For those further to the left, please consider . . .

[Cary]

Abraham Lincoln.

One can surely argue that slavery was the most pernicious issue of Lincoln's time and perhaps of all times in our great nation. And it is clear that Lincoln, from an early age, viewed slavery as evil. It has been written that Lincoln grew up along the route of the Underground Railroad and that the experiences gleaned affected him in this regard.

We all know that Abraham Lincoln achieved emancipation of the slaves and Lincoln will be remembered throughout the ages for this achievement. Many who study Lincoln are surprised by his earlier rhetoric, but come to appreciate Lincoln's brilliance and shrewdness.

Lincoln was sworn into office on March 4, 1861 but did not issue the Emancipation Proclamation until January 1, 1863. Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation not as president of the United States, but rather in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy as a "necessary war measure".

Not a single slave was actually freed initially because the Emancipation Proclamation applied only to states still under the control of the Confederate army. Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland and Missouri had not seceded and slaves in those states remained in bondage.

It is here that Lincoln's talents become most evident. The fact is, Lincoln had no Constitutional power to effect emancipation of the slaves as president, but as Commander-in-Chief he could use emancipation to disrupt the Confederate States' economies. He also laid down a barrier against the British and French in their desires to help the Confederacy and to keep the United States weak.
But immediately after the Emancipation Proclamation public opinion in Great Britain and France sided with the North forcing their governments to do the same.

It is presumptuous at this point to speak of Barack Obama in the same breath as Abraham Lincoln, but I do believe he has an opportunity to be a great or near great president. We know our rightist countrymen, "patriots" that they are, are eager to derail Obama as they have no remorse for driving us into such a sorry state of affairs. We have taken a step or two backwards with respect to gay marriage in California, but it is wrong to allow this to divide us. There was a time and a place for the Emancipation Proclamation and I believe there is a time and a place for gay marriage.

When and where I do not know. Unfortunately it is not yet and not here.

[mondo joe]

1. I offered a similar sentiment to my partner yesterday. NT

[soleft]

2. So gay marriage is a far left issue?

[Cary]

4. Did not mean to imply that.

I am sort of replying to the locked thread in the Greatest section, which disinvited "conservative Democrats".

Do keep the faith. Do keep up the fight. Just, be patient, I think.

[tekisui]

3. Now is always the time for equality and civil rights.