Monday, February 21, 2011

This vs. That: Washington vs. Lincoln Results

In honor of President's Day, I bring you the results of the Washington vs. Lincoln debate. Thank you to all my non-U.S. visitors for putting up with my U.S.-centric question this last time.

So, of all my proposed debates, this has been the hardest question for me to answer by far. Actually, I'm still debating who to vote for as I write this introductory paragraph. But since I forced the issue, and I have no one to blame but myself, here we go:

Total votes: 22

George Washington: 5 votes; 22%
Abraham Lincoln: 14 votes; 63%
Both: 1 vote; 5%
All Presidents: 1 vote; 5%
Decline to vote: 1 non-vote; 5%

After the first few votes, I totally thought that George Washington would take it by a landslide, but the tables turned. Both men are fascinating in what they did as President of the United States. Great leaders in a time when we really needed them. And though Lincoln may have won this vote, I honor both of them. However, in the end, I voted for George Washington. I've read a lot more about him, and recently visited Mount Vernon, so I suppose I was biased. A couple of things I particularly admire about him are 1) his love for his wife, Martha Washington; and 2) the fact that he never asked the men who fought with him in the revolutionary war to do anything he was not willing to do himself. A true leader.

So a couple of quick facts about each. 

Washington: In his will, he granted freedom to all of his slaves, to take effect after Martha's death (though Martha didn't wait for her death to free them).

Lincoln: The observance of the Thanksgiving holiday began with him. On Oct. 3, 1863, he proclaimed that there be a national day of Thanksgiving on the last Thursday of November. He also was the first president to have a beard.

Okay, enough of that. Two great men. I admire them both. Now on to the next vote:

Paris
Photo Credit: Pictures of Paris

vs.

Rome

19 comments:

Tracy said...

Ooh, Paris or Rome. Hmmmm.

Though Rome has an unbelievably rich history, I think I'd go with Paris. There is something about the French culture and all it's intricacies that fascinates me at times.

R. Garrett Wilson said...

While I haven’t been to either, I would like to go to both. Rome has more things that I would like to see, but Paris has two items I would love to see: Musée du Louvre and the Avenue des Champs-Élysées on the last day of the Tour de France. So for this one, if I have to pick between them I would pick Paris. In reality though, I would love to see both.

Lindsay said...

I've been to Paris, but not Rome... yet. So I'd have to go with Paris. i promise it has nothing to do with Pain au Chocolat though. Okay, maybe a little... LOL.

Lenny Lee said...

hi miss janet! wow that a hard question cause i did ever go to paris or rome. but miss nicole did a bunch of cool posts last year when she was going round france and cause of that im gonna say paris. im gonna ask my brother sebi cause hes been at both.
...hugs from lenny

Melissa said...

Paris! I say Paris, Paris, Paris. I hope to be going there really soon!!

Anonymous said...

I missed the first vote but being Canadian, I think that is okay! But Paris and Rome. Ahhh..that is tough too. I think I shall say Rome today.

Chris Phillips said...

Rome, only because I've been to Paris and it didn't really excite me.

Talli Roland said...

Paris Paris PARRRIIIIISSS! Love love love Paris, and every time I go I see something that makes me fall in love with it more. Rome is nice, but Paris... sigh!

Sangu Mandanna said...

Rome!!!! I haven't been to either place and I'm dying to go to both, but Rome just wows me - with the history and the art and just... wow. This was a hard choice :-)

Matthew MacNish said...

I see your comments everywhere. I can't believe I wasn't following your blog. I've fixed that now.

Matthew MacNish said...

Can't believe I didn't vote. Duh. Considering I'm part Italian, I would pick Rome every day. I'm not really into Paris, although the south of France sounds awesome. Especially the Riviera.

Not that I've been to any of those places.

Along These Lines ... said...

Speaking of presidents: Happy Presidents Pets Day - the day after Presidents Day, as I like to call it. In the US, we love our presidents..... pets. See my blog if you’re in the mood for a good ol' irreverent howl.

Beth said...

I love them both! How could I choose just one? If pressed, I'll say Rome, because there's nothing like the Forum and the Colosseum -- but I'd never say no to Paris!

WritingNut said...

Ahhh.. I can't choose.. I love both of them! I think I'd have to saaaayyy... Paris!

Amie Kaufman said...

Paris, hands down. I've spent a lot of time in both, but Paris is the place I'd pick to live. I got engaged there and I've had so many wonderful experiences there. That said, I'll be in Rome in June, and I can't wait!

Margo Berendsen said...

Great balls of fire - ROME ROME ROME ROME ROME. I've been to both. Both are amazing, and yet I didn't have to hesitate a second to answer that.

Rome has ancient history (or at least ancienter than Paris). Rome has Italians. Fascinating creatures. They are both on par as far as beautiful architecture. The fountains of Rome defy the cathedrals of Paris though, in my opinions. And then you have the creepy catacombs. And the art. Oh, the art. I'm sorry, but the Italians have it over the French when it comes to art.

Great voting ideas! I love it! Love to read the comments.

Rebecca said...

Paris, though I would be thrilled to visit either one!!!!

Melissa Sarno said...

Paris, Paris, Paris! Both are amazing, but Paris is magical. Yes, I really am that cheesy. But that's the best word to describe it :-)

Victoria Dixon said...

I've been privileged to see both cities and though I loved each of them, I think the one I want to return to the most is Rome/Vaticano. Funny, Americans tend to complain about the rude Parisians; I was never treated so well anywhere in Europe as I was while in Paris! People bent over backwards to help me. That said, Rome has the Vaticano. It's a city/museum all in one! I could spend my life in that building and never see it all, so Vaticano it is. Sorry, Paris! :(