By Tom Kirvan
Legal News, Editor-in-Chief
Legal News, Editor-in-Chief
Widely considered one of the greatest writers and orators to ever serve as U.S. president, Abraham Lincoln had a unique talent for connecting with the struggles and hopes of everyday people.
As our nation’s 16th president, Lincoln also was a master of brevity, using logic, moral clarity, and memorable phrasing to unite a deeply divided country.
His Gettysburg Address, delivered on November 19, 1863, was his magnum opus and took place at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in the small Pennsylvania town, roughly four-and-a-half months after the major Civil War battle was fought there. In just 272 words, Lincoln redefined the purpose of the Civil War and dedicated the nation to human equality.
Lincoln’s second inaugural address, which was delivered in 1865 near the end of the Civil War, also was memorable, presenting a message of healing, unity, and reconciliation, highlighted by the phrase “with malice toward none, with charity for all.”
During his time in office, Lincoln was mindful of the importance of the separation of powers doctrine, which was carefully designed by the framers of the Constitution, and exists to prevent the concentration of power and to safeguard liberty. He knew that when that framework is deliberately weakened or ignored, the entire system of constitutional governance is placed at risk.
Contrast Lincoln’s words and his respect for the law with the most recent verbal bombast by our current president, who seemingly is vying to become the most polarizing figure in the history of American politics while also cementing himself as the most petulant, arrogant, and incompetent.
For those who missed his latest clash with a reporter, let’s just say that it crossed a line rarely seen in political attacks, as the president and his White House minions lashed out at CNN correspondent Kristen Holmes on August 17 after she asked whether North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un had requested that the U.S. “scale back” military exercises with South Korea.
The question came a day after the president wrote about having a “very good relationship” with Jong Un in a social media post. It also followed an earlier decision by the president that directed the Defense Department to scale down joint military exercises with South Korea, citing the U.S. ally’s refusal to join the war in Iran.
Upon fielding the question, the president told Holmes, “Quiet, you’re very disrespectful. You’re a loud, boisterous person, You’re fake news. Be quiet!”
Following the confrontation, the White House’s rapid response account on X (formerly known as Twitter) posted a video of the exchange and then labeled Holmes a “disgraceful, humiliating embarrassment to her alleged profession.” A second post took the insult even further, declaring, “Someday, your children will come across your disgusting and inhumane question,” adding that her kids would be “sickened and embarrassed to have a parent be so callous and vindictive.”
If all that sounds “presidential,” then the current commander in chief would be wise to remember a few choice words from President Lincoln: “It’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.”
As our nation’s 16th president, Lincoln also was a master of brevity, using logic, moral clarity, and memorable phrasing to unite a deeply divided country.
His Gettysburg Address, delivered on November 19, 1863, was his magnum opus and took place at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in the small Pennsylvania town, roughly four-and-a-half months after the major Civil War battle was fought there. In just 272 words, Lincoln redefined the purpose of the Civil War and dedicated the nation to human equality.
Lincoln’s second inaugural address, which was delivered in 1865 near the end of the Civil War, also was memorable, presenting a message of healing, unity, and reconciliation, highlighted by the phrase “with malice toward none, with charity for all.”
During his time in office, Lincoln was mindful of the importance of the separation of powers doctrine, which was carefully designed by the framers of the Constitution, and exists to prevent the concentration of power and to safeguard liberty. He knew that when that framework is deliberately weakened or ignored, the entire system of constitutional governance is placed at risk.
Contrast Lincoln’s words and his respect for the law with the most recent verbal bombast by our current president, who seemingly is vying to become the most polarizing figure in the history of American politics while also cementing himself as the most petulant, arrogant, and incompetent.
For those who missed his latest clash with a reporter, let’s just say that it crossed a line rarely seen in political attacks, as the president and his White House minions lashed out at CNN correspondent Kristen Holmes on August 17 after she asked whether North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un had requested that the U.S. “scale back” military exercises with South Korea.
The question came a day after the president wrote about having a “very good relationship” with Jong Un in a social media post. It also followed an earlier decision by the president that directed the Defense Department to scale down joint military exercises with South Korea, citing the U.S. ally’s refusal to join the war in Iran.
Upon fielding the question, the president told Holmes, “Quiet, you’re very disrespectful. You’re a loud, boisterous person, You’re fake news. Be quiet!”
Following the confrontation, the White House’s rapid response account on X (formerly known as Twitter) posted a video of the exchange and then labeled Holmes a “disgraceful, humiliating embarrassment to her alleged profession.” A second post took the insult even further, declaring, “Someday, your children will come across your disgusting and inhumane question,” adding that her kids would be “sickened and embarrassed to have a parent be so callous and vindictive.”
If all that sounds “presidential,” then the current commander in chief would be wise to remember a few choice words from President Lincoln: “It’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.”
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