"Lincoln" legal mistake

[Thomas Thorne]

The House voted to ratify the 13th Amendment by 119 to 56. 8 Democrats and 0 Republicans abstained. I suspect some of the 8 abstaining Democrats would have voted yes if their votes were decisive in obtaining the needed 2/3 majority.

What was so odd about the roll call in "Lincoln" was a very clear majority of the names called-and there were many-voted no.

I must confess shock that "Argo" is doing so well in movie awards given its failure to have a Best Director Oscar nomination. If it wins Best Picture it would only be the second picture to do so in 80 years without a Best Director nomination.

I think it is a mite silly to think that Lincoln's historical inaccuracies are hurting it in the award derby. I trust I am not giving anything away-I hope everyone sees "Argo"-by saying that "Argo" is less historically accurate than "Lincoln." Film makers create dramas which of necessity must also compress time and space. Films like "Argo" with their Hitchcockian combination of suspense and comedy do badly at Oscar time against solemn dramas such as "Lincoln."

Maybe this year is the exception to the rule.
Tom