No republican today would endorse that speech. But they certainly would endorse the speech where Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens said, "Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its foundations are laid, its corner-stone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition."
They might, Goebbels was good at saying the opposite of what was meant. Sort of like those “voter integrity” laws passed all around. And ALEC made sure that they were passed in as many states as possible.
For most Americans, meaningless words from a forgotten past. They can tell you won the World Series or the last weekend’s College and NFL scores, but the American Civil War, The Great War, WW2, Korea, Vietnam? They’ve already forgotten Desert Storm by now…and Iraq and Afghanistan will be lost to collective amnesia soon enough.
Speaking s an historian, nations are like people - because they're made of people - and therefore have their ups and downs. And like most people, they show their true colors in the downs more than the ups.
I still revere my history teachers, those unsung heroes who made the past sizzle with life, turning dates and dusty events into vibrant stories that linger in my heart.
This reminds of the great actor Richard Mullligan in the movie "Teachers" who captured his students' attention by acting out the great moments in American history. He was probably the best teacher in the school, even though he was crazy.....
Thanks Tom. Great words spoken to honor slain warriors who fought bravely to preserve our
Constitution. Now 161 years later we face a (so far) bloodless coup from a minority of semi literate people together with a small group of WHITE bigoted racists, and a handful of greedy self centered billionaires who in 224 days plan to take away what those men fought and died to preserve. (and yes I am white)
That's until inauguration, but if they hold off invoking Amendment 25 I count 224 until July 21 when the Heritage Foundation's 180 day plan is up, so we have a little more time, I hope.
We were in Gettysburg in 2017. Imaging the battle taking place where we walked, reading the inscriptions, it was awe-some. Over 7,000 dead around a town of 2,500. And the 4 months after the carnage the magnificent speech by President Lincoln.
Damn few. Most of them can't tell the difference between the Revolution and World War II, and think Columbus (assuming they've heard his name) discovered the New World in 1942.
the first time I worked in a high school, it was 1986 and I shared my office "suite" with the school nurse and a health resources counselor who, it turned out, grew up about half a mile from where I grew up. during the change of classes, we'd randomly ask passing students if they knew what major historical event took place between 1861 and 1865 and who the "bad guys" were in WWII. most of them didn't know the first one and the most frequent answer to the second question was "I dunno...maybe RUSSIA?"
that was when I began to gather evidence that there was nothing accidental about this "knowledge gap."
and whether or not a bunch of bigwigs got together and planned to eliminate any basic knowledge of how the government is supposed to work in so many words is irrelevant. just look at where we're at.
Hell, most kids today don’t even know about the Vietnam War…and all the other dirty little wars the U.S. has fought since its inception. WW2 and Korea? Mostly forgotten today…
I watch an interview once with college students who couldn’t remember which century the Revolution was, and whether it came before or after the Civil war.
Susan & Dennis, sometimes I break an object as I did this morning, a ceramic dog’s drinking bowl. I once again thought, Is it garbage or recycling? Well with he who shall not be named there’s no doubt: Garbage. Wouldn’t we all be so lucky to have been in Gettysburg to hear Lincoln deliver that stunning speech. Today ought to be celebrated as a national holiday.
Actually, there was a very early, very primitive recording device present for the speech. It has been found and is now in the national archives. They were going to do a digital recording to anyone could hear it.
It is not that the history of our nation is not taught in our public schools. It is more the lack of interest from many young students today. They very accurately depict the adage of you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink. As a now retired teacher, many students do not even make a show of interest to learn (insert whichever subject you please) especially to keep as knowledge beyond the next test. Nor do many, (not all) parents create the expectation for nor the standards/goals of learning for their children.
I taught years ago, and that was a problem then too, but not of the size it is now. I taught at an upper middle class high school in the Bay Area, near Stanford, so most parents well educated. But I heard from colleagues in other schools around the area about problems. It’s been a while since I was involved in public education—my youngest is 45—but I certainly didn’t have to “teach to the test” nor did my kids have to “learn to the test.”
But whoever’s fault it is, education has sunk into—well, a generation (or more) of trumpites—and the drain on funds for “school vouchers” isn’t going to help. Nor are restrictions on what teachers can even SAY in a classroom about mundane things like (for history) “what happened.”
I hope a time comes soon when these words will ring true for us as well:
"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."
What powerful words
No republican today would endorse that speech. But they certainly would endorse the speech where Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens said, "Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its foundations are laid, its corner-stone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition."
Absolutely right.
They might, Goebbels was good at saying the opposite of what was meant. Sort of like those “voter integrity” laws passed all around. And ALEC made sure that they were passed in as many states as possible.
For most Americans, meaningless words from a forgotten past. They can tell you won the World Series or the last weekend’s College and NFL scores, but the American Civil War, The Great War, WW2, Korea, Vietnam? They’ve already forgotten Desert Storm by now…and Iraq and Afghanistan will be lost to collective amnesia soon enough.
