Have any of you guys been following this ?
I think they started with 100 and now they are down to 25.

While there are some incredibly influencial, and heroic people in the remaining 25.
Some of them don't seem to belong in the company of the rest.

Personally Martin Luther King, has been somebody I've admired since grade school. And as I've learned more about him, I've seen nothing that has deminished my respect for a man who in a non-violent way changed things for the better. I know he didn't do it alone, but he was a leader who led by
example.

Thats who I cast my vote for anyway.

While others on the list has invented great things, won great races, shown great courage and great character, Martin Luther King is in my opinion, the person whom on that list who embodies, what greatness is.

Anybodyelse want to share their opinion ?

Oh, and here is the list:

Muhammad Ali
Lance Armstrong
Neil Armstrong
George W. Bush
Bill Clinton
Walt Disney
Thomas Alva Edison
Albert Einstein
Henry Ford
Benjamin Franklin
Bill Gates
Billy Graham
Bob Hope
Thomas Jefferson
John F. Kennedy
Martin Luther King Jr.
Abraham Lincoln
Rosa Parks
Elvis Presley
Ronald Reagan
Eleanor Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
George Washington
Oprah Winfrey
Wright Brothers

is it limited to the 20th or 21st centuries?

I haven't watched the show myself, but I've seen ads for it. Anyone else think its almost kind of silly to try to pick the one greatest American? I don't really see how it could be done.. Too many people have been too influential and done many great things, and then there becomes the sticky job of judging them as a whole person in addition to what they accomplished.
A 'Great American' series of profiles would seem more in tune with reality, not that I expect TV to be in tune with reality..

Its a neat idea, I guess, I just don't see it having good follow through..

matt

Oprah Winfrey? Is it because she encourages reading? Or because she gives away cars?

I guess I should of watched so I could understand the reasoning behind several of these folks. (Ali, Clinton, George Bush and a few others on that list I do not understand)


Heres's the greatest American - The American Soldier. From long past to very present, they're the ONLY folks that have NEVER let us down and the ONLY folks you could count on to do their job every time and do it well. Im not talking brass and politicians, Im talking the grunts, the guys in the mix, the pilots, the people actually out their grinding and dying for you and me....

Interesting list but I agree with Marv here. There is no way that one could decide who the greatest single american is and I see a few in that list that would'nt make it past my personal first edit even if it were a large group that could accept that honor.

Oprah Winfrey? Is it because she encourages reading? Or because she gives away cars?

I guess I should of watched so I could understand the reasoning behind several of these folks. (Ali, Clinton, George Bush and a few others on that list I do not understand)

Oprah, like her or not, has done a lot for women in this country. Being a powerful and successful figure provides a good example to others, both women and minorities.

Ali - Got me. Maybe because he stood up for his ideals in the face of heavy opposition (ojected tot he war and draft)

Clinton - Economic successes

Bush - Held the country together in the face of 9/11


Interesting list but I agree with Marv here. There is no way that one could decide who the greatest single american is and I see a few in that list that would'nt make it past my personal first edit even if it were a large group that could accept that honor.

I think you have to look at what that person did on an individual basis for a part of the country - Armstrong for example (only because I know about him) - He's just a guy who rides a bike for a living, but he's also brought the fight against cancer into the spotlight better than anyone else ever has or could. By showing you can survive it and go on to a productive and healthy life, it gives hope to other people who might otherwise think that once you get the Big C, you're as good as dead. He's also, via the yellow wrist bands, raised massive amounts of $ for research, and thats money that would have otherwise never been contributed to that cause.

Does that make him the 'Greatest American'? Not at all, but it makes him pretty great on some levels.

I think this show if anything, will show some of the great accomplishments of these people, but I agree, to single out one person as THE greatest American is a bit far fetched.

By the way... where's Hugh Hefner??? :D

Oprah, like her or not, has done a lot for women in this country. Being a powerful and successful figure provides a good example to others, both women and minorities.

Ali - Got me. Maybe because he stood up for his ideals in the face of heavy opposition (ojected tot he war and draft)

Clinton - Economic successes

Bush - Held the country together in the face of 9/11



I think you have to look at what that person did on an individual basis for a part of the country - Armstrong for example (only because I know about him) - He's just a guy who rides a bike for a living, but he's also brought the fight against cancer into the spotlight better than anyone else ever has or could. By showing you can survive it and go on to a productive and healthy life, it gives hope to other people who might otherwise think that once you get the Big C, you're as good as dead. He's also, via the yellow wrist bands, raised massive amounts of $ for research, and thats money that would have otherwise never been contributed to that cause.

Does that make him the 'Greatest American'? Not at all, but it makes him pretty great on some levels.

