Vote who you think is/was THE greatest American.

[JohnT]

I mean, nothing wrong with Carnegie, but his impact pales in comparison to Rockefeller, easily the most influential businessman in the history of the planet - I mean, compared to him, Gates and Jobs are pikers.

[JohnT]

But, c'mon. The thing was hosted by Matt Lauer. That alone should tell you this the show is nothing but fluff, packaged idiotically.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

What, you mean I shouldn't take the suggestion of Tom Hanks, Michael Jackson, and Pat Tillman seriously???

[JohnT]

Lance Armstrong? Albert Einstein (was he even an American?) Bob Hope? Billy Graham? Eleanor Roosevelt? Mohammed Ali? Oprah Winfrey? Walt Disney?

Jesus f*ckin' wept.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

Honestly, the only thing about the whole show I found interesting was that Malcom X was 40+ spots ahead of Frederick Douglas. That was kind of thought provoking, in a way. The rest of it was just depressing, as people apparently don't know anybody other than current stars, half-mythological figures, or people who have had biopics made about them in the last ten years.

[JohnT]

Which makes it no different from any internet poll of the same subject.

[mrmitchell]

JohnT, Lance Armstrong is as suitable as any to go on the list.

He had cancer. He was as good as dead. And now, he has gone on to win the top event in his sport for seven years in a row.

I can't think of any more inspirational individual story.

[JohnT]

I'm pretty sure I can come up with 25 better ones.

And the list isn't about "inspirational stories", it's about "greatest Americans." I.e, performing accomplishments and achievements that better not just you, but the entire country and the world as a whole.

Lance Armstrong might be great for Lance Armstrong and his story might be inspirational... however, this doesn't really make him "great", much less greater than, say, Alexander Hamilton. Or Frederick Douglass. Or, keeping it to athletes, Jackie Robinson or Babe Ruth.

[Tuberski]

Lance Armostrong?!?!?!?!?

What a ridiculous poll.

ACK!

[Nostromo]

Well, duh! The one and only GI Joe:

The U.S. Marine Corp Sniper must be a superb marksman and a master at field craft and aggressive tactics. Outfitted in a Ghillie suit, this G.I. Joe soldier carries a Remington 7.62 MM M40A1 sniping rifle, and a Colt arms assault rifle. He also comes with binoculars to spot his target.

[Tuberski]

According to Mat Lauer on The Daily Show, Elvis is in the top 5, So is Dubya.

Martin Luther King, jr., however is not.



ACK!

[MrFun]

Originally posted by JohnT


Nothing terrible about Oprah herself, it's just that she has no place being on any reasonable list of the "top 25 Americans" or whatever.

Myself, I vote for Thomas Edison. Or John Rockefeller.

You join Ludd's "Disobeying Rules" club. Rockfeller is not even on that website I linked to.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by JohnT
Lance Armstrong? Albert Einstein (was he even an American?) Bob Hope? Billy Graham? Eleanor Roosevelt? Mohammed Ali? Oprah Winfrey? Walt Disney?

Jesus f*ckin' wept.

Einstein was and Schwarzie is, naturalized American citizens.

[Ted Striker]

I would have voted for Bobby Kennedy but he wasn't on the list.

So I'll go with Lincoln.

[MrFun]

Remember guys -- you got three votes that you can use.