Myself, I'd argue for Benjamin Franklin - but then, I'm not American (North or South) myself. I'm going by the ones with the greatest effect on succeeding generations, and Benjamin Franklin with his many inventions and discoveries certainly fits that requirement. Simon Bolivar is one of the greatest contendors, but he's on a par - for me - with George Washington; and that ranks far behind people like Jorge Luis Borges and Allen Ginsberg.
Wesley Parish On Thu, 12 May 2005 14:44, Daniel Carrera wrote: > Chad Smith wrote: > > Everyone knows what an American is, Christian. And that is someone from > > the United States. > > I think Simon Bolivar is the greatest American of all time. He was born > in Caracas Venezuela, and led the army that brought independence to 5 > American nations (Venezueka, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Boliva -- the > last one bearing his name). It was his dream that the Spanish Americans > would unite together to form on single nation. This is known throughout > the Americas as Bolivar's dream, and it's talked about at least in the 5 > countries he freed. > > Last december, the South American countries made a pact called the South > American Community of Nations. It intends to model itself after the > European union, and it spans all of South America. At the signing event, > the Perubian president said that this was the first step towards > fulfilling Bolivar's dream. > > So you know who I would vote for. :-) > > Cheers, > Daniel. -- Clinersterton beademung, with all of love - RIP James Blish ----- Mau e ki, he aha te mea nui? You ask, what is the most important thing? Maku e ki, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata. I reply, it is people, it is people, it is people.
