Curse you Abe Lincoln! And you too General Washington, you scallywag!

[Magus]

While I appreciate the fact that some kind soul decided to at least decrease our agony somewhat by combining both of your birthdays into one holiday, I must decry the establishment of Presidents Day as a federal holiday on grounds that my comics, which already take many a day to arrive at my door, are once more delayed by another 24 hour cycle by the fact that mail is not delivered.

Also, many of us, every year, are duped into attempting to go to the bank on this day, only to find it inexplicably closed. We stand, confused and puzzled, before slapping our heads, exclaiming, "Oh, yeah, President's Day! I totally forgot that day existed!" And why should we not forget its existence?!

I would not be so averse to the day if, for one, it was not inexplicably assigned only to you, Honest Abe, and you, Slightly More Honest I Guess Washington. I must admit that if it were open to all presidents it would not please me much more, since by and large most of our presidents have been disgraceful rapscallions and knaves of the lowest sort. But perhaps I could pretend it was all in honor of FDR or something (and vainly attempt to forget he apparently didn't like black people very much. Is there no decent president amongst them?)

True, Lincoln at least is slightly above the rest on the scale of repute (if only by the skin of his teeth). But Washington was a slave owner and not even a particularly great general overall, it's only that Howe was slightly too cautious once or twice that the Continental Army wasn't decimated completely. Crossing the Delaware to attack the Hessians was a bit of good luck, I admit, but there is too much laid at this man's feet. Between the preposterous cherry tree story and the fact that his teeth weren't even wooden, they were likely cow's teeth, far too much is made of this guy. The only really great thing he did was establish a precedent of two elected terms in office, so that we would at least not be forced to endure too many years of each of his horrific successors.

Anyway, this is the general Presidents Day thread of discussion. I have work off but it's not a paid holiday, I'm basically just not getting any money because of this thing, it's quite terrible. Do people in other countries have Prime Minsters Day? I doubt it. What is wrong with us? Or is there something wrong with you?

Discuss the various attitudes and issues surrounding this seemingly vapid federal holiday whilst I sulk.

[phil_]

Also, many of us, every year, are duped into attempting to go to the bank on this day...I was totally going to go to the bank tomorrow. Guess not, huh?

[Loyal]

Oh hey, that's right. No classes tomorrow. Excellent, I still have some schoolwork I've yet to complete.

If not for this little reminder I would totally have gone off to school in the morning and wasted two hours and four bucks in travel time/expenses.

[Oron]

You people and your "days off."

I still have class tomorrow, going to a Catholic university and whatnot.

I'm pretty sure the Engineering Department would make us go to class even if the university closed anyway, because they like to make our lives lousy with work.

[synkr0nized]

President's Day has been and always will be merely a time to try to find a good price on something thanks to sales and to not be able to go to the bank.

Kids getting off school and colleges that don't hold classes are just ridin' the wave.



e: So I guess really instead of being all butthurt about your comics you should go buy something.

[Kyanbu The Legend]

Ah looks like i'll have to wait awhile longer to get my stuff then. Forgot that the bank's closed on presidents day . As a kid I always did enjoy presidents day. Mainly because of the "no school" part.

[rpgdemon]

-I- have class tomorrow. Stupid non-days-off-holidays.

Also, the whole Washington as a slave owner thing kind of bugs me. I mean, yeah, he was a slave owner, but in a time where that was seen as the normal thing to do, and not -now-, when we see it as making you a terrible person. Like, back then, it wasn't seen as evil, but it was widely accepted that slaves weren't people.

It's like if, in 200 years, we find out, "Hey, so it turns out that cows are as intelligent as humans. Whoops." People today think of eating meat as a non-evil thing to do, based on the knowledge that we have right now. People in the future might look at our presidents and say, "Wow, look at them, they ATE MEAT."

When you look at history, you need to look at the whole picture, and consider the beliefs of the time while considering the actions of historical figures.


Edit: On the plus side, I saw a dancing/air guitar-ing Abe Lincoln at a car dealership yesterday. That was a neat side effect of the holiday.

[Magus]

e: So I guess really instead of being all butthurt about your comics you should go buy something.

