Sid Smith writes: If true, then your Lincoln analogy fails.
Cut ties with Israel, just like Lincoln should have done with the 7 (not 11) States who initially seceded upon a thoroughly entrenched legal precedent – a precedent that you have avoided analyzing as much as you have avoided commenting on the racist cartoon in the NY Post, which corroborates DeToqueville's observation about race relations in America.
The secessionist movement in the South was not as nearly as strong
as you make out. As evidence: Virginia holding out until after Lincoln
tried to galvanize the North with the Fort Sumter debacle — a military blunder that created blowback not unlike Shock and Awe.
as you make out. As evidence: Virginia holding out until after Lincoln
tried to galvanize the North with the Fort Sumter debacle — a military blunder that created blowback not unlike Shock and Awe.
According to many historiians and economists, given time, the
Southern fire eaters would have flamed out and slavery, arguably, would
have gone much the way it did in Brazil
and the rest of the world, without the slaughter of 600,000 in the name
of nationalism and a horrific wound on the nation's collective psyche.
Southern fire eaters would have flamed out and slavery, arguably, would
have gone much the way it did in Brazil
and the rest of the world, without the slaughter of 600,000 in the name
of nationalism and a horrific wound on the nation's collective psyche.
And in all likelihood race relations would have gone down a much
better path, particularly if Northerners had focused on their own
racism and at least repealed the Fugitive Slave act. As evidence: the
2009 NY Post cartoon referenced above and avoided, indicating same ol,
same ol.
better path, particularly if Northerners had focused on their own
racism and at least repealed the Fugitive Slave act. As evidence: the
2009 NY Post cartoon referenced above and avoided, indicating same ol,
same ol.
And from what I can tell so far, under your Lincoln analogy —
if taken to its logical conclusion — you are advocating US military
action against Israel followed by Reconstruction in order to keep it a
de facto 51st State. I say let it secede and let's work on our own very real problems.
if taken to its logical conclusion — you are advocating US military
action against Israel followed by Reconstruction in order to keep it a
de facto 51st State. I say let it secede and let's work on our own very real problems.
But alas, I am keeping an open mind on Lincoln and have arrived at
no certain conclusions. And I know that you are trying to expropriate
the Lincoln cult before Zionists do so after an attack on Iran.
no certain conclusions. And I know that you are trying to expropriate
the Lincoln cult before Zionists do so after an attack on Iran.
But I hope you read Gore Vidal's book on Lincoln, if you haven't
done so already. And I remain stunned that Lincoln elected not to
attend his father's funeral — a free choice decision that opens the
door to his psychological profile and says much.
done so already. And I remain stunned that Lincoln elected not to
attend his father's funeral — a free choice decision that opens the
door to his psychological profile and says much.
Shelby Foote,
so far in my opinion, does the best job of humanizing Lincoln,
particularly when contrasted to the works of those who try to
expropriate the Lincoln cult for their own cause, from Jaffa, to Kagan,
to DiLorenzo (to Weiss?). Foote has no real axe to grind
and recognizes Lincoln for what he was — an ardent nationalist and a
genius.
Weiss response: I am in the cult. I don't see the ardent nationalism in '54-59. Want to avoid Lincoln's choice on Civil War. Got to be other ways. Though this situation also seems laden with irrepressible conflict, if mishandled.
so far in my opinion, does the best job of humanizing Lincoln,
particularly when contrasted to the works of those who try to
expropriate the Lincoln cult for their own cause, from Jaffa, to Kagan,
to DiLorenzo (to Weiss?). Foote has no real axe to grind
and recognizes Lincoln for what he was — an ardent nationalist and a
genius.
Weiss response: I am in the cult. I don't see the ardent nationalism in '54-59. Want to avoid Lincoln's choice on Civil War. Got to be other ways. Though this situation also seems laden with irrepressible conflict, if mishandled.
