Epiphany about Lincoln/Ron Paul/NeoCons

Lew shared with me the following very thoughtful and interesting letter from Bill W.:

“As I’m sure is happening elsewhere around the country, my friends and acquaintances are having an email debate about Lincoln. A quite intelligent member of our group (alas, of the neocon stripe) has reacted quite out of character, with vicious and vitriolic attacks on the character of Ron Paul, Thomas DiLorenzo, and the members of our group who happen to believe Lincoln was quite the opposite of his ‘schoolboy history’ portrayal.”

“Thinking about this uncharacteristic behavior by a usually quite amiable, humorous gentleman led me to the following realization. I’ve finally understood why those in the thrall of Lincoln behave so viciously and irrationally when Lincoln is attacked. If Strauss and Trotsky are NeoConservatism’s Moses, Lincoln is NeoConservatism’s Jesus. He put the “word” into action–he is the foundation upon which modern NeoConservatism’s house is built. If the foundation falls, woe be unto the house. Therefore, the uncharacteristic attacks on character versus engaging in actual debate.”

People are actually starting to think deeply and be challenged in their beliefs about politics and U.S. history — all due to Ron Paul” (emphasis added).

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3:12 pm on January 3, 2008