I've been reading "Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin for what seems like an eternity now. It's a fascinating book but I just never seem to get time to just sit down and read it. The book, as any good US political book must do, has expertly linked itself to President Obama (it's apparantly one of his favourites). But this isn't just a tenuous link: the similarities between Obama and Lincoln are startling. Both came from humble backgrounds, both lawyers from Illinois and both were outsiders for the presidency knowm for their bipartisanship. But this is all old-hat, we all know the similarities - what is more interesting is how they reacted to the age in which they led their country.
Lincoln was known for sticking to his principles: when he made a decision he stuck to it and followed through. When things got tough, when is country looked on the brink of collapse, he stuck to his principles and worked tirelessly to carry out what was necessary. On watching Obama's first State of the Union address it is clear that Obama is a man cut from the same cloth. Rather than turning right following Republican victories in Virginia and Massachusetts, he has stuck to what he pledged and challenged his party to finish the work that they began.
One shining example of this is his pledge to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", the policy that effectively excludes gays from serving in the US armed forces. He promised to do this during the election but many had begun to doubt his conviction, having done little to do this. However, on Tuesday the Defense Secretary will present to Congress some of the first steps that will be taken to get rid of this discredited policy. For a nation known for its patriotism to exclude over 13,000 men and women from the armed forces in which they are proud to serve, is inexcusable.
The funny things is, i've not long read the chapter in my book about the Emancipation Proclamation and Lincoln giving black men the right to fight alongside their countrymen. The same arguments that are used against allowing gays to serve were used to prevent black soldiers serving. They were wrong then and they are wrong now. Obama must follow through on this pledge regardless of the obstacles and prejudice that may step in his way.
Lincoln was known for sticking to his principles: when he made a decision he stuck to it and followed through. When things got tough, when is country looked on the brink of collapse, he stuck to his principles and worked tirelessly to carry out what was necessary. On watching Obama's first State of the Union address it is clear that Obama is a man cut from the same cloth. Rather than turning right following Republican victories in Virginia and Massachusetts, he has stuck to what he pledged and challenged his party to finish the work that they began.
One shining example of this is his pledge to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", the policy that effectively excludes gays from serving in the US armed forces. He promised to do this during the election but many had begun to doubt his conviction, having done little to do this. However, on Tuesday the Defense Secretary will present to Congress some of the first steps that will be taken to get rid of this discredited policy. For a nation known for its patriotism to exclude over 13,000 men and women from the armed forces in which they are proud to serve, is inexcusable.
The funny things is, i've not long read the chapter in my book about the Emancipation Proclamation and Lincoln giving black men the right to fight alongside their countrymen. The same arguments that are used against allowing gays to serve were used to prevent black soldiers serving. They were wrong then and they are wrong now. Obama must follow through on this pledge regardless of the obstacles and prejudice that may step in his way.
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