So, in the spirit of patriotism, and with a desire to become an Informed American Citizen, I just read American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic, by Joseph J. Ellis. In this book, Ellis selects a handful of key events and orchestrations that were pivotal in the formation of the United States, and re-tells them from a fresh, realistic (rather than idealized) perspective.
Reading this book made me realize how little I actually know about American history, more than anything else. What I know, I learned from Russ Judd's class in high school, a course I took in college, and watching half of the HBO mini-series, "John Adams." So I certainly feel enlightened after finishing American Creation, but I've got a ways to go yet.
I have also decided that Thomas Jefferson is no longer my favorite Founding Father. I will probably end up giving that illustrious title to John Adams, but James Madison is also in the running.
6 comments:
haha I am a fan of your links. I also love US history, which is why I'm a tech writer. What? Nevermind. Great post Kelsen :)
In the spirit of American spirit let's put it to a vote. The winner will be Kelsen's new favorite founding father. My vote is for James Madison. Given everything I learned from the founding father of founding fathers (Russ Judd) Mr. Madison is my favorite. He pretty much organized everything and came up with all the best ideas, like balancing of power. Vote for Madison!
My votes for Thomas Jefferson, ol' TJ. He was one of the driving forces between separation of church and state. Give him his props.
I don't CARE if he was one of the driving forces between separation of church and state! Jefferson had no scruples about using duplicity to make the Democratic-Republican party look good, even if it meant refusing to contribute to the Adams administration when he was vice president. I mean, I will always have a tiny soft spot in my heart for TJ, because he was a redhead, but I would like him a lot more if he had retired from politics after he wrote the Declaration of Independence.
I'm leaning towards John Adams because, even though he was ambitious and arrogant and had many many character flaws, Adams had integrity.
(Also he was very short, and he therefore literally and figuratively had to live in Washington's shadow. R-E-S-P-E-C-T, that is what I have to give to Adams.)
Time for the brilliant blond to put this discussion on its right and proper course. In response to AJ: The heart of the American spirit is not democracy (making a vote on the greatest founding father inconsistent with our virtue) but rather innovation and expansion. Also, Madison is very awesome, very brilliant, and deserves to be at the top of any ff list. In response to Luke: TJ was an important factor in separating church and state, but most would agree the most important individual was actually Madison, who wrote a tract in VA that was astronomically influential in defeating attempts to subsidize state religion. In response to Kelsi: Adams was an awesome guy, and a true patriot, but I think he fell off a bit in being influenced by the statists.
Therefore, being the most enlightened and egregious in egotist extroversion, I submit that we consider Washington as the truly greatest personality in the formation of the American republic. ALL OTHER FOUNDING FATHERS WERE EXPENDABLE, Washington was not.
FRIG NO Washington was boring and had no character flaws whatsoever. I am not looking to give out the American Messiah award, I am looking to give out Kelsi's Favorite Founding Father Award, and it's DEFINITELY not Washington.
When considering candidates for this award, the main question at the top of my mind is: Would a movie based on this Founding Father's life be engrossing and entertaining? Watching George Washington be upright, courageous, and perfect for two hours would NOT be engrossing or entertaining. Watching James Madison overcome his painful shyness during debates or John Adams throw big fat baby fits when he thought he wasn't getting his credit WOULD be entertaining. It would also be entertaining to watch Thomas Jefferson give Alexander Hamilton wedgies for two hours, but TJ is out of the running, due to excessive craziness.
Post a Comment