[Lando Lincoln]

Lando

[WinOne4TheGipper]

lol.

[shiva]

I will be a president who happens to be Christian, not a Christian president...

HUH?

[MHGinTN]

Stroke of pure genius! And I wonder, how do the slaves feel about this debate? ... Oh, that's right, they kill the little ones before they can voice their choice. Never mind.

[Lancey Howard]

BUMP

[MHGinTN]

Allow me to issue a PING)))))) ... these Freepers will enjoy the article.

[GeronL]

BUMP

[Intolerant in NJ]

Yesterday at a noontime rally, Sen. Kerry defended the rights of slaveholders in the face of mounting criticism from Christian clergy, who call slavery immoral and an affront to Christianity...while this is obviously a parody on today's abortion debate, the positions sketched for the 'pubs and 'rats on slavery in the 1860's bear an eerie resemblance to the real situation at the time. PBS's American Experience this week did a program on "Reconstruction: the Second Civil War" which told a remarkable story: as the civil war wound down, Gen. Sherman issued a field order which promised all liberated blacks the famous "forty acres and a mule", more to help keep them under control than from any great compassionate urge to help them. The land was to be confiscated from the plantations of the vanquished southern owners. It was the 'rats, actually advertising themselves as "the white man's party", who opposed this move, wanting instead to return blacks to work for wages on plantations which would be returned to the control of their original owners. "Radical Republicans", on the other hand, wanted blacks to be free to own their own land with full civil rights including the vote and right to hold elected office. When their own President Johnson sided with the more moderate view the "radicals" impeached him and almost had him removed from office. Certainly deepens the mystery as to why blacks vote 90% democrat today.....

[shiva]

How does this sound to you ladies?

I will be a man who happens to be married, not a married man.

[WorkingClassFilth]

A beautiful piece of work. Effing is, indeed, the descendant of Douglas...well...except that Effing is a commie...and a traitor...and a coward...and an elitist...

[billbears]

Too bad the man opposing 'Mr. Kerry' in the 1860 election thought no differently....

Apprehension seems to exist among the people of the Southern States that by the accession of a Republican Administration their property and their peace and personal security are to be endangered. There has never been any reasonable cause for such apprehension. Indeed, the most ample evidence to the contrary has all the while existed and been open to their inspection. It is found in nearly all the published speeches of him who now addresses you. I do but quote from one of those speeches when I declare that—

I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so.

------------

I understand a proposed amendment to the Constitution—which amendment, however, I have not seen—has passed Congress, to the effect that the Federal Government shall never interfere with the domestic institutions of the States, including that of persons held to service. To avoid misconstruction of what I have said, I depart from my purpose not to speak of particular amendments so far as to say that, holding such a provision to now be implied constitutional law, I have no objection to its being made express and irrevocable.

----------

In doing this there needs to be no bloodshed or violence, and there shall be none unless it be forced upon the national authority. The power confided to me will be used to hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to the Government and to collect the duties and imposts; but beyond what may be necessary for these objects, there will be no invasion, no using of force against or among the people anywhere---First Inaugural Address, 1861

This most worthless man just wanted money for the coffers. Money that would be spent unconstitutionally. If Chronwatch wants to point out the differences between the two parties on the issue of abortion, I would suggest they pick a different topic. One perhaps the parties disagreed about. Say oppressive tariffs?

[68skylark]

John Kerry: "I actually voted against slavery, before I voted in favor of it."

[68skylark]

This piece is very well written. Democrats of today have a lot in common with the notorious Copperhead Democrats of the 1860's -- hoping for American defeat on the battlefield and grimly cheering at every bit of bad news from the war.

[SAMWolf]

Very Good.

[Travis McGee]

Bump

[Kate of Spice Island]

Of course, Mrs. Kerry was quoted as saying, "If I had a 13-year-old daughter who came home with a slave, Christ, I'd go nuts!"