Why is Abraham Lincoln held in high esteem, he held spies and sympathizers without trial?

Question

don't get me wrong, Lincoln was a great president...freeing the slaves on what many called a lie in his time...Bush is doing similar things as Lincoln...they were/are both unpopular at the time of being president...they were/are both being accused of lying, both were/are being accused of bad decisions in the war...(During the Civil War Lincoln held powers no previous president had wielded; he suspended the writ of habeas corpus and frequently imprisoned Southern spies and sympathizers without trial. His popularity may have been the lowest of any President on record as he was hated in the south and disliked by many in the north.) i just find it ironic how many liberals and democrats forget history...


http://www.usa-presidents.info/lincoln.htm

Answer 1

Many great men have done things which we wouldn't agree with by today's standards. That doesn't diminish the great things they've done.

Bush Jr. will get a different report from historians in 50 years than he is getting from Americans via his poll numbers today. In fact, it's quite likely historians won't view Iraq as Bush Jr.s worst, or greatest, American achievement either way. Probably something to do with the economy will be his historical legacy, or his Judicial appointments.

Some things are better seen with the view of time and in the broader context that view allows.

In example, 50 years from now people will wonder what the fuss was all about with this "withdrawal" debate in Iraq. They will wonder why 3000 dead in 4 years signaled anything at all, either success or failure. 3000 dead, in the context of historians, will look like a small skirmish.

Consider all the other "wars" historians will use as context for this one. Name one, any one. Iraq will be a historical "blip".

Americans ignore their history at the expense of misunderstanding their current events.

Answer 2

While I am impressed with your knowledge of Lincoln's presidency, I have to laugh at your notion that Bush should be compared to him. Lincoln had the impossible task of unifying a country that was fighting amongst themselves! Any decision that Lincoln made ALWAYS faced criticism from an American sector, for obvious reasons. You are correct in that Bush is unpopular now just as Lincoln was during his presidency. But Bush will never be elevated in his standings among presidents, if everything remains the same by end of '08.

Answer 3

Uh - the situation was a lot different then. We had a real war with brothers fighting brothers, and america was in a fight for it's own survival. Iraq and the so called war on terror are a pimple on the @ss of that conflict. To use the civil war as justification for the present bush war is just plain stupid.

Answer 4

provide me a wreck. that's a pathetic checklist good from the FOX /Rush playbook. previous institutions with terrorists? Are you nuts? and how approximately Bush's relationship with the BIN-laden kin. BLS supplies the numbers for the unemployment fee and has been doing it the comparable way for 40 years credit status downgrade falls squarely on the Republican abode. era Sequester became a JOINT settlement. stupid for the two Inflation, greenback, Debt - See Bush Now perchance you're able to examine right into some credible information materials

Answer 5

But upon the end of hostilities most were forgiven as he tried to heal the rift in the country. that is what solidified his greatness was his graciousness in victory. Not just emancipation preservation of the union

Answer 6

People can be held in high esteem while also recognizing that they weren't perfect (no one is).

Answer 7

It's in the eye of the BEHOLDER. Why ask Why

Answer 8

whats wrong with that?