Patriotism is the big word nowadays to be thrown around. Americans are great at claiming their own patriotism while chiding others who disagree for not having any. But what is a patriotic act in reality? That, too, is subject to the person making the assumption.
Class warfare seems to be making a serious comeback nowadays. It never really left. Even the Founding Fathers were involved in class warfare. They felt that some in the country wouldn't be able to make good decisions, so they structured the government in such a way that only "certain" people could serve. That was how they saw it.
Then in the Gilded Age we saw the rise of the "robber baron". One of those was J.P. Morgan. Morgan was wealtheir than the U.S. at the time of the Panic of 1907. Teddy Roosevelt was president and had spent much time during his presidency trying to curb the power and financial assets of Morgan. The two disliked each other intensely.
None of that mattered, though, when the government almost shut down due to lack of funds. Despite the fact that Roosevelt had spent many years trying to break his economic power, J.P. Morgan agreed to help out with cash and investments that kept the country afloat.
Could that happen today? Doubtful. Partly because the system changed with the establishment of the federal reserve system in 1913, but also because our "philanthropists" of today are more interested in their own pocketbook than in helping the country.
J.P. Morgan didn't care about that, though. He put aside his personal differences with a man who had vowed to break his stranglehold on financial institutions and agreed to use those assets to keep the U.S afloat.
No matter what we read about or think of the robber barons of yesteryear, we need only remember that they were not afraid to put personal ambition aside and work for the good of Americans as a whole. That is true patriotism.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
What If?
Today we stand on the verge of the tenth anniversary of 9-11. The ironies of that day alone can fill blog posts for many years to come. Then there are the conspiracy theories. That would be speculative fiction in my book. Michele Malkin has a piece on townhall.com titled "Will We Ever Learn?". That really goes along with what I have been thinking about writing and recommend it be read.
My idea, though similar, is even more of a historical approach.
I am reading the final installment of Edmund Morris' biographical trilogy of Theodore Roosevelt. This one, titled "Colonel Roosevelt", covers his life after the presidency. Pages 30-35 tell the story of a specific battlefield and events current to that period (late 1800's to 1910) in the Middle East region. At that time, the British held Egypt, Palestine, Sudan, Iraq, Iran, and North Africa as a protectorate. They called it a "condominium".
The debate as to the right or wrong of British imperialism and occupation of areas during this part of history is not for this day. That was the focus of the majority of the debate for that time. Today the debate centers around the extremism in that region, and it's impact on the rest of the world. More importantly, the actions taken to promote the extremists school of thought.
In our short-sighted historical viewpoint, we are told that Muslim extremism is a "recent" development, and that it is caused by our greedy lifestyle choices and excesses. But a longer look at history tells a different story. In 1910, those who wanted to push their views in the Middle East were acting and doing the same things they are doing now. While they didn't have planes to run into our buildings, sophisticated bombs, or chemical warfare then, they still used all the things at their disposal to create the same effect-terrorize people into doing what they wanted. Kill innocent people to make their point and destroy the symbols of the things they didn't like. In short, they were and are trying to force their world view unto everyone else. The people of today might have agreed with their desires for independence at that time. Most of us value ours. But that doesn't change the fact that the methods are horrendous and cannot be justified.
So what if Theodore Roosevelt were president on 9-11, or even today? He won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on the Russo-Japanese conflict, but was not afraid to show or use muscle when needed. He fought at San Juan Hill as a soldier when he was needed, and as president he sent the Great White fleet around the world to Japan, letting the Far East (and therefore the rest of the world) know that we had the power and ingenuity to compete, he encouraged the uprising that created the country of Panama and gave the world the Panama Canal. His philosophy of "Walk softly, and carry a big stick" was definitely adhered to throughout his life. Always have the ability to back up what you say, but listen and tread carefully when dealing with people and nations. Just because you have it doesn't mean you should use it, but when you needed to do do so, use your assets.
