Abraham Lincoln et al

So I said to him, "Barack, I know Abe Lincoln, and you ain't no Abe Lincoln!"

You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.

You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative

and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and

should do for themselves.

- Abraham Lincoln -

Sarah Palin vs. Teddy Roosevelt

My favourite radio talk show host, John Batchelor, is also a well regarded historian. He makes an interesting comparison between Sarah Palin and Teddy Roosevelt here.

Sarah Palin and Abraham Lincoln

For some time now, several pundits have suggested that Barack Obama is the modern day equivalent of President Abraham Lincoln. I've never seen any similarities other than that they were both lawyers and started their political careers in the state of Illinois.

Sarah Palin's introduction into the political race provides a more interesting comparison with Lincoln. Here are some compelling similarities:

• Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809. Sarah Palin was born on February 11, 1964.
• Both was born & raised in what was/is the hinterland of America at the time.
• Both are adamant mavericks, determined to do what they feel is right, no matter if that ruffles the feathers of even their own party.
• Lincoln was a true frontiersman who grew up in small towns.
  

• Palin is a true frontier woman, who grew up in small towns.
• Lincoln and his wife, Mary, had 4 children.
• Palin and her husband, Todd, have had 5 children.
  

Historians will undoubtedly be able to cite more similarities but if there is such a thing as reincarnation, something tells me that President Lincoln would be most pleased to see Sarah Palin being nominated for VP!

July 4, 1826

182 years ago today something very strange occurred. Not only was it the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, but two men, pivotal to that declaration, both passed away within hours of each other!

These two men were none other than:

• John Adams, the 2nd President of the United States of America
• Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President

Jefferson died first and then Adams. You can read about this fascinating coincidence here.