vs. personalization; being “woke” or not (think Nike’s Colin Kaepernick ads vs. Chick-fil-A’s being closed on Sunday).
Also: “fun” humor that everyone can laugh at vs. “rude” humor that will make some people uncomfortable.
Artificial intelligence is the latest potential divide. Is it destined to revolutionize content creation, or is it just another bubble?
Stay tuned.
Chance
Pierce became the Democrats’ 1852 presidential candidate because they couldn’t agree on any of the “big name” contenders. They nominated Pierce on the 49th ballot.
Thought: You never know when your big chance will pop up. You have to be ready. Whether you succeed or fail is another question. Seize the opportunity and do your best.
Influencers
Pierce was a life-long friend of southerner Jefferson Davis, best remembered for being President of the Confederate States during the Civil War.
Thought: Our friends rub off on us, and to some extent, so do their opinions. We have to stay open to different viewpoints if we hope to make wise decisions.
Personal Crosses
Two of Pierce’s sons died in infancy. His remaining son was killed in a train wreck just weeks before Pierce was sworn in as president. Pierce and his wife were on the train. They escaped unharmed, their son was crushed to death.
Thought: Be kind, because you never know what someone is going through. It’s a cliche, but it’s good advice when you’re dealing with customers or anyone else.
Jumping The Line, Bad Luck, Cruel Puns
Pierce served in the Mexican War (1846-48). He had no military experience, but became a colonel via political appointment.
His horse fell on him during a charge. The injuries he sustained caused him to faint during a subsequent battle. He missed most of the action during the war.
His political opponents later portrayed him as a coward. They referenced his drinking problem by saying he was “the hero of many a well-fought bottle.”
Thought: Taking shortcuts is always risky. You need to do the work and gain the experience. Resist the temptation to jump the line because “so-and-so got away with it.”
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I’ll end with a couple of personal notes:
I see a parallel between slavery and abortion. The argument for both is the same: some lives aren’t fully human and therefore have no rights. I think abortion supporters are also on the wrong side of history.