If he had been president on 9-11, I doubt his response would have been much different. He would have used all our resources to go after Bin Laden, I am sure. I am less certain he would have become involved in Iraq at that time, but then if he had been around in 1991, Saddam would not have been around in 2001. But once the mission is complete, the action accomplished, he would have left. He used the same thing as a trustbuster in the domestic arena, but once the goal is achieved, it is time to move on to the next one.
Teddy Roosevelt was a man of passion and life. He was well-read, dedicated to what he believed in, and strong in so many ways that our presidents and leaders today are lacking. Yes, he could be too strong and bullish sometimes, but he always got his way by staying the course, using words backed by the strength of physical assets to accomplish the goal. This is what will get us back on the course we need to be on.
My idea, though similar, is even more of a historical approach.
I am reading the final installment of Edmund Morris' biographical trilogy of Theodore Roosevelt. This one, titled "Colonel Roosevelt", covers his life after the presidency. Pages 30-35 tell the story of a specific battlefield and events current to that period (late 1800's to 1910) in the Middle East region. At that time, the British held Egypt, Palestine, Sudan, Iraq, Iran, and North Africa as a protectorate. They called it a "condominium".
The debate as to the right or wrong of British imperialism and occupation of areas during this part of history is not for this day. That was the focus of the majority of the debate for that time. Today the debate centers around the extremism in that region, and it's impact on the rest of the world. More importantly, the actions taken to promote the extremists school of thought.
In our short-sighted historical viewpoint, we are told that Muslim extremism is a "recent" development, and that it is caused by our greedy lifestyle choices and excesses. But a longer look at history tells a different story. In 1910, those who wanted to push their views in the Middle East were acting and doing the same things they are doing now. While they didn't have planes to run into our buildings, sophisticated bombs, or chemical warfare then, they still used all the things at their disposal to create the same effect-terrorize people into doing what they wanted. Kill innocent people to make their point and destroy the symbols of the things they didn't like. In short, they were and are trying to force their world view unto everyone else. The people of today might have agreed with their desires for independence at that time. Most of us value ours. But that doesn't change the fact that the methods are horrendous and cannot be justified.
So what if Theodore Roosevelt were president on 9-11, or even today? He won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on the Russo-Japanese conflict, but was not afraid to show or use muscle when needed. He fought at San Juan Hill as a soldier when he was needed, and as president he sent the Great White fleet around the world to Japan, letting the Far East (and therefore the rest of the world) know that we had the power and ingenuity to compete, he encouraged the uprising that created the country of Panama and gave the world the Panama Canal. His philosophy of "Walk softly, and carry a big stick" was definitely adhered to throughout his life. Always have the ability to back up what you say, but listen and tread carefully when dealing with people and nations. Just because you have it doesn't mean you should use it, but when you needed to do do so, use your assets.
If he had been president on 9-11, I doubt his response would have been much different. He would have used all our resources to go after Bin Laden, I am sure. I am less certain he would have become involved in Iraq at that time, but then if he had been around in 1991, Saddam would not have been around in 2001. But once the mission is complete, the action accomplished, he would have left. He used the same thing as a trustbuster in the domestic arena, but once the goal is achieved, it is time to move on to the next one.
Teddy Roosevelt was a man of passion and life. He was well-read, dedicated to what he believed in, and strong in so many ways that our presidents and leaders today are lacking. Yes, he could be too strong and bullish sometimes, but he always got his way by staying the course, using words backed by the strength of physical assets to accomplish the goal. This is what will get us back on the course we need to be on.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Would You Take the Money?
Worked with some friend's of mine at their print shop today. Cyndi told the story of how her grandfather did Clyde Barrow's headstone after he was killed in the shootout. (For those unfamiliar with gangster history, watch the movie Bonnie and Clyde) Cyndi said Clyde's mother came in to pay for the headstone with the money in one of the bank bags the Barrow gang had "obtained" during their reign of terror. Cyndi's grandmother said that her husband shouldn't have accepted the money because of how it was obtained. Her grandfather's response was that he didn't care where the money came from, he had earned it and got paid. Cyndi's dad still has the bank bag and the original receipt book given to Mrs. Barrows.
