George Washington and the Cherry Tree

[tracer]

In Randi's commentary from two weeks ago at http://www.randi.org/jr/2006-01/010620monkey.html#i7, he quotes a Maureen Dowd article as saying:
Despite George Washington and the cherry tree, we no longer have a society especially consecrated to truth.
I hope Ms. Dowd realizes that the story of George Washington chopping down his father's cherry tree is apocryphal.

[ceo_esq]

I hope Ms. Dowd realizes that the story of George Washington chopping down his father's cherry tree is apocryphal.

A lot of what Maureen Dowd writes is apocryphal. :D

[tsg]

A lot of what Maureen Dowd writes is apocryphal. :D

Maureen Dowd is apocryphal.

[paiute]

Once there was a little boy who lived in the country.

They had to use an outhouse, and the little boy hated it because it was hot in the summer, cold in the winter and stank all the time.

The outhouse was sitting on the bank of a creek and the boy was determined that one day he would push that outhouse into the creek.

One day after a spring rain, the creek was swollen so the little boy decided today was the day to push the outhouse into the creek. He got a large branch and started pushing. Finally, the outhouse toppled into the creek and floated away.

That night his dad told him they were going to the woodshed after supper. Knowing that meant a spanking, the little boy asked why.

The dad replied, “Someone pushed the outhouse into the creek today. It was you wasn't it, son?" The boy answered yes.

Then he thought a moment and said, "Dad, I read in school today that George Washington chopped down a cherry tree and didn't get into trouble because he told the truth."
The dad replied, "Well son, George Washington's father wasn't in that cherry tree...now was he?"

[kittynh]

I believed the cherry tree story as a child. However, I had a father with a HUGE temper. One day for some reason I decided to bang nails into my bed with a hammer. I remember doing it (I was quite young) but not WHY. Perhaps like so many things in my life I just never got beyond, "why not".

When my father questioned me, I fully remember thinking about the cherry tree story. And I LIED LIED LIED LIED LIED.

Because I'm betting George Senior did not have a backhand like my dad!

[ceo_esq]

When my father questioned me, I fully remember thinking about the cherry tree story. And I LIED LIED LIED LIED LIED.

What lie did you tell? "It was that way when I got here"?

[kittynh]

I just looked blank and said I hadn't done it. My dad firmly believes that women (especially 4 year old little girls) have no interest in things like tools, cars, sports, BBQ....

To be honest, he didn't really think I could have done it. No one got in trouble as everyone else had an alibi. Usually my brothers and I would lie to protect each other, so sometimes you lie to survive.

Oddly enough my kids are way too honest with me! I'm so George Washington Senior with my kids!

Wasn't there also a horse he was supposed to have ridden against his dad's orders?