While this advice does remind me that this might be a good opportunity to participate in J.C. Penny's President's Day weekend sale for which I do have, in my possession, a ten dollar off coupon good on any purchase of 25 dollars or more, my sodomy-pangs (as is the scientific term for the colloquial "butthurtedness") are only compounded by the fact that I could have simply purchased aforementioned comics off of Comic Book Store Guy on this very trip if I had only remembered the existence of this accursed day.

Perhaps I will go and see a film such as Unknown, assuming it is the spiritual successor to Taken...

[Professor Smarmiarty]

I went to the pub once and Washington was there and I bought him a beer and thought we were all good but then when it was his turn to buy he was all like "Later suckas" and rocked off. In conclusion Washington is a dick.

[The Artist Formerly Known as Hawk]

Also, many of us, every year, are duped into attempting to go to the bank on this day...

Funny you should say that, today is the first time in about 4 years when I've needed to go to the bank for more than just a simple cash withdrawal. AND I CAN STILL GO, because I'm not in the US and the banks are still open. Suck it Mags!:dance:

[P-Sleazy]

You people and your "days off."

I still have class tomorrow, going to a Catholic university and whatnot.

I'm pretty sure the Engineering Department would make us go to class even if the university closed anyway, because they like to make our lives lousy with work.

I go to a public, state funded university, and I still have to go to school today.

Although, that could be more because its in South Carolina and South Carolina doesn't like what Washington and Lincoln did to us.

[Oron]

Huh. That's interesting, because my mother teaches at a community college and she's off work for today. I'm also pretty sure my sisters got the day off when they were in college (state university) as well.

[phil_]

I would have classes today, but my history teacher is a dying old man and is too sick to go to class. Again. So half-day, woo!

[McTahr]

I'll be spening my entire day working and going to class on the day that celebrates Lincoln. In Illinois. Whatever happened to log cabin pride, eh eh?

[pochercoaster]

In Canada it's "family day"- probably because our Prime Ministers are too lame to have their own holiday. I believe family day was only introduced a few years ago. I like it because winter always feels more stressful than the rest of the year and it's good to have a day off. My boss is nice and pays us for both family day and labour day although I think he's only legally obligated to pay us for one of those days out of the year.

Tuesdays are my regular day off so for once I'm getting a two day weekend, a very rare occurrence. Definitely no complaints here.

So far I've spent it watching anime and catching up on household cleaning.

[Bobbey]

Well, we do have Victoria Day in Canada, which is kinda like President's day, except it's based on Queen Victoria's birthday.

Linky. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Day)

[pochercoaster]

Oh, right, I forgot about Victoria day. Who cares about the monarchy though? They barely have anything to do with Canada anymore. Let's make a holiday based on Pierre Trudeau. XD

[Professor Smarmiarty]

They barely have anything to do with Canada anymore.

Except when the Queen rang up real blazing drunk 2 years ago and was like "Hey Canada- no parliament for youuuuuu!"
Queen's birthday holiday is the only way she can be appeased

[Azisien]

In Canada it's "family day"- probably because our Prime Ministers are too lame to have their own holiday.

Is it Family Day nationwide in Canada? I thought it was a provinicial thing for Ontario. Ah well. Pretty sure it was instituted, literally, because we have no day off in February. And we like days off!

[pochercoaster]

Is it Family Day nationwide in Canada? I thought it was a provinicial thing for Ontario. Ah well. Pretty sure it was instituted, literally, because we have no day off in February. And we like days off!

According to wikipedia, it exists in Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and PEI (but it's Louis Riel day in Manitoba). So I guess we can make fun of Lev and any other Canadians who live outside of these provinces 'cause they don't get a day off. Neener!

[Azisien]

I'm actually working all day regardless...

[pochercoaster]

You get paid time and a half for it though, right?

[Azisien]

Actually they used half of my pay to buy melee weaponry to beat me with.

...Yes.

[Bobbey]

According to wikipedia, it exists in Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and PEI (but it's Louis Riel day in Manitoba). So I guess we can make fun of Lev and any other Canadians who live outside of these provinces 'cause they don't get a day off. Neener!

I'm in spring break at the moment, so I have a full week off. Neener! :p