Who are your favorite people of all time?

Eleanor of Aquitaine. Elizabeth I, Catherine DeMedici(sp), Richard the Lionheart, King John, Richard III, Henry VII. Pope John Paul II. Margaret Thatcher. Katherine Hepburn. Greta Garbo. John Wayne. Louise Brooks. Probably a couple dozen more.

 

Since I forgot one: I would love to really talk to my father (a World War II veteran) about the war. Back when he was alive, he seldom talked about the war unless he had had a few beers (or several). That's the way it was back then. They were told NOT to talk about it and they didn't. Unfortunately he died in 1976...way before it became OK for World War II Vets to talk about what they had gone through...and I was way too young to understand a lot of the little he did talk about. But now that I'm over 50...I sure wish I could talk to him about his experiences!

 

will rogers and Stephen leacock

 

George Custer

 

Among historical figures. Nikola Tesla and Michael Faraday. I'd want to see how quickly they could derive Einstein's Theories given their own discoveries.

 

three of my grandparents were dead before I was born (they were all born between 1870-90) and I was too young to think of asking anything relevant of the remaining one....

my mother was my favourite person, a wonderful source of historical information...

 

my father died in 1990, a ww2 vet he had no issues talking about the war he absolutely hated nazi's and never forgave the germans for it... living in occupied europe both my parents had many experiences...for for my mother is was much more difficult and 60yrs on would still tear up recalling the occupation, she usually left the room when the topic came up...

 

you can get some idea of where your dad served etc, by providing whatever info you can, such as discharge papers. Try your congressman, they can generally assist you in matters such as these.

 

I am excluding family members from my list. Winston Churchill, Marquis De Lafayette, Chesty Puller, Andrew Jackson, John Paul Jones , Jean Lafitte , Alexander the Great and W.C. Fields!

 

thanks for the advice but I'm not an american....see the little flag in the corner of my posts...

I know where my father fought, even the very bunker he occupied repulsing the german 1st cavalry division for two days...the blitzkrieg was overrunning all opposition further resistance was seen as futile and a waste of lives and his group was ordered to surrender...

 

Easy.

Christ is a good choice for sure.

for mere mortals...

Neil Armstrong (RIP)

Very briefly met him in an airport, asked for and got his autograph...a very difficult thing to do. He found out that often times people would sell his autograph once they got it. So for many years, he stopped giving them out. He'd refuse signing anything out of principle I suppose. He thought probably, these people don't care enough to value the signature, so why should I line their pockets.

I respect that.

How many athletes charge for autographs...and when Mr. Armstrong did sign things, he never charged....he could very easily have done so.

Ultimately he was a person dedicated to the pursuit of increasing mankind's knowledge, he never sold out...to make a quick buck. After the instant fame of walking on the Moon, he led a quiet life as a university professor who occasionally dabbled in political issues, but it never defined who he was.

By the way, I still have that autograph, and I would never, ever...sell it.

 

1. Henry Aaron
2. Kyra Sedgwick
3. Keith Richards

Jesus would be a good one, too.

 

Hammerin' Hank Aaron.

Good choice.

 

I would like to add Percival Proctor Baxter and his Dad James Phinney Baxter

 

Yeah, the man was my idol growing up and I guess he's still doin' fine.

 

The Greeks ! Science....Democracy (for better or worse)....philosophy....architecture....what a people !!

 

Abe Lincoln. He lived an eventful life and was one of our most influential politicians.

 

Today it is

George Washington.​

The more I study the man and his battles and presidency, the more impressed I am.

1) He twice resigned "power". Once as Commander of the Continental Army and once as President.
In that day, who resigned "power"? That is special.

2) His style of warfare was unique to his day. To save his army no matter how many retreats it required.

3) He does seem like a man of outstanding integrity. That he would take it hard if his integrity took a hit.


Even considering it was the Age of the Enlightenment, Washington is a shining example of the best of mankind.
And yes he was nice to his slaves so let's not go there!




