I really LOVE early American History and the American Revolution, and I wanted to share with you a really cool story about George Washington who is my historical hero.
In case you didn't know - the story about Washington cutting down the cherry tree is made up .
Anyway, I never liked Washington. I always thought, what's the big deal? So he won a battle? Washington was never a "great intellectual" like say Thomas Jefferson, and so I was always confused as to why he was named head of the constitutional congress...until I heard this story, and just saw it again on a Star Wars special on the history channel (holy fuck, Brandon and I are nerds).
During the revolution, some of the soldiers in Washington's army came up to him and told him that they wanted to overthrow the continental army in his name and make him dictator. As soon as he heard this, he marched to where the meeting was being held and said, "Do you think I am trying to overcome a monarchy, only to become one?! Do you think I am overthrowing George the third, only to become George the first?"
The plans were never carried out and he became known as the man who could have had power, but denied it.
The constitution was seen by many as a grab for power. However, George Washington really believed in the constitution and accepted his title as head of the constitutional congress. He did this, because he was the only person that everyone trusted to deny power. If he backed the constitution, certainly he did not want to possess power.
He gave validity to the constitution that no other man could have. Moreover, he was elected president and accepted, even though he really just wanted to go back to his more simple life. He served two terms, and at the end of his second, was offered a third term. Knowing he would die soon, he turned down the chance for a third term in office. In England, a king dies in power, and knowing that he would most likely die in his third term, turned it down because he did not want to resemble a monarchy.
George Washington may not have been considered a "great thinker", but he is inspiring in his honor and integrity, and his strength and big heart.
Without him and the constitution, we may have perished under the Articles of Confederation, and so on this day, I do not think about George Bush, but honor and commemorate *true* patriotism and the spirit of George Washington.
In case you didn't know - the story about Washington cutting down the cherry tree is made up .
Anyway, I never liked Washington. I always thought, what's the big deal? So he won a battle? Washington was never a "great intellectual" like say Thomas Jefferson, and so I was always confused as to why he was named head of the constitutional congress...until I heard this story, and just saw it again on a Star Wars special on the history channel (holy fuck, Brandon and I are nerds).
During the revolution, some of the soldiers in Washington's army came up to him and told him that they wanted to overthrow the continental army in his name and make him dictator. As soon as he heard this, he marched to where the meeting was being held and said, "Do you think I am trying to overcome a monarchy, only to become one?! Do you think I am overthrowing George the third, only to become George the first?"
The plans were never carried out and he became known as the man who could have had power, but denied it.
The constitution was seen by many as a grab for power. However, George Washington really believed in the constitution and accepted his title as head of the constitutional congress. He did this, because he was the only person that everyone trusted to deny power. If he backed the constitution, certainly he did not want to possess power.
He gave validity to the constitution that no other man could have. Moreover, he was elected president and accepted, even though he really just wanted to go back to his more simple life. He served two terms, and at the end of his second, was offered a third term. Knowing he would die soon, he turned down the chance for a third term in office. In England, a king dies in power, and knowing that he would most likely die in his third term, turned it down because he did not want to resemble a monarchy.
George Washington may not have been considered a "great thinker", but he is inspiring in his honor and integrity, and his strength and big heart.
Without him and the constitution, we may have perished under the Articles of Confederation, and so on this day, I do not think about George Bush, but honor and commemorate *true* patriotism and the spirit of George Washington.
I recently read this John Adams book and really enjoyed it. Lots of good stuff about the C. Convention. He was never one of my favorites before. I always preferred reading about the "geniuses" Jefferson and Hamilton.
And I have to say again that that chest tattoo is the coolest thing ever. Especially since I'm a card-carrying member of the ACLU.
Have a good night!