Over at Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, Mimus Pauly has started a survey of the greatest Americans ever. So far the votes are light but may explode by the time you read this.
I'm having a hard time picking mine, but maybe you know yours right away. Head on over and punch in.
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Did you see the Dicovery Channel's "Greatest American" series? 2.5 million people voted by phone, e-mail or text message and they selected... Ronald Reagan!
Over Lincoln (#2), MLK (#3), Washington (#4) and Franklin (#5). Oprah (#8) and Elvis (#9) beat out FDR (#10) and Jefferson didn't even make the top 10 (#12).
Go to: http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/greatestamerican/greatestamerican.html
to see the top 100.
Discovery got freeped, papagoose.
I'd have to start with George Washington. Led the troops through the Revolutionary War, refused the title of "King," stepped down after two terms rather than take more time in the White House. He talked the talk and walked the walk.
I'll have to think about two more.
Here's my answer as posted:
I've been thinking about this all day, messing around with the order. Here goes:
1. The Lost Soldier
2. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
3. Abraham Lincoln
I figure that's the only mention #1 will get. But, there's a theme here- all three of these folks got into a fight that had to be fought, and they lost their lives in the battle. #1 gave the most- he died at 18, 19, 20- never had a family, a career or old age. (S)he died so I could be free. Even those who died in wars I didn't agree with still went thinking they did the best for Americans. The soldiers we've lost stood up so I didn't have to, and they deserve my respect.
#2 and #3 need no explanation.
It's hard to boil it down to three, but....
1. George Washington
He led the Colonies to victory in the Revolution, but that's not why I put him at the top. It's what he did after that. When he could have become a monarch, he chose not to. He realized that government is about service, not power. That is what America is supposed to be about.
2. Abraham Lincoln
If I had to pick the Greatest President, I'd pick Lincoln for #1. When faced with a difficult decision, he chose to do what was best for the nation instead of what was best for him politically. Many predidents face this choice, but never with the consequences that Lincoln faced. Yet he made that choice, and suffered the ultimate price.
3. Martin Luther King, Jr.
He was uncompromising in his fight for freedom, even in the face of great injustice. Yet unlike many around him, King still believed in the promise of this nation and embraced the values. He did so even knowing he was putting his own life at risk.
Honorable mention goes to:
- Thomas Jefferson
- Susan B. Anthony
- FDR
When it came right down to it, I couldn't put any "leaders," even good ones, so I picked three rulebreakers instead:
Thomas Paine, Miles Davis, Bob Dylan
Oh. Number 2. Farah Fawcett.
I don't have to defend it and I don't gave to explain it. That's my number 2. 'nuff said.
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