Watergate: Have you studied it at school?

[grammer]

I have been reading the "what have you studied in school" thread and decided to ask these questions as a separate thread. Just a thought I had and wanted to check up on; it's for my interest only, just curious.

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school?

What country did you attend school in?

What do you remember about the scandal?

[purplehawk]

Did you study Richard Nixon and the scandal of Watergate at school?

Nope. I learned the hard way - by experiencing it.


What country did you attend school in?

USA


What do you remember about the scandal?


That the term "Watergate" is properly synoymous with corruption and scandal in high office. That Frank Willis, a security guard at the plush Watergate Hotel in Washington was definitely on his job the night of the burglary.

Woodward, Bernstein, and Deep Throat.

Haldeman and Ehrlichman.

John Dean.

Gerald Ford's pardon.

Most importantly, I recall the secretiveness and deceit of Richard Nixon. Had not John Dean been aware of the taping system, had Frank Willis not done his job, the whole business would never have reached the public's attention.

[busy91]

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school? Nope. I went to High School in the early 80s and for some reason it was still a very quiet topic then.

What country did you attend school in?
USA

What do you remember about the scandal?

I was young, around 5. So I don't remember anything at that time, what I know, I learned later. I do remember one day sitting in front of the TV watching Nixon and I said, "Look at Tricky Dicky". My parents laughed so hard they fell out of their chairs.

[Taleeya]

Nope, I'm from Canada

[ComicBookWorm]

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school?

I was riveted by it. I didn't need to study it, since it was history unfolding before my eyes.

What country did you attend school in?

USA. I was in college and I would spend all my time in the Student Hall between classes so I could catch the hearings on TV. I would also run home to catch the hearings.

What do you remember about the scandal?

Everything, it was the most amazing lesson in our constitution and freedoms in action. Without freedom of the press, and without our constitutional processes, I don't know how much of this would ever be exposed. I also can't see the partisan congress we have today being as objective in its examination (on both sides of the aisle) of presidential power abuse.

[purplehawk]

Everything, it was the most amazing lesson in our constitution and freedoms in action. Without freedom of the press, and without our constitutional processes, I don't know how much of this would ever be exposed. I also can't see the partisan congress we have today being as objective in its examination (on both sides of the aisle) of presidential power abuse.


You raise an excellent point here, CBW: the restraint and dignity of that Congress - which was, incidentally, Democrat-controlled - is something today's jerks should have learned before they ever sought public office. There were no Henry Hydes frothing at the mouth. No Tom DeLays, Newt Gingriches, or Trent Lotts playing backroom politics to ruin a presidency despite the lack of evidence with which to proceed. It was nothing at all like this bad reality-TV **** we're subjected to these days. Everything seemed to hush in the last days of Nixon's presidency while the nation held its collective breath. Would he take the offer and resign? Or drag the country through the spectacle of an impeachment? In the end, Nixon chose to leave office rather than be booted from office. I don't think this street gang peopling Capitol Hill at this time could ever muster the dignity of those who once walked those halls.

[red_fairy]

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school?
Yep, my senior year.

What country did you attend school in?
USA

What do you remember about the scandal?
I remember watching recording of the hearings. I remember most of all my teacher getting po'ed at another kid when he asked why did the constitution mean more to the Female African American senator (which she said in her address) then to others. Besides that I remember a lot. We had a huge test and learned what happened to all those involved afterwards. A lot wrote books.

[marauderlupin]

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school?

Not at all.

What country did you attend school in?

Canada.

What do you remember about the scandal?

I saw video of him saying 'I 'm not a "crook" ' and something about "Deep Throat" >> Bob Woodward's informant?

Anyway, whatever I know, I picked up from comedy/pop-culture references. It wasn't taught in school. We generally only learned about American presidents who had some impact on Canada (trade, economy) or went to war (WWI, and WWII) with us.

[gymmuggle]

Yes i did learn about Watergate in school. In fact, i live 5 minutes from the Watergate, its a very recongizable building. And my Grandfather was Secret Services...so I've heard stories, some hilarious, some that no one knows...the details

[jesssa]

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school?I didn't learn it in school, but I taught it to my class in an American History presentation on Nixon in grade 11.

What country did you attend school in?
Canada

What do you remember about the scandal?
I remember basically everything someone who didn't live through it can remember. I had to do a presentation on it [mind you it was three years ago now] so I had to know it inside out to convince my teacher and convey the complexity and weight of the scandal to my class. Some were enthralled, some couldn't have cared any less. I thought it was rather fascinating myself.

