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Author Topic: The Wisdom of our First President  (Read 844 times)

Offline H. Godwineson

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The Wisdom of our First President
« on: January 10, 2003, 10:29:38 AM »
While preparing my lesson for American History today, I was perusing Washington's Farewell Address, and found myself, once again, being awed by the quiet wisdom of our First Chief Executive.

"I have already intimated to you the danger of [political] parties in the state, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations.  Let me now take a more comprehensive view and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generall..."

"Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge...As the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that ppublic opinion should be enlightened..."

"[Avoid] likewise the accumulation of debt,...not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves out to bear..." "Observe good faith and justice toward all nations.  Cultivate peace and harmony with all..."

"It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world...There can be no greater error than to expect, or calculate, upon real favors from nation to nation.  It is an illusion which experience must cure, which a just pride out to discard."

My, My.  How we have strayed from the path.

Shuckins
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Offline Sandman

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« Reply #1 on: January 10, 2003, 10:30:48 AM »
I'm sure Ann Coulter would disagree.
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Offline Curval

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« Reply #2 on: January 10, 2003, 10:32:40 AM »
Yes.  It appears that Washington had more on his mind than another former President......
« Last Edit: January 10, 2003, 10:38:20 AM by Curval »
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Offline WineMan

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« Reply #3 on: January 10, 2003, 10:41:09 AM »
Ahhh - back in the day when Presidents wrote their own speeches.  I thoroughly enjoy reading these types of things...
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Offline Hornet

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« Reply #4 on: January 10, 2003, 11:03:39 AM »
I would love to see O'Reilly or some such host try to bully a Washington or Jefferson, or a Hamilton on their show. Talk about guys functioning on a different level. 2 Centuries later they remain men amongst boys in political theory.
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Hornet

Offline H. Godwineson

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The Wisdom of our First President
« Reply #5 on: January 10, 2003, 11:48:28 AM »
Hornet,

Absolutely right.  But they were also GENTLEMEN.  They would probably rake those guys over the coals for constantly interrupting before they could finish a response to a question.  I would love to see some of those obnoxious idiots get "taken to the woodshed."

Shuckins
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Offline whgates3

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The Wisdom of our First President
« Reply #6 on: January 10, 2003, 12:40:09 PM »
Geowge Washington - certainly the best president we've had, possibly the only good one...& the only one not a member of a political party.  coincidence? sample size is > 30, so doubtful...
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Offline mietla

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« Reply #7 on: January 10, 2003, 01:02:58 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by whgates3
Geowge Washington - certainly the best president we've had, possibly the only good one...& the only one not a member of a political party.  coincidence? sample size is > 30, so doubtful...


Perhaps because he was very reluctant to accept the honour, not like those contemporary shmucks who would kill to become one.

Men like him really served their country. Very few come to mind, Cincinatus? Pilsudski (perhaps)?
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Offline miko2d

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« Reply #8 on: January 10, 2003, 01:13:29 PM »
...likewise the accumulation of debt...

 They didn't have paper money then - had to pay in honest gold. If we ever have problem with our debt, we will just inflate the currency. So the old people's savings will get robbed, not descendants...

 miko
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Offline H. Godwineson

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« Reply #9 on: January 10, 2003, 01:51:54 PM »
Miko,

Social Security is more of a a ripoff for old people than any other government program.  If that money were privatized into existing retirement programs the elderly would be much better off during their retirement years.

Washington would be appalled at the massive debt embodied in the Social Security system which is being saddled onto our children AND grandchildren.  It isn't fair to them.  That was the point of his statement.

Shuckins
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Offline whgates3

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« Reply #10 on: January 11, 2003, 12:47:31 AM »
...not to take anything away from WAshington, but he may not have been so appaled@the thought of debt...USA when it was 1st formed was in quite a heavy debt situation (that was the reason for the whiskey tax & subsequent 1794 whiskey rebellion was about - fighting the revoltionary war was not for free)...i remember about 20 years ago some family found out they loaned ~$200000 for the revloutionary war & were never paid off - was about $1.5 billion w/ interest - they forgave the debt...class act
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Offline Holden McGroin

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« Reply #11 on: January 11, 2003, 03:55:30 AM »
Washington owned slaves, so anything he did or said is discredited.
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Offline Yeager

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« Reply #12 on: January 11, 2003, 11:21:43 AM »
Just remember that in Washingtons' era, dueling was an accepted practice.  Also remember that George had teeth made out of wood.

Im of the opinion that television has corrupted the western worlds capacity to learn and retain information and degraded the need for thinking and placing those thoughts into written word.

Dont even get me started on rap music and MTV2
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Offline -dead-

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« Reply #13 on: January 11, 2003, 04:27:37 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Holden McGroin
Washington owned slaves, so anything he did or said is discredited.
and he grew dope :)
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Offline weazel

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"My, My. How we have strayed from the path. "
« Reply #14 on: January 11, 2003, 05:16:30 PM »
And yet you support our current president?

Don't look now, but your "conservative" double standard is showing.  :p
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