Thomas DiLorenzo writes:
I have written of how the theme of Steven Spielberg's movie "Lincoln" -- that Abe used his "political genius" to get the Thirteenth Amendment through Congress -- is one big lie. I quoted David Donald, the preeminent mainstream Lincoln scholar of our time, as writing in his biography of Lincoln that Abe barely lifted a finger in the effort. In fact, he literally refused to assist the abolitionists in Congress when they requested his help. Even worse, Lincoln DID work mightily to get a first Thirteenth Amendment passed in 1861 -- the "Corwin Amendment" that would have prohibited the federal government from ever interfering with Southern slavery.
Another gross historical inaccuracy in the "Lincoln" movie that was recently brought to my attention is a scene where it is said that Connecticut congressmen voted against the Thirteenth Amendment. Congressman Joe Courtney of Connecticut saw the movie and smelled a rat, so he asked the Congressional Research Service to look into it.
They informed him that all four members of Congress from Connecticut voted YES.
In other words, the votes were already there. There was no need for Abe to use his "political genius" to persuade them, as is argued by Doris Kearns-Goodwin, Spielberg's historical advisor, in her book upon which the movie is based.
I FEEL VERY STRONGLY that the truth to all extents known should be presented in historical drama PERIOD THE END. I noticed the Connecticut vote as well as each other No Vote from a Northern State in the movie Lincoln.
ReplyDeleteThank you Representative Courtney for rightly standing up for brave and honorable legislators that voted "yes" at that time - your predecessors from your great state of Connecticut.
The exception I take from your release is one of tone. I suggest a new writing and this last line would be: ....and they deserve the TRUTH in all things factual - FOR INSTANCE THEIR REAL NAMES AND THEIR ACTUAL VOTE!” GOOD GRIEF!!
The lying undermines even the entertainment value, and chronically undermines America and creates "de-based," wrong and/or superficial Americans. Artistic license and "for dramatic effect" is a label for lying, deceit and by definition manipulation. Par unfortunately. This is a malignant cancer in our print, television, movie, PR and Internet industries.