Michael Eisner has ginned up some quotes from Honest Abe Lincoln to defend technology mandates, things like "any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this; secured to the inventor, for a limited time, the exclusive use of his invention; and thereby added the fuel of interest to the fire of genius, in the discovery and production of new and useful things."
Here's a counterquote from the Lincolnbot at "Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln" at Disneyland.
Shall we expect some Transatlantic giant to step across the ocean and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Africa and Asia combined could not by force make a track on the Blue Ridge nor take a drink from the Ohio River, not in a trial of a thousand years. If destruction be our lot, then we ourselves must be its author, and its finisher. It cannot come from abroad. As a nation of free men, we must live forever — or die by suicide.
Stirring words as the American Techniban greedily slaughter American innovation.
