Jim in Anchorage Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 What a remarkable,remarkable man. In my day we learned history in high school so this was not all news, but a nice refresher. Remember how lucky you are to live in the USA, and that we are standing on the shoulders of giants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acantha Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 What a remarkable,remarkable man. In my day we learned history in high school so this was not all news, but a nice refresher. Remember how lucky you are to live in the USA, and that we are standing on the shoulders of giants. I think remarkable is spot on. His farewell address should be mandatory reading for every American. I find it pretty amazing to see how desperately Washington wanted to stay out of military and political activities, but came back every time he was asked because he truly thought it was his duty to the country, and did so for no salary even though it was common for his positions. To be honest though, the more I think about him and others in his day, the more depressed I get about where we stand today. We are not on their shoulders, we are in their shadows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tennesseeboy Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 I discovered this when I read Excellency a few years ago shortly after reading 1776. He was remarkable in every sense of the word. He handled unbelievable adversity with such grace and style. Guy was the penultimate "stand up" guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Senator Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 I discovered this when I read Excellency a few years ago shortly after reading 1776. He was remarkable in every sense of the word. He handled unbelievable adversity with such grace and style. Guy was the penultimate "stand up" guy. Why do so many people misuse the word 'penultimate'? If GW was the 'penultimate', then who was the 'ultimate' stand-up guy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WVUFootball29 Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 I watched this special too. It was very good and I learned a few things that I never learned in school about George Washington. Its too bad so many textbooks don't represent history as accurately as they should. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big Cat Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 penultimate Dude... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 He's got nothing on this guy: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 Watched it too. Very good show. I remember hearing this in school (yes I'm old enough to have been taught History in HS) and it really brought it home again, but perhaps Washington's greatest accomplishment was what he didn't do. He didn't let the power go to his head. He had just won the war and was Commander in Chief of the army and just walked away. He was President and had all the goodwill and could have remained President for several more terms, and he just walked away. IMO, he established the precedent for the greatest part of our democracy... the change in power from one leader to the next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsNYC Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 What was it called? Want to check it out. Love GW, but I still think Adams got screwed in our nation's history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
/dev/null Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 What was it called? Want to check it out. Washington the Warrior Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cantankerous Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Why do so many people misuse the word 'penultimate'? If GW was the 'penultimate', then who was the 'ultimate' stand-up guy? Check your a--hole, I think there's a stick up it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim in Anchorage Posted January 19, 2009 Author Share Posted January 19, 2009 Watched it too. Very good show. I remember hearing this in school (yes I'm old enough to have been taught History in HS) and it really brought it home again, but perhaps Washington's greatest accomplishment was what he didn't do. He didn't let the power go to his head. He had just won the war and was Commander in Chief of the army and just walked away. He was President and had all the goodwill and could have remained President for several more terms, and he just walked away. IMO, he established the precedent for the greatest part of our democracy... the change in power from one leader to the next. Exactly. In fact, I believe he was given the opportunity to be king,rather than president. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Senator Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Check your a--hole, I think there's a stick up it. Hah! You got me good. Usually I have to go to a bowling alley to find such clever wit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tennesseeboy Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Why do so many people misuse the word 'penultimate'? If GW was the 'penultimate', then who was the 'ultimate' stand-up guy? Jesus...but then that's just my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zamboni Man Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Pretty good You Tube clip on Washington.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEIA2j3ZlCg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Why do so many people misuse the word 'penultimate'? If GW was the 'penultimate', then who was the 'ultimate' stand-up guy? FDR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acantha Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 FDR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Darin Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Watched it too. Very good show. I remember hearing this in school (yes I'm old enough to have been taught History in HS) and it really brought it home again, but perhaps Washington's greatest accomplishment was what he didn't do. He didn't let the power go to his head. He had just won the war and was Commander in Chief of the army and just walked away. He was President and had all the goodwill and could have remained President for several more terms, and he just walked away. IMO, he established the precedent for the greatest part of our democracy... the change in power from one leader to the next. Exactly. Imagine Napolean turning in his sword and heading home. I think the most amazing thing about him was his ability to learn from his own mistakes - actually look at things that obviously didn't work and NOT DO THEM AGAIN. I think Washington would weep at what our "Democracy" has become. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim in Anchorage Posted January 20, 2009 Author Share Posted January 20, 2009 The tragedy is the history revisionists will say he allowed slavery to continue, and therefore belongs in the same trash heap as any European male. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acantha Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Exactly. Imagine Napolean turning in his sword and heading home. I think the most amazing thing about him was his ability to learn from his own mistakes - actually look at things that obviously didn't work and NOT DO THEM AGAIN. I think Washington would weep at what our "Democracy" has become. I think he'd cringe to know that we are now considered a democracy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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