I considered this question and the responses I have read for a few minutes before I typed a single word. I don't know that there is a most influential person in American history. No doubt such icons as George Washington, Abe Lincoln and Barack Obama share the lime light for their impact on America as a whole, many differerent people came to mind. Of course, those that have lived during my own lifetime have made significant impact that I witnessed. Martin Luther King being an excellent example. But, as those of you who actually know will probably have already guessed, to me the most influential person was the individual soldier, sailor, Marine and airmen who have gone the distance and defended our constitution and their country. Those who have stood up without asking for anything more than what our constitution guarantees. Those were the individuals who I hold highest in regard and respect. Politicians easily can be considered but when you weigh the contributions versus the risk, they faill miserably.
------------------ Ron "Antonius heartily agreed with him [sc. Cicero] that the budget should be balanced, that the Treasury should be refilled, that the public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of the generals should be tempered and controlled, that assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt, that the mobs should be forced to work and not depend on government for subsistence, and that prudence and frugality should be put into practice as soon as possible." -Taylor Caldwell Evidently we've learned nothing in the past 2,000+ years.
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 04-04-2013).]
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11:43 PM
jetsnvettes2000 Member
Posts: 3311 From: Menasha,Wisconsin,USA Registered: Dec 2009
Hmmm I think Philo Farnsworth needs serious credit, without him we would not have a monitor in front of us but then again we would also not have to suffer with Jersey Shore.
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11:48 PM
Apr 5th, 2013
spark1 Member
Posts: 11159 From: Benton County, OR Registered: Dec 2002
People tend to pick and choose in reference to their own time line or recent "modern" US history, when for most of us, it is just a tiny window of a much larger picture. For instance, Edison's first major invention was the phonograph--1877. There were over 102 years of US history previous to that, including years in which our constitution was written, 3 major wars for survival were fought, most our western and southern expansion completed, and our current form of government finalized. Edison did great things, as did Farnsworth, but both pale in comparison to people who lived, fought, and wrote well before they began their tinkering. My short list would be Jefferson--Payne-Adams or Washington with Lincoln right in the mix. Who really owns a phonograph today--but each of us walks free in a nation built and rebuilt by the guys on our currency--and will long after any gadget is made obsolete by the next big thing.
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02:30 AM
rinselberg Member
Posts: 16118 From: Sunnyvale, CA (USA) Registered: Mar 2010
I don't see how entire continents of people both past and present can be blamed for the actions of less than 10,000 people for what happened 200+ years ago.
And what is this "unfortunately" nonsense? You've won the lottery repeatedly. Not only were you simply one in a million of sperm / egg combinations, but you also were born in the United States.
If you don't like Edison ( I don't much either) than you could always pick Tesla. If only he had funding....
It seems like all the positive influences were far back in the beginning of our country's history. Do we have any positive major influences in recent history? Such as has any person shown to be a positive major influential person in or close to the 21st century?
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06:58 PM
MidEngineManiac Member
Posts: 29566 From: Some unacceptable view Registered: Feb 2007
Honestly....I think the most infulential thing about american history...and about reverse racism...
Is about blacks...*******...wild-childs...dude with the gub...... The cival war was fought about it....the current was is fought about it.....
I dont hate blacks.....I have 2 kids with one ..and got forced out by black familiny because i'm white.....I hate my ex for playing the rasism vote, and that has kinda jaded me...
DROP---the attitude, black woman and ya might find a man....until then, I dont want ya and would rather be single...go find another man. I dont date black girls anymore...eneough is enough.
[This message has been edited by MidEngineManiac (edited 04-05-2013).]
If you don't like Edison ( I don't much either) than you could always pick Tesla. If only he had funding....
It seems like all the positive influences were far back in the beginning of our country's history. Do we have any positive major influences in recent history? Such as has any person shown to be a positive major influential person in or close to the 21st century?
While i think Tesla was the most brilliant person since Leonardo and we owe our very way of life to him, i don't think he was 'influential' in the traditional sense.
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07:24 PM
rogergarrison Member
Posts: 49601 From: A Western Caribbean Island/ Columbus, Ohio Registered: Apr 99
I picked them because of their contributions to electricity and the affordable car / assembly line production.
We wouldnt be anywhere near where we are now without those. Everyone in the country uses electricity or a car (except for a very few). While others also contributed to those too, they both basicly got the ball rolling. Tesla and Westinghouse along with Franklin contributed. Mercedes invented the car, but only as a rich mans toy. Assembly line building not only got the car going, but just about every other product weve used in 100 years.
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07:49 PM
Boondawg Member
Posts: 38235 From: Displaced Alaskan Registered: Jun 2003
Just read up about this and, man, this guy had a shitty life at the hand of the white man!
quote
Originally posted by Boondawg:
Me too! Unfortunatly, that white man is me.
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Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]:
And what is this "unfortunately" nonsense? You've won the lottery repeatedly. Not only were you simply one in a million of sperm / egg combinations, but you also were born in the United States.
I ment that the only thing that has ever got in my way or slowed me down, was me. White, black, yellow, red..........mostly our own worst enemy is usually ourselves. How we think, how we act, how we react.....the only person that can keep you down is you. And what you will allow.
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08:17 PM
Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
Edison caused global warming by inventing the incandescent light bulb.
ONLY if you believe man is causing a global warming The planet is just doing the same thing its done on its own for billions of years...going thru different cycles.
