George Washington & Benedict Arnold

Reading "Being George Washington" by Glenn Beck. Good book. An interesting thought Beck develops in the book is the contrast between George Washington and Benedict Arnold. Now immediately our minds go to "TRAITOR" when Arnold's name is mentioned. However, Arnold was a valiant soldier and admired by Washington; prior to almost losing West Point to the British. The point Beck makes is a great lesson:

"To me, the story of Benedict Arnold is about more than just betrayal. It's about choices. It's about how great challenges can test the character and strength of even the bravest of men. Some men pass, others don't. Benedict Arnold turned his back on the revolution to enrich himself. George Washington embraced the revolution, and all of the sacrifice it required, without regard to his own circumstances. Before Arnold's name became synonymous with TRAITOR, he and Washington were two of the revolutionary era's greatest heroes. Both men respected and relied on each other. Both were admired throughout the colonies. Both had made immeasurable sacrifices for their cause. Like Washington, Arnold's path to glory had not been easy. He had faced a great deal of challenges when he was younger: his brother passed away; his once very successful father descended into alcoholism; and his mother died. Instead of going to Yale, which he was scheduled to attend, he instead became a druggist's apprentice" (page 103).

There were many victories for Arnold but he was slighted by Major General Horatio Gates and by the Congress and passed over for promotion and other challenges that he faced became too much. "By 1779, Arnold had decided to change sides and opened secret negotiations with the British" (page 107). The rest is history. Beck goes on to say of Washington and Arnold, "Two men, two choices, two destinies, and one invaluable lesson for today: always be on guard. It's easy to let seemingly mundane annoyances pile up until they boil over. It's easy to make the right decision ninety-nine straight times before greed finally gets the best of you. It's easy to let selfishness cloud your judgment or to surround yourself with people who have ulterior motives. Always be on guard. George Washington was; Benedict Arnold was not. One is now a national hero; one is now a national disgrace (page 107).