Past or present I suppose, though my idea was originally rooted in a historical context.
Who are the people you most admire?
This thread is inspired by George Washington, who I've been reading about kind of extensively lately. Before this I had a rather limited knowledge of him; but almost everything I've learned about him I respect and admire. I actually am coming to the opinion that he is one of the few historical figures who actually deserves most of the accolades and praise posterity has bestowed upon him.
_________________ "Socialism never took root in America because the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat but as temporarily embarrassed millionaires." -- John Steinbeck
_________________ "Socialism never took root in America because the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat but as temporarily embarrassed millionaires." -- John Steinbeck
_________________ No matter how dark the storm gets overhead They say someone's watching from the calm at the edge What about us when we're down here in it? We gotta watch our backs
Post subject: Re: Your most admired political figures
Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 7:45 pm
Interweb Celebrity
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 12:47 am Posts: 46000 Location: Reasonville
aprilfifth wrote:
This thread is inspired by George Washington, who I've been reading about kind of extensively lately. Before this I had a rather limited knowledge of him; but almost everything I've learned about him I respect and admire. I actually am coming to the opinion that he is one of the few historical figures who actually deserves most of the accolades and praise posterity has bestowed upon him.
_________________ No matter how dark the storm gets overhead They say someone's watching from the calm at the edge What about us when we're down here in it? We gotta watch our backs
_________________ "Socialism never took root in America because the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat but as temporarily embarrassed millionaires." -- John Steinbeck
I've never seen a shirt like that in my life, actually. Is it a regional thing maybe?
Me neither, I just image-googled "Zapata t-shirt"
_________________ "Socialism never took root in America because the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat but as temporarily embarrassed millionaires." -- John Steinbeck
Post subject: Re: Your most admired political figures
Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 7:48 pm
Unthought Known
Joined: Thu Dec 16, 2004 1:54 am Posts: 7189 Location: CA
There aren't as many out there as say, Che, but there are still a goodly number. Whats not to like about generally uninformed high school kids donning the visages of dead revolutionaries for fashion's sake?
Perhaps my experience is biased from having lived in relative proximity to Berkeley.
This thread is inspired by George Washington, who I've been reading about kind of extensively lately. Before this I had a rather limited knowledge of him; but almost everything I've learned about him I respect and admire. I actually am coming to the opinion that he is one of the few historical figures who actually deserves most of the accolades and praise posterity has bestowed upon him.
I've actually read Founding Brothers by Ellis. Do you know if he explores very much different ground in this book, or if its kind of a re-telling account?
_________________ "Socialism never took root in America because the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat but as temporarily embarrassed millionaires." -- John Steinbeck
Post subject: Re: Your most admired political figures
Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 7:53 pm
Interweb Celebrity
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 12:47 am Posts: 46000 Location: Reasonville
aprilfifth wrote:
I've actually read Founding Brothers by Ellis. Do you know if he explores very much different ground in this book, or if its kind of a re-telling account?
the book is in a similar format, but he explores some different ground.
Quote:
This subtle, brilliant examination of the period between the War of Independence and the Louisiana Purchase puts Pulitzer-winner Ellis (Founding Brothers) among the finest of America's narrative historians. Six stories, each centering on a significant creative achievement or failure, combine to portray often flawed men and their efforts to lay the republic's foundation. Set against the extraordinary establishment of the most liberal nation-state in the history of Western Civilization ... in the most extensive and richly endowed plot of ground on the planet are the terrible costs of victory, including the perpetuation of slavery and the cruel oppression of Native Americans. Ellis blames the founders' failures on their decision to opt for an evolutionary revolution, not a risky severance with tradition (as would happen, murderously, in France, which necessitated compromises, like retaining slavery). Despite the injustices and brutalities that resulted, Ellis argues, this deferral strategy was a profound insight rooted in a realistic appraisal of how enduring social change best happens.
_________________ No matter how dark the storm gets overhead They say someone's watching from the calm at the edge What about us when we're down here in it? We gotta watch our backs
Intersting. I still have Amazon Prime for another few weeks, so I might give it a read.
_________________ "Socialism never took root in America because the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat but as temporarily embarrassed millionaires." -- John Steinbeck
Post subject: Re: Your most admired political figures
Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 7:57 pm
Interweb Celebrity
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 12:47 am Posts: 46000 Location: Reasonville
i really enjoyed it. it's a rather quick read, too, packed with a heap of interesting information.
oddly enough, i don't have a ton of admired political figures. i can't even think of a few off the top of my head.
_________________ No matter how dark the storm gets overhead They say someone's watching from the calm at the edge What about us when we're down here in it? We gotta watch our backs
Post subject: Re: Your most admired political figures
Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 8:12 pm
Former PJ Drummer
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2005 1:32 am Posts: 17563
I also have alot of admiration for Truman. Mostly because he faced more ridiculously difficult choices in a short period of time than any other President in history. He seems to have been steadily gaining popularity since he left office. I don't agree with all (or maybe even most) of his decisions, though.
_________________
Quote:
The content of the video in this situation is irrelevant to the issue.
Post subject: Re: Your most admired political figures
Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 8:54 pm
Former PJ Drummer
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 4:01 am Posts: 19477 Location: Brooklyn NY
CB, check out the Lincoln book by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Really long, but supposedly excellent (I haven't read it).
_________________
LittleWing sometime in July 2007 wrote:
Unfortunately, it's so elementary, and the big time investors behind the drive in the stock market aren't so stupid. This isn't the false economy of 2000.
I greatly admire Senator Russ Feingold for his deeply held, deeply reasoned, and resolutely adhered to liberal philosophy. I know of no stance that he has taken for politically expedient reasons, and many that would appear to have been politically hazardous. Principled and courageous.
_________________ Unfortunately, at the Dawning of the Age of Aquarius, the Flower Children jerked off and went back to sleep.
Post subject: Re: Your most admired political figures
Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 1:40 am
too drunk to moderate properly
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:19 pm Posts: 39068 Location: Chapel Hill, NC, USA Gender: Male
Jimmy Carter Rep. David Price Dalai Lama
_________________ "Though some may think there should be a separation between art/music and politics, it should be reinforced that art can be a form of nonviolent protest." - e.v.
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