(August 29, 2021 at 6:49 pm)Spongebob Wrote:

(August 29, 2021 at 6:37 pm)Jehanne Wrote: George Washington -- he could have tried a coup (and, probably succeeded) but did not.

When did this supposedly happen?

Wikipedia -- Newburgh letter

Now, what would have Donald Trump done?

I'd like to say Thomas Jefferson. But, of course, there's some baggage there that makes me not want to select him.

(August 29, 2021 at 9:50 pm)Jehanne Wrote:

(August 29, 2021 at 6:49 pm)Spongebob Wrote: When did this supposedly happen?

Wikipedia -- Newburgh letter

Now, what would have Donald Trump done?

Washington was already engaged in a coup when he got the letter.

Boru

I don't think I have a favorite president. Am I supposed to have one?

Obama will always be my favorite. He defied the odds and broke a huge barrier. But second would be Lincoln and third JFK.

(August 30, 2021 at 11:37 am)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote:

(August 29, 2021 at 9:50 pm)Jehanne Wrote: Wikipedia -- Newburgh letter

Now, what would have Donald Trump done?

Washington was already engaged in a coup when he got the letter.

Boru

You're joking, right?

(August 30, 2021 at 1:29 pm)Jehanne Wrote:

(August 30, 2021 at 11:37 am)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote: Washington was already engaged in a coup when he got the letter.

Boru

You're joking, right?

Not at all. The letter was written, sent and received before the end of the revolutionary war.

A coup is an attempt to seize power from a legitimate governing authority. By any sensible standard, a revolution is simply a successful coup.

Boru

I tend to want to give Washington the benefit of the doubt. But I see Boru's point. It wasn't an invitation for Washington to take the throne, no problem. Could be that Washington didn't want to fight another uphill battle against those who might oppose his coronation.

(August 30, 2021 at 2:24 pm)vulcanlogician Wrote: I tend to want to give Washington the benefit of the doubt. But I see Boru's point. It wasn't an invitation for Washington to take the throne, no problem. Could be that Washington didn't want to fight another uphill battle against those who might oppose his coronation.

Just to be clear, I'm not judging Washington negatively at all - I'm an admirer. In fact, anyone who made life difficult for the British Empire is muh boy. But if Washington had accepted an American throne, it wouldn't really have been a 'coup', simply a different outcome to the coup that was already underway.

Boru

(August 30, 2021 at 2:37 pm)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote:

(August 30, 2021 at 2:24 pm)vulcanlogician Wrote: I tend to want to give Washington the benefit of the doubt. But I see Boru's point. It wasn't an invitation for Washington to take the throne, no problem. Could be that Washington didn't want to fight another uphill battle against those who might oppose his coronation.

Just to be clear, I'm not judging Washington negatively at all - I'm an admirer. In fact, anyone who made life difficult for the British Empire is muh boy. But if Washington had accepted an American throne, it wouldn't really have been a 'coup', simply a different outcome to the coup that was already underway.

Boru

King George III thought highly of him:

King George III Washington quote.