What part of Lincoln's 2nd inaugural address qualifies it as being too long? The Declaration of Independence is, in my view, precisely the correct length. Where should it be edited?
When I was encountering all kinds of criticism on this forum for allegedly being a never-Trumper (a false charge), many of those criticisms were nothing more than conclusions that my replies were too long. It did not seem to matter that those who leveled that charge presumably held a mouse in their hands and had the ability to censor my comments entirely out of their universe. The content of the objectionable writing deserves criticism, not its length. While considering these remarks, please note that no one more than me deserves the believed to be dubious honor of being perhaps the most consistently prolix of all who post here.
If I am presented with an article about, for example, women's tennis, I confess that my attention span is short. But that is a failing of the reader, not necessarily of the author and certainly not attributable to the article's length.
But when I am reading a really good book, I regret when I come to the last chapter because that signals that the enjoyment is soon to end. Many a good book deserves a 2nd reading, doubling its length.
Some very short replies on this forum are worse than those demanding more of our time. Drive-by snipers who seem to infect this forum especially in primary seasons do not advance the cause of conservatism. Worse for the cause are those who form every opinion not on its logic but on whether it's author is in good or ill favor at the moment. If we are to deal with substance we must necessarily encounter logical argument that extends length.
If we are here for cheerleading, we can become Twitter but if we are here to advance the understanding and the cause of conservatism, we need to extend the effort when we write as well is when we read.
