America's Greatest Presidents

The American Thinker ^ | February 20th, 2006 | Steven M. Warshawsky

[RightCanuck]

Today is “President’s Day.” A holiday originally intended to honor George Washington (and in some states Abraham Lincoln), President’s Day has degenerated into just another day off for government employees and an excuse for large retailers to hold sales.

More destructive to our national consciousness, it has become a day that purports to “celebrate” all presidents equally, the dismal failures along with the towering giants. Perhaps this is why hardly any celebration occurs at all. This is a shame, because the truly great men who have led this nation throughout our history deserve the American people’s most heartfelt thanks for a job well done.

There have been several presidents who have earned the appellation “great” for the leadership and vision they demonstrated during their service in the White House, including Thomas Jefferson, James K. Polk, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and George W. Bush (still a work in progress). Today, however, we must honor three presidents above all others: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Ronald Reagan. Each of these men led the United States through a period of deep national crisis, and each time the nation emerged stronger, freer, and more committed to its founding ideals.

[PeaRidge]

With regard to habeas corpus, both the United States and Confederate Constitutions only allowed for the suspension by the Congress of each nation. Lincoln unilaterally suspended it, while Davis sought permission through the constitutional process.

As to firing on Ft. Sumter, two South Carolina governors, three Peace Commissioners, members of his own cabinet, military leaders, numerous Senators, Northern newspapers, the Union garisson commander at Ft. Sumter, and the President of the Confederacy all warned Lincoln that attempting to forcefully enter Charleston Harbor would be an act of war.

When they saw the Federal Fleet approaching on the evening of the 11th, the Confederate command, already under orders to reduce the fort, later began firing. Lincoln rationalized the aggressive move as support of the troops. Davis and government knew it was a war effort to split the Confederacy.

[p23185]

America's Greatest Presidents

I was already to hurl if I read that Jimah Carter was on this list!! Fortunately one of the greatest loser Presidents was not to be found on the list.

[n-tres-ted]

As usual my favorite president gets dissed. I think the last really great president we had was Calvin Coolidge.

CC undoubtedly understood and respected economic principles better than any president before or since. If the Republican Party had begged him to run again in 1928, the phrases "The Crash of 1929" and "The Great Depression" most likely would never have entered into the world's vocabulary. That could have made all the difference in the 20th Century. Might have been a lot different.

[stainlessbanner]

he also suspended the writ of habeus corpus.

Correct. WITH the consent of Congress. The third time Davis asked for suspension of the habeas corpus, Congress denied his request.

[stainlessbanner]

Hi PeadRige - you beat me to it and did stated it more eloquently. Hats off.

[stainlessbanner]

PeadRige = PeaRidge.

[quikdrw]

IMHO What put Kennedy on the list is that he was killed in office. That is where the Kennedy mystique started. If I remember correctly, he was in for a battle to be re-elected.

[brainstem223]

You recall wrong. The South legally seceded from the Washington government by acts of their respective legislatures. The federals would not leave Sumpter which was in a separate and soverign Nation, the Confederate States of America. The Southern forces justifiably fired upon the fort to end the occupation of their territory. Lincoln's should have let the fait acomplee alone, there would have been no war and bloodshed; instead the tyrant pursued a devastating and needless war.

[somniferum]

CC definately one of my favorites.. 'Persistence' is a great source of inspiration to me =)

[brainstem223]

The worst of the 19th century is Linclon, the worst of the 20th is fdr, carter, clinton... fdr did the most harm to the body politic, carter was the most incompetant and clinton the most evil...

[raynearhood]

Definitely my two fave's. Ronaldus kept a picture of Coolidge on his desk as a constant reminder to remain a gentalman and conservative.

[Paperdoll]

My American Flag is waving in the sun for President Washington and President Lincoln today. And my thoughts are with President Reagan as well.

[Radix]

I remember reading about Chester Arthur during a history course a number of years ago.

There were many allegations of bribery and corruption because of his connection with the Customs House and certain legal fraternities. I am no expert, but I recall that class rather fondly.

I am pretty certain that you would not have aced that history course when it came to President Arthur. My Professor seemed to particularly despise the man.

I have never seen anyone heap praise on the man before. I'll have to read a bit more.

[Paperdoll]

President's Day is not for the likes of Jimma Cotta or LBJ or any other than Washington and Lincoln.

[raynearhood]

I see this type of argument alot. Fine, ask then... Would this Great Republic have survived leaving well enough alone and allowing the southern states to secede? Would the greatest stain on our history remained, or would the Confederacy eventually have decided that "Wow, these blacks really are people and not property."

OK, Lincoln was a tyrant, blah, blah, blah. and yet the greatest tyranny this country ever saw was for years sactioned by the government on every plantation in the southern states.

A needless war my a**. Slavery would have persisted, and all who argue otherwise are fools.

[BluH2o]

These facts were completely concealed from the public by a incompetent or complicit press.

Ben Bradlee editor for the Washington Post (also from MA) practically lived at the WH during the Kennedy years. Camelot ... na, I don't think so ... it was simply portrayed that way by the fawning liberal media. Bradlee, in fact, was so enamored with Kennedy and that era, later wrote two books about him.

[blitzgig]

If we cannot honor Lincoln, then we can't honor any of the presidents who came after him--including Reagan. If Lincoln was unjustified in bringing the South, back into the Union, then the United States as it exists today is illegitimate. Reagan cannot be given credit for all he did to defend America because he defended an America which incorporates the South--which according to you should be an independent nation.

[dakine]

Washington's Birthday was first declared a federal holiday by an 1879 act of Congress. The Monday Holiday Law, enacted in 1968, shifted the date of the commemoration of Washington's Birthday from February 22 to the third Monday in February, but neither that law nor any subsequent law changed the name of the holiday from Washington's Birthday to President's Day.

[brainstem223]

The internal combustion engine would have put slavery out of business in a generation, and the lives of hundreds of thousands of citizens and soldiers would have been spared, along with the suffering of caused by terrible battle wounds; this weighs against the suffering of slaves; who were freed but became sharecroppers...not an easy rode either. The war caused more far far more carnage than slavery would have had it lingered on...

This weight of history nullifies your arguement.

[exdem2000]

Teddy Roosevelt is my favorite. He was incredible