January 16, 2013

Why Was Lincoln Assassinated?

By Tammy Derouin

My daughter Maddie has taken an interest in history.  Maddie is eight years old, in third grade and has developed a love of reading, writing and history.  Does it get any better?  We have had many discussions involving historical events.  I try to keep politics out of our discussions but facts are facts.  I’m not going to lie to her if she has a question.  What’s important is her curiosity has been piqued.  I will never discourage her from asking questions.  If more people asked “Why?” our country wouldn’t be in the shape it’s in.

I explained that history isn’t pretty.  History is death, destruction, control and unbelievable cruelty.  I didn’t tell her to discourage her, on the contrary, it was meant to encourage her.  I want her to ask why.  Why was Lincoln assassinated?   Why was Hitler elected?  Why do the Jews get blamed for everything?  Why does mom hate to handle $20 bills?  Why was I told not to read a history book?  Why was I told not to read the pocket Constitution?  My nemesis the narcissist strikes again.

 History will be a big part of her education.  I have little to no faith in government run, union supported schools.  Their combined agenda has produced a generation of young people that prefer socialism and demand entitlements.  Maddie knows President Lincoln was killed.  I was pleased to hear that she knew the basic facts.  I gave her a book, written for young readers, on the assassination of President Lincoln.  The book resulted in the biggest Christmas thank you hug. 

I will never accept sanitized history.  History, much like politics is a very dirty subject.  To clean it up before we teach it removes history.  Why do those in power want to re-write history and change our traditions?  Why do those in power want to over step their boundaries and eliminate the Constitution?  Why has the American free press turned against the American people?  These are just a few questions that could lead to some major headlines.  The press no longer cares about truth.  They really should be called for what they are, White House Propagandist. 

I found it interesting that my nemesis the narcissist told Maddie not to read the history book on Lincoln.  Why?  Is it due to the violence?  Perhaps reading that a life was taken is too much for a young mind.  Lincoln was shot and killed, that’s a fact.  There is so much more to the story.  Why was Lincoln killed?  History teaches why but it stops teaching when it’s sanitized.  I feel our history is in danger.  Am I supposed to believe that young people can’t handle the fact that Lincoln was shot and killed?  When did reading about historical facts become too much for young minds?   After the kids finish their sanitized version of history, just send them to watch movies, listen to music and play video games.  Good thing there isn't any violence in those entertainment options.

Maybe there’s an agenda.  My nemesis, much like those in power, wants control.  It’s so much easier to control when information is withheld or sanitized.  It’s very dangerous when those in power restrict the truth.  Why does the government want to control the press?  Information is power.  If we only get the information the government wants us to have, we don’t get the truth.  We will be fed information that will benefit their agenda.  We will no longer be exceptional.  We will become like North Korea, China, Russia, and every other country.  Governments fear well informed citizens.   

The reason behind not wanting her to read the pocket Constitution amazed me.  There was a problem with the organization that printed the copy.  Apparently, they have an agenda.  This is one place I will agree, they do have an agenda.  They want to uphold the Constitution.  They feel so strongly about their belief, many copies are given away.  Sometimes those greedy capitalists will charge $1 or $2.  This is classic left-wing thinking.  Mock something without even looking into the facts.   If that doesn’t work, simply make up a lie to grab a headline.  I have yet to see a pocket Constitution or Declaration of Independence made available by left-wing organizations.  I wonder why.  Could it be because it doesn’t fit their agenda?  Americans should have different opinions.  Our rights make us exceptional.  Silencing an opposing opinion is dangerous.  Why does the Left want to restrict our rights?  The proof is right inside one of those pocket Constitutions.  Why would the Left want to educate people?  Ignorance of the Constitution fulfills their agenda.  There is one question I hope I never have to answer, “Why did we lose our freedom?”

“A nation of well informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved.  It is in the region of ignorance that tyranny begins.”

Benjamin Franklin