Abrahams cussing

[Rob Wick]

Kate,

For me the bottom line is this...if a person is offended by cursing and doesn't want to see the movie based only on that, that is their right, although that isn't the approach I would take. For me, however, the fact that Lincoln curses and others do as well is about as exciting as applesauce and means nothing. I happen to believe such actions makes them more human, but that is only my opinion.

Your other point is more of interest to me. While I certainly have no problem looking at our national heroes with some reverence, I think to do so the way many would have us do does them a major disservice and takes away their humanity. Take Washington for instance. He was a breeder of foxhounds, and was so intent on getting a perfect bloodline that he drowned several puppies because of their imperfections. No one hears about this, however. Also, Washington carried on an unrequited love affair with Sally Fairfax and loved her even long after he married Martha. There is no evidence of an affair after Washington married, but historians of all stripes have generally accepted that Washington remained in love with her until the end of his life.

As for Benjamin Franklin, he kept mistresses throughout his life. Of all the essays he wrote, one might want to peruse two. The first is called A Letter to a Royal Academy. I won't give it's popular title, although this link will tell you. Second is Advice to a Friend on Choosing a Mistress, the title of which speaks for itself.

I don't bring up these examples as a way to denigrate what they did for our country, but rather to point out that the more we know about someone, the better we can understand and appreciate their accomplishments. That includes both the good and the bad. There's nothing wrong with that.

Best
Rob