The American Spectator

“You won’t see anyone seeking the mantle of Jefferson Davis, but he was a worthier man than politically correct history would have you think.” A worthier man than Lincoln!

Near the end of his life, in one of his last writings, James Madison strongly reemphasized the need for the Union, and warned against disunionism:  “The advice nearest to my heart and deepest in my convictions, is that the Union of States be cherished and perpetuated.  Let the open enemy to it be regarded as a Pandora with her box opened, and the disguised one as the serpent creeping with deadly wiles into Paradise.”

Davis, despite his impeccable personal qualities, was one of those “serpents” creeping into the American Paradise, and now he has found his way into the pages of the American Spectator. But who cares I guess.

— Vern Crisler
Gilbert, Arizona

Republicans just don’t “venerate” Lincoln, they worship him without regard to what downsides came as a result of the Civil War and its body count that have no modern equivalents for the Untied States. More than the institution of slavery ended in April 1865. At the very least the whole concept of our constitutional Republican form of government were throw out the window. Modern Americans’ relationship with government bears no resemblance to pre-civil war times without regard to slavery. A different and hideous kind of slavery exists today. Simple minds see the outcome of the Civil War as vindication in and of itself while broader minds see the Civil War as just the first conflict in a process that goes on today by other means. Might makes right works best for those that write the history books but beyond that it usually has some rough edges that linger. The people that Lincoln freed have absolutely no respect for him and his party today. Why that is has been repeated numerous times throughout history. 

If a more in depth teaching of the issues surrounding the civil war were taught this phrase, “Lincoln saved the Union” might ring a little hollow. What exactly did Lincoln save? Lincoln and the coverage of the Civil War were pretty well covered in my public school classes in the 50-60s but today he is merely a footnote in history at best. Barack Obama has already replaced him even before being elected. What is it now that Barack is going to do — “change the world,” “spread the wealth.” BO might actually come closer to delivering on the Lincoln’s population adjusted body count if he thinks he deserves a monument like Lincoln got.  

As I’ve said before, Republicans should be very careful what they wish for especially regarding some of the myths surrounding their heroes from the past. No man of great accomplishment is ever as pure as the wind driven snow and most are complex and often times conflicted individuals who try to balance idealism and perfection at great cost to both themselves and those who bear the burden of their dreams. An accurate reading of history usually doesn’t fit in a 30 second sound bite or resemble anything like this phrase, “the North won get over it.” What did the North win, exactly? 

— Thom Bateman
Newport News, Virginia

TRUE LOVE

Re: Enemy Central’s Choosing Sides:

You want to know why so many women hate Sarah Palin? Here’s why:

She is beautiful. She is the wildly popular governor of the nations’ largest state. Still in her forties, she’s a candidate for vice president of the United States.

Like Ronald Reagan, she has huge crowds eating out of her hand. And she has a good-looking husband who keeps his mouth shut and follows her around carrying the baby. And did I mention that she is beautiful?

One can almost sense the Noonans and Parkers seething with inward rage and bitterness. Superior women often incite these emotions in their lessers.

On the other hand, confident, intelligent American women will surely take her as a role model. What other woman in the world is half so interesting? Sarah Palin, you have won my heart forever.