Quote Originally Posted by Redleg
It seems that you want to use Lincoln's compassion to widows and mothers of soldiers who were killed from the reality of how the anti-war protestors were treated by the North.
I quoted from a history book on Lincoln's compassion with a war widow; you haven't come up with a single quote on that issue at all. Sure, Lincoln could be tough when necessary. On the other hand he was known for his clemency with court-martialled soldiers. His character wasn't black and white as you paint it. I am sure he would have had no trouble explaining the case for war to a widow. That is another difference between him and Bush.
(..) you would like to deny me the right to question her motives.
I am not denying your rights or anyone else's.

I question the President's motives. He is referring to the sacrifice of American soldiers all the time and justifying the continued military presence in Iraq with their sacrifice, so why couldn't Sheehan question the sacrifice of her own son in return? She is making a political point, of course, but for her and a growing number of other parents it is a personal matter as well. The two can not be separated. And the opinion of other Sheehan family members is neither here nor there. The whole affair is politically painful and damaging because 60% of the nation is watching over Sheehan's shoulder. That's what is bugging most Republican papers and bloggists, and that is why you get these references to Sheehan as a traitor, a whore, and what not. That is character assassination.