Real Name: Steven Mayer Member Since: May 18, 2006 Last Signed In: November 16, 2009 Profile Views: 617 Blog Views: 22943 What recession? CEO of agency that administers health care to poor gets $13,000 raise Should Kern institute zero tolerance for dog attacks? Are Bako's dog control laws strict enough? Bakersfield man needs bone marrow transplant Mojave company qualifies for million-dollar Lunar Lander X-Prize Blowing dust prompts health warning With little ammo against H1N1, officials aim at seasonal flu Should the Secret Service have investigated alleged local threat to Obama? VICIOUS ATTACK: Are we tougher on violent humans than we are on violent dogs? State asking for billions more in stimulus for high-speed rail September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 December 08 January 09 February 09 March 09 April 09 May 09 June 09 July 09 August 09 September 09 October 09 November 09 Get an e-mail with a magazine you can print to read on the go. Sign up for the Topp Stories Printcast.
RSS 2.0    Share!
|
|
|
Looking for Lincoln
Today, Feb 12, is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, America's 16th president. As I wrote a story yesterday about Lincoln and a Tehachapi man's family connection to Lincoln's campaign for the Senate in 1858, I started thinking about how Lincoln has become an icon -- even a saint -- in the annals of American history. Since the moment he was struck by an assasin's bullet on Good Friday 1865, Lincoln's image has been bathed in a haze of glory. He became "The Great Emancipator" and America's greatest president. Then last night I watched a two-hour documentary on PBS called, "Looking for Lincoln." In this program hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Lincoln is shown with all his flaws, yet in the end he seems more real, more human -- and therefore greater -- than the deified martyr of Lincoln mythology. Some examples: • Lincoln was raised to hold anti-slavery views and was against the expansion of slavery, but he didn’t think the Constitution gave the federal government the right to interfere with slavery in the states. • He was known to use the n-word and believed whites were inherrently superior to blacks. • He asserted that former slaves should be sent to Panama or Liberia. His ultimate greatness may lie in his ability to change and adapt his personal views throughout his tenure as president. What do you think? Is Lincoln a true American hero? 14 comments from 4 users
1
posted by
sagefever
on Feb 12, 2009 at 03:43 PM
Saw the same PBS show~ it was great. In the end,I like the man Lincoln much more than the icon. That he did what he did,in the social context of his time ,makes him remarkable,IMHO. posted by
smayer
on Feb 12, 2009 at 03:52 PM
I couldn't agree more. It's easier to like and admire a fellow human being, warts and all, than it is to like and admire a marble statue. And sagefever raises another important question: Is it unfair to judge this 19th century figure by 21st century standards? posted by
sagefever
on Feb 12, 2009 at 07:04 PM
Because no one else has bit~ as I watched Prof. Gates struggle with losing his childhood hero,a simple answer occured to me. I would not want to be judged by the standards of a bygone era~ nor would Prof. Gates I am sure. posted by
smayer
on Feb 12, 2009 at 07:14 PM
Thanks for biting. I guess maybe this topic is too cerebral (or historical) for the average bear. But I see your point. I definitely don't want to be judged by today's standards for my "coming of age" days in the 1970s. The hair alone was horrendous. No photos please! posted by
NancyII
on Feb 12, 2009 at 07:20 PM
Don't be condescending Smayer...if you notice the blog slows down this time of day. Some people actually have families and eat dinner. posted by
sagefever
on Feb 12, 2009 at 07:24 PM
LOL~ no kidding and I go back a bit further~ no pictures please.I only wear corsets for fun,and my manners would be atrocious. I did not want to hog the blog,but I almost wrote a piece myself this morning...but I am a walking ad for PBS most days. This particular bit of work really was fascinating~ with all the Lincoln historians and that lady who collected all things Lincoln . I just heard there will be a new book a day this year about Lincoln~ so somebody besides we two must find him interesting.
posted by
smayer
on Feb 12, 2009 at 07:36 PM
Nancy -- If a blog I post doesn't draw comments, the fault is mine and no one else's. Thanks for reminding me of that. This one's been up since 3:29 p.m., so I can't blame the dinner hour. Luckily, sagefever paid a a few visits or I would have been distraught. Sage -- Fascinating is right. The dinner table talk from those Lincoln historians (with wine to help loosen their tongues) was worth tuning in all by itself. And the interviews with the Sons of the Confederacy who believe Lincoln was a war criminal ... wow! posted by
catpaw
on Feb 12, 2009 at 07:38 PM
Watched the same special on PBS. Any of our legendary historical figures have all-too-human flaws. We have a habit of putting these people on a pedestal and feel disappointment or chagrin when they fall off. Their accomplishments and legacy should be enough. posted by
NancyII
on Feb 12, 2009 at 07:44 PM
Smayer, apologies on the time line, I didn't notice it was earlier, but not for the condescension remark. Tsk..unworthy of you. "I guess maybe this topic is too cerebral (or historical) for the average bear." (edited for clarity) posted by
smayer
on Feb 12, 2009 at 07:47 PM
Here, here! It's tough enough being a leader. We shouldn't have to turn our heroes into saints. Presidential scholar Doris Kearns Goodwin really hit it when she told Gates it wasn't Lincoln's fault that he was placed on a pedestal. It wasn't Lincoln's wisdom and worth that was shattered by the learning the truth about him. It was only the unreal image that had been built up in Gates' mind that had suffered. posted by
NancyII
on Feb 12, 2009 at 07:54 PM
Doesn't it seem that we pick out the virtues of historical figures and hold them up as examples more because of the history books than reality? Most of us first learn about past presidents in school and textbooks don't get into the actual person. Thank goodness for History and Discovery channels for giving us a more complete view. I'm still irritated that John Adams was on HBO, which I don't have, so I didn't get to see it. I'm told I can rent it but probably won't.
posted by
smayer
on Feb 12, 2009 at 07:58 PM
So right, Nancy. Many of the history books sanitized the flaws and magnified the virtues of Lincoln and maybe Washington and Jefferson, too. I know you've probably heard this, but "John Adams" is so worth renting. Just an amazing piece of work. posted by
NancyII
on Feb 12, 2009 at 08:01 PM
See, I can be cerebral too. :-) Maybe I'll relent and rent the series. I haven't rented anything in many years but this probably should be the exception. posted by
sagefever
on Feb 13, 2009 at 07:35 AM
I can not recommend HBO's John Adams enough. Rent it ~ it is on my wish list to own. Another thing that struck me,was Prof. Gate's "interviews" with people at the Lincoln memorial~ text book history is right Nancy. They all pretty much parroted off what we all learned, the myth not the man.
1
 Loading Stories
Advertisement |