Question to ponder: Knowing the history of the subject, seeing the evidence of their guilt sitting on your counter, would you have taken it or insisted you be paid with money that wasn't tainted with the blood and fear of people?
Question to ponder: Knowing the history of the subject, seeing the evidence of their guilt sitting on your counter, would you have taken it or insisted you be paid with money that wasn't tainted with the blood and fear of people?
Sunday, August 7, 2011
What Journey?
History today is taught so differently from when I was a kid. I was born in Independence, Missouri where the journey west really began for many people. There is at least one spot there where the ruts from the wagon trains can still be seen.
To top it off, I was born on July 4, so it is no surprise I have an absolute love for American history. My husband likes to tease me and say that I watch the History Channel to be sure they get it right. But even that channel isn't what it could be or what it was.
I had a fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Cordell, who infused me with a love of history. She taught the basics that everyone knows, but she also made it real. Looking back I realize that isn't hard to do when you live in a history rich era.
In more recent years, Mrs. Everett, was my history teacher in college. She loves history so much she has spent vacations exploring historical sites. She has climbed into tunnels where railroad tracks used to go, interned for a congressman in Washington, DC and just been there to see it for herself. It reflects in her teaching.
Because of my love for history, I have become a VERY amateur genealogist. I have been researching my family tree since 1994, and am now in the process of writing a narrative for my children and first grandchild. I have come across stories that involved my family, stories that do not involve my family, and many other things that are not well-known. All this comes together as history.
Life isn't lived in a vacuum and the people who are history did not live in a vacuum. While some people decry the idea of teaching any history outside of their own, it is not possible to have the complete picture without what some are terming "alternative" history. When I say "alternative" I am not referring to the new fad of "what if's" that are becoming popular. I am referring to the history that is being taught and written about anyone other than the victor. The better term is probably "parallel history". The things taught occurred at the same time as the history we have all known and been taught. To get a complete picture, these things have to be taught and learned as well.
Most of the time, I will be telling stories about places, events, and people I run across that may be little known or not talked about. Sometimes it will be commentary on an event that is happening now which will be a part of our history in the future.
Look around you. What do you see as a part of history? The changes in your community are just as much a part of history as the big events we read about in the text book. Keep your eyes open to the history of small things too. Get the whole picture and remember lives are history.
To top it off, I was born on July 4, so it is no surprise I have an absolute love for American history. My husband likes to tease me and say that I watch the History Channel to be sure they get it right. But even that channel isn't what it could be or what it was.
I had a fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Cordell, who infused me with a love of history. She taught the basics that everyone knows, but she also made it real. Looking back I realize that isn't hard to do when you live in a history rich era.
In more recent years, Mrs. Everett, was my history teacher in college. She loves history so much she has spent vacations exploring historical sites. She has climbed into tunnels where railroad tracks used to go, interned for a congressman in Washington, DC and just been there to see it for herself. It reflects in her teaching.
Because of my love for history, I have become a VERY amateur genealogist. I have been researching my family tree since 1994, and am now in the process of writing a narrative for my children and first grandchild. I have come across stories that involved my family, stories that do not involve my family, and many other things that are not well-known. All this comes together as history.
Life isn't lived in a vacuum and the people who are history did not live in a vacuum. While some people decry the idea of teaching any history outside of their own, it is not possible to have the complete picture without what some are terming "alternative" history. When I say "alternative" I am not referring to the new fad of "what if's" that are becoming popular. I am referring to the history that is being taught and written about anyone other than the victor. The better term is probably "parallel history". The things taught occurred at the same time as the history we have all known and been taught. To get a complete picture, these things have to be taught and learned as well.
Most of the time, I will be telling stories about places, events, and people I run across that may be little known or not talked about. Sometimes it will be commentary on an event that is happening now which will be a part of our history in the future.
Look around you. What do you see as a part of history? The changes in your community are just as much a part of history as the big events we read about in the text book. Keep your eyes open to the history of small things too. Get the whole picture and remember lives are history.
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