It's all over the news: The symbol of the American Warfare/Welfare State, the head of Abe Lincoln, will get a new penny in 2009. It's two-faced, naturally, as was the old trial lawyer/railroad lobbyist/professional political liar, Dishonest Abe himself. The images chosen by the state apparatus are of a cute little boy as a school child, and then as a citizen legislator in Illinois, vigorously pursuing the public interest. (Never mind that Abe had less than one year of formal schooling).

Here's my two cents regarding more appropriate images: One of Abe laughing his ass off upon hearing Sherman's stories about the murder of Southern civilians and the theft of their jewelry, clothing, pianos, silverware, and other personal items by his "bummers" during the "march to the sea." (Sherman mentions this in his memoirs).

The other would be Abe congratulating the cowardly and murderous war criminal, General Phillip Sheridan, after his looting, murdering, and burning out of the civilian population of the Shenandoah Valley after the Confederate Army had vacated the valley. Homes going up in flames would be a good background.

Since it's a two-faced penny, the possible combinations are endless.