There were superficial reasons—when he thundered on the political scene at the Democratic Convention in 2004 and then rode on the wave of that thunder to his election in 2008—to compare Barack Obama with Abraham Lincoln. There was the Illinois connection, for instance, and the gifted orator connection, and the “new birth of freedom” connection. Add to these the evident high esteem, even reverence, held by Obama for that towering mentor of his spirit, and it is easy to link the two of them. But what about things deeper than the surface?
A sobering intimation arose in me, in the wake of the euphoria following Obama’s election, that if the similarities between him and Lincoln did, in fact, go deeper, then it would most clearly be revealed if adversity, not smooth sailing, is what he would meet, if failure, not success, is what he would have to deal with. For it was the manner in which Lincoln met adversity and failure which taught us the most.
It is safe to say, six years later, that adversity indeed is what Obama has faced, along with the failure to achieve much that he had hoped to achieve. We now know with dismaying clarity how white-hot is the determination of a sizable minority that this President utterly fail, that his major healthcare achievement be gutted and that his every new proposal be obstructed.
The point here is not to argue politics and policies. The point is to bring the memory of Abraham Lincoln to bear on the present presidency, to see what it might tell us about the character of Barack Obama.
If anyone knew adversity from the beginning of his presidency, it was Abraham Lincoln. Even before he took office, seven Deep South states had seceded because he had been elected. Though he would not, because constitutionally he could not, touch slavery where it already existed, he made it clear, as did the Republican platform he ran on, that he would do everything in his power to prevent its extension. And then on the very day he was sworn in, he received a telegram about the crisis brewing at Ft. Sumter in Charleston Harbor that could inaugurate civil war. Adversity from the start, and few, if any, pleased.
Listen to Frederick Douglass, himself one of Lincoln’s harshest early critics:
“Reproaches came thick and thin upon him from within and from without, and from opposite quarters. He was assailed by abolitionists; he was assailed by slaveholders...Viewed from the genuine abolition ground, Mr. Lincoln seemed tardy, cold, dull, and indifferent; but measuring him by the sentiment of his country, a sentiment he was bound as a statesman to consult, he was swift, zealous, radical, and determined.”
Another of his early critics from the Left, Harriet Beecher Stowe, at first lamented Lincoln’s tardiness, coldness, dullness and indifference, but over time came to see deeper.
“Lincoln is a strong man, but his strength is of a peculiar kind...It is the strength not so much of a stone buttress as of a wire cable. It is a strength swaying to every influence, yielding on this side and on that to popular needs, yet tenaciously and inflexibly bound to carry its great end.”
Fast forward to Barack Obama. While his most vituperative critics are on the Right, the Left has hardly been kind to him when he has compromised on so much, delayed acting on so much, seemingly vacillated on so much. Assailed from both sides certainly fits, as does wire cable, swaying and yielding this way and that, yet tenaciously holding to the great end of a more just and compassionate nation.
But we haven’t yet touched what to me is the biggest thing, the thing that reveals character at its deepest. Breadth of vision and strength of will are indeed essential, but so too are capacity for empathy and kindness of heart. We go back to Abraham Lincoln for perhaps the purest expression.
“With malice toward none, with charity for all...What I deal with is too vast for malicious dealing...As I have not felt, so I have not expressed any harsh sentiment towards our southern brethren. I have constantly declared, as I really believed, the only difference between them and us, is the difference of circumstances. I have meant to assail the motives of no party, or individual; and if I have, in any instance (of which I am not conscious) departed from my purpose, I regret it.”
He didn’t just talk it, he lived it. No wonder Abraham Lincoln is loved by so many.
And no wonder many of us still stand back amazed at Barack Obama, yes, partially for his vision that our country must return to being of the people and not of the corporations, and yes, partially for what he has managed to achieve despite entrenched opposition, but equally for how he is responding to his failures, for how he is not responding in malice to the unrelenting disparagement heaped upon him. Will he continue to live according to the values which Lincoln not only espoused but lived? We of course don’t know, as disillusionment has been known to spring like a brigand from the bush. But if six years of testing have not found Obama wanting, if he has neither returned rancor for rancor nor stopped tenaciously fighting for what he believes, we may have here, I submit to your consideration, the real McCoy, meaning a worthy carrier of the spirit of Abraham Lincoln.
