Old Wisdom

[rhineoshott]

Anyone can sit around and say good things. Lincoln ignored the Constitution to accomplish his agenda. Regan said lots of good things too, but he made machine guns illegal.

YES!! absolutely correct!

[Irving]

At the same time, people can just as easily do what I just did and pick and choose specific facts from history to make some vague at best point. So.....[shrugs shoulders]

[ronaldrwl]

Always nice to have Sturtle around to point out the speck in some one elses eye.

[Irving]

I do a lot of thinking out loud and it usually comes across poorly. Those are good words for sure.

[rhineoshott]

Well ya see,
I've done a good bit of research on Lincoln. Winners write the history books has really been true of this man. He's been heralded as a great man for no real reason. He killed a lot of americans in his "civil" war because he didn't want the confederacy to be seprate. If you think the civil war was about slavery, you're way behind in your studies. The War of Northern Aggression was about state's rights and it's goal was to prevent the south from succeeding, the slavery issue was already settled.

Though these sayings are like a breath of fresh air compared with today's society of diabolical leaders, we have to remember that in Lincoln's day, he wasn't compared with today's political scarecrows. Lincoln's character must be compared with that of those he was around. The other leaders in the 1800s were talking about fearing God and fighting unrighteousness. Lincoln however, was more tolerant and contented himself by saying silly little phrases about character.

[rhineoshott]

Here's a book that I think addresses this topic. I can't neccessarily endorse this because I have not yet read it.

http://www.amazon.com/Real-Lincoln-A.../dp/0761536418

[Elhuero]

THE SOUTH WILL RISE AGAI --- oh look wrestling's on!

[GreenScoutII]

THE SOUTH WILL RISE AGAI --- oh look wrestling's on!

Don't you mean RASSLIN'?

[ColoEnthusiast]

Well ya see,
I've done a good bit of research on Lincoln. Winners write the history books has really been true of this man. He's been heralded as a great man for no real reason. He killed a lot of americans in his "civil" war because he didn't want the confederacy to be seprate. If you think the civil war was about slavery, you're way behind in your studies. The War of Northern Aggression was about state's rights and it's goal was to prevent the south from succeeding, the slavery issue was already settled.

I was contemplating some similar thoughts. The quotes are very good, but it is important to remember that those types of quotes came from many leaders of the time. Depending on the speaker, today's equivalent could be called "empty rhetoric".
I have been explaining to people for years that the Civil war was about state secession, not slavery. Slavery was just one component to a much larger issue. Lincoln capitolised on slavery as a political maneuver to gain support and it helped him gain considerable power.
Sobering to even consider all those Americans fighting brother, friend and neighbor. God bless the fallen, on both sides.

[GreenScoutII]

I've often wondered if the civil war was the beginning of the end, so to speak. As I see it, it marked the beginning of an increasingly powerful and intrusive federal government.

You guys are right. I became concerned after talking to my ten year old daughter about what she was learning in school. It seems her 4'th grade class was studying the Civil War. I asked what it was fought over. She replied: Slavery... How very politically correct.

It was ultimately about state's rights versus federal power. I'm sure my daughter's teacher will be thrilled when my little girl bounces that one off of her..

As far as Reagan making machine guns illegal, I'm pretty sure that one was sneaked past him much the same way as the recent legislation Obama signed into law allowing firearms in national parks was sneaked past him. I'm sure neither one of them was happy about it..