Still the father of our country

Tyler, Tx (KETK — Happy President's Day!

This editorial caught my eye today from the Washington Times newspaper because I saw a documentary about George Washington last night and I thought they slammed him.

I'm tired of people slamming our founding fathers. They were human like anyone else, but the worked together giving us
the greatest nation that there ever was.

The Times writes, although popularly known as "Presidents' Day," February 18 this year is officially the federal celebration of "Washington's Birthday." George Washington, the father of this nation, deserves the recognition that the more popular name fails to convey.

Washington is remembered for his military service in the American Revolution and as the nation's first president. But neither of these is the chief reason he is honored today. There have been greater military leaders than Washington and arguably greater presidents as well. But Washington's greatest achievement was beyond the emotional scope of most great military and political leaders: he held the proverbial ring of power, and he gave it up of his own accord.

At the end of the Revolutionary War, when the possibility of absolute power presented itself to Washington, he humbly stepped aside.

Had Washington followed the governing philosophy that reigns in the capital today -- "never waste a crisis" - then there would probably be no Constitution and no United States of America.

Washington was a man with faults, and very much a product of his time. His ownership of slaves serves as a reminder of these defects. But by forfeiting his strong claim to power, Washington transcended his own time. He set an example for future generations of Americans, firmly establishing civilian control of the nation's military.

That's my point of view, what's yours?

You can email me at pov@ketknbc.com [2] or Facebook me at KETK Neal Barton [3].