And the Weiner is . . .

Speaking of the great Dolly - it might be interesting to open up a discussion of First Ladies.

You should do that, Boss . . . quite honestly, i don't know that much about the consorts of our Presidents . . .

George Mason of Virginia
The writer of the original bill of rights.

I think it's time for Setanta to learn more about consorting with consorts. A gap in his education to be filled. Go for it, Jes! (or do we wait til we can get edithdoll over here? she'd be able to take him on with this sort of topic)

Hang on, I'm going to create a First Ladies' quiz. But give me some time to make it, hmmm, tricky. :-D

Great idea First Ladies quiz.

Once again Setanta and I are in absolute accord. Washington stands so tall that even the giants of American History barely reach his shoe tops. R.E. Lee, a man of great stature himself, regarded Washington almost as a god. Jefferson is greatly over-rated, though the Louisiana Purchase certainly was a good buy. Jefferson's way with words will long be remembered and cherished, but his vindictiveness and cowardly nature are already mostly forgotten. Jefferson's poltical views have outlasted the Federalists, and mores the pity. John Adams, while one of the most important of the Founding Fathers, had some very distinct draw-backs (couldn't lead a horse to water without annoying him). Someone mentioned the Bill of Rights, so let's tip our hat to George Mason.

I'm afraid to go on too long because my son's computer system has a way of kicking me off at inopportune times. Listen to Stanta, unless of course we disagree then go with my opinions. LOL

Lincoln

I'm not sure that historians agree on this but IMO the south would have succeeded in leaving the union, if not for Lincoln.

If you accept that premise consider how DIFFERENT this continent (and for that matter this world) would be!

Jjorge, your point is telling--there was certainly no one on the political horizon in 1860 who could have been counted on to move heaven and earth to preserve the Union, which is precisely what Lincoln intended from the outset. Good choice, Boss.

Jefferson's words were greater than his actions.