Even though Maya Angelou addressed the following to her sisters, may each of us, in her or his heart, hear the exhortation from this phenomenal woman, who has just left us but whose spirit will never leave us, never to disown either our sweetness or our steel.
“Women should be tough, tender, laugh as much as possible, and live long lives. The struggle for equality continues unabated, and the woman warrior who is armed with wit and courage will be among the first to celebrate victory...You keep your sweetness always but inside that sweetness is a ball of steel.”
May your brothers as well as sisters be listening, Maya. May Barack Obama be listening. May each citizen not only of America but of Earth be listening for the sake of the only family. In our darker moments may we neither give up nor lash out. May we hold to sweetness without relinquishing the wire cable, the steel ball. May we listen to Abraham Lincoln from the wings urging us to allow ourselves once again to be touched by the better angels of our nature.
Your comment was posted successfully! Thank you!
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fortnite-v-bucks-codes-free-list-2024-daily-redeem-code-5pkne
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/free-v-bucks-codes-april-2024-fortnite-epic-game-player-iptme
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/free-v-bucks-code-unused-list-2024-vbucks-emotes-outfits-c9rwe
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/get-vbucks-fortnite-v-bucks-generator-2024-working-updated-pwi3e
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/freefortnite-v-bucks-generator-april-10-2024-apsao-exodus-esportss-gapfe
-
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/epic-games-free-robux-generator-2024-free-robux-new-codes-daily-cjwre
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/free-robux-methods-updated-all-ways-get-without-paying-pockemon-sxebe
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/free-robux-generator-tools-2024-every-players-can-get-april-update-gi3se
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/working-free-roblox-robux-codes-generator-2024-tool-pockemon-bmexe
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/epic-games-free-robux-generator-2024-free-robux-new-codes-daily-v1sue
-
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/free-tiktok-followers-likes-generator-new-method-2024-human-de3ae
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10000-free-tiktok-followers-generator-2024-get-free-likes-pegie
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-get-1k-followers-tiktok-5-minutes-mario-kart-8-zbsre
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-get-1000-followers-tiktok-24-hours-free-mario-kart-8-ylzie
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/50000-free-tiktok-followers-generator-2024-get-free-likes-ephne
-
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/get-vbucks-fortnite-v-bucks-generator-2024-working-updated-jezue
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/true-offers-free-fortnite-v-bucks-codes-generator-2024-verification-kxgie
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/free-v-bucks-code-unused-list-2024-vbucks-emotes-outfits-jdhhe
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/guides-free-v-bucks-codes-march-2024-get-2800-vbucks-one-dehpe
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/free-fortnite-v-bucks-generator-get-epic-games-collect-codes-q0kqe
https://1link.jp/mysecretofseer_ep3
https://1link.jp/mysecretofseerep3
https://1link.jp/mysecretofseer_thaiblep3
https://1link.jp/thaibl_mysecretofseerep3
https://1link.jp/thaibl_loveneversetsep4
https://1link.jp/loveneversetsep4
https://1link.jp/loveneversets_thaiep4
https://1link.jp/thaiblloveneversets_ep4
https://1link.jp/koreandramapleaseyes_ep3
https://1link.jp/koreandramapleaseyesep3
https://1link.jp/pleaseyesep3
https://1link.jp/pleaseyesep3_koreandrama
https://1link.jp/awaitingdawn_ep9
https://1link.jp/awaitingdawnep9
https://1link.jp/vietbl_waitingdawnep9
https://1link.jp/plutocharonep3
https://1link.jp/plutocharon_ep3
