Unassuming Franklin
Jul. 2nd, 2007 11:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
eggwardsI kind of feel like this guy today.
With all the rain we've been having, he safely moved from the pond behind the building at work to the front walkway.
Couple of notes today.
➠ I need to go find the Kwik-E-Mart in town. Given that 7-11 started in Dallas, it's no suprise that one of the Simpson Movie tie-in stores is here. I wish i was more excited about the Simpsons movie, though. All those years on TV, so much of it feels like a re-tread to me.
➠ Well, there's never a real surprise with the Bush administration - well, maybe that he let the fines stick for now, just taking away Scooter's prison sentence. Don't worry, when the heat dies down, Scooter will get the full pardon. It's nice to know the administration is consistent for making sure the loyalists will reap the rewards, even if you are just a fall guy.
What kind of world is it where a person convicted of perjury (correction, obstruction of justice - sorry) in the case of divulging state secrets serves no time, while a celebutard manages to at least serve time for driving without a license?
➠ I'm almost finished with a book on Benjamin Franklin. Over the last couple of years I've read a lot on Revolutionary war figures, Adams, Washington, Jefferson and now Franklin. I guess i wanted to understand more about the founding fathers, and see if I can come to my own conclusion as what they wanted this country to be. Here's one thing, Adams was the most devout, and he didn't go to church often. Let's just say these guys were very tolerant, and not very observant of religion, despite what's said about the forming of our nation.
Franklin though seems less put upon a pedestal, perhaps because he wasn't president, but more that he seemed like the kindly grandfather to the whole process. He was certainly more folksy and didn't try to show that he was a great thinker even though he was one of the most influential people in both science and letters of his day.
Still, he seems funny, more of a clown with clever witticisms than the others, mainly because he was very quotable, where the others were more long winded. Still, we owe a lot to the man, not only from his inventions and work on such things as ballooning and the foundations of modern electrical use, but his ability (and well-traveled-ness) to see the nation as a whole, and not just 13 separate colonies and later states. Outside of kings, he was pretty much the most famous man in the world at the time of his death, having spent time in both the new and old world.
I'm not sure there's another Revolutionary War figure I really want to read about now. i think i have my opinions down, and i know the major players. what i do know is the slow build up in executive branch power over the last six years would have alarmed the founding fathers as much as it should alarm us.
With all the rain we've been having, he safely moved from the pond behind the building at work to the front walkway.Couple of notes today.
➠ I need to go find the Kwik-E-Mart in town. Given that 7-11 started in Dallas, it's no suprise that one of the Simpson Movie tie-in stores is here. I wish i was more excited about the Simpsons movie, though. All those years on TV, so much of it feels like a re-tread to me.
➠ Well, there's never a real surprise with the Bush administration - well, maybe that he let the fines stick for now, just taking away Scooter's prison sentence. Don't worry, when the heat dies down, Scooter will get the full pardon. It's nice to know the administration is consistent for making sure the loyalists will reap the rewards, even if you are just a fall guy.
What kind of world is it where a person convicted of perjury (correction, obstruction of justice - sorry) in the case of divulging state secrets serves no time, while a celebutard manages to at least serve time for driving without a license?
➠ I'm almost finished with a book on Benjamin Franklin. Over the last couple of years I've read a lot on Revolutionary war figures, Adams, Washington, Jefferson and now Franklin. I guess i wanted to understand more about the founding fathers, and see if I can come to my own conclusion as what they wanted this country to be. Here's one thing, Adams was the most devout, and he didn't go to church often. Let's just say these guys were very tolerant, and not very observant of religion, despite what's said about the forming of our nation.
Franklin though seems less put upon a pedestal, perhaps because he wasn't president, but more that he seemed like the kindly grandfather to the whole process. He was certainly more folksy and didn't try to show that he was a great thinker even though he was one of the most influential people in both science and letters of his day.
Still, he seems funny, more of a clown with clever witticisms than the others, mainly because he was very quotable, where the others were more long winded. Still, we owe a lot to the man, not only from his inventions and work on such things as ballooning and the foundations of modern electrical use, but his ability (and well-traveled-ness) to see the nation as a whole, and not just 13 separate colonies and later states. Outside of kings, he was pretty much the most famous man in the world at the time of his death, having spent time in both the new and old world.
I'm not sure there's another Revolutionary War figure I really want to read about now. i think i have my opinions down, and i know the major players. what i do know is the slow build up in executive branch power over the last six years would have alarmed the founding fathers as much as it should alarm us.
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no subject
Date: 2007-07-03 05:33 am (UTC)I can read just about anything about Broadway and never get bored...but with almost anything else, it can be quite a challenge.
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Date: 2007-07-03 06:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-03 06:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-03 06:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-03 03:17 pm (UTC)Benjamin Franklin, An American Life by Walter Issacson
A good look at Franklin and his times. Franklin is entertaining just because of the little stories he came up with, often very persuasive, pointed stories ment to change opinion. Also, he was the most flirtations.
John Adams by David McCullough
Adams is reviered by his fellow founders, but adams abrasive attitude and high and mighty airs piss off many people. The French hated him, while they loved Franklin. The book is deep, mainly because Adams and his wife Abigail wrote each other constantly (see the Broadway Musical 1776).
American Sphinx by Joseph J Ellis
The author looks into why Thomas Jefferson had such an impact (often the counter to John Adams' bombast, but yet was a very silent, solitary figure who had greatness thrust upon him. He seems to be the most reluctant founding father to serve.
His Excellency by Joseph J Ellis
George Washington was a millitary man and farmer. He's lauded by his peers, but seemed very unsure of himself as a leader, and certainly as a leader of a new Federal government, yet when people asked him to become their new king, he was more than happy to step down. Also has more of a military account, as the others were politicians and envoys, not generals.
If you want more of a one book overview of it all, try 1776 by David McCullough.
If you want to borrow a book, I have all but the George Washington book at the house. They aren't easy reads, especially the Jefferson, but there's many good tales in them.