While it makes for a great catch-phrase and is oft quoted by the media, some find calling a presidential inauguration "the most peaceful transition of power the world knows" a misnomer. I am inclined to agree with William Huff's assertion--that it is "Rubbish!"
However, I do give a nod to all the pomp and circumstance surrounding presidential inaugurations. As a historian, how could I not? I revel in studying the past! The 2009 Inaugural Theme, "A New Birth of Freedom" is most fitting. Aside from commemorating the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth, history is being remade when Barack Obama utters those 39 words: "“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. So help me God.''
Of course, there has been a lot of discourse comparing the two and the challenges presented them. After careful examination of the links highlighted in this posting, do you find such a comparison valid? Why or why not? If not, which president would you select as more fitting, and why?
5 comments:
Thank you for selecting to "follow" my blogging experiment. I refer to it, as such, because I do not know where it will lead or, for that matter, where I wish it to lead. I do know that I am intrigued by the prospects--such as communicating and interacting with fellow History teachers: the opportunity to share ideas and pedegogies related to the instruction (read: better instruction) of History in the classroom is, quite honestly, exciting. Peace, David
I can understand where a comparison of Obama and Lincoln could occur given the similarities. They have both come from a more "peasant" life. Neither had begun on the path to politics. Coming from a background where they had to work there way up the ladder. On the other hand I don't know if you can accurately compare them for a reason of racial background. That and the major difference in times. When the views at our time are very different from those of the time during Lincoln. Obama faces the problems of a change in economy. We are also in not one but two wars at this time. First he must move swiftly to help aid our economy and make critical decisions on our war front. Truly I can't compare Obama to any other previous president. I feel he's of a new kind of president. One that I hope we will have in the future. He speaks of change in things i believe in. Things like the need for an alternate energy source. Which I hope to see something put into effect that will at least start us on that path.
Ethan Wright
I think that Obama and Lincoln could be compared in a few ways. the first way is that of the formidable tasks in front of them. Lincoln had to bring the country back together during the civil war. obama has to deal with the 2 wars that we are in right now. (but personally i don't think that pulling out ASAP is the way to go about doing that). Lincoln had to over come great diversity in his life, such as coming from the poor back round. obama had to overcome coming from an African American family and being an African American in a still relatively racist country (which is wrong. PEOPLE SHOULDN'T BE JUDGED ON THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN).
however they are also different in scenes. obama has extremely radical views and some of those views I don't think are good at all. While Lincoln was more of a conservative. Another thing that sets them apart is that of the difference of today compared to when Lincoln was president. America today would seem like a whole new country and would be unrecognized to the people of old. Which makes for its own problems for obama to face.
I don't agree with a lot of the things that Obama does or things he plans to do, but setting my conservative political views aside i hope that he can make this country a better place for all of us and our children!
Sean Corcoran period 2
Lincoln and Obama have both similarities and differences. One similarity is both came from modest backgrounds. Neither had much money nor did their families. Another similarity is the crises they inherited. This particular similarity is also a major difference. Lincoln's war was a civil war, compounded by freeing the slaves, which caused a cultural revolution in the country. Obama's wars are far away, and it is anybodys guess what the out comes might bring to the country.Obama's bigger problem is the economy because it is world wide and the possible solution is world wide in its complexity. We can't know if the new world wide economy will be as revolutionary as freeing the slaves was. Both gave a heck of a speech. Both inspired hope, especially among the regular people. Both inspire foreigners but i'm not sure if that's good or bad! I really hope Obama is successful but I don't underatand what it is he has to do.
Lillian Sieckman,Period 2
I can see where there is the comparison of President Lincoln and President Obama, but with the economy in the worst shape since the Great Depression. I see President Obama following in more of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Take President Obama's proposed stimulus package does it not bare some similarities to President Roosevelt's New Deal. Another similarity is on the war front, while Roosevelt had to deal with Nazi Germany, where as, Obama is dealing with the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are both war Presidents. Those are some of the similarities of President Obama and President Roosevelt.
Landry Bertsch Period 3
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