I was watching 'Lincoln' again last night on Showtime

[DemocratSinceBirth]

And when I was watching the House vote on the 13th Amendment I was thinking how awful it must be to stand on the wrong side of history. I wonder how politicians can see the sweep of history, know they will be on the wrong side of it, and go ahead and vote or act in a fashion that puts them on the wrong side of it anyway.

[PeteSelman]

1. I don't think they know anything of the sort.

Those people swear they're doing the right thing. And even after, they won't acknowledge it. Hell, there are some that are still fighting the damn Civil War to this day.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

2. Even most inveterate racists would admit owning other folks was bad

They would just shift to the next battle in postponing their full enfranchisement, kind of like the battle over gay rights...

[MADem]

3. Well, didn't Porgie Bush say something like, "Who cares about history? I'll be dead anyway" or

words to that effect?

You've got to have a sense that "history" is greater than yourself to care about such things. Selfish people lack that capacity I suspect...

[Loudly]

4. Same question for SCOTUS.

With exceptional clarity for getting it wrong and reversing course later.

But I suppose the dead are spared personal shame in the fullness of time.