Originally posted by KilgoreTrout15Not only was Lincoln one of our most beloved presidents, he was also one of the best. Going into the Civil War, his aim was the preservation of the union. If he had to free the slaves to do it, he would, and if he had to keep them enslaved, he would. In my opinion, the Emancipation Proclamation was the single most gutsiest thing a standing president has ever done in this country, and as it turns out, it cost him his life.
Lincoln was a terrible president and should have been killed, he deserved it.
On topic, the Gettysburg address is possibly the single best speech ever given by any politician, never mind the President of the United States. Succinct, to the point, memorable, quotable and above all, short.
30 Nov 13
Originally posted by caissad4Corporations act as people, people substitutes if you will. Without the ability to separate personal property and wealth from business property and wealth, a whole lot of entrepreneurial activity would simply not get done. That means lost jobs and fewer new products.
If you agree with the SCOTUS that corporations are people than you should say yes. Otherwise the answer is no.
30 Nov 13
Originally posted by SuzianneLincoln has become " one of our most beloved presidents", largely due to indoctrination by our public school system.
Not only was Lincoln one of our most beloved presidents, he was also one of the best. Going into the Civil War, his aim was the preservation of the union. If he had to free the slaves to do it, he would, and if he had to keep them enslaved, he would. In my opinion, the Emancipation Proclamation was the single most gutsiest thing a standing president has ...[text shortened]... of the United States. Succinct, to the point, memorable, quotable and above all, short.
"Going into the Civil War, his aim was the preservation of the union."
Yes, and he was unwilling to observe that nothing in the Constitution gave him that power, nor can anything be found making secession traitorous.
As you point out freeing the slaves was strictly pragmatic politics. Lincoln was elected due to the breakup of the Democratic party in 1860, and a similar split among Republicans. His re election was narrow over a non politician who made serious errors. McClellan was the McCain of his day.
After 4 years of bloody war, Lincoln was assassinated. It begs the question, what did his determination to save the Union actually accomplish, especially for those who consider the US to be a pariah among nations, or at least and ugly big brother.