The Discovery Channel is running a show to determine the
"Greatest American" It one of those viewer/voter deals that is all fluff and little substance. Perfect for a good old fashioned freeping. I missed the first round voting (you did too, if this is the first you've heard of it!)
It is now down to 25. As you might imagine, some of the survivors are worthy, some are frivolous, and others are downright offensive.
Roster and lobbying below the fold.
Here is the order in which the candidates are presented. I have no idea if this reflects first round voting. This poll will reduce the field to 5. You get to vote 3 times.
Mohammed Ali - worthy.
Neil Armstrong - I don't wish to dismiss his accomplishment, but there seems to be a bit of luck `o the draw involved there.
Lance Armstrong - A bicyclist? There is no doubt that he overcame quite a bit, but greatest American?
George W. Bush - Offensive on every imaginable level.
Bill Clinton - I freeped the poll 3 times.
Walt Disney - Flying elephants, anyone?
Thomas Edison - Nikola Tesla didn't make the cut, so why him?
Albert Einstein - I'm not certain what qualifies as an American, but sure, why not?
Henry Ford - A republican's wet dream.
Ben Franklin - A respectable selection.
Bill Gates - Move over, Henry Ford.
Billy Graham - Sweet jeebus.
Bob Hope - Are they serious?
Thomas Jefferson - Now you're talkin!
John F. Kennedy - More worthy than many on the list.
Martin Luther King - Might have gotten my vote if I wasn't freeping the poll.
Abraham Lincoln - Maybe the worthiest contestant.
Rosa Parks - Tough to vote for her after considering the last two, but very worthy.
Elvis Presley - I like the King, but be serious. That picture with Nixon nixes him outright.
Ronald Reagan - I don't think so.
Eleanor Roosevelt - Worthy, but consider....
Franklin D. Roosevelt - A very serious contender.
George Washington - Gets the sentimental vote.
Oprah Winfrey - Yikes!
Orville and Wilber Wright - Buy one and get one free!
I propose we freep this poll for Clinton. The deserving candidates will get their votes, and the freeper vote could well split between Bush and Reagan. I'd love to see Clinton make the top 5, with Bush and Reagan on the ash heap of pop culture.
And as long as we can poll here, why not?