[PLIMPY]

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school? I studied it my junior year of high school, and while it was something everyine before then vaguely knew about it was the first time I actually had a teacher tell us about the events in any sort of detail.

What country did you attend school in?
I go to school in the United States.

What do you remember about the scandal?
I honestly most remember the mixed emotion of my teacher while he was teaching about it. He would talk about CREEP and sort of the the foolish things they had done leading up to Watergate, and he did a very funny demonstration of the pieces of tape that led to Frank Willis discovering the events (he also attempted a demonstration of the Rose Mary Woods stretch, trying to show what it would have taken for her to create like an eight and a half minute gap on the tape recordings which was also very funny), but that was mixed with his very obvious sadness about the topic. It was fairly visible that he really depsised the fact that someone would disgrace the office of President of the United States in such a way.

[msmooney]

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school?
Yes, I studied it in tenth grade in my American History class.

What country did you attend school in?
The USA.

What do you remember about the scandal?
I quite honestly don't remember too many of the details, but I understood, and still understand, the general gist of the story and know that Pres. Nixon was, in fact, "a crook." I'm forever trying to figure out who "Deep Throat" was, as I once heard that Bob Woodward would reveal the name of the source after the person's death. I also, though I now forget why, began my crusade of dislike against G. Gordon Liddy. I remember thinking that the whole thing was like a circus: the tapes, the cuckoo-cuckoo-maniac secretary, the flashnights at night. I even remember reading the book Watergate, but as you can tell, very little info was retained.

[Stellamedusa]

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school?
No, it was never mentioned at school, but I didn't take any senior history classes.

What country did you attend school in?
Australia

What do you remember about the scandal?
Remember? Hmmm, my only source of information about this topic is the movie Dick. I'm not convinced this was completely historically accurate:) But if it was, well, the thing I remember most is those cookies!

[ComicBookWorm]

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school?
No, it was never mentioned at school, but I didn't take any senior history classes.

What country did you attend school in?
Australia

What do you remember about the scandal?
Remember? Hmmm, my only source of information about this topic is the movie Dick. I'm not convinced this was completely historically accurate:) But if it was, well, the thing I remember most is those cookies!
If you ever get interested watch the movie All the President's Men.

[Stellamedusa]

Cheers, ComicBookWorm, I'm sure that would be more informative than Dick:)

[ComicBookWorm]

Cheers, ComicBookWorm, I'm sure that would be more informative than Dick:)
Dick was fun and Oliver Stone's Nixon was a bit tedious. Reading the book All the President's Men is even more informative. I figure that it is my living history, but to people elsewhere it is sort of an odd curiousity. I was in college, and it was a riveting experience. And for once, we got to see the system actually work.

BTW, the movie All the President's Men had Robert Redford when he was still hot. :D

[salem_phoenix]

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school?
Yes, a bit in history class (we watched "All the President's Men" and left it at that). However, in journalism class, I spent a lot of time reading about Woodward and Bernstein. Power of the press and all. It's sad to see that journalism has moved so far from those days. We need more reporters willing to expose the deceits of those in power. It's going on a lot more than you'd think.

What country did you attend school in?
USA

What do you remember about the scandal?
I remember a lot of the Woodward/ Bernstein point of view. I read "All the President's Men".

(by the way, watch AtPM before you watch Dick. You'll get more of the jokes.)

[LynorEclipse]

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school?
Nope


What country did you attend school in?
Canada. And I'm still there, studying in school.


What do you remember about the scandal?
It probably had something to do with money and/or power. I think I remember seeing part of a movie that may have involved it... "The Pelican Brief" or something... with Julia Roberts... I could be completely wrong...
I also remember hearing about it from somewhere else, I don't remember where, but it's not surprising, seeing as how I neighbour the U.S. and get bombarded with their media - I learn a lot of things about the U.S. from their tv programs; though, I don't take them all as being accurate, just what seems to be in common...

[ComicBookWorm]

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school?
Nope


What country did you attend school in?
Canada. And I'm still there, studying in school.