https://1link.jp/khemjiratheseries_ep12
https://1link.jp/thaiblkhemjira_ep12
https://1link.jp/haibl_khemjiraep12
https://codepen.io/Amando-rogjer/pen/XJXxPbR
https://scrapbox.io/34223fsdfsdfs/1link.jp%2Fmysecretofseer_ep3
https://wokwi.com/projects/446490173613326337
https://www.etextpad.com/cst4te1dge
https://pastelink.net/yz267vue
https://pastebin.com/Qi8sGpXm
https://paste.thezomg.com/382943/06508017/
https://yamcode.com/1linkthaibl002
https://hackmd.io/Moveflixsite/BkKq9dEk-g https://www.pastery.net/ffxvuj/ https://notes.io/eetuz https://tech.io/snippet/3eIEpQW https://jsitor.com/liKOBjCuS92 https://privatebin.net/?fab57249620bd1e7#EFLYp2uVQ6mxE2ipPbZguwFbDiRYnciZxyYTbnF94hmr https://glot.io/snippets/hcllmy780w https://paiza.io/projects/li2q3YyjLpY2pcY6eLcp8g https://justpaste.it/1kyla https://www.surveyking.com/survey/bkbek https://magic.ly/changegang/1linkthaibl002 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AGcHg8MERAMlt9BHhL-gasrZ_Nf2e7gKEQ1ApOki9d0/edit?usp=sharing https://sites.google.com/view/1linkthaibl002 https://medium.com/yurigheboy25/1linkthaibl002-8113464a8498
https://prasatnas.com/posts/142661
https://diendannhansu.com/threads/1linkthaibl002.856194/
https://raindrop.io/harrykur/1linkthaibl002-62702629
https://tooter.in/harrykur/posts/115478756051007171
https://tooter.in/harrykur/posts/115478757874463669
https://www.datascienceportfol.io/harrykurnia449/projects/151
https://www.datascienceportfol.io/harrykurnia449/projects/152
https://www.datascienceportfol.io/harrykurnia449/projects/153
https://forum.virginiaeranet.com/viewtopic.php?t=31
https://virginiaeranet.com/as-a-viewer-its-unimaginable-this-episode-of-little-house-on-the-prairie-shocked-the-actors-of-the-series/
https://gist.github.com/WilsFloww05/279ef4893c89622173ea4c35e26f8d9a
https://gist.github.com/WilsFloww05/65cf9331a2c0e2431b85cda45e49f899
https://gist.github.com/WilsFloww05/8feab45731a99c3f0c50d4e6b181f8d6
https://gist.github.com/WilsFloww05/9c3033a1fc905d04f7cb934ed2f183a8
https://gist.github.com/WilsFloww05/9ee8d4580145fce8052ca2ed7050e21d
https://gist.github.com/WilsFloww05/74f4200ff7a319a3d4494cacc0e4c8a2
https://gist.github.com/WilsFloww05/940f8b55ee7ffccc2440e72acea5e6c7
https://gist.github.com/WilsFloww05/c2761f235c8c1b3e65bad15d9030649a
https://gist.github.com/WilsFloww05/ef6ec20f6a734d84c78dd19ffb75d04c
في عالمٍ يسير بسرعةٍ تفوق قدرتنا على اللحاق به، أصبح التوتر جزءًا من الحياة اليومية.
ضغوط العمل، قلة النوم، القلق المستمر، والسباق مع الوقت جعلت الإنسان يشعر بأنه يعيش داخل دوامة لا تنتهي.
ومع تزايد الإيقاع العصري المرهق، باتت الحاجة إلى منتجات طبيعية تعيدنا إلى التوازن والهدوء الداخلي أمرًا أساسيًا.
من هنا وُلدت فكرة Smart Hemp Gummies – حلوى ذكية مستخلصة من القنب الطبيعي، صُممت لتكون الجسر بين الطبيعة والعافية.
https://www.facebook.com/SmartHempGummiesIsraelOnline
https://www.facebook.com/groups/smarthempgummiesisrael.il
https://www.facebook.com/groups/smarthempgummiesisraelofficial/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/smarthempgummiesisraelreviews/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/smarthempgummiesisraelonline
https://smart-hemp-gummies-israel.alboompro.com/smart-hemp-gummies-israel
https://smart-hemp-gummies-israel.alboompro.com/
http://smart-hemp-gummies-israel.alboompro.com/post/smart-hemp-gummies-israel
http://smart-hemp-gummies-israel.alboompro.com/post/smart-hemp-gummies-israel
http://smart-hemp-gummies-israel.alboompro.com/post/smart-hemp-gummies-israel-3
https://www.facebook.com/RiseFuelMaleEnhancementCapsulesIL
https://www.facebook.com/groups/risefuelmaleenhancementcapsulesisrael.il
https://www.facebook.com/groups/risefuelmaleenhancementcapsulesil
https://www.facebook.com/groups/risefuelmaleenhancementcapsulesisraelreviews
https://www.facebook.com/groups/risefuelmaleenhancementcapsulesisraelofficial/
https://www.facebook.com/events/4693887194171654
https://risefuel-male-enhancement-israel.alboompro.com/risefuel-male-enhancement-capsules-israel
https://risefuel-male-enhancement-israel.alboompro.com/
http://risefuel-male-enhancement-israel.alboompro.com/post/risefuel-male-enhancement-capsules-israel
