The Greatest American

[Racoon]

Whos the Greatest American?

 

After recently reading several history and biographies, I have to say Ben Franklin was the greatest American. ;)

 

Theres plenty of room for argument, but not much..

 

If we didn't Have Ben Franklin, we wouldn't have a United States..

[Moontanman]

I voted other, Barney Fife, he was the quintessential American, totally guileless, totally confident of his superiority for no reason, extreme need to show how powerful he was, and always willing to help anyone.

[Buffy]

Rosa Parks, who would not sit in the back of the bus!

 

Each person must live their life as a model for others, :hihi:

Buffy

[Racoon]

I started this thread with the impending elections around the corner and in peoples mind.

 

Becuz I don't think George W. will get any votes..

George Washington would turn over in his grave knowing what the other Georges have done...

 

When you read the letters our forfathers wrote,, you get a sense of noble intelligence and right mode of conduct.

Something that seems lost in the art of todays politics.

 

I suppose you could make a case for Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt..

[sanctus]

 

When you read the letters our forfathers wrote,, you get a sense of noble intelligence and right mode of conduct.

Something that seems lost in the art of todays politics.

 

 

For once Rac, completely agreed :phones: Just look at your constitution...

[goku]

i chose other,

when you said american, did you mean american today or american back then?

totally two different americas.

 

neither ben nor george would call us america.

[Turtle]

i chose other,

when you said american, did you mean american today or american back then?

totally two different americas.

 

neither ben nor george would call us america.

 

Care to support your contention with some scholarly sources? You know, history books, the Founders personal writings, or some such factual material we can all judge together? At least ol' Tom Jefferson could identify with Bill Clinton eh? Erhm...except Bill didn't keep slaves.

 

:) Was it beneath the personal dignity of Thomas Jefferson to consort with any black slave?

 

On the poll I am unsure that I have a 'greatest' as in gotta pick just one American. If I must though I'm leaning toward Nikola Tesla. :evil:

[goku]

Care to support your contention with some scholarly sources? You know, history books, the Founders personal writings, or some such factual material we can all judge together? At least ol' Tom Jefferson could identify with Bill Clinton eh? Erhm...except Bill didn't keep slaves.

 

i see two things, your point and my error

 

what i ment was i think there are two americas

 

i think i've said it before, but i'll say it again

i have'nt been to colledge, i don't read the news paper, i don't listen to philosiphers nor read their works.

 

i do watch the news some and maybe listen to talk radio a few minutes a week

[Pyrotex]

what a sad existence, with no thoughts in your head but your own.

my condolences.

[Turtle]

i see two things [Turtle], your point and my error

 

That is a log out of your eye and an arrow in my quiver. :)

 

what i ment was i think there are two americas

 

i think i've said it before, but i'll say it again

i have'nt been to colledge, i don't read the news paper, i don't listen to philosiphers nor read their works.

 

i do watch the news some and maybe listen to talk radio a few minutes a week

 

We all have our burdens and I won't burden you with mine. :) I'll shoot that new arrow however and aim for the middle of the internet. That's where the bullseye begins and the bullpucky ends. The new vision of the world. Now we common people can be the greatest Americans. :)

[Thunderbird]

That is a log out of your eye and an arrow in my quiver. :)

 

 

 

We all have our burdens and I won't burden you with mine. :) I'll shoot that new arrow however and aim for the middle of the internet. That's where the bullseye begins and the bullpucky ends. The new vision of the world. Now we common people can be the greatest Americans. :)

 

Turtle a Arrowsmith & WordSmithy.. :)

[C1ay]

I vote for Captain Christopher Jones, captain of the Mayflower :)

[freeztar]

I vote for Captain Christopher Jones, captain of the Mayflower :)

 

Bah, he was perhaps the greatest Spaniard. :)

[Racoon]

Ben Franklin was a pimp.

 

There would not be a United States without him..

Nor would there be a US without George Washington..

 

But Ben Franklin was a PIMP! :)

 

I guess I have a woody for Ben Franklin...

[Pyrotex]

The greatest hero was George C. Marshall, the man who single handedly won World War II.

[Thunderbird]

Robert Oppenheimer, Because any fool can declare war, but it takes a genius to end one.

[pgrmdave]

Hmmm...the greatest American. I suppose that depends on two things, how you define "greatest" and how you define "American". A simple definition would be "the person who best exemplifies the qualities of being an American" but then you still need to define those qualities. I find it incredibly difficult to think of one person who has many of the qualities understood to be strongly American, especially without those qualities being well defined. Perhaps the best would be found in some of the lesser known heroes:

 

Roger Sherman & Oliver Ellsworth, responsible for our legislative branch

 

Clay, Calhoun, and Webster, perhaps the three people who most shaped our early history though their brilliant speeches and political maneuvers.