I just finished reading the 800 page book, "Team Of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln", by Doris Kearns Goodwin, and it was good. Goodwin writes well, I'm sure, but I think the hugeness of her subject was what really rocked me. Like anyone, I had long felt I knew so much about Lincoln that I knew it all. Maybe that was true, yet reviewing what I knew in general this time in detail was an amazing thing. It was surprising how he made friends and allies of his rivals and his enemies, how he kept his temper amid so much chaos and hatred, how he remained so focused on the road ahead, which included peace and fairness with the South as well as victory for the North. John Wilkes Booth fucked up big time if he really wished well for the defeated Confederacy, for no one alive in the Union was as disposed to mercy and humanitarianism with them as Lincoln was.
People love to argue about history and politics, so some people may hate Lincoln yet, but fuck 'em, if so.
I neglected to mention that my family and forebears are from Texas and other southern states that were Confederate during the Civil War, and I have no idea in the world how I've grown up without any kneejerk love of Dixie or the Confederate flag. I think it's just that I'm NOT LOYAL to anything that doesn't make any sense to me and can't benefit me.
You've had some good ones and some great ones in charge in the past in the USA haven't you?
ReplyDeleteIsn't it ironic that now, when things are so darned dangerous, when war could end not just in death but in extinction of the human race, the US has.....well - enough said.
(PS Abe Lincoln was an Aquarian like you (and me) )
That's nice, but I don't think I could claim to have much in common with Abe. To my detriment, but it's true.
ReplyDeleteYou are only loyal to yourself...I suppose that's of some benefit.
ReplyDeleteWe are at times at opposite ends of the pole, but yet, I remain loyal to you. That benefits us both.
I live in a den, so I couldn't agree more with your words;
ReplyDelete"I'm NOT LOYAL to anything that doesn't make any sense to me and can't benefit me."
Thank You for that!
As for Lincoln, great leader.
You are right that Boothe screwed it up because we inherited Andrew Johnson, a vile carpet-bagger if there ever was one.
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