George, Tom, and Rutherford

Landsdowne paintingThe new leader of the Democrat party slams President Trump as the “worst president ever.” I suppose he lived through all of them.

The fake news continues to stream as if it is real. Emotions seem to have taken over from real reporting. This isn’t news at all. George Washington seems to be the only President that didn’t get hit too much by the press, although even he had some tough reports. Here’s a report that might interest you:

Headline “Bogus President.” Story: “After the hotly contested 1876 election, the Washington Post insisted that the Democratic nominee, Samuel J. Tilden, was the winner. A congressional committee determined that the new president was Republican Rutherford B. Hayes, but the Post refused to accept the verdict. For the next four years the newspaper churlishly referred to President Hayes as “the Bogus President,” “the acting President,” and “his fraudulency.” read more

George Washington is Elected

GeorgeWashingtonWhen someone says that America isn’t a Christian nation, I understand. It’s just that I believe they don’t know history. American principles are based on the Christian religion and on the Bible. No, that’s just history.

George Washington was elected unanimously to serve as our first U.S. President. He was inaugurated at Federal Hall in New York City, NY. Washington, D.C. wasn’t built yet.

Washington requested a Bible upon which to lay his hand as he took the oath of office. A Bible was secured and the oath was administered. After George was sworn in he spontaneously added “so help me God” to the words given in the Constitution. He knew he needed God’s help in this new task. New not only to him, but to the world. read more

Benjamin Franklin the Hero

Franklin_in_his_fur_capBenjamin Franklin was greeted with a hero’s welcome when he arrived back in America in 1785. He had been in Paris, France, under the direction of Congress to finally achieve a Treaty, The Treaty of Paris, which officially ended the Revolutionary War. In that achievement he was assisted by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and John Jay. They were successful, and the Treaty was heavily in favor of the United States.

John Adams was sent to England to be the man to negotiate a Treaty of Commerce with Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson remained in Paris as the Diplomat to France, replacing Benjamin Franklin. read more

Benjamin Franklin and His Words

As I have given many presentations over the years, people attending my talks are often prone to asking me which of the Founding Fathers is my favorite. I sometimes say: “When I’m speaking about George Washington, he’s my favorite. When talking about Patrick Henry, he’s my favorite.” And so on.

Ben FranklinBut this much I can tell you, it’s clear to me who the favorite Founding Father is in the hearts of my listeners. It’s obviously Benjamin Franklin. My lectures about Ben are the most popular, bring the highest attendance, and produce the most questions and comments. And I do love Benjamin Franklin. read more

Happy Birthday George Washington

GeorgeWashingtonToday, February 22, is George Washington’s birthday.

As we reflect on his life, it becomes apparent that he was an unusual and uncommon man. The things he accomplished in his 67 years on the earth are just astonishing.

He became a surveyor and businessman at the age of 15. He was a hero in the French and Indian War. He was a terrific dancer and married Martha just a few months after their first meeting. He turned Mount Vernon into a beautiful mansion and a business center with a carpenters shop, blacksmith shop, fishing business, and a farm with sheep, wheat, and other animals and crops. read more

George Washington and Rules of Civility

When George Washington was still very young, his father, Augustine, employed a mentor, a tutor, to help George perfect his penmanship. To accomplish this his teacher would dictate some sentences to George so that he could write these words over and over again to perfect his writing. George became a very good and easy to read writer.

GW RulesAt the same time, George was introduced forcefully into the world of decent behavior when he was in company with other children and adults. He learned manners, customs, and behaviors that would be acceptable when in company. He learned to behave and converse with ease. It affected his character. read more

Happy Birthday George Washington

Landsdowne paintingI was a little bit encouraged and heartened by the newscasts today. I’m talking about the treatment and reporting about President’s Day. Two of the popular news show reporters on the evening news, when talking about the holiday actually referred to George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.

They bantered back and forth and postulated that the holiday actually came about to honor Washington and Lincoln who were both born in the month of February. It was a nice conversation. But then they admitted that President’s Day has changed. Now we kind of honor many of the late U.S. Presidents. Oh well, it was a good start. read more

PRESIDENT’S DAY

Abraham_Lincoln_2Happy Birthday Abraham Lincoln

Getting ready for President’s Day, here are a few more quotes.

“My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.” –Abe Lincoln

“Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves, and, under a just God, cannot long retain it.” –Abe Lincoln

“My great concern is not whether God is on our side; my great concern is to be on God’s side.” –Abe Lincoln

And from George Washington.

“Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.” –George Washington read more

President George Washington

I am officially chagrined. Meaning marked by disappointment, annoyed, vexed and irritated. One of my favorite TV talk show hosts treated President’s Day like most uninformed or misinformed students today.
He went around a busy college and showed pictures of several U.S. Presidents and asked the young people if they knew who the person in the picture was.

Of course, most of those asked didn’t have a clue as to which President was pictured. That was to be expected. What I did not expect was that the moderator treated President’s Day as if it were a day to honor any president of your choosing. That wasn’t the idea when the holiday came into being. But that’s what he made it sound like. read more

President’s Day Heroes

GeorgeWashingtonWith our Holiday, President’s Day, coming up next Monday, I thought I’d favor you with a few quotes from the two President’s Day Presidents: Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character give him power.” –Abe Lincoln

“Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.” –George Washington

“It is impossible to account for the creation of the universe without the agency of a Supreme Being. And it is impossible to govern the universe without the aid of a Supreme Being.” –George Washington read more