Yavor

The reason we don’t have men like him in political office anymore is because we now have career politicians and a system set up to favor and enable career politicians. They’re more worried about keeping their jobs than doing what’s right. The system has been perverted beyond recognition.

For all of your TR fans out there, I highly recommend you read “A Bully Father: Theodore Roosevelt’s Letters to His Children”, by Joan Patterson Kerr. This is an excellent book with reprints of TR’s letters to all of his children through different stages of his life. It shows not only the art of letter writing and expressing himself to his children, but the ability to be a Dad to his children no matter where he was or what he was doing. Its a great example to all fathers.

“To sit back hoping that someday, someway, someone will make things right is to go on feeding the crocodile, hoping he will eat you last — but eat you he will.” Ronald Reagan

http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Ronald_Reagan

–Eric

On 9/11 I was working at MIT. In Cambridge shortly thereafter there were groups that were protesting America doing anything. Saying that the 9/11 incident was the Government’s own doing (there still are those wacko’s out there) and saying that after we had assisted the Afghan’s to throw out the Soviet’s we should have rebuilt their country for them (Osama Bin Laden’s original statement as to why we deserved to be attacked, for ‘abandoning’ the Afghan’s). There were much louder groups calling for all out destruction of whomever/whatever had perpetrated this upon us. President Bush seized that moment and promised them that. Then proceeded to act on that promise.

Those same people (at least some of them) then, years later, were angry over that decision… So, in my book, they did not take responsibility for their own thoughts. I am happy to take responsibility for my own acts and those my government does in my behalf. Of course, had I voted for President Bush, I would have felt differently than I do about his actions as President, however I did not. Still though, he was my President regardless, so I feel that the actions undertaken by my government are in part, my fault. Because of that, these days I am much more politically active, knowing that in my inaction, I was passively complacent.

So, these days, I write my congressweasels whenever I have a strong opinion, so that they (in theory) will know how at least one of the constituents feels. Presuming their staff reads my letters and compiles some sort of position piece for the elected official to peruse.

Britt…

secondly… britt… why are you whining about the eu. I am english, and proud to be so.. i am not the greatest fan of european union and their policies afect us in england far more than they will do yourself. My point is, and i know i may get backlash for this, the EU doesnt blame anyone for not solving issues, they are everyones issues to be worked together to be resolved,
darfur, african nations in theory should be doin more than others as its on their doorstep, but most are so riddled by corruption they wont,and as economies go, as battered as ours and america’s is at the moment we still have vastly more resources available, same goes for tibet as the cases u mentioned. Isnt it the duty of the stronger and (for want of a better word) more priveledged t help those in need. This is a quintisential virtue in my book, and part of what a man should be, in my eyes.
Once again, at the risk of eliciting the wrath of other posters, part of the problem you mentioned with the rest of the world, the EU in particular, looking towards america for taking the lead is twofold, one as a strong nation yourselves like us should be seen to stand up for the rights of the underpriveledged, and this maybe the point which raises the most hatred, american media shows an egotistical and untrue version of your country.
Dont get me wrong, i have been to america many times, and thouroughly enjoy the place, but american media is skewed towards showing your country to be the saviour of all, and unfortunately a large ego is what alot of other countries would describe as being a trait of your fine country. As an example, there is a world war 2 movie about americans decoding german communications, enigma the movie might be called, when the movie is based on true events, it was actually the british navy that discovered how to decode the messages and learn of enemy positions. I dont want to give the immpression this is ‘country’ one up-man ship, but im just giving an example of how media specifically but i think, according to an outsider, the american ego can lead to other nations looking more towards the USA for leading the way or blazing the trail as your so keen on portraying.
The more you build youselves up, the more you must fulfil it, or the bigger target you are.
Once again this isnt an anti-USA post, as an englishman, we are as looked down upon for iraq and afganistan as you, im just trying to clarify, and if im honest, i didnt like the ‘poor us’ feel of the earlier post. This is a great site and i always enjoy reading, for motivation and inspiration, but its up to us to follow the examples of great men like TR and not complain if we fail or if people criticise for our trying to act in the right way. Determination is mention above, good words!

Cheers for listening

Anyway, what about :

The fair deal
His opposition to corporate corruption and monopolies
Negotiating the peace of the Russo-Japanese War and being the first American to win the Nobel peace prize because of it

I don’t think it’s a slap in the face to the other great men on Mount Rushmore. Even if it were, they would hardly feel it; they are made of granite.

But, what are his real accomplishments as president? National Parks? The Panama Canal? And for that he’s compared to Washington, Lincoln, and F.D.R.? That’s seems like a slap in the face to the latter three.