It’s not homework. It’s history. On Nov. 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln spoke 272 words to a crowd at Gettysburg, Pa., months after a defining, devastating Civil War battle. It’s a model in oratorical precision – a powerful message of strength through sacrifice, unclouded by bombast or linguistic gymnastics. Speakers and writers could do worse than to strive for such simplicity. The Navy’s top spokesman said as much last week (here via here). It took him about 1,772 words. The best four were these: “Each word must count.” Sailors aboard the carrier Abraham Lincoln should keep that advice in mind if…