I better do this before I leave or I will feel badly about it-

There was analogy drawn between the current fiasco and the civil war. Specifically to the November 1863 Lincoln adress in Gettysburg.

It was hurtful to me that so many could read the same words and manage to draw such crocked conclusions. And since I didn't see this so far I will do it.

Mr Lincoln wrote those great words on the fly - to the dedication for a cemetary of american dead. About a year after the great threat of "super power" intervention had passed.

So now - we are the superpower - that failed to hold our water. The irony is great.

Joe

speeches-- poetry, really--that I never regretted being required to memorize in elementary school. What a mind... what a sincere and wonderful man...what a writer and communicator, was Lincoln.

And, yes, the irony is not lost on me...

Just not forgivable to me - anytime, anywhere.

I know you get it too.

It had to be said though - what unadulterated BS. I had to say it - or it would drive me crazy.

Anyway - I am glad I said it.

Joe

One of those historical myths that gets ingrained...

In fact he worked on it for some time prior to the dedication, and showed a draft to at least two of his aides well before that date...

Doesn't take away from the power of that speech obviously...

I guess on the fly is up for debate. But he wrote the thing in less than 72 hours. Mostly on a train to central PA.

And he wrote it - word for word - I have seen the actual text in his handwrtiting.

Stanton did in fact comment on it - Stanton did not like it.

Your post is not wrong - it is a good post I think.

Joe

and spoke it. His Assholeness can't even speak coherently. That this pretender has the audacity to try to grab the coatails of real men like Lincoln or Washington or Joe Public, for that matter -that he even is so demented as to call himself a Commander-in-Chief; a "War President"- a "Decider" fills me with disgust.

How dare this frat-boy failure compare himself to any decent, cogent man?

Have I mentioned lately how loathsome I find the pretender?

This should be quoted.

Cause you certinly zeroed in on the issue -

Nice -

Joe

Didn't you see when Bush wrote his rousing call to Condi, "Let freedom reign?"

But in reference to the house debate - they managed to pull up the Gettysburg speech at every opportunity - cause I had to listen to the crap.

Apparently the decider figured out the civil war analogy didn't work and tried to go back to the 18th century.

It equally does not work of course - but I had to listen to the 19th century pap. One day I will work up my nerve and listen to that - I just have to get over the "civil war" analogy first, I guess.

Joe

is to imagine that every day he wakes up and looks into the mirror and he is faced with the fact he is still the most hated loser in the whole world.

P.S. I'm sorry you haven't heard from Troy. I was hoping you had good news. Seems too be little good news of late. Seems there is no news in this country on the "surge".
In this country "no news" is bad news. I hope in your case it is the opposite.
I will keep you and Troy in positive vibes!

Take care Joe!

I know just where he is - so when I see trouble I can see if it effects him - I know where he is - I can see the units and all that.

Anyway, I don't think he lives thru this last cycle - and I talk to him seperately from what my wife can hear. He really is my fathers grandson - he really is. My early years were spent waiting for a telegram on one of my brothers. I know what that feels like.

As long as I stay far enough along the curve to cut the telegram off from my wife it can be dealt with. She has no idea what that feels like - and I intend to keep it that way.

That is the way I look at it now.

They work him 14-16 hours a day anyway - he is lucky to get a day off in two weeks in any event.

It is not unusual we don't hear from him very often under the circumstances.

The day something goes wrong, I'll know.

You stay well Tink.

Joe

Perhaps that thought will prove this thought "I don't think he lives thru this last cycle " wrong.
Share with your wife, Joe. I bet she's stronger than you think.
Your stronger together.

I spent a lot of my years of my childhood waiting for a telegram.

She has no idea what that feels like. And if he lives - she doesn't need to know.

When the kid got in real trouble - I made damn sure it went to me not her. It wasn't because I didn't love her- it was because I loved her too much to not be able to filter.

I learned how to filter the hard way.

That your stronger together stuff, it is a myth. I have seen just what it can do.

If there is a telegram one day - I will cut it off. That is why I watch so closely. I owe that to her.

Joe

Being a mother, and at one point an Army wife, I would want to know.....everything.

Everyone copes differently.

You just keep loving her the best way that only you know.

:toast: to better days ahead!

Goodnight Joe,

Wendy

It is not that I am so much stronger. On the whole she is stronger.
But in this business - I am pretty sure I can turn it off enough to play the 20 questions game. The reality has been there so many times in my life - I think I can do that. If this case does happen - I will make sure I am the one there to talk. She doesn't know Wendy - she'll just hear the first few words and that is all she will hear - if I was her I would too.

I reread the stuff I said - pretty gloomy. But it is what it is. How many times do you get blown up and walk away exactly?? I think everyone is born with a certain amount of luck - and it runs out eventually.


To better days indeed!!

It is good to hear from you Wendy.

Joe

that address in his rant on the 5th anniversary of 9/11 - I remember his using the line "we cannot consecrate this ground" and saying "so you don't even TRY?"

He is a good man.

I do not think too much of people trying to use the "quote" for political purposes not intended in any way.

The main problem people have that use such a quote is that in continues - "...It is for us the living that..." You know??

Joe