Founding Father/Mother Favs among Tea Party Friends!

Dear Readers: I hope everyone had a wonderful Independence Day. I had a great time at a family barbecue followed by watching the Del Mar fireworks (not yet canceled by environmental extremist weenies– though there is always next year).

While watching Fox News yesterday, a guest panel was asked the following question: Who is the Revolutionary War icon who is most inspirational to you? I thought this was an excellent question to ask my Ta Party friends, out of personal and historical interest.

Firstly, the Young Prince adores George Washington. “He was a great military leader, and won some hard battles against the British.” It seems he is one of the few public school kids who understands American history.

The Liberator Today also concurs: I know its not original, but the more I have learned, the more impressed I am with George Washington. The sheer will and determination he displayed to lead the Continental Army in what appeared to be a hopeless cause, is perhaps unrivaled in the annals of history. His foe had sent the largest expeditionary force that had been seen in the history of the world to that day; there was no reason to believe that the rebellion would be anything but short-lived and ignominious. Yet he persevered in the cause of freedom, not for personal power; we saw later that he could have been king; but for the belief in the liberty of mankind. Few can match that feat in the history of the world, much less in the history of the American Revolution.

Fellow SoCal-TRC co-founder Dawn had this choice: Abigail Adams, she was more than just the woman behind the man. She farmed the land when her husband was gone. She took care of the kids, and spread the message of liberty to the masses in her circle of influence. She was the stalwart stateswoman of her generation.

The other co-founder had a more genetically-based selection. Sarah said: As a Great-Great-Great (I lose count) Grandniece of Patrick Henry, I have to go with the Son of Thunder on this one.

Give me Liberty or give me death!

Fellow SLOB member, W.C. Varones, said this: Thomas Jefferson. Thought of as the father of the Democratic Party, he would be horrified by both major parties today. He foresaw that unless government was strictly limited in size and scope, the rich and powerful would take over government and use it to advance their own interests.

Friends of the Shrine from the American Freedom Network offered these entries:

Captain Freedom: I’m reading an excellent biography of John Adams. Similar to James Madison’s contributions to the making of our Constitution, John Adams was universally noted at the time as being the “leading voice” of the Continental Congress. The first chairman of the Board of War and member of the Declaration committee, Adams worked as much as 20 hours per day driving “Independency” through to fruition. He followed this leading role in Congress as Minister to Holland procuring loans and finally recognition and as the prime mover of the peace commission (with B. Franklin and John Jay). While he didn’t win plaudits in battle, no figure of that period deserves more the name “Founding Father”.

Sgt. Lloyd also shared Sarah’s pick: Since I drink his beer regularly, I’ll give Sam Adams an honorable mention for his part in starting the Revolution, but my choice is Patrick Henry. Being out front, and boldly so, requires more courage than the still-considerable valor needed to join a revolution against the most powerful temporal government in existence. I like him, as well, because he was not a fighting man at that season of his life (though he’s served in the militia at an earlier time). Moral courage is often rarer than the physical variety. Finally, I like him best because he stayed true to the Revolutionary spirit, and opposed the adoption of the current Constitution. In spite of all the bad propaganda in the history books, the Articles of Confederation worked well enough, and Henry foresaw the dangers inherent in a strong Executive with power to (de facto) make war, both at home and abroad. Henry foresaw many of the snares that beset our country now; he would not be surprised, except, perhaps that it took so long for the Tea Parties, Campaign for Liberty, Oath Keepers, et al, to arise in response to the decades of abuses, usurpation and petty tyrannies that we endure.

I also share some of Sarah’s thinking, from the genetic approach aspect. My pick has got to be Israel “Don’t Fire Until You See the Whites of Their Eyes” Putnam — without him, I would not be here to opine today! Also, he was a good friend of George Washington. If there is one thing I have learned from the Tea Party participation, having the support of good friends is critical.

I would like to give an honorable mention to British General Henry Clinton. I was watching one of the rare History Channel programs covering history — The Revolution. Apparently, Clinton was boozing it up in New York while having a passionate affair with an officer’s wife, and neglected sending needed re-enforcements to Cornwallis in Yorktown in a timely manner. Washington’s win in Yorktown was the final battle in America’s fight for freedom. It is as I often say:

Sometimes, a weak enemy is the best ally you have.

I am hoping this proves true in November 2010, again for the sake of liberty.

If my other friends and contributors answer my question, I will update this post as I get their answers.

UPDATE: Charles Caesar chimes in with this: For the Moment, I say <James Armistead(a slave-spy whose information contributed to America’s Yorktown win). Traditionally, my favorite is George Washington, as even King George III had to admit that he was the “greatest man on Earth” upon stepping down from his second term. A practice eventually amended to the constitution.

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