It’s Washington’s Birthday—Not Presidents' Day

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I agree. Children should learn and recognize and be inspired by Washington's courage, honesty, and integrity. Please, stop the political correctness nonsense, get back to truth and reality.

Dan Vitale of NY 11:44AM February 19, 2012

Not only is it time to return to the remembrance of President Washington's birthday on February 22, but it is also time for schools to return to the teaching of our history without the political correctness that has altered the true legacy of our country. In the rush to testing and overtesting of our students, we have lost sight of the fact that this country is a good one with important men and women who deserve to once again be studied in the light of their times and without the spin that those who feel history has to be changed to suit their agendas attached!

Lyn of NY 10:36AM February 19, 2012

In today's world of endless hours at work one can definitely use a 3 day weekend to spend time with their families. And with american economy deteriorating shopping is not a bad idea. People just need to be reminded on TV and social media what the holiday is about. Teachers need to send a message to students in classes. Perhaps by way of homework on fridays due tuesday. Declaring 22nd as Washington's b'day is not going to change anything. People will go about their lives and not even notice it.

Kevin of CA 11:52AM February 18, 2012

I think that the younger generations may not perceive human flaws as cheapening, but rather enriching, perceptions of our founders. It is heartening to know about the internal struggles of these men and women -- that they indeed achieved greatness while facing the same human flaws, temptations, and disappointments that we do. I believe the need to revere a forefather/mother through revisionist hagiography may no longer be relevant. Indeed, respect is not lost for someone simply because we find out they are imperfect. Positing a society that has eschewed "perfect," to which the unattainable perfection is no longer relevant, the truly heroic has a chance to shine even brighter. When seeing our childhood heroes reduced as they now are -- down to human size -- those of us who were brought up in a much earlier time (I being among them) can either choose to experience disillusionment, or the less traditional notion of enlightenment which, strangely enough, is its synonymous experience. And even LESS strangely, the deconstruction of historical illusions, the age of enlightenment itself, is what allowed for our forefathers to be such unbelievable visionaries, warts and all. What a bunch of amazing folks, and I admire them all more than ever.

Cathy Finn-Derecki of VA 9:53AM February 18, 2012

When king George heard that GW had resigned his military commission after winning the war he said, "Well, if it is true, then he is the greatest man in the world." No one had ever voluntarily surrendered so much power before. Well, except Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 8:9

Don Davidson of VA 9:08AM February 18, 2012

I like the overall point of remembering Washington. If a president wants to be remembered, he or she had better make similar contributions! Compare Washington to Mao Zedong--both were great revolutionaries, but where Washington showed restraint once he won freedom, Mao almost ruined his new country (see Great Leap Forward, Cultural Revolution).
Commemorating his birthday on a weekday ensures that we recognize his contributions every year. No one notices the holiday if it falls on a weekend.

Peter of MN 8:03PM February 17, 2012

Yes, we as a nation have lost our historical perspective on just about everything and someone will no doubt make negative comments about George Washington to try drag him down. He did own slaves and was a real estate speculator (and we all know how evil real estate speculators are). But without George Washington there is no United States. Period. That cannot be said for any other president except arguably Lincoln. He does deserve his own day when all Americans remember the indispensable man.

Rich Alderman of CA 6:59PM February 17, 2012