Does anyone know why Washington's Farewell Address is being read on the Senate floor?

[geiger]

Is this a tradition or something?

[Democrat 4 Ever]

1. I don't know why but couldn't the Republics found someone with

a reading level above a second grader? Corker is stumbling, faltering around trying to get the words out. It is excruciating. (Apologies to all second graders who read much better than Corker.)

[geiger]

4. It was a terrible read. I want to volunteer to do it next time.

[MoonRiver]

18. Maybe he's the best reader in the Republic's caucus!

:rofl:

[BOSSHOG]

2. Because he is leaving??

Maybe a Birthday recognition? Part of President's week? A tribute to the new dollar coins? I'm just a guessing lil fool here.

[napi21]

3. OR...anotherway to waste time! n/t

[AndyA]

5. This gets my vote.

I haven't been watching, but what important things would be going on if the Repugs weren't reading this?

Your answer is there.

[Fresh_Start]

6. did they skip over the warning about political parties

and foreign involvements?

[geiger]

7. that's what I was wondering--this is so strange, and I only caught it at the tail end.

I hope someone else on DU saw the whole thing. ????

[seemunkee]

8. The document was recently discovered

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/19/AR2007021901348.html

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The handwritten speech George Washington held as he resigned from the Continental Army in 1783 was unveiled during a special Presidents Day ceremony celebrating Maryland's acquisition of the document.

[rodeodance]

9. yes. it was on some evening news show last week.

[geiger]

11. mystery solved. thank you. too bad it had to be subsequently butchered on the Senate Floor.

I used to know the entire speech by heart.

[onenote]

19. it has nothing to do with the discovery of a document

It is a Senate tradition. It has been read on the Senate floor every year since 1896 (it was read intermittenly before that, dating back to 1862). The parties alternate yearly. In 2006, it was read by Ken Salazar (D-CO); this year its Bob Corker (R-TN).

[rodeodance]

13. .....establishing military subservience to civil authority _

Washington's personal copy of the speech _ considered a landmark in American history for establishing military subservience to civil authority _ was acquired by the state from the family that has held it since it was given

[eppur_se_muova]

10. Unintended irony, perhaps?

Washington's personal copy of the speech - considered a landmark in American history for establishing military subservience to civil authority - was acquired by the state from the family that has held it since it was given.

[geiger]

12. It was as if it was being read with no understanding or insight today;

you could even tuck the irony away for another day.

[eppur_se_muova]

14. "Republican" and "insight" are mutually exclusive. nt

[tigereye]

15. they are pitching the Bush-Washington comparison

specious at best - they are embarrassing themselves.

Bush and GW bear little or no resemblance to one another.

[geiger]

16. next they'll be calling it The Bush Memorial Washington Farewell Speech

I wonder when the naming-after contest will begin, like with Reagan, who was almost as out of it as George.

[onenote]

17. Yes, its a tradition (see link)

http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Washingtons_Farewell_Address.htm

[geiger]

20. thank you, thank you, thank you. I knew there had to be something to this

Included in the link you provided:

"At the conclusion of each reading, the appointed senator inscribes his or her name and brief remarks in a black, leather-bound book maintained by the Secretary of the Senate. In 1956, Minnesota Senator Hubert Humphrey wrote that every American should study this memorable message. “It gives one a renewed sense of pride in our republic. It arouses the wholesome and creative emotions of patriotism and love of country.”

"The book's first entry bears the signature of Ohio Republican Joseph Foraker and is dated February 22, 1900."

I am going to email my Senator and ask that he lobby to read it next year. Today's rendition was a lazy, disrespectful farce.

[onenote]

21. You're welcome

[eppur_se_muova]

22. Thanks. All Americans should know this. A shame we don't. nt