https://www.facebook.com/VitaminDeeMEGummiesIsrael.IL
https://www.facebook.com/groups/vitamindeemegummiesisrael.il
https://www.facebook.com/groups/vitamindeemegummiesisraelreviews/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/vitamindeemegummiesisraelofficial
https://www.facebook.com/groups/vitamindeemegummiesisraelonline/
https://www.facebook.com/events/805608185700077
https://vitamin-dee-me-gummies-israel.alboompro.com/vitamin-dee-me-gummies-israel
https://vitamin-dee-me-gummies-israel.alboompro.com/
http://vitamin-dee-me-gummies-israel.alboompro.com/post/vitamin-dee-me-gummies-israel
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151570869/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151564260/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151584283/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151570823/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151532263/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151552126/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151553636/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151584284/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151539417/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4151551230/
TruVana CBD Gummies
https://www.facebook.com/TruVanaCBD/
https://honeyboostxlgummies.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/truvanacbd
https://fueler.io/truvanacbdgummy
https://ollama.com/TruVanaCBDGummies
https://ollama.com/TruVanaCBD
https://www.zupyak.com/p/4758341/t/truvana-cbd-gummies-reviews-truth-you-need-to-know
https://www.yelp.com/topic/san-francisco-truvana-cbd-gummies-honest-review
https://truvanacbdgum.alboompro.com/post/Are-TruVana-CBD-Gummies-Safe
https://truvanacbdgummies.bandcamp.com/track/truvana-cbd-gummies
https://wanderlog.com/view/vmrwjwkqot/truvana-cbd-gummies-benefits-for-stress-sleep-and-pain-relief/
https://truvanacbd.blogspot.com/2025/10/TruVana%20CBD%20Gummies%20Reviews.html
https://fueler.io/truvanacbdgummy/truvana-cbd-gummies-2025-review-the-key-to-natural-wellness
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/truvanacbdgummies.nutrafitcore.com
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/truvanacbdgummies.nutrafitcore.com
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/glucore.nutrafitcore.com
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/lemmesleepgummies.nutrafitcore.com
Honey Boost XL Gummies
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/honeyboostxlgummies.com
https://www.facebook.com/Honey.Boost.XL.Gummies.Offer/
https://honeyboostxlg.alboompro.com/portfolio/honey-boost/1583746-discover-the-power-of-honey-boost-xl-gummies
https://www.yelp.com/topic/san-francisco-discover-the-power-of-honey-boost-xl
https://medium.com/Honey.Boost.XL.Gummies/dbf216f2660f https://medium.com/Honey.Boost.XL.Gummies
https://x.com/honeyboostxl
https://fueler.io/honeyboostxl.gummies
https://www.tiktok.com/honeyboostxlgummies https://nutrafitcore.com/honey-boost-xl-order https://www.facebook.com/Honey.Boost.XL.Gummies.Review/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/honey.boost.xl.gummies.get https://www.facebook.com/groups/honey.boost.xl.gummies.try https://honeyboostxl.alboompro.com/portfolio/honey-boost-xl/1582448-honey-boost-xl-gummies https://honeyboostxl.alboompro.com/post/honey-boost-xl-gummies-reviews https://honeyboostxl.alboompro.com/post/i-tried-honey-boost-xl-gummies-for-30-days https://honeyboostxl.alboompro.com/post/honey-boost-xl-gummies-reviews-what-they-don-t-tell-you https://medium.com/HoneyBoostXL/honey-boost-xl-gummies-reviews-7af2b3848fea
https://fueler.io/honeyboostxlgummies
https://fueler.io/honeyboost
https://ollama.com/HoneyBoostXL
https://ollama.com/HoneyBoostXL/Honey-Boost-XL-Gummies
https://bsky.app/profile/honeyboostxlgummy.bsky.social
https://eventprime.co/o/honeyboostxlgummy
https://www.pinterest.com/honeyboostxl/
https://quickfinds.in/services/health-beauty-fitness/honey-boost-xl-gummies-reviews-sweet-secret-to-men-s-energy_i491509
https://www.instagram.com/honeyboostxlgummies/
https://www.instagram.com/honeyboostxlgummies/p/DQThxSFEUVw/