Who Am I?
One of my bosses emailed the following to me this morning. It’s interesting enough I thought I’d share it — running the risk that others may have already posted it here, and I (embarrassingly, as an editor) missed it.
Who Am I?
I am under 45 years old,
I love the outdoors,
I hunt,
I am a Republican reformer,
I have taken on the Republican Party establishment,
I have many children,
I have a spot on the national ticket as vice president with less than two years in the governor’s office.
Did you guess? Answer after the fold.
I am Teddy Roosevelt in 1900.
Now, while I admit to finding this an interesting exercise in contrasting the past and present, I do not believe Sarah Palin is comparable to Teddy Roosevelt. Nor is 1900 America directly relevant to 2008 America. That said, I also think this could be worthy of some discussion among TMV readers and contributors, and I (for one) would be interested in your various reactions.
18 Responses to “Who Am I?”
Bully!
Bull!
Interesting, but “I love the outdoors?” While Roosevelt loved ALL the outdoors, and valued wilderness (he oversaw the beginning of the National Parks system!), Sarah Palin is one of these newfangled evangelicals who see the outdoors as something to be exploited, something that exists for our entertainment. She doesn't recognize the same intrinsic value in wilderness, which is how she can be so adamant about aerial hunting of wolves and drilling in ANWR.
And as for a reformer…….I don't have the time for that one, but let's just say it's quite a stretch.
Of course, I'm sure you could make similar parallels (with similar mixed accuracy) between Obama and Kennedy or Lincoln, if you really tried, but things like these only serve to further obfuscate an election that apparently is already too complex for those unwilling or unable to dig deeper.
Oy. Sarah Palin is no Teddy Roosevelt. Not by a longshot.
Teddy Roosevelt was an intellectually curious man; Sarah Palin is a shallow demagogue.
http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/life/biotr.htm
Palin has a “first dude” and was once a sportscaster, she ain't no stink Teddy Roosevelt…
While I might enjoy having a beer with her while watching NFL on Sunday, this doesn't make her the “man of letters” like Teddy Roosevelt, more like Debra Norvil.
http://www.koaa.com/decision_2008_news_stories/…
Maybe you should have added:
“I have thought and commented on issues of national importance”
That would have told us it was not her.
And Kennedy's secretary's last name was Lincoln…
I could buy into the idea that Teddy Roosevelt and Sarah Palin have a lot in common EXCEPT, to quote Lewis Black, “I HAVE THOUGHTS!”
Rudi,
What is the picture on your profile?
Yeah, as Rudi says, the following is true of TR, not so much of Gov. Palin:
He was also a deputy sheriff in the Dakota Territory, Police Commissioner of New York City, U.S. Civil Service Commissioner, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and Colonel of the Rough Riders *, all by the age of 42, at which time he became the youngest man ever to hold the office of President. (1) (2)
jwest, I may be wrong, but it looks like a California condor to me.
And c'mon, cut Palin a little slack. I mean, was Teddy Roosevelt the point guard of a state champion basketball team? I think not! And I bet he only went to one college, whereas Palin's insatiable curiosity led her to attend SIX different undergraduate institutions! Obviously he pales in comparison.
J. P. Morgan was one guy who certainly was no fan of Teddy Roosevelt. There were others.
The Palin-bashing is inexcuseable. Or is it just how some handle anxiety or panic?
It's not November yet: [and PAY ATTENTION to September]
http://people-press.org/report/451/palin-opinio…
And:
http://people-press.org/report/450/presidential…
Far worse than whatever can be imagined or concocted about Palin is the nature not only of the e-mail hacker but all the little lefty losers defending such misconduct and frequently making dim-voter remarks typified by, for example, ““I guess we’ll have to blow up the Internet now?” What a P.O.S. at the low tail of the bell curve. [scowl]
UH Teddy was a progressive and a sportsman who would never have hunted down animals from helicopters.
Here's another WHO AM I
Charismatic, brilliant lawyer
mother died at a young age
vocal anti-war figure
served in the Illinois State legislature
had sudden rise out of obscurity to rapid popular acclaim
was accused by opponents of having too little experience for the presidency
Abraham Lincoln.
Abraham Lincoln
—Steve-K —Bingo!!
Obama= Abe
What all this shows (Palin = Roosevelt; Obama = Lincoln) that, if you choose just the right set of facts, you can suggest conclusions that aren't real. The key is all in selecting the appropriate facts.
Pacatrue– My point exactly!