Comments on: The One American Who Should Never Be Forgotten

By: Timber

Timber — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:45:09 +0000

The importance of George Washington to the success of 13 colonies becoming an independent nation is nothing short of staggering. It is indeed a shame that his character, service and accomplishments fade a bit more with each passing year. His experience during and after the French and Indian Wars was pivotal in his transformation from loyalist to separatist, as he remained dutiful to the crown during these often overlooked conflicts (thank you for your discussion here!) After the war, the monarchy did not elevate him to become a full member of the royal army, an appointment he had long sought. This rejection caused him to reevaluate his service, allegiances, and future. Talk about fate! Our nation’s founding depended on it!

By: symonsezwlky

symonsezwlky — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:33:00 +0000

This came to me via email from a reader that thought it was pertinent to this post. It came from the Patriot Post:

“First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in humble and enduring scenes of private life. Pious, just humane, temperate, and sincere; uniform dignified, and commanding; his example was as edifying to all around him as were the effects of that example lasting; correct throughout, vice shuddered in his presence and virtue always felt his fostering hand. The purity of his private charter gave effulgence to his public virtues.” –John Marshall, official eulogy of George Washington, delivered by Richard Henry Lee, 1799

By: symonsezwlky

symonsezwlky — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:04:25 +0000

Thank you for being able to grasp the subject. Got a replacement car. Providence took me to Bob Hook and my experience with him and his staff was by far the best that I had in the entire car wreck scenario. Just can’t get over how they really stepped up, understood my situation and worked with me. Today, I even got a call from the salesman just asking how the weekend had gone. Really good to know that they were checking up on me even after the check cleared! I’ve decided that there are a lot of good folks in business in Louisville.

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:00:37 +0000

A true patriot and a truly great man. Would that we had more “reluctant leaders” of his type today rather than the hoards of self-promoting, professional politicians who currently inhabit our capital! Of all of our founding fathers I hold him in the highest esteem as a man of great virtue, intelligence & humility. If all of our leaders would aspire to the high standard that George Washington set in his life of service to our country, our world would be a far better place today, that’s for sure!

By: symonsezwlky

symonsezwlky — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:54:45 +0000

You are correct and I edited it for content. However, it’s a shame I made the mistake. Not because I was wrong in my assumptions, but because the holiday issue has taken away from the real theme, which is that the distance between the “father of the country” and America is growing. The point is to praise Washington and reaquaint America with him, not bury him in a an academic discussion of how the holidays have evolved. Yet, my error did that and so it makes the effort almost fruitless. I appreciate your pointing out the error and your effort of correction, but I should not have created an atmosphere in which we are discussion holidays instead of talking about the subject..which is Washington. This may be indicative of a the problem. We tend to want to argue semantics instead of the subject at hand. It’s a good lesson in communication that, if you want to get a message across, make sure that you don’t create any superficial issues that will necessarily distract from the theme. But, again, thank you for your contribution.

By: moto

moto — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:53:07 +0000

We’ve wanted to point out that there has never been an official holiday for Lincoln’s Birthday, (nor an officially declared ‘Presidents’ Day’), and it was not changed to make room for MLK Day.

It was originally suggested to change Washington’s Birthday to “Presidents’ Day” (but it didn’t succeed) in 1967 or 1968, at a time when Congress was trying to change many federal holidays to being celebrated on Mondays. (“Uniform Monday Holiday Law”)

Additionally, in that time, was when they first -added- Columbus day; (the article says as a nod to Italian-American groups.)

The “Uniform Monday Holiday Law” was enacted in 1971, during Richard Nixon’s presidency. Even then, the holiday was still officially called ‘Washington’s Birthday,’ but was moved to the third Monday of February (which would, strangely, never be February 22nd, only between February 15th – 21st.)

It was later promoted commercially as Presidents Day, but was not (and -has- not been) declared that by Congress.

http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2004/winter/gw-birthday-1.html

Martin Luther King Jr. Day was signed into federal law in 1983 and first commemorated in 1986.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr._Day

(“Presidents Day” on Wikipedia redirects to ‘Washington’s Birthday’): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidents_Day_(United_States)

By: symonsezwlky

symonsezwlky — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:37:10 +0000

i think u may be on to something

By: LOUDelf

LOUDelf — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:46:45 +0000

Washington was the greatest president if for no other reason than his self-imposed limits. He refused to become king of the United States, refused a fancy title, and refused to serve more than 2 terms, setting a precedent that took over 150 years to break. If all presidents used Washington as a success-model, we would have a lot more great ones!