[kintamanimatt]

It's quite likely that Ben Franklin had a mutated gene that caused familial advanced sleep-phase syndrome, and it's silly to try to shoehorn yourself into a sleeping pattern that isn't right for you. Early risers seem to have a genetic predisposition, just as do those few people who need less sleep than most[1]. Chances are if you try to force yourself to be an early riser you're likely to end up more tired, less productive, and more prone to mistakes for absolutely no benefit other than a sunrise. (On a side note you don't need to be an early riser to see the sunrise. I see the sun rise every day and it's my cue to go to sleep.)

The rest of this article isn't worth refuting because the arguments are so obviously flawed or subjective.

Also, just because Franklin said something doesn't make it correct.

[1] http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2009/08/13-02.html