Today is, as you may have heard, the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address — widely considered to be the single best known of all American writings. (If I ever once knew that the assassination of John F. Kennedy had occurred exactly 100 years and three days after President Abraham Lincoln’s short speech, I had forgotten.)
We here at OJB don’t have much specific planned to say about to say about the famous oration here, but we do invite you to post links to what you think that others should (or, better yet, might want to!) read.
One link that I just ran across and very much liked is, of all things, a graphic essay — like a graphic novel, but non-fiction — called The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation. In it, cartoonists Jonathan Hennessey and Aaron McConnell, the explore the significance of the address by focusing in deep on the speech’s first six words. Put aside your reservations and give it a try; it looks great.
My favorite book on the topic has been Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words that Remade America by Garry Wills. What’s your favorite book or essay on the topic — or what remembrance have you run across this week that strikes you as worth sharing?
Why did the Liar in Chief not grace the commemoration ceremony with his presence?
Why did the Deceiver in Chief choose the version which does not include “under God”? It has been fairly well verified that Lincoln did say those words at the actual ceremony 150 years ago today.
You know, skally, Lincoln had another speech that included the phrases “with malice towards none, with charity for all”….
“With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan–to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among
ourselves, and with all nations.”
Inspired poetry.
The contrast could not be sharper between US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ profound reverence for Abraham Lincoln, and his standing in awe of the Gettysburg Address, as compared to Obama’s shameful refusal to attend the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s great speech. This blatant disrespect reflects a new low by the president, versus Thomas, who credits Lincoln for making it possible for a black men to sit on the Supreme Court and become President of the United States.
Speaking of new lows…
Stealing other people’s words again, skally?
And such rational, thought-provoking words they are!
With rational thought such as this, I think Webster is gonna have to look at redefining words like “shameful”, “blatant” and “disrespect.”
Of the 28 Presidents since the Gettysburg Address, 27 have “refused” to attend anniversary ceremonies, including Reagan on the 125th anniversary.
Kennedy refused as well on the 100th anniversary.
Damn, ALL our presidents suck. Or maybe they’ve all just got some important presidenting to do.
Oh yeah I forgot – how dare the black guy.
You’d think that as many times as we’ve exposed Skally’s little faux outrages he’d…aww fuck it, nevermind.