[the_short1]

Originally Posted by Cory

I have nothing against these people personally, but I'm wondering for anyone who doesn't have issues with this list (mainly you, wetzel ) what qualities you see in the following people that make them deserving of being named to such a list:

Tom Cruise
Clint Eastwood
Brett Favre
Mel Gibson
Tom Hanks
Michael Jordan
Madonna
Elvis Presley
Babe Ruth
Arnold Schwarzenegger (He's a body builder, made movies, and became governor through an election that featured a porn star, and a midget actor as candidates. So what?)
Frank Sinatra
Martha Stewart (This one really irks me. HOW did she get on this list?)
Tiger Woods

If the criteria for "greatest" was defined, and included "athletic prowess" and "entertaining skill" then I might be able to accept people such as these being nominated, although I wouldn't agree with the criteria.

I'd rather pick 13 soldiers at random from Iraq/Afghanistan, or 13 cops, fire fighters, or paramedics than ANY of the people on this list. Every day they give back something more tangible to the country than a single one of these people does, in my opinion.

i agree 100%! .. i am a canadian. .but i couln't see many of those ppl on your short list being influential. .(well maybe to social yada yada).,.. .but not to USA on a whole..... and i think woodie and dean camen need to be more . . i was soo happy when discovery channel decided to host some coverage of the toronto regional. . it was awsome .. the more worldwide coverage of FIRST we get ! the more AWSOME it is to be a part of it