Here is my choice:
George S. Patton
Posted on 06/27/2005 4:51:41 AM PDT by Stepan12
I just heard that Ronald Reagan, our 40th President, was named as the greatest American by a Discovery channel poll. I just heard it on Fox News a few moments ago.
"I sure miss that man.""
Dittos. He was my vote for greatest.
Look at the Discovery Channel's description of his "Major Accomplishment:. It is lame. No mention of winning the Cold War, or initiating the greatest economic expansion in US history, or of reducing taxes more than any president in history.
That is my take.. Without Washington, there would have been no Reagan.. I'm glad Reagan won, however, I think Washington should have been the top choice.. No offense to the Gipper..
I'm surprised that Kennedy and Franklin Roosevelt did not made the list..
I'll bet the host, Matt Lauer, nearly choked on bile having to announce that result..
Those with milder dispositions are huddled under their crystals, desperately trying to purge themselves of reality. The Moonbats are gesturing madly out their windows, screaming "SERENITY NOW!!!"
They were lower down.
Here is my choice:
George S. Patton
This is one of the silliest exercises our too often silly nation has yet come up with.
I am relieved (actually surprised) that one of the non-greats was not selected.
As much as I love and respect Reagan, Washington was the first choice and no one else was close (IMO).
"Matt said it was because he died recently."
I don't think Katie or Matt would make it if they just kicked off.
I would put ROnald Reagan as the Third greatest American, with George Washington First and Teddy Roosevelt second.
But still a good choice. You can't fault the American public on that one as they probably learned little about Washington or Teddy Roosevelt in their politically correct history classes, while Ronald Reagan's achievements were too recent and too great to conceal.
I thought the final 5 had each contributed so much to the American story that it almost seemed not quite right to choose the "greatest" of the five. That said, if I had to pick one, I'd have chosen George Washington.
Probably No. 4 or 5, or 6.
Ever hear of Sgt. Alvin York or Audie Murphy? How about Daniel Morgan? But no doubt, Patton is a Great American.
Patton bump.
Someone here made the point of imagining what it would be like if Reagan did not win the election. Our embassy personnel held hostage in Iran; the Soviet Union mighty and ascendant. It is scary to contemplate if Carter won re election.
Your post echoes my thoughts precisely. It just doesn't seem right to pick the greatest as these contributed so much. I have to also wonder who is voting. Consider, how can you have a contest for "greatest American" when the author of U.S. Independence (Thomas Jefferson) isn't even in the top 5?
Peace.
King ahead of Washington !!!! give me a break
I KNEW it when the 'hostages' were 'magically' freed in Iran. I said to myself... “This guy has them $htting in their collective pants!”
It was fully confirmed when he so boldly stated... “Mr. Gorbachov... TEAR DOWN THAT WALL!”
Ronald Reagan not only is one of a handfull of our greatest Presidents... he truly explained conservativism to the common-man!
Did Matt throw a hissy fit.
I didn't watch any of the show, probably figuring that it being The Discovery Channel, that it would have a leftist bend to it. Add that dolt Matt Lauer, and I felt all objectivism and rational would be left out. I was hoping RR would make it in the top 10, but figured he should at least make the top 5, but don't trust anything produced by or with libs.
Though Reagan is my personal favorite, I have to agree with the previous poster about Washington. He laid the ground work for all the great people after him.
The Greatest American on one of the most important days in American history - The Battle of Princeton, New Jersey, January 3, 1777.
(excerpt from "The Life of George Washington" by Washington Irving - 1888)
"....At this moment Washington himself arrived at the scene of action, having galloped from the by-road in advance of his troops. From a rising ground he beheld Mercer's troops retreating in confusion and the detachment of the militia checked by Mawhood's artillery.
Everything was at peril. Putting spurs to his horse he dashed past the retreating militia, waving his hat and cheering them on. His commanding figure and white horse made him a conspicuous object for the enemy marksmen; but he heeded it not. Galloping forward under the fire of Mawhood's battery, he called upon Mercer's broken brigade. The Pennsylvanians rallied at the sound of his voice and caught fire from his example. At the same time the 7th Virginia regiment emerged from the wood, and moved forward with loud cheers, while a fire of grape shot was opened by Capt. Moulder of the American artillery, from a brow of a ridge to the south.
Col. Mawhood, who a moment before had thought his triumph secure, found himself assailed on every side, and seperated from the other British regiments. He fought however with great bravery, and for a short time the action was desperate. Washington was in the midst of it; equally endangered by the random fire of his own men, and the artillery and musketry of the enemy. His aide-de-camp Col. Fitzgerald, a young and ardent Irishman, losing sight of him in the heat of the fight when enveloped in dust and smoke, dropped the bridle on the neck of his horse and drew his hat over his eyes; giving him up for lost. When he saw him however, emerge from the cloud, waving his hat, and beheld the enemy giving way, he spurred up to his side. "Thank God" cried he "your excellency is safe !" "Away my dear colonel and bring up the troops" was the reply; "the day is our own !"
Washington's contributions as American commander in the Revolutionary War, as President of the Constitutional Convention and finally as President of the United States, far surpassed what anyone did later on in our country's history.
I'll second that.
1. Washington
2. Lincoln
3. Jefferson
4. Big Stick
5. Reagan
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