Celebrity
He became a minor celebrity during the two months of volcanic activity preceding the eruption, giving interviews to reporters and expressing his opinion that the danger from the volcano was exaggerated, saying "I don't have any idea whether it will blow But I don't believe it to the point that I'm going to pack up." Truman discarded all of his concerns about the volcano and his situation, at one point stating, "If the mountain goes, I'm going with it. This area is heavily timbered, Spirit Lake is in between me and the mountain, and the mountain is a mile away, the mountain ain't gonna hurt me... boy." According to The Bulletin, he responded to being knocked from his bed by the earthquakes by moving his mattress to his basement. At one point, Truman "scoffed" at the public's concern for his safety. He became somewhat of a "folk hero" and from March until May, was the subject of many songs and poems by children. One group of children from Salem, Oregon sent him banners inscribed "Harry - We Love You", while Truman received fan letters.
Read more about this topic: Harry Randall Truman
Famous quotes containing the word celebrity:
“My great comfort is, that the temporary celebrity I have wrung from the world has been in the very teeth of all opinions and prejudices. I have flattered no ruling powers; I have never concealed a single thought that tempted me.”
—George Gordon Noel Byron (1788–1824)
“To become a celebrity is to become a brand name. There is Ivory Soap, Rice Krispies, and Philip Roth. Ivory is the soap that floats; Rice Krispies the breakfast cereal that goes snap-crackle-pop; Philip Roth the Jew who masturbates with a piece of liver.”
—Philip Roth (b. 1933)
“A celebrity is one who is known to many persons he is glad he doesn’t know.”
—H.L. (Henry Lewis)