Tonight I spoke to a group of adults about James and Dolley Madison and the Constitution. The presentation was well received. I enjoyed it.
I started out the evening by reading a quote from “Parade” magazine this week. There was an article entitled “If I Were President . . .” Several famous people, TV stars, Movie Stars, athletes, and other celebrities were asked the question. Some answers were stunning, some were good ideas, some were just plain wacko!
I quoted the one by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, NBA superstar and author. I was astonished and pleasantly surprised by his remarks. Here’s what he said:
No, he was not a Governor at the time. He was one of the important men attending the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1787. He was one of the important men, at that Convention, such as James Madison, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin.
Here are just a few words I think you should be familiar with. Are You?
Boy, that was an eye-opening account of “Legends and Lies” by Bill O’Reilly tonight. It was on TV. Pictured was the death of President George Washington, the election between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, which was decided in the House, and the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr.
George Washington, our first President, said this: “Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.”
I am attending a week long education summit at BYU. One of the classes is about the Presidential election in 1844. It seems to have some similarities with our current election.
George Washington had the looks and stature of a President. He was tall, nearly 6’4” and strong of build. He was a great horseman and a victorious soldier. He had a strong moral compass and great character. Plus, he had been front and center in all the major events in the creation of the new nation.