How painful it is to be reminded how lofty a position America once held and how drastically far we have fallen. What did we do to deserve this?
Speaking s an historian, nations are like people - because they're made of people - and therefore have their ups and downs. And like most people, they show their true colors in the downs more than the ups.
The ups the oligarchs have experienced really tell a tale about them. Seems their success just made them more greedy, with power as an extra carrot
Beautiful words from a beautiful man.
I still revere my history teachers, those unsung heroes who made the past sizzle with life, turning dates and dusty events into vibrant stories that linger in my heart.
This reminds of the great actor Richard Mullligan in the movie "Teachers" who captured his students' attention by acting out the great moments in American history. He was probably the best teacher in the school, even though he was crazy.....
Reminds me of grad school…
Remember too that Trump said that those "who gave the last full measure" were suckers and losers.
Rupert never told that, betcha
Oh how we have evolved. Republicans now hate everyone who is not in their clown car.
I will always cherish their hatred.
As FDR put it, "I welcome their hatred."
Yes yes God Lincoln was so brilliant and this speech gives me chills!
Fox news will mark the day by calling all democrats socialists.
Thanks Tom. Great words spoken to honor slain warriors who fought bravely to preserve our
Constitution. Now 161 years later we face a (so far) bloodless coup from a minority of semi literate people together with a small group of WHITE bigoted racists, and a handful of greedy self centered billionaires who in 224 days plan to take away what those men fought and died to preserve. (and yes I am white)
Actually 60 days.
That's until inauguration, but if they hold off invoking Amendment 25 I count 224 until July 21 when the Heritage Foundation's 180 day plan is up, so we have a little more time, I hope.
Hope is a good thing and we
can't let it die.
We were in Gettysburg in 2017. Imaging the battle taking place where we walked, reading the inscriptions, it was awe-some. Over 7,000 dead around a town of 2,500. And the 4 months after the carnage the magnificent speech by President Lincoln.
wonder how many kids today can recite this from memory? Or know in which war the Battle of Gettysburg was fought?
Damn few. Most of them can't tell the difference between the Revolution and World War II, and think Columbus (assuming they've heard his name) discovered the New World in 1942.
the first time I worked in a high school, it was 1986 and I shared my office "suite" with the school nurse and a health resources counselor who, it turned out, grew up about half a mile from where I grew up. during the change of classes, we'd randomly ask passing students if they knew what major historical event took place between 1861 and 1865 and who the "bad guys" were in WWII. most of them didn't know the first one and the most frequent answer to the second question was "I dunno...maybe RUSSIA?"
that was when I began to gather evidence that there was nothing accidental about this "knowledge gap."
and whether or not a bunch of bigwigs got together and planned to eliminate any basic knowledge of how the government is supposed to work in so many words is irrelevant. just look at where we're at.
Hell, most kids today don’t even know about the Vietnam War…and all the other dirty little wars the U.S. has fought since its inception. WW2 and Korea? Mostly forgotten today…
I watch an interview once with college students who couldn’t remember which century the Revolution was, and whether it came before or after the Civil war.
Well, he who shall not be named figures that Washington’s troops captured airfields from the British…
Susan & Dennis, sometimes I break an object as I did this morning, a ceramic dog’s drinking bowl. I once again thought, Is it garbage or recycling? Well with he who shall not be named there’s no doubt: Garbage. Wouldn’t we all be so lucky to have been in Gettysburg to hear Lincoln deliver that stunning speech. Today ought to be celebrated as a national holiday.
Actually, there was a very early, very primitive recording device present for the speech. It has been found and is now in the national archives. They were going to do a digital recording to anyone could hear it.
and???
It is not that the history of our nation is not taught in our public schools. It is more the lack of interest from many young students today. They very accurately depict the adage of you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink. As a now retired teacher, many students do not even make a show of interest to learn (insert whichever subject you please) especially to keep as knowledge beyond the next test. Nor do many, (not all) parents create the expectation for nor the standards/goals of learning for their children.
My parents had that goal since they had been denied it. It was never ok to get in trouble at school. All 8 listened, some slower than others.
I taught years ago, and that was a problem then too, but not of the size it is now. I taught at an upper middle class high school in the Bay Area, near Stanford, so most parents well educated. But I heard from colleagues in other schools around the area about problems. It’s been a while since I was involved in public education—my youngest is 45—but I certainly didn’t have to “teach to the test” nor did my kids have to “learn to the test.”
But whoever’s fault it is, education has sunk into—well, a generation (or more) of trumpites—and the drain on funds for “school vouchers” isn’t going to help. Nor are restrictions on what teachers can even SAY in a classroom about mundane things like (for history) “what happened.”
"Teaching to the test" isn't teaching, as a late friend and good teacher told me ten yeas ago.
Brings a whole new level of meaning to " historical" words. They are not condemned to the past.
"It is for us the living...to be dedicated to the unfinished work...."
This one speech could serve as a daily way to lift our spirit and motivate our action!
Thanks so much, TC!!!
💜