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To: mrmeangenes
That the roman title of “Dictator” has become a slur in the modern age shows historic ignorance.

The Roman republic, rather than having a hereditary “King” (a word hateful to a Roman's ear), elected two “Consuls” for a limited period to rule alongside the “Senate”.

During times of strife they would elect a “Dictator” to rule absolutely for a limited period of time.

Unlike the modern usage of the word, the Roman “Dictator” was an ELECTED position, and for a limited duration. Unlike the military rulers who appoint THEMSELVES “Dictator for life” nowadays.

Cincinnatus was the IDEAL Dictator. He took power when Rome was threatened, crushed the threat, then resigned his power and went back to his farm.

Our founders were so enamored of the Cincinnatus ideal that many formed the society of Cincinnatus, and the city of Cincinnati was named for this hero of Republican governance.

26 posted on 05/01/2009 1:16:53 PM PDT by allmendream ("Wealth is EARNED not distributed, so how could it be redistributed?")
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To: allmendream

Sounds about right. I read about food ol’ Cincci-probably before most of you were a gleam in a parent’s eye. Quite an admirable fellow !

There is, however, little to admire when Charles Johnson-who has labored long and hard “in the trenches”- is back-stabbed because he will not join in singing the praises of some Euro-fascist - and has (Saints preserve us !) a differing view of Creationism.

There is also little to admire in the “Me Too” chorus.


27 posted on 05/01/2009 1:31:45 PM PDT by mrmeangenes
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