2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumAbraham Lincoln's Address at the Dedication of the Cemetery at Gettysburg
Having watched Trump's whiny laundry list of petty grievances, I wanted to re-read Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address where that wise and noble man delivered a few heartfelt words that would become one of the most well known speeches of all time. From time to time, we need to remember what greatness looks like; and its not Donald Trump.
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 that 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 dedicated here 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.
Abraham Lincoln
November 19, 1863
Wounded Bear
(58,641 posts)susanna
(5,231 posts)Euphoria
(448 posts)Martin Eden
(12,863 posts)Ronald Reagan:
Government is not the solution to our problem. Government is the problem.
The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.
procon
(15,805 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)His presence there is an insult to everyone who perished for this nation.
Lucinda
(31,170 posts)MicaelS
(8,747 posts)We had a great teacher, a man. His name was Mr. Montgomery. Partially bald, wore glasses, played the violin for us in class.
procon
(15,805 posts)Mrs. Lidstone was my all time favorite history teacher. She brought history alive, and some times she would show up in full costume. I loved her! She also taught Latin... I still can't believe I actually took 3 years of Latin just because I liked that dear old lady.
Madam45for2923
(7,178 posts)Persondem
(1,936 posts)You can read in some detail about his background and speech here ... http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/19/the-other-gettysburg-address/?_r=0
The article's concluding section includes the following ...
Some prescient observers sensed the power of Lincolns achievement immediately. Everett was among them. The next day, he wrote to Lincoln: I should be glad, if I could flatter myself, that I came as near to the central idea of the occasion in two hours, as you did in two minutes.
He knew perfection when he heard it. What an amazing man our 16th president was.
tavernier
(12,376 posts)last year because at age 14 he was so touched by it. Little white kid, enamored by a man who included all children in his vision of a country that included all of his friends.
Shame on you, trump. You dishonor everything that this country stands for.
Stuart G
(38,414 posts)One hundred and fifty seconds........
He taught himself to read. Humble, intelligent and sensitive. What a burden what a President.