What do you remember about the scandal?
It probably had something to do with money and/or power. I think I remember seeing part of a movie that may have involved it... "The Pelican Brief" or something... with Julia Roberts... I could be completely wrong...
I also remember hearing about it from somewhere else, I don't remember where, but it's not surprising, seeing as how I neighbour the U.S. and get bombarded with their media - I learn a lot of things about the U.S. from their tv programs; though, I don't take them all as being accurate, just what seems to be in common...
The Pelican Brief had nothing whatsoever to do with Watergate. The movie All the Presidents Men did. The movie Nixon touched on it too. Watergate was a complete subversion of power in Washington. Nixon used the IRS to punish and blackmail people who crossed him. They used the Justice Department to persecute (not prosecute) people who crossed him. They used a huge illegal slush fund for hush money and covert operations (burglaries, dirty tricks, spying, and illegal wire taps) against people who crossed him. They attempted to thwart an investigation of these actions by further subverting and misusing the FBI and CIA.

It was the closest we have ever come to losing our way here in America. Even worse than McCarthy hearings (blacklists and persecution for liberals) and the Unamerican Activities Committee (and never has a committee been better named), because the Watergate subversion went all the way to the Presidency, and no one is better equipped to abuse power than the President who has all the power of the entire US government at his disposal.

Had Nixon not resigned he would have been impeached and convicted of abuse of power since the evidence was overwhelming.

[genesis]

Did you study Richard Nixon and the scandal of Watergate at school?
Yes.

What country did you attend school in?
USA

What do you remember about the scandal?
A group of Republicans, members of CREEP, broke into the Democrat's headquarters at the Watergate complex. They were caught. It is not known if Nixon was actually involved in the break in, but he was involved in the cover up. As pressure mounted, Nixon was finally forced to resign and Ford became president.

[ComicBookWorm]

Did you study Richard Nixon and the scandal of Watergate at school?
Yes.

What country did you attend school in?
USA

What do you remember about the scandal?
A group of Republicans, members of CREEP, broke into the Democrat's headquarters at the Watergate complex. They were caught. It is not known if Nixon was actually involved in the break in, but he was involved in the cover up. As pressure mounted, Nixon was finally forced to resign and Ford became president.
The break-in wasn't the issue--it was the tip of a very large iceberg. What unraveled as the break-in was investigated was the problem. See my post above for a cliffnotes version. ^

[grammer]

The reason I posted this thread was to try and find out if any of the high schools out there are teaching about the (IMHO) horrible goverment abuses that occured during the late 1960s & early 1970s. So far, I am hearing mostly from College students or older people. Maybe 30+ years is too long ago for high school students to study. Oh well, back then, we never got to the Korean war. (Books didn't go that far.)

[ComicBookWorm]

The reason I posted this thread was to try and find out if any of the high schools out there are teaching about the (IMHO) horrible goverment abuses that occured during the late 1960s & early 1970s. So far, I am hearing mostly from College students or older people. Maybe 30+ years is too long ago for high school students to study. Oh well, back then, we never got to the Korean war. (Books didn't go that far.)Grammer, I've been surprised at how little is taught about it. I was in college at the time and I was riveted by the news investigations and house and senate hearings. I rushed home to see them on TV. I went to the student union between classes to see them. I was not alone the student union would be packed. The Korean War never threatened our democracy, Watergate did.

[ginnybatbogeysyou]

Did you study Richard Nixon and the scandal of Watergate at school?
No, although the teacher said something about it when we had to read something about the Cold War. I think the Watergate scandal isn't considered that important to be taught in our high schools.

What country did you attend school in?
The Netherlands

What do you remember about the scandal?
The only thing I really know about it was that there was a person called Deep Throat involved in it. And that Nixon quit his job becasue of the scandal. That's all I know.

[Charmed]

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school?
No. What I have learned has come from movies and such.
What country did you attend school in?
Australia.
What do you remember about the scandal?
Nothing. Being as I wasn't alive at the time.

[grammer]

Isn't is amazing how few Americans have studied it at all? After all it was our democracy that was at risk. :sigh:

[ComicBookWorm]

Isn't is amazing how few Americans have studied it at all? After all it was our democracy that was at risk. :sigh:
Spin again. It has been portrayed as the burglary only to minimize the extent of the problem.

[Stellamedusa]

It is a bit strange that political history is not taught much at school. Watergate itself isn't all that relevant to us since it happened overseas, but we've had our fair share of crises over the years, some of which are very interesting and relevant. You'd think they'd emphasise it more, especially since voting is compulsory here.

[drdementor]

There was only a tiny blurb about Watergate in my American history book, and I found the little story so confusing and intriguing that I went to check out 'All the President's Men'. I got that title because the book had a section listing books relating to the subject matter at the end of each chapter. I thought it was one of the most exciting books I'd ever read, and I was shocked that the actual 'Watergate' burglary was just the tip of the iceberg.

I'm American.

