Originally Posted by djplong

Umm.. Richie - those ARE Revere's own words. He only talked to the Regulars after he was captured. He also didn't know whether or not Prescott and/or Dawes got through.

Let's remember something else about Paul Revere. He was a silversmith and artist. *He* was the one who made the famous woodcutting depiction of the Boston Massacre and he added some "artistic license" (like the little dog in the corner). Revere was a Revolutionary - brave, indeed, but not beyond bending the truth for propaganda purposes. He inflamed the passions of people in Boston with that piece of art. It wasn't until after the trial where the Redcoats - defended by none other than future U.S. President John Adams - were found to be innocent and, for the most part, fired in self-defense as an very angry mob closed around them.

Quite frankly, if it wasn't for H. W. Longfellows poem, Revere would have been a barely mentioned figure in history. Paul's name rhymed well - certainly better than Prescott or Dawes (or Israel Bissell who had an even more important ride). Of course, Longfellow failed to mention Revere's capture and, instead, had him riding all the way to Concord.

Look, I respect Palin's savvy in many ways. Just NOT as a credible conservative candidate. She's a laughingstock when it comes to that. All her missteps would come back to haunt her in a pitched campaign - and that would first come from her own party. I don't think other GOP hopefuls will take it easy on her.