Are you making reference to the same Constitution that was written by slave owners???

I believe Jenny was making reference to Benjamin Franklin’s comparison of America to a rattlesnake. Most people don’t realize it, but the rattlesnake was our first “mascot” back during the Revolution.

Below are two links. One shows some of the flags of the period, and the other is Franklin’s assessment of comparing America to the rattlesnake.

It was Franklin’s idea, although he tried to steer clear of ever taking credit for it. He would later propose the turkey as our national bird…hmmm. The snake though still has some historical significance.

I’m often asked about how our founding fathers would react to today’s crises. It is, of course, impossible to know for sure. However, we cannot mistake their flamboyant rhetoric about the foundations of liberty for them being pacifists. Doing so would be a huge error.

Those guys were the real deal, and they believed in the price of freedom. It often meant bloodshed and death. It was either their blood, or the enemy’s blood they often discussed. Most believed in doing whatever was necessary, even if it meant “bending” the rule of law a little.

We see this in the Boston Massacre (the events preceding the British opening fire). True history points out that it was actually OUR fault. We went to the Customs House to pick a fight. Under the direction of Samuel Adams and The Sons of Liberty, we sent two rival gangs of hooligans down to stir up trouble. Then, when we bumped a soldier and he fell, discharging his musket, the Lobster-backs opened fire on the hooligans (us). We then used propaganda (thanks to Paul Revere) to persuade our rebel brethren that we had been slain mercilessly. Truth be told, the Brits had every right to safeguard their property (Customs House), and we assaulted the “law enforcement” of the day. I could go on, but my point is that we haven’t always adhered to “the laws” of our principles in standing up for ourselves.

The Boston Tea Party is another excellent example. Vandalism, rioting, destruction of private property…and we pinned that one on American Indians (by dressing like them).

These are just two off the top of my head.

The bottom line is this:

We’ve always been a nation that has been willing to get our hands dirty and mix it up to stand up for our beliefs. We’ve often even gone so far as to bend the rules in doing so…human liberties be damned when it comes to protecting American ideals, American soil, and American blood.

“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots, and tyrants.” -Thomas Jefferson

(Story of Rattlesnake…and later, Metallica lyrics)

http://www.greatseal.com/symbols/rattlesnake.html

(Rattlesnake Flags)

http://www.foundingfathers.info/American-flag/Revolution.html

http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us-ratt.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_flag

But….. slightly different than abandoning Habeas Corpus, and torturing alleged terrorist. The main word being alleged. We cannot condone torture of non-tried suspects. If the Quill would be so kind as to add some context to Mr. Franklin’s cross hairs in this exclamation, that would be appreciated by myself and my new friend Jenny.

As a very wise man said more than 200 years ago-

“Conscious of this, she never wounds ’till she has generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of treading on her.
Was I wrong, Sir, in thinking this a strong picture of the temper and conduct of America? The poison of her teeth is the necessary means of digesting her food, and at the same time is certain destruction to her enemies. This may be understood to intimate that those things which are destructive to our enemies, may be to us not only harmless, but absolutely necessary to our existence.”

Ben Franklin

What I am saying is, that is sets a bad precedent to perform these wiretaps outside of the laws that are in place to protect people like you, me and the Quill from becoming political prisoners.

The fact is they can tap who ever they want to in a legal manner, with a warrant from the FISA court. If you think that it sets a good precedence for future administrations to allow the executive branch to operate around the rule of law set in place then I would love to hear why.

I assume the other item you disagreed with is the torture. Well if you disagree with me here then I am certain I don’t have the eloquence to persuade you other wise. Thanks again for the question and remember what a very wise man said more than 200 years ago-

Those Who Sacrifice Liberty For Security Deserve Neither.”- Benjamin Franklin

Opening the door to remove civil liberties by removing privacy with warrant-less wire taps to removing Habeas Corpus is at a minimum a bad precedent.

Removing requirements for energy plants to maintain the basic air quality conditions already set in place when he took office is a bad precedent.

Condoning torture and defending our men and women’s ability to perform torture for any reason is a bad precedent.

Allowing members of your executive branch to out CIA operatives who are related to people who have evidence that discredit the evidence your office used to build a case for an illegal war is a bad precedent.

I am not sure what part of Clintons balanced budget, worldwide support through sound, diplomatic foreign policy, and 8 years or genuine prosperity you guys don’t appreciate. Perhaps it is just me?
Love Always,
Andy

Bill Clinton was a BAD presidant! He did nothing (except Monica Lewinsky) and he was warned to an extent about the 9/11 attack. Long live PRESIDANT GEORGE W. BUSH God love him and his family for all the bull crap they have had to put up with the last 2 years. I would have hurt somebody by now if somebody dissed me or a member of family as bad as he has been dissed. It is RIDICULOUS

Calm down my friend. Take a look at the corresponding “groupings” that are tied to each ranking, and then wait for the remainder of the list to be released before jumping to the conclusions you predicted above.

Please note that Nixon has already been ranked…#38.

As for the rest of the list, well, you’ll just have to wait!

Andy, you’re a bright guy and I’m sure you’re well aware of why I feel the way I do about a lot of things. Plus, what FUN would this “list” be if it weren’t at least a little bit controversial?

Enjoy the list my friend. Don’t put too much stock into it.

The last time I checked, nobody was interviewing me (or checking out this site) for any scientific data and polling results on Presidential Rankings.

Ah, the beauty of the right to have our opinions…