Welp, broke that down for me. Thanks.

I do not dislike Oprah or any other person on that list, just did not understand it (why is should watch the show, I guess). I cant agree with all your points (Bush, or Clinton, while having successes that you pointed out also had or set this country up for huge failures in those very same areas) but now I understand. Now, Lance Armstong is the man, I agree there and I highly respect him.

interesting stuff and sounds like a show that would provoke thought and expose folks to all the things these people did that we might not otherwise know about.

John Moses Browning should be at least ON the list ....

Muhammad Ali (would not serve in military)

Lance Armstrong (excellent choice, represents country well however, lives in France [I know its where he trains])

Neil Armstrong (bravery, but so were/are lots of other astronauts)

George W. Bush (don't get me started)

Bill Clinton (is this a real choice?)

Walt Disney (tyrant to work for)

Thomas Alva Edison (many inventions to aid mankind, but greatest American?)

Albert Einstein (not a native born American)

Henry Ford (see Walt Disney)

Benjamin Franklin (owned slaves,oh yeah also "dated" slave)

Bill Gates (capitalized on IBM ignorance and arrogance but does use his money to do some charitble good)

Billy Graham (don't get me started)

Bob Hope (not native American but did MUCH for military moral)

Thomas Jefferson (VERY smart but peace monger and always at odds with his party, well maybe those are good things)

John F. Kennedy (too many skeletons in closet)

Martin Luther King Jr. (politician, focused on civil rights)

Abraham Lincoln (probably the choice)

Rosa Parks (more deserving the MLK)

Elvis Presley (see Oprah)

Ronald Reagan (the great communicator)

Eleanor Roosevelt (humanitarian)

Franklin D. Roosevelt (kept the country together during wartime)

George Washington (probably greatest American of his time)

Oprah Winfrey (we are kidding here, right?)

Wright Brothers (good grass roots engineers but "greatest American?")

Benjamin Franklin (owned slaves,oh yeah also "dated" slave)

Thomas Jefferson (VERY smart but peace monger and always at odds with his party, well maybe those are good things)

George Washington (probably greatest American of his time)


Jefferson and Washington ALSO owned Slaves ...

.....

Look hard enough and you can find faults with anyone. A few negatives doesn't negate the great things some people have done

Lance spends time in France so that makes him less of an american? There's some solid logic. He owns a house in Austin as well. Given that Texas is a bit overly American, does it even out?

To me it would be a toss up between Washington and Franklin. Ben never got the credit for his deeds until lately and I'm not sure who had the tougher job.

id have to say the founding fathers, mlkjr, disney maybe he did invent the happiest place in the world, jfk did keep us from nuclear war.

Oprah Winfrey?

I said exactly the same thing when I read that. Had to laugh..
I can even hear your voice trailing up at the end of that. :D


Really impossible to choose, but I would lean towards Abe Lincoln.

Ali, Clinton, Bush ?? I don't think so.

Greatest American is a knock off of last years The Greatest Canadian

CBC canadas web-site







Tommy Douglas : The Greatest of Them All
In November 2004, Canadians voted Tommy Douglas the Greatest Canadian of all time following a nationwide contest. Over 1.2 million votes were cast in a frenzy of voting that took place over six weeks as each of 10 advocates made their case for the Top 10 nominees in special feature programs on CBC Television. After a Final Showdown and one last chance to vote, the results were revealed on November 29, 2004 by hosts Wendy Mesley and Shaun Majumder.



But Canadas was done differently - we advertise and sent out ballot forms all over Canada - Canadian schools would hold inter-school polls and what ever Canadian got the most votes the school would support that one person 100% it was a great educational tool in our schools last year as children got to learn about Canadian People and how they changed and shaped our country into what it is today .....

Oh yeah - dont get me started on the state of our country :p

I read somewhere that Martin Luther King Jr. was a commie.

Just look around. There are great Americans everywhere. There are those among us
who risk their lives everyday for the rest of us. There are great Americans who
work hard, pay their taxes, respect the flag, and love God and their Country.

They contribute to the Country on a daily basis, and collectively their tireless efforts
amount to FAR more than a well known Celebrity (in many cases) with their twisted,
sordid, and morally corrupt behavior.

My favorite Americans are around me everyday in my life. One has only to look
and they will find great people around them.

Many, many Americans doing great things everyday in their lives. These are people
I respect. As for the last 25 on the list ... All I can say is that who ever made
those choices, does NOT know History. Actually, There are many on the list
that absolutely disgust me. I suppose the " mindless minions " will continue
to support and worship these questionable characters until they die.

To bad really ...

I read somewhere that Martin Luther King Jr. was a commie.

