History is a fantastic teacher. Our past experiences, no matter what sphere of human endeavour they may be a part of, are rich in lessons that subsequent generations can study and learn from. The problem, as I have written many times before, is that we are poor students. We have short memories and attention spans. We believe that the only true experiences are those that happen to us immediately and directly, or to others within our narrow sphere of existence. If it doesn't happen to me, my family, or my friends, it isn't real.
In the current battle against the covid virus, we had up until a month ago tricked ourselves into believing that we had it licked. The reality is that the omicron variant has wreaked havoc on our health care system, our outlook on the virus, our habits, our day-to-day activities and business, our schools and our manner of reporting the news events concerning the pandemic. And, as a consequence, our leaders have fallen victim to a type of paralysis in decision making that defies credulity.
In the American Civil War, a similar situation presented itself to Abraham Lincoln, the president of the US at the time of the southern insurrection. Lincoln had every intention of fighting the war because he believed that the secession of the southern states was illegal, and that the very survival of the republic founded "four-score" years prior depended on a Union victory. Lincoln was single-minded about the prosecution of the war, and was determined to win. But the problem was that the people he put in charge of the Union armies in the earliest stages of the war didn't share his optimism or determination to win.
One by one, Union generals were put in command of key components of the Union army. And, time after time, they fought their southern rivals to, at best, stalemate after stalemate or, at worst, complete and utter defeat. The southern generals had more to lose than their Union counterparts, to be sure, but the hesitance, the risk-averse attitude, and the uncertainty of Union generals like McClellan, Meade, Pope, Hooker ( who at least was willing to give battle to the southern forces, earning him the nickname "Fighting Joe Hooker" ) and Burnside ( whose main claim to fame was lending a version of his last name to the practice of men growing out their side whiskers, or "sideburns" ) created a stumbling and unsuccessful series of campaigns that drove Lincoln to frustration.
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| Burnside It wasn't until Lincoln put Ulysses S. Grant in charge of the Union forces, that things began to improve for rhe north. When asked why Lincoln gave the task to Grant, the president simply replies "He fights." Lincoln admired Grant's determination as well as his skill and intelligence. Finally, he found a man that would eliminate the timid and tentative leadership that had plagued the north for so many years. Grant delivered. There are those who write about military strategy and tactics and find Grant's approach to war repugnant. He was referred to as a "butcher" by southern historians because Grant was not afraid to take casualties or put his men in harm's way as long as the enemy suffered more than his troops did. By and large, he made as many enemies as friends and as many critics as admirers. But what is undeniable is that he was successful. He gave Lincoln the victory that was necessary to ensure the survival of the American republic to the present day. In our modern pandemic-laden world, we are now in the fifth wave of the scourge. Our leadership has proven to be as risk-averse, hesitant, and tentative as the original Union generals. Nobody seems capable to making a firm decision. Everyone is careful of the language they use in the interminable news reports. Decisions are not made until poll numbers are analyzed and scrutinized. When the need arises for bold, visionary leadership, we get bumbling and mealy-mouthed platitudes from premiers, ministers, mayors, doctors, administrators and managers. We have nothing but McClellans, Meades, Popes, Hookers, Burnsides ..... when we really need a Grant. We, the people, are like Lincoln. We want this war against the coronavirus finished. And we demand a complete victory over the virus. We must find our Grant. We need a leader, a doctor, an administrator who will do the right things, no matter the price and no matter the criticism. We need a leader who "fights."
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