"George Washington never criticized slavery in public. In fact, as President, Washington brought nine household slaves to the Executive Mansion in Philadelphia. By Pennsylvania law, slaves who resided in the state became legally free after six months. Washington rotated his household slaves between Mount Vernon and Philadelphia so that they did not earn their freedom, a scheme he attempted to keep hidden from his slaves and the public and one which was, in fact, against the law."
Dude, there is no way you watched that video. It is funny shit, and in no way serious. So watch it, then laugh and realize I wasn't actually making any point about George Washington.
ok I've watched it all now, (I only managed about 5 secs the first time round) I don't know how factually correct it is, but it does seem to back up my point.
So any other George's ever had their grubby hands on America? (besides Bush Snr)
Well, those men need to be seen for who they were, warts and all. You can own slaves and still do great things. I don't see the need to deify those men, even though I admire their patriotic, heroic acts.
I would say that these acts prove that they are human, but their heroic acts show that they managed to transcend their humanity for a time. I don't expect my heroes to be without flaws. I expect flaws. What I want is something else as well.
Were I George Washington, I'd have done exactly the same thing. For him, in that time period, it'd be similar to cheating on your tax returns, and everyone tries to get away with that.
It's not only a point about slaves, but George Washington broke the law for his own profit & also tried to hide these actions from the public, sounds familiar?
Sounds like what every single human being on the planet would do in the same situation. I'm not saying it's right, I'm saying that everybody is fallible, and breaking a few laws or being a product of your time doesn't turn someone from a hero to a dumbass.
Ghandi was racist and supported the slavery of blacks in South Africa. Thomas Jefferson owned slaves and cheated on his wife with them. That doesn't keep them from also being heroes.
They still celebrate his birthday on 4th June at some school just outside Windsor, or is that a different George II? You guys got your independence under George III, poor genetically mad Hanoverian that he was. But the new American sequel is going pretty badly thus far. Get the Executive Producers in, and 'phone the insurance company. We need a miracle.
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timeasmymeasure
hahhahahahaha!
Date: 2007-11-06 11:56 am (UTC)America doesn't have much luck with rulers called George
Date: 2007-11-06 01:25 pm (UTC)Re: America doesn't have much luck with rulers called George
Date: 2007-11-06 02:34 pm (UTC)Re: America doesn't have much luck with rulers called George
Date: 2007-11-06 05:21 pm (UTC)Oh yes, I forgot what a great guy he was too
Re: America doesn't have much luck with rulers called George
Date: 2007-11-06 07:54 pm (UTC)Re: America doesn't have much luck with rulers called George
Date: 2007-11-06 08:10 pm (UTC)I don't know how factually correct it is, but it does seem to back up my point.
So any other George's ever had their grubby hands on America? (besides Bush Snr)
Re: America doesn't have much luck with rulers called George
Date: 2007-11-12 01:43 am (UTC)In a perfect world, it would all be true.
Re: America doesn't have much luck with rulers called George
Date: 2007-11-06 09:05 pm (UTC)Re: America doesn't have much luck with rulers called George
Date: 2007-11-07 05:38 am (UTC)Re: America doesn't have much luck with rulers called George
Date: 2007-11-07 04:42 pm (UTC)Were I George Washington, I'd have done exactly the same thing. For him, in that time period, it'd be similar to cheating on your tax returns, and everyone tries to get away with that.
Re: America doesn't have much luck with rulers called George
Date: 2007-11-07 02:21 pm (UTC)Re: America doesn't have much luck with rulers called George
Date: 2007-11-07 04:40 pm (UTC)Ghandi was racist and supported the slavery of blacks in South Africa. Thomas Jefferson owned slaves and cheated on his wife with them. That doesn't keep them from also being heroes.
Re: America doesn't have much luck with rulers called George
Date: 2008-01-04 07:32 pm (UTC)I'm sure we've all done things that we're not proud of, or that are wrong, to varying degrees.
I don't think your statement as written is true though.
Re: America doesn't have much luck with rulers called George
Date: 2007-11-23 05:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-06 03:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-07 12:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-07 05:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-07 05:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-07 11:27 pm (UTC)You guys got your independence under George III, poor genetically mad Hanoverian that he was.
But the new American sequel is going pretty badly thus far. Get the Executive Producers in, and 'phone the insurance company. We need a miracle.