I went to the matinee yesterday and by the time the movie began there were no seats left. The movie was about the last few months of the Civil War and the push by Lincoln to get the Thirteenth Amendment passed by the House of Representatives.
I don't agree with Spielberg on politics but the man has made a masterpiece in this movie and it is all about FREEDOM! The in's and out's of politics and what it took to get the 13th passed (by two votes, (so if you think your vote doesn't count, shame on you) and the partisanship at the time ( not any different than today) made the drama very real. Daniel Day Lewis should receive the Academy Award for his wonderful performance. I would guess there will be many awards for this movie (even from liberal movies stars) and rightly so.
After the movie was over I thought maybe Spielberg has closed the loop on the history of slavery started by the 2006 movie "Amazing Grace". That movie was about the relentless efforts by William Wilberforce to end slavery in the British Empire (He accomplished it in 1833). Wilberforce died three days after the passage of the Act. He was also the composer of the hymnal, Amazing Grace, a song he heard from a ships captain who had previously been a transporter pf slaves but had repented.
The irony of the movie to me though is the reversal of the perception of the American people, especially the blacks, of who did all the work to set them free and make the laws to implement that freedom. It was the Republicans in the House who voted unanimously to pass the Amendment and the democrats who opposed it. Lincoln had a back room strategy to buy off the 20 wiggly democrats, all lame ducks, with Postmaster appointments and other offices. He was able to get the 20 votes with two to spare that he needed. The Senate had already passed the Amendment (Republicans again) so Lincoln spent his reelection capital to get rid of the scourge and travesty of slavery.
So maybe if the country had got to see this movie before the election perhaps many people, mis-educated by our system would have the truth who the real people of freedom are. Somehow we have to cleanse our historical documents of the lies and return the truth of who is truly the purveyors of human freedom and dignity. It is not the democrats then or now. Go see the movie, it is well worth the eleven bucks.
Todd,
ReplyDeleteYou are entirely correct, the Dems had a horrible record during the post-Reconstruction period, a hugely embarrassing smudge on that party. The Reps were on the right side of history for a long time.
And then everything switched during the Nixon and Ford period, when the Republicans adopted the now-infamous southern strategy. That is what needs to be reversed.
Michael A.
Do you even know what the "Southern Strategy" really is? I get a kick out of people who use that as some sort of reason the blacks vote for democrats. Like the R's did something to polarize the south. It is no such thing. There are different reasons blacks went to the democrats, the least of which is the registration of blacks to vote (which is the reverse of reality).
ReplyDeleteThe south over time went from democrat majorities to Republican majorities because the R's were actually supporting and voting for the Civil Roghts of the blacks! But over time the democrat welfare state insidiously crept into the hearts and minds of minority communities (and poor whites) in exchange for their votes for democrats. This was evident in the latest Presidential vote.
So anyone thinking there is or was some sort f "Strategy" in the South is totally bogus. The other reason the left says there was a strategy is the issue of "State's Rights". This proves the ignorance of the left in the very Constitution binding us all together under the law. So, perhaps you libs should start trying to figure out a better "strategy" of why the South goes R and the blacks vote 95% democrat.
Todd,
ReplyDeleteHere's a couple of links that should get your fever brain a stewin'.
http://my.firedoglake.com/pm247/2010/04/24/who-invented-the-southern-strategy-not-who-you-think/
http://www.redstate.com/dan_mclaughlin/2012/07/11/the-southern-strategy-myth-and-the-lost-majority/
Michael A.
Well those two links of yours confirms my position and wrecks yours. hanks for your sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteReality doesn't matter to right wing extremist bloggers like this cat. Their 15 minutes of Tea Bagger Era fame is coming to an end with the upcoming tax deal, which will set the stage for 4 years of much more progressive governing. The blinders you witness here is simply a coping mechanism.
ReplyDeleteGolly, the Tea Party must make you nervous. They are alive and well and your "progressive" policies will not make it out of committee.
DeleteAnonymous
DeleteKeep in mind the above prediction came from someone who picked Romney by 8 % making him off by nearly 12. The Toddster is not a reliable source of political vision.
PaulE I would expect you to talk to anonymous. What a hoot!
DeleteTodd
DeleteI saw just giving a readers advisory on your record as a political soothsayer. You should post a readers advisory.
As usual PaulE you don't even discuss the post about Lincoln and go for the slam on. My response is well, PaulE, who was that third party guy you say you voted for and what was his vote total? I think you may be a bit touched.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteI was referring to our wager based on our intellectual capacities to predict the likely outcome of the election not my personal preference in the election. I could have picked Romney had he a competent campaign
DeleteBy the way the corn dog you owe me must be organic, fat free, vegan, gluton free, grease less, made by union workers with health care and benefits .
Then a plaxtic corn dog replica will do eh? Regarding the election of Obama. You will reap what you sow. Good luck.
DeleteI didn't vote for Obama so don't blame me. You might look at the Republican Party for offering such an inept alternative. They truly snatched defeat out of the hands of victory.
DeleteI didn't say you voted for Obama. Your tossed away vote for Mickey Mouse will come back to bite you on the arse. You should have cast a grownup vote for Romney.
DeleteWe also saw the Lincoln movie. It's wonderful, and pretty well showed how he felt about slavery being an abomination. Especially under our Constitution and Bill of Rights. The movie clearly portrayed what Lincoln went through to get rid of slavery. Reminds me of the hateful way today's Democrats talk about the Tea Party, who(like Lincoln)also uphold our Constitution and Bill of Rights.
ReplyDelete