Lincoln Discussion Symposium

I feel fortunate to have made the acquaintance in person of our dedicated forum administrator, Roger Norton. My wife and I enjoyed a wonderful long lunch with Roger and his lovely wife while we were vacationing last week in Florida. And the more we talked (one can rightly assume that the events of 4/14/1865 consumed a healthy portion of our conversation!), the more I realized how much we all owe to Roger for his even-handed, patient, time-consuming, dedicated work on our behalf in administering this marvelous board and riding herd (I suspect it must be like herding cats at times) on all of its knowledgeable and occasionally opinionated community. He somehow manages to read everything, and always monitors it with tact, keeping the tone wonderfully positive and professional. Thanks, Roger!

What a wonderful photo!

Thanks to both Roger AND Tom - for a wonderful forum and "meeting place" and to Tom for his wonderful, ground breaking book!

And I second that AMEN!

I have worked across the miles with Roger for almost twenty years now, and we have become the best of friends - one of the nicest (and smartest) people I know.

Tom and I have gotten to know each other over the past few years as he worked on his great book - another very nice and knowledgeable person who helps instead of impedes other people's work.

Roger is the most "Humble" person I know of-Historians to Pro-Athletes etc. Roger-You are Truely"The Man".

Thanks, everyone. Yesterday I was trying to figure out a way of saying thank you, but the words didn't come. Overnight I thought about the past 18 months and what to say. I think one of the best things to arise out of the forum was the Springfield tour. Those folks met here and had a great time on their trip. I believe there are early plans to do it a second time next fall. In a variety of topics there has been an enormous exchange of information, with lots of people helping other people with ideas and research. Right now we have forum members helping French students in trying to understand Abraham Lincoln's role in American history (something we Americans cannot agree on). I think several friendships have been made here, and I hope they last a lifetime. I understand Eva is traveling from Germany to attend the Surratt Conference, and that is wonderful. On the other hand, a few threads have turned into stressful situations, but these are a very small minority of the total threads over 18 months.

On a personal note, the forum has allowed me to personally meet two members - Joe Di Cola and Tom Bogar. Vicki and I had a three hour lunch with Joe last spring and a three hour lunch with Tom and his wife last week. It is hard to describe the honor it was to meet these wonderful folks and talk history. I am sure the restaurant personnel wondered what was taking so long.

Thanks to everyone on the forum for making this endeavor successful in exchanging information, helping others, etc. I feel greatly indebted to all of you.

Nice picture you guys. You both look like you had a great time. Although many of us Forum members may never actually meet- it feels like we have have known each other for years.

I agree, Bill,

Roger has made it possible for many to feel that they have made new friends, and also to feel as though they had known the people for years--even without actually meeting them face-to-face. I know, for me, meeting you and Rob and Gene and your spouses was a memorable experience--one that I hope we can have again.

Thanks to Roger for all he does to facilitate these friendships.

Joe

This is a great forum.
Thanks Roger!

I agree completely. Roger, you have created a wonderful site. I am proud to be a member and happy to have met and talked with so many wonderful people. Thank you Roger. Our best to Vicki.

I've been fortunate enough to know Roger via the internet for a few years now. During that time, however, I have never actually seen a picture of the fine gentleman.

I must admit that I am slightly disappointed to see that, during all the time I've known him, he has been misrepresenting himself with his avatars. I, for one, am completely shocked to see that Roger does not look exactly like Abraham Lincoln.

My world has been turned completely upside down.

I totally agree on all the very true words and statements (except that I don't miss lacking Lincoln resemblance, but see a lovely likeness of two Lincoln scholars), and also say: "Thanks, Roger!"

Angela will sure agree, this forum offers a unique, wondeful opportunity of discussion and education on all Lincoln topics for us interested Non-Americans we would never get here. "Meeting" people is another miracle. I grew up and lived most time of my life without computer and internet, and not too long ago I wouldn't have believed it was possible to get to know people via this way (sometimes it still seems surreal to me). What a great experience.

I'm sure it needs a great deal of time and effort to run this, and, regarding what we all benefited, I feel sorry for this:

(01-28-2014 06:11 AM)RJNorton Wrote: [ -> ]On the other hand, a few threads have turned into stressful situations, but these are a very small minority of the total threads over 18 months.

Even a few stressful threads are IMO too many, and go along well with neither this well-educated, adult pool of members, nor the educational purpose of this forum. And I can imagine hurting a member is equally hurtful for the host. Although sometimes minimal, we are sure all able to determine the gap between freedom of speech and opinion, and personal verbal offense. I think we all owe Roger to pay sufficient attention to word our disagreement on a topic in a way that is not hurtful to anyone.

Well said, Eva! Wonderful post -

Even though I'm on a temporary hiatus, I've come back to add my thanks to Roger for this site and for the kindness he has shown me over the years. Roger and I first "met" almost 18 years ago on the old Abraham Lincoln Online site run by Lowell and Rhoda Sneller. Roger was always a voice of calm reason on what sometimes was a contentious site. One thing I've experienced in the time I've studied Lincoln is the generosity and kindness shown by those who've already made it in the field. Tom Bogar is one more example of that. Tom kindly read my Tarbell proposal and gave me solid advice. He didn't have to do it. He could have given me some trite words and moved on. He didn't. That I've received only rejections (so far) is evidence only of my weakness in putting my thoughts across to publishers. Without divulging what he said to me, I have to say that Tom was spot on in his critique and I'm in the process of rebuilding it. Without this site I would have never come in contact with Tom.

I'm a man of strong opinions and sometimes let my passion for this subject get the better of me. I would never apologize for what I believe, nor would I ask that of others, but the fact that Roger has tolerated me for this long speaks well for him. As for me, I have work to get back to.

Best
Rob

I think it is inevitable that some of these threads will become somewhat stressful for some people, and maybe for everyone at one time or another. When people have deep-seated beliefs that they have held for a long time, and some new facts and information comes along that challenges those beliefs, it can be upsetting, even if one has tried to keep an open mind and allowed for the possibility that one's beliefs may be in error. It is when people have closed minds and refuse to consider anything that does not fit in with their beliefs, that these threads become nothing more than arguments and can even descend to the level of personal insults.

I have learned alot from this forum and I think Roger is about as fair-minded as any moderator can be.