Who Are the 20 Best Americans?
James Poulos, Ed. ·
Aug 14, 2010 at 1:29pm
So there's a list going around of the 20 Worst Americans as judged by 43 bloggers. NR's Jim Geraghty pokes a bunch of big holes in the list's inclusions and omissions --
I don’t think it’s healthy to mix the categories of “people who bug me” and “history’s greatest monsters.” Even if the Simpsons did put Jimmy Carter atop that list first.
-- and to that I give a big cosign. But rather than haggling over America's Most Horrendous, it'd be more fun to crowdsource a top 20 list of best Americans. Wouldn't it? And who better to ask than Ricochet members?
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Comments :
Jul '10
Re: Who Are the 20 Best Americans?
Peter Christofferson
I remember when DiLorenzo's book came out. I considered getting a copy, but the debunkings of it were so thorough that I thought better of it.
Whenever a conservative book - which DiLorenzo's is - is slandered by mainstream reviewers, I take that as a strong recommendation.
Jul '10
Re: Who Are the 20 Best Americans?
Jimmy Carter: Politicians aside, I'm more partial to pioneers of industry: Rockefeller, Huizenga, Jobs, Kroc, Walton....
I mean, how many people are millionaires today thanks to Bill Gates?
I like the addition of John Williams to the mix.
Let's not forget Superman. "Truth, Justice, and the American Way!" · Aug 15 at 6:14am
Kroc? I hate those shoes.
Re: Who Are the 20 Best Americans?
Kenneth: Hey, good night to you all. You're smart people who love give and take. Even though I come down on the distinct minority side re: Abraham Lincoln, you've responded with restraint and thoughtful comment.
How great is that? · Aug 14 at 10:15pm
Impressively great.
Re: Who Are the 20 Best Americans?
I'd like to nominate Joshua Chamberlain. On 2nd July 1863, at the Battle of Gettysburg, Col. Chamberlain and his 20th Maine Volunteers held the extreme left of the Union line on the southern flank of LIttle Round Top against repeated, ferocious flanking assaults by the 15th Alabama. Nearly out of ammunition and with his line doubling back on itself, Chamberlain ordered a sweeping bayonet charge down the hill into the attacking confederates. This desperate move succeeded, saving the Union line at Gettysburg and, with it, the Civil War.
Chamberlain, a college professor, had no previous military experience. He volunteered to end slavery and preserve the Union.
This is a country where individuals who choose to act can still make a difference.
May '10
Re: Who Are the 20 Best Americans?
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
May '10
Re: Who Are the 20 Best Americans?
Captain Sully, no doubt.