Konichiwaneko

Mr. Mephisto, before I start I want to tell you I hold you with the utmost respect and though we don't agree with political views I am honor of your contributions, mostly of the nude variety, to the tfp. I ask you these question not to stir you up only to get a reply.

I notice you put these qualities for President Lincoln, I would like to see how you compare these traits to your political beliefs.

Lets start with this one

- He alone (until US Grant) understood the gravity of the Civil War and what it would take to win it.

I believe General Grants strategy during the war was call "The grinder". Essentially it was pretty much throwing our men, not caring for casualties, to oppress the opponent. I'm sure back then it would be the same as now, people were appalled...yet the strategy worked in the end all history shows us that now. My question to you, would you accept President Bush if he was vindicated at the end, that his strategy that people saw was a huge mess turned out right?

- He was a politician who accepted he did not represent all Americans, but reached out to try to "save the Union."

Lincoln saw the United states as a great whole, not as a disfunctional society. Do you think Senator Kerry's constant berating of our government and it's disfunctional state going to backfire on him? What if he does aquire the president posistion, and in his 4 or 8 years can't fix what he considers broken. Do you think our people would subconciouslly feel that we are a broken society and nothing can fix us?


- He was a great leader during the countries most dangerous time.

President Bush is far from being a great leader, I think both left and right can agree on that. Yet earlier you listed General Grant as an example, and history told us that he was terrible at his job as both general and president yet he got the job done. Do you think that President Bush can once again be vindicated because of this over time?


I know you will give a good answer Mr. Mephisto.

__________________