This is an experiment. This "blog," I must say the word offends me on some level, is pointed towards those thoughts, ideas, and quotations that address issues in a thoughtful manner that is true to that symbolic place I am calling "Land of Lincoln." Although Illinois uses that phrase as a geographical descriptor, I am using it in more of a metaphorical sense. To me the title evokes those Lincolnesque attributes such as his appeal to history, logic, humor, wisdom, decency, leadership, spirit, humility and "the better angels of our nature." He writes with a beauty, clarity and severity that can at times take your breath away. Thus, this is not only about Lincoln. I would like to use this as a space not only to store quotations, ideas and reflections, but also as place to practice my own writing.
Excerpts from the First Inaugural, March 4, 1861
"My countrymen, one and all, think calmly and well, upon this whole subject. Nothing valuable can be lost by taking time. If there be an object to hurry any of you, in hot haste, to a step you would never take deliberately, that object will be frustrated by taking time; but no good object can be frustrated by it."
"In your hands, my dissatisfied countryman, and not mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. ... You have no oath registered in Heaven to destroy the government, while I shall have the most solemn one to "preserve, protect and defend" it.
I am loath to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion my have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield, and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearthstone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature."
Poetry!!!
I like the first quote, as it promotes thoughtfulness and taking one's time in reaching decisions. Good decisions cannot be hurt by consideration and taking one's time. This is the exactly the opposite situation that reigns in most places.
The second quote is pure poetry -the structure, the phrasing, the vocabulary. It soars. "bonds of affection" -evocative "mystic chords of memory" - beautiful "better angels of our nature" - unsurpassed
From Simplify, Simplify Henry David Thoureau
"When you travel to the Celestial City, carry no letter of introduction. When you knock, ask to see God, - none of his servants."
"It is not worth the while to let our imperfections disturb us always. The conscience does not, and ought not to monopolize the whole of our lives, any more than the heart or the head. It is as liable to disease as any other part."
"Simplify, Simplify"
"Through our own recovered innocence we discern the innocence of our neighbors."
"Knowledge does not come to us by details, but in flashes of light from heaven."
NYT 9/30/07 Letters to Public Editor
Watching the news media under Reagan and Bush has not given me confidence. Here is a simplistic example.
The White House announces that the sky is falling. The media then report either of both of two possibilities: "The sky is falling," or "The White House says the sky is falling."
What one rarely reads is, "The White House says the sky is falling but it presents no real evidence to support that claim." More rarely does one see: "The White House claims that the sky is falling. Here's the evidence that suggests that's a false claim."
Excellent example of how the news media has become a megaphone instead of a critical analyst of the issues of the day.
NYT 9/30/07 Article on Fred Thompson and presidency
Fred Thompson voted to acquit President Clinton on perjury charges, taking heat from other Republicans. Thompson shrugged off the potential fallout by quoting the 18th century Irish political philosopher Edmund Burke:
"Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgement; and he betrays instead of serving you if he sacrifices it to your opinion."
HHHhhhhmmmmmm. And what does that say about loyalty and cronyism.
