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“If a man continually blusters, if he lacks civility, a big stick will not save him from trouble but neither will speaking softly avail, if back of the softness there does not lie strength, power.”
-- President Theodore Roosevelt
So, that is where the statement, "speak softly, carry a big stick," came from. That is just one of the juicy tidbits in Michael McMenamin's article, “Teddy Roosevelt's Hidden Legacy: How an 'imperialist' president’s record makes the case for military restraint.” For all of Roosevelt's famed forcefulness, we see a master diplomatist pulling gently but effectively on the strings of personality.
In discussing the Roosevelt and Wilson legacies, Mr. McMenamin raises some fascinating and personal stories. I did not know that President Wilson may have given Clinton a good run for who was more driven for the ladies, for example. The article is a little lengthy but worth the read, especially for anyone with some interest in American history. Besides the sexual background, the account is spiced with a lot of fascinating speculations - the 'what might have beens.'
It is noted that President Bush has been looking to Theodore Roosevelt as a model, but perhaps for some mistaken reasons. Along with McMenamin, we are left only more wistful over the difference and how we could use another Teddy about now.
xXx
“If a man continually blusters, if he lacks civility, a big stick will not save him from trouble but neither will speaking softly avail, if back of the softness there does not lie strength, power.”
-- President Theodore Roosevelt
So, that is where the statement, "speak softly, carry a big stick," came from. That is just one of the juicy tidbits in Michael McMenamin's article, “Teddy Roosevelt's Hidden Legacy: How an 'imperialist' president’s record makes the case for military restraint.” For all of Roosevelt's famed forcefulness, we see a master diplomatist pulling gently but effectively on the strings of personality.
In discussing the Roosevelt and Wilson legacies, Mr. McMenamin raises some fascinating and personal stories. I did not know that President Wilson may have given Clinton a good run for who was more driven for the ladies, for example. The article is a little lengthy but worth the read, especially for anyone with some interest in American history. Besides the sexual background, the account is spiced with a lot of fascinating speculations - the 'what might have beens.'
It is noted that President Bush has been looking to Theodore Roosevelt as a model, but perhaps for some mistaken reasons. Along with McMenamin, we are left only more wistful over the difference and how we could use another Teddy about now.
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Date: 2006-09-04 01:00 am (UTC)From:Roosevelt had a way about him. I think he knew that you have to be able to back up the smack-talk and walk the walk. But he was definitely aware of restraint and an even head. His urging for calm in the racist West as whites rallied against Asians comes to mind.
And he's known for love of drumming up war, but I think his motivations there were fueled more for love of country and wanting to launch the US onto the world stage. Esp. in his study of naval history, I think he had a rare gift for maybe not predicting, but forecasting the future of military operations. It was no secret that a powerful US needed to be a world power in combat first and foremost.
The interesting question is whether or not that is still true. I'd argue that military power is 2nd to economic power and in that our govt. isn't looking out for our interests well.