No, The GOP Has NOT Been Hijacked

New York Times columnist David Brooks says the Republican Party has been hijacked by an abnormal "faction" and is in danger of being marginalized.
I don't agree with David Brooks and I'm not worried about the future of the Republican Party.
The Republican Party is no more "infected" today than it was in 1980 when Ronald Reagan was nominated by the GOP and the Brooks-style elitists of that era proclaimed that the Party had been taken over by a band of right wing radicals.
They characterized Reagan as a loon. In fact, he was even called a fascist.
They were wrong then and they are wrong now.
Remember this: It's the so-called "extremes" that define the middle and energize the ideas and the scope of most political movements.
Interestingly, Brooks bases his whole cockamamie argument on the tax and spend issue. And he's wrong there, too.
For now, The GOP must hold the line on spending and taxes because that's what it was elected to do. Obviously, the timing of any possible "compromise" is critical. As for 2012, I'm confident that the Party will nominate a mature, responsible candidate with practical, common-sense solutions -- someone that a majority of Americans can and will embrace.
Old media would have us think otherwise but, in truth, the Republican Party is on sound footing and surprisingly in tune with the vast expanse of our country that people on the coasts (such as Brooks) ignore at their own peril.
BTW: The Republican Party was born in the crucible of the battle over slavery. At that time, some argued that the new party was nothing more than a radical fringe built around what many considered to be the radical cause of abolitionism. But the Party remained true to its principles and, led by a somewhat eccentric dude named Lincoln (you may have heard of him) we fought for -- and saved -- the union. The Republican Party has always been the party of ideas and (far from being backward) has often been ahead of its time.
Avanti!

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Scholars Examine Lincoln's Inaugural Address

Lincoln's word choice in his inaugural speech: Civil War scholars discuss what they think of President Lincoln's inaugural address.

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The Meaninglessness Of Presidents Day

Quick: Who's birthday does President Day celebrate?
Do you know? Do you care? Have you bothered to check lately?
Is it Washington? Lincoln? All the presidents? President Obama?
According to calendars used since the mid 18th century, Washington was born on February 22, 1732.
This date consequently became the generally accepted date for observances of Washington’s birth. Public celebrations for George Washington's birthday actually predate his term as president, and were originally intended to honor his service in the War for Independence.
By the early 19th century, Washington's Birthday had taken hold in the American experience as a full-fledged national holiday. Its traditions included Birthnight Balls in various parts of the country, speeches and receptions and revelry in taverns throughout the land. The story of Washington’s life was widely taught and legends about Washington began to grow.
Then, Abraham’s Lincoln’s birthday, February 12, emerged as an important national event. The birthday of our 16th President was first observed in 1865, one year after his assassination. But Lincoln’s birthday was never officially declared a federal holiday as Washington’s was even though Lincoln’s birthday was an official holiday in several states.
For decades, February was a grand month for celebrating Washington and Lincoln, our two greatest Presidents. Schools, stores, banks, libraries and other public locations were festooned with portraits of Washington and Lincoln. The profiles of both men were instantly recognizable and stories of Washington and the cherry tree and Lincoln the railsplitter abounded.
Then, in 1968 Congress passed something called the Uniform Holidays Bill which made Washington’s Birthday a Monday holiday. Starting in 1971, the third Monday in February became Washington’s Birthday. It’s been that way for 35 years now.
But a funny thing happened along the way. Washington’s Birthday somehow became Presidents Day. Nobody declared it. Nobody proclaimed it. It just happened. And that’s what the third Monday in February has been called even though the federal government still officially lists it as Washington’s Birthday.
The result is that we now have a day that stands for nothing. Some people actually think Presidents Day honors the current president. Some people think it honors all the presidents. Some people think it honors their own favorite president or presidents. Some people think it’s just a shopping holiday. And the sad part is that school children seem to be as confused as anyone else. If you ask a kid today about something as basic as Washington crossing the Delaware or the legend of the cherry tree he or she would probably respond with total bewilderment.
And nobody seems to even understand how we got to this point. There has even been an urban legend that in 1971 President Nixon officially designated February 22 as Presidents Day. But it never happened.
So, here’s my solution. Let’s start celebrating February 22 as Washington’s Birthday again and give the father of our country his due. This means no disrespect to Lincoln or any other president. It simply recognizes the greatness of Washington and his paramount role in our history.
Indeed, we ought to go back to celebrating February 12 as Lincoln's birthday as well.
Let's put the holidays back where they belong.
At a dinner honoring the centennial of Washington’s birth in 1832 Daniel Webster said that Washington’s legacy was nothing less than “the edifice of constitutional American liberty.”
It’s time to resurrect that legacy, acknowledge that edifice and restore George Washington’s rightful place in our national life.

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Perhaps The Greatest Speech Ever!

Gettysburg Address

delivered 19 November 1863

Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.

On this, the birthday of our 16th President, it's fitting to reprint and to read one again what many people consider to be the greatest speech ever delivered. 

Why is it still remembered?

It's remembered for its logic, for the profundity of its ideas, for its simplicity, for its brevity and for the fact that the its words continue to resonate and inspire us today. It's timeless. It remains remarkably meaningful.

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Lincoln Day Dazzles At Philadelphia's Union League

In defense of the Union - the Mifflin Guard in front of the League House.

Huge Lincoln ballroom crowd for Governor Chris Christie.

The Union League - forever faithful to the words, spirit and legacy of Lincoln and the Union.

The ladies of the Union, in period outfits.

Wreath-laying at the site of Lincoln's famous speech at Independence Hall.

A day for stovepipe hats and overcoats.

"President Lincoln" delivers the Gettysburg Address from the front of the League House as League officers look on.

At Philadelphia's famed Union League Lincoln Day is a bit like Christmas.
That's the day when the League celebrates its hero, President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln Day is always held on or close to President Lincoln's actual birthday of  February 12.
The grand old League House sits in the shadow of City Hall on Broad Street in Philadelphia. On Lincoln Day it is festooned with the colors of our glorious republic. Flags and red, white and blue bunting abounds and the League showcases its Lincolnalia.
It's a day of pride and pageantry -- a day when the League's motto ("Love of Country Leads) comes to life.
Founded in 1862 as a patriotic society to support the Union and the policies of President Abraham Lincoln, the Union League laid the philosophical foundation of other Union Leagues across a nation torn by Civil War.
In the 21st century, the Union League is home for over 3,200 members who contribute to club life and who keep alive the League’s traditions. As they did in 1862, today’s members represent the Philadelphia region’s leaders in business, education, religion, the arts and culture. 
This year, New Jersey's fearless Governor Chris Christie received the League's prestigious Lincoln Award. Christie, was presented with a miniature statue of Abraham Lincoln. He was hailed by the League members for his corruption-busting as U.S. attorney and as a straight-speaking, budget-cutting governor who has seized the imagination of the nation.
Previous recipients of the Lincoln Award include U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Gen. David Petraeus, who commands American forces in Afghanistan.
The great Lincoln Ballroom at the League was filled to capacity for Governor Christie and adjoining rooms were also filled to overflowing. Christie received the rapt attention of not only our table but every other table in the grand space. Of course, the League has welcomed many notable guest speakers including virtually every Republican president of the past 149 years. Yes, the League celebrates a year-long 150th anniversary next year.
These photos give you some idea of the sights and sounds of Lincoln Day at the League.
Tomorrow, we'll have more on Lincoln Day and Christie's remarks and we'll also dedicate the entire day (right here) to the inspiring words, images, life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.

All photos copyright 2011 by Dan Cirucci.

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