Thoughts From Hal Holbrook

[L Verge]

I'm sure that the actor, Hal Holbrook, is familiar to all of us -- either as Mark Twain or as Abraham Lincoln. The current issue of The Lincoln Herald (actually Fall 2016 - always late) just arrived in the mail, and it carries the announcement that Mr. Holbrook received an honorary degree from Lincoln College in Illinois last May 7, at which time, he also spoke to the College's Class of 2016. Here's what he said, in his straight-forward, matter-of-fact way that would do Mr. Lincoln proud:

Lincoln is a symbol for times like the ones we're facing now. Confused. Angry, sometimes. Times when people don't listen to each other. They're afraid to listen to each other. And they're making America into a kind of mess. And it's going to be your mess. Good luck to you, Charlie! This is what you're inheriting. It's a golden opportunity, really, when you look at it, because you might be able to fix it.

Democracy in our country, which Abraham Lincoln held so precious to his breast and fought so hard for, is threatened by other...foolishness. Stupidity. People not listening to each other. That is an important element of democracy, listening to each other. Whether you agree with the other person or not, listen to each other.

It's a big thing to take on a character like [Lincoln]. It's not something you just "do" or dismiss. It's something you've got to really believe in. I don't think I've ever done anything in my life that has made a deeper impression on me than the opportunity to portray this great man. Your university's named after him. We sure could use him now.

You young people, if I may call you that, are going to go out of the university, and you're going to grab ahold of this world and you're going to make it better. You're not going to allow it to get worse. You're going to try to stop people from shouting at each other. You're going to use your brain, your intelligence, to build this country back to where it should be. Because it needs your help, it needs your help very badly. Too many people shouting. Too much media. Too many newspaper people. Too much nonsense. Not enough simple, simple, simple truth. Simple truth. So, having said all this, I hope, if I haven't inspired you, at least I've tickled your fancy.

Personally, I couldn't help thinking that Mr. Holbrook said all this before the November 2016 election and the subsequent "mess" (to quote him) that has followed. He must be shaking his head and mumbling, "Stupid, stupid, stupid." And, I suspect AL is doing the exact same thing.