Hatrack River Forum: Discover the Greatest American

This is topic Discover the Greatest American in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by SC Carver (Member # 8173) on :

The Discovery Channel is running it's Greatest American top 100, as voted on by the American Public.

I would say there are many great American's missing (James Madison) and many on the list that shouldn't be on it(Michael Jackson.

You can check out the list http://tv.channel.aol.com/greatestamerican

Thought it would be interesting to do a Hatrack Greatest American List.

I'll pick an easy one and go with Thomas Jefferson.

Posted by Sid Meier (Member # 6965) on :

Orsen Scott Card [Big Grin]

Posted by SC Carver (Member # 8173) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Sid Meier:
Orsen Scott Card

Sorry, thought that was a given... I was looking for the other 99.

Posted by Xavier (Member # 405) on :

On the site I picked FDR.

It was between him, Washington and Lincoln.

I think those two probably deserve it a little more, but I am a huge FDR fan.

Posted by Danzig (Member # 4704) on :

The American Public is stupid.

Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :

There are a lot of entertainers on that list. [Grumble]

Hobbes

Posted by SC Carver (Member # 8173) on :

I thought that was another given.

Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :

Margaret Sanger single-handedly saved countless women's lives by proposing that every child should be a wanted child. Revolutionary, no? She is one of my personal heroes and a great American.

Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :

I'd agree with FDR.

Honorable mentions in my opinion would go to Ben Franklin, Teddy Roosevelt John Adams, Monroe, Madison, Kennedy, Bill Gates, Henry Ford, Jefferson, Marshall (both of them) etc etc.

Seems like there are too many to count.

Posted by Parsimony (Member # 8140) on :

Explain to me how John Edwards, a less than noteworthy one term Senator with a failed presidential/vice presidential bid makes the list. Explain how "Dr." Phil and Brett Favre are among the greatest Americans ever.

This list angers me.

--ApostleRadio

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

When I start thinking about this sort of thing, I always get all prequel-style Anakin Skywalker on the subject of democracy.

Posted by Foust (Member # 3043) on :

I voted for Laura Bush!

Posted by Foust (Member # 3043) on :

And then Mel Gibson... apparently AOL Television execs used a time machine to change Gibson's country of birth?

Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :

I can’t stand lists like this. I don’t understand why people feel the need to define who the “Greatest American” is. What’s the point?

I remember Sports Illustrated doing a “Greatest Sports Year” list and being similarly unimpressed.

Posted by Xavier (Member # 405) on :

Einstein is on the list too, so I don't think you have to be born here. I'm pretty sure old Al got citizenship here, and Mel probably has it too.

Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :

Its simple.

Me.

Posted by Sopwith (Member # 4640) on :

Umm, Mel Gibson was born in Peekskill, NY.

His family moved to Australia when Mel was a boy. He was born an American, though. [Smile]