I was interested in Watergate because there are so many pop culture references to it, but only people alive at the time really know what the heck 'Watergate' entailed. Everyone else tends to have a vague notion of a break in and corruption, and a guy named 'Deep Throat.' So I was glad to finally get a full, detailed story.

[ComicBookWorm]

There was only a tiny blurb about Watergate in my American history book, and I found the little story so confusing and intriguing that I went to check out 'All the President's Men'. I got that title because the book had a section listing books relating to the subject matter at the end of each chapter. I thought it was one of the most exciting books I'd ever read, and I was shocked that the actual 'Watergate' burglary was just the tip of the iceberg.

I'm American.

I was interested in Watergate because there are so many pop culture references to it, but only people alive at the time really know what the heck 'Watergate' entailed. Everyone else tends to have a vague notion of a break in and corruption, and a guy named 'Deep Throat.' So I was glad to finally get a full, detailed story.
I'm really glad you looked into it. I was alive then and it was riveting to watch history unfold in front of my eyes. The break-in was nothing, but it led to everything else. America came very close to losing its way at the time.

[Byrum]

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school?

No but it really intrigued me, you hear all these allusions to it in movies (even movies made about it but I haven't seen them) and I just can't help wondering 'ooooo what DID this guy DO?!'

What country did you attend school in?

Australia, which is probably why I haven't studied it, but I guess I haven't studied it out of school because it really was never related to anything else in my life (though if anyone has an overview of it I would appreciate reading it).

What do you remember about the scandal?

I'm not sure I was born, all I remember of anything to do with it was what the water gate looked like (it was a hotel wasn't it?)

It is a bit strange that political history is not taught much at school. Watergate itself isn't all that relevant to us since it happened overseas, but we've had our fair share of crises over the years, some of which are very interesting and relevant. You'd think they'd emphasise it more, especially since voting is compulsory here.
You would think that, I've never actually seen a class devoted to politics (other than what you cover in Modern History). I think it would be quite interesting to see how these things happened and unfolded, not just the scandals but th good things as well like how major disasters and wars were prevented due to savvy political banter ;).

[nerdypants]

I learned about Watergate in my American History class. I live in America. My take on the scandal: It never would have happened if we didn't have political parties. Someone (Franklin? Jefferson?) said that political parties would destroy our government. I agree. Down with parties, up with the people!

[Wab]

Didn't learn about it in school but then I didn't take American history.

Learned enough about Nixon to know that despite his achievements his raging paranoia stopped his claim on greatness.

But it seems POTUSes (POTII?) are more shielded than medieval nobles.

Just this week I learned about JFKs battles with Addison's disease and subsequent steroid and amphetamine abuse.

[HesHPfan]

I have been reading the "what have you studied in school" thread and decided to ask these questions as a separate thread. Just a thought I had and wanted to check up on; it's for my interest only, just curious.

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school?

What country did you attend school in?

What do you remember about the scandal?

1. Nope, not much attention was paid to it during my schoolperiod.

2. I am from the Netherlands, so US history isn't quite as important as our own and European history.

3. I am not old enough, but of course I've heard about it, seen movies etc.

I was thinking of following a class about US history, but it does conflict with my bachelor paper.

[Unicorn21]

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school?

Yes we learnt it as a small part of our A level history.

What country did you attend school in?

England

What do you remember about the scandal?

Not a lot, didn't do very well in history!

[weasel_queen]

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school?

We had a test about it today :tu:

What country did you attend school in?

Norway

What do you remember about the scandal?

Yeah, since I had 'bout it today :p

[Blizzard]

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school?

Nope. I had no idea what the whole incident was about until my Dad told me about it.

What country did you attend school in?

Queensland, Australia

What do you remember about the scandal?

My dad told me the facts of the Watergate about 4 years ago, but I have since forgotten most of what he said. :p I do, however know that it damaged his career greatly!

[dawningoftime]

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school?

Yes sort of. However I did see an exhibit at the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids.

What country did you attend school in?

US

What do you remember about the scandal?

I remember that the Supreme Court reviewed the privicy rights of the President because Nixion had a bunch of tapes that he wouldn't turn over to the commitee. I also know the President Ford got a lot of nasty letters (and some good ones) for pardoning Nixon because he wanted the country to move on.

It also is a journalistic mystery because of the ever elusive informant Deep Throat who was passing on tidbits to the Washington Post. This is how Woodward and Bernstien made themselves known in the journalistic community. And he obviously is still alive because neither journalist has said who it is. However the University of Chicago did a project in it's journalism department trying to find out who the informant is.

