re: The Worst Person From Each State

quote:

---

because New York had a penalty of death for dueling. jersey didn't.

Hamilton also fired his gun so it wasn't just a murder in cold blood

---

Of course. I think Jersey was the last state to outlaw the duel.

Your second statement shows that you don't understand how dueling worked. Both participants traditionally wasted their first shot to demonstrate their bravery and courage. Generally, after the first shot was fired in the air, both men were able to retain their honor and the air was considered cleared between them.

What made what Burr did particularly treacherous is Hamilton fired his shot in the air as per the pre-duel agreement and Burr killed him in cold blood with the first bullet which, keeping with his character, is the least honorable thing you could do.

quote:

---

Hamilton also fired his gun so it wasn't just a murder in cold blood

---

It wasn't Hamilton's intention to actually shoot Burr though. Hamilton just fired into the air instead of firing into the ground.

is the only qualification to be born in the state? seems stupid

hamilton fired above burr's head, not in the air.

quote:

---

Hamilton did fire his weapon intentionally, and he fired first. But he aimed to miss Burr, sending his ball into the tree above and behind Burr's location. The bullet only skimmed Burr's ear. In so doing, he did not withhold his shot, but he did waste it, thereby honoring his pre-duel pledge. Meanwhile, Burr, who did not know about the pledge, did know that a projectile from Hamilton's gun had whizzed past him and crashed into the tree to his rear. According to the principles of the code duello, Burr was perfectly justified in taking deadly aim at Hamilton and firing to kill.

---

also, burr was a notorious bad shot, so historians think it's entirely plausible he too aimed to miss, however, accidentally struck hamilton. which would explain the remorse shown after the fatal shot:

quote:

---

According to Pendleton's account, Hamilton collapsed immediately, dropping the pistol involuntarily, and Burr moved toward Hamilton in a speechless manner (which Pendleton deemed to be indicative of regret) before being hustled away behind an umbrella by Van Ness because Hosack and the rowers were already approaching

---

John Wayne Gacy beat out James Earl Ray.

Burr claimed the shot buzzed his ear and struck a tree behind him. While some believe that story because his second backs it up, knowing Burr's reputation, I tend to side with those that account that Hamilton fire well above Burr as per their pre-duel agreement. Hamilton would have done well to waste his shot in the ground as was standard, then to rely on an agreement with Burr's people.

I could actually buy that Burr hit Hamilton by mistake, but at the end of the day, the result in terms of death and with regard to one's honor is the same without regard to malice or intent.

I just don't think the hamilton shot is as cut and dry as some people think. some historians even think that by his letter the night before and his actions just preceding the duel, he was trying to set up Burr to look like a cold blooded murderer upon winning the duel.

he was also suspected of violating the code by telling Judge Pendelton of his intentions to miss, but not directly and obviously making that known to burr since he didn't shoot straight up in the air or at the ground

quote:

---

I just don't think the hamilton shot is as cut and dry as some people think. some historians even think that by his letter the night before and his actions just preceding the duel, he was trying to set up Burr to look like a cold blooded murderer upon winning the duel.

---

You have to believe that Hamilton had a death wish to believe that yarn, though.

quote:

---

Pelosi is worse than the Zodiac Killer.

---

Perhaps, but Nancy Pelosi is from Baltimore.

are yall trying to get me to believe that these men back then with these weapons were accurate enough to place a shot to wizr by someones ear on purpose?