I read somewhere that he was a negro. Geez, give me a break, man. :sad:

Whomever said that Einstein wasn't a native born American, what does that have to do with anything? Neither were Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, or the other Founding Fathers, as there was no USA before they gave it to us.

Since when is the fact that they owned slaves an issue? Geez, so did every other wealthy landowner of the time. It was legal then and wasn't generally considered immoral.

I'm sure we're all guilty of something that will be considered immoral 100 years from now. Driving cars with enormous engines for fun will probably be at the top of the list. Does that make you any less of a great American?

I think George Washington Carver should be very high on the list. This guy did more for us than most people know. Little things that affect your everyday life.

I think the all time greatest American is Josey Wales. Second greatest is Rooster Cogburn.

I think the all time greatest American is Josey Wales. Second greatest is Rooster Cogburn.

AMEN!! :D

Zora Arkus Duntov wasnt american I dont think so thats out.

Chuck Hanson maybe? :p

Lee Iococa (the mustang creator that made Chevrolet make the Camaro. Not sure how to spell his last name.)

Carroll Shelby perhaps?

Cant think of any other legendary designers this late.

Oprah Winfrey. You've got to be kidding.

Wanna stand in the presence of the greatest Americans?
Go visit the tomb of the unknown soldier.

Cant think of any other legendary designers this late.

Why not the guy that started the whole musclecar craze, John Delorean? Oh wait, he got busted for traffiking coke.

I think picking one person, let alone 100 to be the greatest american is absurd. There are soo many great americans that have lived and died for this country, soo many americans that have done soo many great things to benefit not only us americans but mankind.

Why not the guy that started the whole musclecar craze, John Delorean? Oh wait, he got busted for traffiking coke.



And Clinton got busted for smoking pot... Oh wait, he didn't inhale, right? Well he did get busted for adultery... or did he?

Do you guys even have to question his????

Louis Chevrolet......duh?

The choice is really between two people:

Two things enabled us to beat the British and gain our independence: 1) French military aid, and 2) exceptional military leadership.

Without the diplomatic efforts of Benjamin Franklin in winning French aid in the Revolutionary War, and without George Washington's exceptional leadership during the war, we would not have gained our independence when we did.

It would be difficult to pick between the two, but Poor Richard did say some really cool stuff:

"Beer is proof that God loves us, and want's us to be happy"

"Three can keep a secret so long as two are dead"

I'd have to break out my copy of Bartlett's for more, but I know they're there!

Andy

It would be difficult to pick between the two, but Poor Richard did say some really cool stuff:

"Beer is proof that God loves us, and want's us to be happy"



No, that was Homer Simpson, who is my candidate for the greatest American of all times :D

No, that was Homer Simpson, who is my candidate for the greatest American of all times :D

Wasn't it "mmmmmmm...... beeeeeerrrrrrrr"?

Jefferson and Washington ALSO owned Slaves ...

I'm not sure it's fair to hold against these guys the fact that they owned slaves, after all it was totally acceptable during their era. It's always easier in later years when customs and accepted practices have changed to be critical of ones actions. JMO

Do you guys even have to question his????

Louis Chevrolet......duh?

Actually it was William Durant that founded Chevrolet. He asked Louis Chevrolet to help him design a car because of his successful racing background.

In 1911 William Durant deciced to name the company Chevrolet because he liked it and due to the racing heritage of the Chevrolet name.

Sorry, just a little history lesson for you.

I think just about anyone on the top 100 (or even top 1000) deserves to be there. To pick one person over the others is basically asking us to decide which one single event was the most significant in American history. Which is very lame in my opinion. What each individual has done, has impacted us in its own way. And to have to pick which has had the most impact is rediculous, each person has left their own mark on history and that alone makes them a great American.

Jeff

I'm not sure it's fair to hold against these guys the fact that they owned slaves, after all it was totally acceptable during their era. It's always easier in later years when customs and accepted practices have changed to be critical of ones actions. JMO
That wasn't my point, I was in a hurry and SHOULD have elaborated. Someone else made the point that Benjamin Franklin owned slave(s) ... my point has also been made by someone else in that, if you dig deep enough on any of these people, you can find dirt (or at least something that's gonna make some group of people unhappy).

Actually it was William Durant that founded Chevrolet. He asked Louis Chevrolet to help him design a car because of his successful racing background.

In 1911 William Durant deciced to name the company Chevrolet because he liked it and due to the racing heritage of the Chevrolet name.

Sorry, just a little history lesson for you.
Jeff

I've read somewhere that Willie came up with the idea for the famous Chevrolet bowtie from hotel room wallpaper somewhere in FRANCE!!!!

No idea if there's any truth to that though ...

Interesting topic - tough choice!