Moi
Napoleon lamented people expected him to be another Washington, not an Emperor.

No ​

 

That's very true. You should read the Garry Wills biography of him Cincinnatus. Cinncinnatus was a hero of the Ancient Romans and the Founding Fathers. He was a great general who was called back to service and, once he had defeated the enemy, went back to his farm. When the Romans asked him to come back and be King, however, he refused. Washington retired from service when the Continental Congress wanted to make him king in 1783 and, and returned to leadership in 1787 only when it became evident that the country was going to fall apart without a strong and respected leader. Washington was admired worldwide, even by George III, and had the unique experience of being the only man militarily trained at the highest levels by both the Superpowers of the day. When he became President it was very much as if Marshall Zhukov, Dwight Eisenhower and Franklin Roosevelt had become one person.

Washington is also credited with preventing the American Revolution from being captured by its radicals, like the French. Read about the prevention of the Newburgh Conspiracy. The exact facts may be disputed but its execution and essence was pure Washington

 

As to my favorite people I'd have to say myself and Mila Jovavich. I wouldn't want either of them running the world but I sure wouldn't mind sleeping with either of them night after night.

 

Handsome Jack, James Bond, Indiana Jones, Summer Glau, Lex Luther, Darth Vader, that guy from that thing, Chuck Norris, Michelle Rodriguez, Captain Sisko, The Courier and so on ..........tons of them. I guess I just like lots of different people.

 

There are a few pieces of American prose I find uniquely, American in conciseness and character.
They include
The Declaration of Independence
"Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus", read it again, a few minutes.
and George Washington's letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island.
Now figure, Washington - a Virginian, knew what of "Hebrews"? There was a significant early American Jewish population at Charleston. So they weren't limited to the North, but Virginia ? ?
And Washington is always portrayed as the dumber brother against Jefferson, Adams, Hancock, etc.
So to find this letter by Washington, its eloquence and expressions of Americanism more firmly planted Washington as a personal fav.
Here is the letter. I hope You enjoy it and its' beauty as I do. I emboldened some of my fav parts.

George Washington
August 18, 1790

Gentlemen:

While I received with much satisfaction your address replete with expressions of esteem, I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you that I shall always retain grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced on my visit to Newport from all classes of citizens.

The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past is rendered the more sweet from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security.

If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just administration of a good government, to become a great and happy people.

The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy — a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship.

It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.

It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my administration and fervent wishes for my felicity.

May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants — while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid.

May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy.

G. Washington



Moi

No
Louis Riel could have been Washington
but he was betrayed by Dumont, Judas style.
Riel was taken and hanged by the authorities. ​

 

Elias Boudinot, who worked closely with George Washington in Congress, wrote a book. This is where Washington got his information about the Hebrews in America. It's called a star in the west and describes the common belief at the time that the so-called Native Americans were Israelites.

https://archive.org/details/starinwestorhumb00boudarch

 

Another Hebrew who Washington really, really appreciated was the Jewish Hero of the American Revolution.
Chaim Solomon - he might be better termed the forgotten hero of the American Revolution.
Chaim Solomon acquired the funds for the American Revolution while it received no support.
France etc. did not support the Rebels until after the victory of the Battle of Saratoga. So who financed the Revolution from 1775 - 1777? The Plantation owners were broke due to excessive mercantile practices of the Brits. Americans did not have the wealth to finance the effort.
Chaim Solomon created, I guess you'd call them American Revolutionary Junk Bonds that were very popular for enlightened Europeans to process. Especially those of the Masonic sort. Even Brits bought them.
Washington expressed appreciation of his effort and the 6 pointed star made of smaller 13 stars on the dollar is claimed to be Washington's acknowledgement of Chaim Solomon.

Washington still had to get out of Virginia to experience a Hebrew methinks.



Moi

No ​

 

Mahatma Gandhi. Teddy Roosevelt. My dad.