Bush Speech Models Lincoln

Bush Speech Models Lincoln, that seems to be a fitting response to more biased silliness from the AP.

WASHINGTON - President Bush marked the anniversary of the Iraq war Sunday by touting the efforts to build democracy there and avoiding any mention of the daily violence that rages three years after he ordered an invasion.

The president didn't utter the word "war."

Heavens!! Not only that, but the wire story goes on tell us that Bush didn't walk everyone through every last car bombing, or mosque attack which has taken place. But then, why should he have? That's what I want to know.

Read Lincoln's second inaugural address, given at a time when hundreds of thousands of Americans were fighting and dying in our own civil war. He scarcely mentions the conflict which was devouring our nation. And look at what the press had to say about that.

This theologically intense speech has been widely acknowledged as one of the most remarkable documents in American history. The London Spectator said of it, "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character."

And here's all Lincoln had to say about the war.

At this second appearing to take the oath of the presidential office, there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. Then a statement, somewhat in detail, of a course to be pursued, seemed fitting and proper. Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention, and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be presented. The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself; and it is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.

And continuing the history lesson for the AP, if they really want to know something about speeches and a civil war, which is hardly what the level of violence in Iraq approaches today, they should read this.

Four-score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure. We are met on a great battle field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that this nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate - we can not consecrate - we can not hallow - this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be here dedicated to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

"Gettysburg Address," 19 November 1863

Read more from Chris at Conservative Thinking

But, it does remind me that as an Airman I should be thankful to my family who supports me every day. The family that waves at the C-5 as it takes off; the family that makes coming home a truly remarkable event just by being there to pick me up.

Comments

[Phoenix]

Lincoln was defined by his character. Nowadays, we define our presidents by their political parties, and too often, we define ourselves that way, as well. If all defined Bush by his character, the viciousness and seemingly endless caviling about the state of affairs in our country would slow down. Lincoln's second inaugural address - too cool. I think he and Bush share the same dislike of the petty.

I brought this up on a 'big' blog last weekend after the host declared himself a 'Bush hater'. I got beat up real bad. Real bad. Then after several attempts to explain that my statements were not about HIM, he edited one of my comments and made me look stupid and banned me. He was a member of this asinine Pajamas Media. What a bunch of self-aggrandizing toadies those groupies are. They'll implode in no time.

Anyway - Character counts.

[Dan]

Which blog banned you for that?

[Phoenix]

The Daily Pundit.

I have the entire transcript saved - including the original comment he edited just as he banned me. He and one of his monkeys beat the shit out of me. Bad.

[*flo*]

Posted by: Phoenix | Monday, March 20, 2006 at 12:29 AM

Phoenix, Keep Posting! You have offered much educational knowledge. Sometimes I wonder if many Bloggers/posters chose selected learning.

[Phoenix]

You mean that selective memory that has become essential to keep their egos intact at the expense of others?

They martyr themselves to caution engulfed in a fever of spite....beyond their tunnel vision reality fades....
So, I opened my door to my enemies and I ask could we wipe the slate clean. But they tell me to go fuck myself.................... You know... you just can't win...............

(Lost for Words, The Wall, Pink Floyd)

[*flo*]

LOL! Reality to these types lack more then selective memory...intellects with no regards to responsible posting...these types have problems communicating in real life....Should send a link to Alamo...lol...Dan probably can fix'en too;P

[Phoenix]

Oh, Flo.... ha ha ha.... What a COOL idea!

hahahaha... Big smile here..... :) Alamo....

Dan. His independence is his greatest force. Bravo to him with immense respect from me... That's why I come here.