‘President’s Day’ is a Ridiculous Insult to George Washington

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I think the reasoning wasn't to so much honor ALL presidents, but to honor all GREAT presidents. The government was trying to avoid a national holiday for Washington's birthday AND Linconln's birthday AND F. Roosevelt AND Kennedy AND George W. Bush (joking). They picked this Monday because it usually falls between Lincoln and Washington's birthday.

I think it was a great idea. You can honor whichever president YOU think deserves it. I'm going with the Rushmore presidents - Teddy + FDR + JFK (even though I still have to work. Booooo!)

Eric P of WI 2:11PM February 12, 2010

For those who believe we should in fact honor all Presidents, that would be lumping the likes of President Clinton (impeached) and Andrew Johnson (impeached) and Nixon (who would have been impeached had he not resigned) in with the others. Nixons proclomation DID NOT change federeal law, which still recognizes Washingtons Birthday. If you go to any federal building, including Post Offices, the sign saying they are closed is for Washingtons Birthday. Or they should by law.

R.Stephens of VA 10:46AM February 12, 2010

Some of the comments preceding mine tell me some of the readers don't have their thinking caps on.

George Washington was indeed the "father of our great country" and whether he would have wanted a day named after him is irrelevant. A succeeding generation had chosen to so honor him and it should have remained so, and should so be reinstated.

Throughout history there have been men and women whose achievements were so extraordinary that they were memorialized by their country and/or in the minds of man. We often speak of the right man or woman, at the right time. Capt. Sully landing his plane in the Hudson River was just such a man; just such an example. There is little doubt that without George Washington's extraordinary achievements we would not be living in the country as we know it; to doubt that is foolish ignorance.

Most of our presidents were ordinary, not extraordinary men, and George Washington, General Washington, President Washington should not have to share his singular honor with them.

Raymond of Yonkers of NY 10:40PM February 11, 2010

Is it true that our founding fathers including Prez Washington were very very secular in the way they planed our nation ? Just asking.

ron g of CA 8:58PM February 11, 2010

President Washington would have never wanted such a day anyway. Yes, he cared about his legacy but he would consider such a designated day as monarchal and would have favored a more general celebration with his fellow presidents. Practically speaking, while GW was great, others have been just as good if not better. Chances are, this country has other great presidents in its future. We can't have a day off for all of them. MLK is a also worthy of recognition but in time, it too will likely be replaced with a more general designation.

Ralph of VA 8:51PM February 11, 2010

Meryl! you old ...,where's your fellow Californian -atheist ADVeirs?Funny how MLK gets a holiday(paid) while never having been elected to public office-yet President John F. Kennedy gets his brains splattered all over adoring crowds in Dealey Plaza and gets a fifty cent coin.Nothing on the Oxygen channel?

LMDYC of OR 7:20PM February 11, 2010

in this politically divisive time (one which you contribute to regularly), I hardly think GW cares.

I have to give you credit for being crafty enough to turn a non-issue into an example of why the government is bad and how white males are being oppressed.

Grow up.

Meryl of CA 6:18PM February 11, 2010

Slow news day, huh?

A huge percentage of our population can't even name the three branches of government, and you want them to learn about a guy with wooden teeth?

They can't be bothered; there might be some new info on Jon and Kate! Oh, boy!

Rich of CO 6:06PM February 11, 2010

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Peter Roff

Peter Roff

Peter Roff is a contributing editor at U.S. News & World Report. Formerly a senior political writer for United Press International, he’s now affiliated with several public policy organizations including Let Freedom Ring, and Frontiers of Freedom. His writing has appeared in National Review, Fox News’ opinion section, The Daily Caller, Politico and elsewhere. Follow him on Twitter @PeterRoff.

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