Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

To the Editor:

Thanks to Ken Burns for his reflection on America’s horrific and violent Civil War as we ponder the 150th anniversary of that distant conflict (“A Conflict’s Acoustic Shadows,” Op-Ed, April 12).

Given the problems that plague our national political life and the vitriol that the party of Lincoln—what irony!—pours into our political discourse, the concerns about social and economic differences that helped spark the War Between the States are as relevant as ever.

Are we truly committed to a decent society? Do we want all children capable of literacy, numeracy and critical thought? Will we find a way to employ all who yearn to work for a decent wage?

The issues of the Civil War are not far off in the distant past. They stare us straight in the face every day in every town and municipality in our beleaguered nation. Where today is the Lincoln, Frederick Douglass or Walt Whitman to guide us through this most tempestuous time?

We await the arrival of courageous visionaries who will pave a just and socially inclusive course for our country in this most trying time.

JOE MARTIN
Seattle, April 12, 2011

Note from KBJ: No mention of the vitriol emitted by Democrats, which is, of course, far greater than that emitted by Republicans. (Remember "Bush lied!" and "Bush is a war criminal"?) This writer undermines his own credibility by being blatantly partisan. But then, he is writing for progressives. That is the real tragedy of the New York Times. It has a monolithic audience.