The Founding Fathers and the World Series — NY Mets? KC Royals?

Posted on by October 28, 2015
Polo Grounds during World Series Game, 1913 from the Bain Collection by David Shapinsky from Washington, D.C.

Polo Grounds during World Series Game, 1913 from the Bain Collection by David Shapinsky from Washington, D.C.

There’s still argument over the actual beginning of baseball in the United States, but the World series didn’t actually begin until the early 1900’s. So it’s clear that our Founding Fathers would not have been interested in the World Series, or even known of it.

But if we could consider it, who would the Founding Fathers root for in a game. In today’s world series, George Washington would, of course, root for the New York Mets, having served as President in New York — Washington, DC was still on the drawing board. Although he was a great horseman and didn’t have professional sports in those days, I think he would like the game of baseball. read more

Jefferson and Listening

Posted on by October 27, 2015

ThomasJeffersonThomas Jefferson served with Patrick Henry and George Washington in the House of Burgesses. He served later in the Continental Congress with Benjamin Franklin. One thing Jefferson learned from these three men, and especially Franklin and Washington, was how to listen. George was especially adept at this trait.

Jefferson made it a point not to argue and to try to be a peacemaker. Of his experience in Congress he wrote in his autobiography:

“Our body was a little numerous, but very conscientious. Day after day was wasted on the most unimportant questions. A member, one of those afflicted with the morbid rage of debate, of an ardent mind, prompt imagination, and copious flow of words, who heard with impatience any logic which was not his own, sitting near me on some occasion of a trifling but wordy debate, asked me how I could sit in silence, hearing so much false reasoning, which a word would refute? I observed to him, that to refute indeed was easy, but to silence was impossible.” read more

Freedom, Founding Fathers, and The Trial of Christ

Posted on by October 26, 2015

HeaderIt’s hard to explain, especially in just a few words, but I’ll try. People always ask me why I wrote my books in such seemingly different areas or topics.

My first book, “Founding Fathers—Uncommon Heroes” is a book with chapters about six of our Founding Fathers. Men who had the courage to establish the United States of America. The six men are Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and James Madison.

My second book, “The Illegal Trial of Christ,” came at the request of my publisher, who knew I gave popular presentations about this topic. This book includes biographical information about the many players involved in the four trials that took place at the end of Christ’s life. In this book I also explain some of the rules, procedures, and laws in effect at that time. Both Roman law and Hebrew law. By understanding these people and their circumstances, readers will come to recognize and grasp why some things are worded the way they are in the four Gospels. read more

John Adams and the Declaration of Independence

Posted on by October 25, 2015

JohnAdamsJohn Adams, a lawyer, was truly at the front of the happenings of the Revolution with England. He wrote the pamphlet that had wide circulation and among others, caught the eye of Patrick Henry prior to his own Give Me Liberty speech.

John was a minister to France capturing a loan from Amsterdam which pretty much saved the Colonies in the war. He became the second President of the United States of America, upon the retirement of General George Washington.

What we sometimes forget about John is that he was the one who defended Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence at Philadelphia in 1776. Tom called him the “Colossus” for his vigorous defense. He carried the day and the Declaration was adopted. read more

James and Dolley Madison, Your Hostess

Posted on by October 24, 2015

Dolley MadisonPerhaps the funniest experience I’ve had in teaching about the Founding Fathers, was at a High School. I had been asked to speak to the senior’s advanced placement government class about The Founding Fathers. Just an hour class. The students were smart and knowledgeable I was assured.

They were pretty much the same as the senior class when I was in high school except that they were all dressed much differently. It seems that the dress code has been pretty much been done away with! But the kids were nice and polite. At least to me. read more

The Least Known Founding Father

Posted on by October 23, 2015

PatrickHenryIn speaking around the country, I am surprised to find that the least know of the Founding Fathers is Patrick Henry. Sure, people have heard of him, but know nothing about his life. Some people know he gave a speech once where he said those immortal words: “Give me Liberty or Give me Death!” Where and when and why no one seems to know. Some even think it was around the time of the Civil War.

Patrick Henry gave many speeches. Not the least of which was the first speech he gave as a newly elected member of the House of Burgesses, the civilian legislature approved by the Crown of England. It was that speech that Thomas Jefferson said lighted the light of liberty in his breast, never to be quenched. He was first a close friend of Thomas Jefferson, and during the Revolutionary War they became estranged enemies. read more

Favorite Founding Father

Posted on by October 22, 2015

Ben FranklinI have given many presentations about the Founding Fathers. I am the author of “Founding Fathers –Uncommon Heroes.” As I have spoken, many have asked “Who is your favorite Founding Father?”

That’s such a difficult question, I answer: “When I am speaking about George Washington, he’s my favorite. When I am talking about Thomas Jefferson, he’s my favorite. When I speak about Patrick Henry, he’s my favorite. When I am discussing John Adams, he’s my favorite. And when I speak about James Madison and Dolley Madison, they are my favorites.” read more

Thomas Jefferson’s Private Religious Projects

Posted on by October 21, 2015

ThomasJeffersonIn his later years, Thomas Jefferson decided to compile what he understood to be Jesus Christ’s own words from the New Testament. Here is what he actually said about this venture:

“I too have made a wee little book . . . which I call “The Philosophy of Jesus.” It is made by cutting the texts out of the book and arranging them on the pages of a blank book, in a certain order of time and subject. A more beautiful or precious morsel of ethics I have never seen. It is a document in proof that I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus, very different from the Platonists, who call me an infidel and themselves Christians and preachers of the gospel, while they draw all their characteristic dogmas from what its Author never said or saw. They have compounded from the heathen mysteries a system beyond the comprehension of man, of which . . .were He to return on earth would not recognize one feature.” read more

George Washington’s Portrait Saved by Dolley

Posted on by October 20, 2015

Landsdowne paintingJames and Dolley Madison were residents of the President’s Mansion in Washington, D.C., in 1812. James was President of the United States of America, and Dolley was his wife and hostess.

I once asked a high school class I was speaking to, when the War of 1812 took place. They didn’t know. But you know. It was in 1812! During the war, the British were marching toward Washington, D.C. President Madison decided he needed to go to the “front” to see what was transpiring with the fighting. He didn’t really trust his generals that much. read more

George Washington’s Character

Posted on by October 19, 2015

GeorgeWashingtonAs a youth, George Washington learned some rules that helped him all his life. He was taught penmanship by his tutor who used “The Rules of Civility and Descent Behaviour in Company and Conversation” as dictated material that George would have to rewrite time, and time again in order to improve his penmanship. Doing this George also learned some manners, life principles in dealing with others, and how to make good conversation.

One of the rules that helped him not only in his youth, but also in his later years, and throughout his life, would be good to learn today. read more