[GryffondorGrl]

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school?
No, we haven't studied Watergate or Nixon at all. Most likely because I have a school that is mostly republican and they don't want Nixon shown in a bad light.

What country did you attend school in?
United States.

What do you remember about the scandal?
Nothing, he he, wasn't alive. But I've heard a lot about it from my dad who was alive and didn't like Nixon becaue of Watergate, and the fact that Nixon started the draft (my dad was drafted), oh and that he had to guard Nixon's house once too in the marines.

[skinarmyboys_]

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school?

Yes, in Journalism. For the occasion we even watched "All the President's Men".

What country did you attend school in?

United States. Still do.

What do you remember about the scandal?

The terms, such as "covert operations", the nicknames, Deep Throat, Bob Woodward, just about all of it really..

[esevre]

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school?
Yes, I had a teacher who loved teaching about it. I learned about it my senior year in high school.

What country did you attend school in?
Minneapolis, MN, USA

What do you remember about the scandal?
My high school teacher told me about his bumper sticker which read "Don't blame me I voted for McGovern" I remember many things about it. I like how CBW keeps pointing out that the breakin at the Watergate was just the tip of the ice burg. I think of Watergate as the stealing of the presidancy. I remember many things, like "Follow the money", and "your not paranoid if somebody is really after you". Woodward and Burnstien put thier lives on the line to uncover this story, I wish journalists had that much integrity today. I am a big fan of the movie and book "All the Presidents Men", and I would like to read the other book "The Final Days" by Burnstien. There was a TV movie made of "The Final Days", that I want to watch.

[ComicBookWorm]

The Final Days book was better than the movie. Of course the book for All the President's Men had a lot more background too.

Journalists today are just looking for the splashy "Gotcha" and not for the dogged type of investigative journalism Woodward and Bernstein demonstrated. Although the management of the newspapers are also to blame since they want quick results and don't have the patience for a long-term investigative project.

[esevre]

The Final Days book was better than the movie. Of course the book for All the President's Men had a lot more background too.

Journalists today are just looking for the splashy "Gotcha" and not for the dogged type of investigative journalism Woodward and Bernstein demonstrated. Although the management of the newspapers are also to blame since they want quick results and don't have the patience for a long-term investigative project.
Thanks again for your wonderful input CBW.

I am interested in the Final Days book due to my weird interest with the Watergate scandal. There are a lot of things I remember learning about Watergate, and I hope that they are in Final Days.

Which book is better, Final Days or All the Presidents Men?

[ComicBookWorm]

Thanks again for your wonderful input CBW.

I am interested in the Final Days book due to my weird interest with the Watergate scandal. There are a lot of things I remember learning about Watergate, and I hope that they are in Final Days.

Which book is better, Final Days or All the Presidents Men?
All the President's Men. John Dean had a book titled (I think) Blind Ambition and it was good too. I don't know if you'll be able to find that one.

The Final Days covers more of the disintergration of the White House as things heated up. Both Woodward / Bernstein books are fascinating though.

Of course if you've been reading this thread you know that I was in college when this broke out. I would run over to the Student Union between classes and after class to catch the hearings. And then I would dash home to catch the rest at home. I would time my commutes to coincide with the hearings which were riveting. America almost lost it's way then. It shows how easy it is slide into tyranny.

They were using the IRS and the Justice Department to harass, pressure, intimidate, blackmail, and punish people. They would blackmail people into giving them large illegal donations. They used the CIA to thrwart FBI investigations. The ends justified the means. To quote Nixon, "If the President does it, it isn't wrong".

[Mundungus Fletc]

Surely it was "If the (expletive deleted) President does it, it isn't (expletive deleted) wrong." :p

We had a King who thought along similar lines - he wasn't pardoned - we chopped his head off. :evil: Mind it was also because he was trying to stuff his particular brand of religion down our throats.

[FireInTheSky]

Did you study Richard Nixion and the scandal of Watergate at school?

Nope, not once, which is odd because I've been through two U.S. history courses.


What country did you attend school in?

The United States, I'm still in school, but late into high school.


What do you remember about the scandal?

Only what I saw in a movie, since I haven't studied it and I wasn't alive when it happened, but that movie was a comedy, so I'm not sure how accurate the information was...

[dawningoftime]

When the Gereald R. Ford Museum reopened in Grand Rapids they had a special exhibit on the Watergate scandel. The tools that were used, news clippings, pictures of the hotel, etc. It was cool.