Monument to Abraham Lincoln — Attraction in Baja California

I'm not going to lie or mince words out of some manufactured sense of patriotism on this one. I am an American. Sometimes I'm happy about that, sometimes I'm not. We do things big in America. We take our National Heroes and make giants of them. Sitting cross-legged giants. Staring at the Lincoln Memorial you get a sense of smallness. It's easy to feel insignificant next to the massive stone-man who was once president. But standing in the middle of downtown Tijuana is another version of that man. A version that doesn't make you feel small, oh no. The Abraham Lincoln on Paseo de Los Heroes, literally the 'Way of the Heros,' that Lincoln makes you feel like... a wuss.

Look up at the gaunt and blackened figure of Honest Abe gripping chains in his now metal fist... This isn't the Masonic D.C. Lincoln; this Lincoln is a badass! This Lincoln won the Civil War. This Lincoln is all about kicking ass and scratching out names. This Lincoln has a a message in his benighted eyes, staring north, ironically toward the very country he helped keep intact. And that message is 'watch out!' Because this Abraham Lincoln is bringing the pain...

It is thus by comparison with a hulking and furious advocate for human freedom, that the poor stone-man sitting in Washington D.C. seems all the poorer. No one follows a sitting stone-man. They follow the chain-ripping President whose eyes stay fixed north on the target. The bad mofo- who would just as soon break your arms as veto a bill. A freedom-fighter. I prefer the Lincoln on Paseo de Los Heroes. You will...

I honestly don't know how many stars to give this. I am a bit conflicted. I am an American. I live part time in Tijuana with my Fiance, she is Mexican. It is weird to see an American President in the middle of Tijuana. I am proud of my country, but it seems out of place. I feel like a statue of a highly regarded Mexican President or other Mexican National Hero would be more appropriate. But... all things considered, the area seems to be well maintained, respected and surprisingly well liked by many Mexicans. Because it receives the love and respect it deserves, I am happy that Mexicans are able...

It great to honor honest Abe, but, there is no plaque to describe the intent of the statue. Usually a statue is for a president that financially helps the host nation of the statue. Although I've been here before, I never looked at the statue closely. It appears the intent of the statue is to honor his Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the slaves of the USA. Abe has a broken chain in his hands. See the photos. I gave the statue 3 stars for no plaque. All the statues and monuments have no plaques. The are all located on round abouts along this road, with well manicured grass surrounding...