When you talk about American presidents with Germans, most of them know of at least 3 that were not in office in the last 30 years. JFK, Roosevelt and Lincoln (Interestingly enough, many Germans know more words to the American national anthem than the German one). JFK because of his Berliner, Roosevelt because of the war, and Lincoln because he freed the slaves and because of his big hat and beard.
Here is an Op-Ed from today’s New York Times about what Germans think about Lincoln. It’s kind of short and obvious, at least from my point of view, but it is what it is.
AT least two dozen Lincoln biographies have been published in Germany. Streets and schools are named after Old Abe.There is one simple explanation for all this: Germans admire Lincoln for his success in uniting a country.
Although I think America has seen better days and things might not get better for awhile, I’m reluctant to say that her days are numbered. America didn’t fight a civil war for nothing. When times get real tough, the Amis pull together and clean house. Hopefully this will happen real soon.
Although I don’t agree with a lot of what Charlie Daniels says, I nod knowingly when I hear him sing:
And we may have done a little bit of fighting amongst ourselves
But you outside people best leave us alone
Cause we’ll all stick together and you can take that to the bank
That’s the cowboys and the hippies and the rebels and the yanks