I'm a big fan of everything Mark writes for this forum, but I'm inclined to think this piece is the best one he's written so far. The differences between Trump and Lincoln are so stark. Based on what I've absorbed, particularly from Doris Kearns Goodwin's superb "Team of Rivals," I think the difference boils down to ego. Lincoln did have an ego, but he controlled it. Yes, he was a politician, but time after time Lincoln as President did things that were not necessarily great for him, but were important for the country. Trump (whose ego is off the charts) won't do anything that he thinks won't look great for Trump.
A small point perhaps but that's the official presidential portrait; he's wearing a blue tie, and in the mug shot it's a red tie. They are very similar images, but this is not the mug shot.
Perhaps. And most likely that “meaning” would be completely different depending on who you support. But also I think we add far too much meaning to far too little and perhaps it’s “just a cigar”
Aside from Trump and Lincoln, this column made me learn things about someone else: Jamie Whitten. I was prepared to complain that a National building was named for him, based on my recollection that his major claim to fame was as an anti-Civil Rights Dixiecrat. Fortunately, I decided to consult the authority (Wikipedia) first. Whitten was indeed anti-Civil Rights--he signed the Southern Manifesto and voted against the major Civil Rights bills, but as Chair of the Agriculture Committee, he seems to have done some good things. The best quote from him is "The Budget Committee deals in hallucinations; the Agriculture Committee deals in facts." So other than his hideous (but expected) opposition to Civil Rights, there do seem to be some reasons to name a building after him. (Although in keeping with the main topic of the day, the phrase "And other than that, how did you like the play, Mrs. Lincoln?" does come to mind.
This is a brilliant combination of current events and the history of our most revered president. The comparisons are telling.
Well done, Mark.
I'm a big fan of everything Mark writes for this forum, but I'm inclined to think this piece is the best one he's written so far. The differences between Trump and Lincoln are so stark. Based on what I've absorbed, particularly from Doris Kearns Goodwin's superb "Team of Rivals," I think the difference boils down to ego. Lincoln did have an ego, but he controlled it. Yes, he was a politician, but time after time Lincoln as President did things that were not necessarily great for him, but were important for the country. Trump (whose ego is off the charts) won't do anything that he thinks won't look great for Trump.
A small point perhaps but that's the official presidential portrait; he's wearing a blue tie, and in the mug shot it's a red tie. They are very similar images, but this is not the mug shot.
Thank you for the correction. That the official presidential portrait and the mug shot are so similar, at least to my eyes, must indicate something.
Perhaps. And most likely that “meaning” would be completely different depending on who you support. But also I think we add far too much meaning to far too little and perhaps it’s “just a cigar”
This is wonderful, Mark. Thank you. Praying that our better angels reveal themselves quickly and with conviction.
Aside from Trump and Lincoln, this column made me learn things about someone else: Jamie Whitten. I was prepared to complain that a National building was named for him, based on my recollection that his major claim to fame was as an anti-Civil Rights Dixiecrat. Fortunately, I decided to consult the authority (Wikipedia) first. Whitten was indeed anti-Civil Rights--he signed the Southern Manifesto and voted against the major Civil Rights bills, but as Chair of the Agriculture Committee, he seems to have done some good things. The best quote from him is "The Budget Committee deals in hallucinations; the Agriculture Committee deals in facts." So other than his hideous (but expected) opposition to Civil Rights, there do seem to be some reasons to name a building after him. (Although in keeping with the main topic of the day, the phrase "And other than that, how did you like the play, Mrs. Lincoln?" does come to mind.