The Indomitable Warrior

Posted Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at 5:03 PM

With self-discipline most anything is possible. TR

This latest announcement out of Crawford, Texas was quite a stunner. As the country fights through a recession and battles on two war fronts, former President George W. Bush has released his plans for a Joint expedition to the Norwegian island of Bouvet in the South Atlantic Ocean. An expeditionary force comprised of members of the Norwegian Polar Institute, the National Weather Service and the former President's recently formed nonprofit organization, Burning Bush Brotherhood, will attempt in late summer to erect a permanent research site on the currently uninhabited island.

Although the principal goal of the expedition has been stated to gather sub-arctic data on the warming of the ocean currents and the rapid depletion of the ozone layer, many in the intelligence community are saying that this may be a cover-up for an investigation into the 1979 Vela Incident. Whatever may be the true intentions, it was announced that this expedition will be led jointly by the 62 year old former President, the Deputy Secretary of the NOAA, Mary M. Glackin, and former CIA director Porter Johnson Goss.

Interesting as this may sound, I'm sure none of you believed a word of it. This announcement is totally false. There's no way that a former President would venture off on any dangerous mission such as this. I'm sorry, I just made that up to lead into my true story and that has to do with another former President, Teddy Roosevelt.

In 1914, former President Theodore Roosevelt led an expedition into the sweltering Brazilian wilderness to chart a previously unexplored river, The River of Doubt. This expedition, totally void of any assistance, no camera crews, no global positioning system and no contact with anyone in the outside world, nearly claimed the lives of the former President and his son, Kermit. TR almost died when he contracted a deadly bacterial infection from a small flesh wound and he and Kermit both contracted malaria. At one point, according to members of the party, TR urged that they continue on without him because he had become too much of a burden. Kermit convinced him that this was not going to happen and they managed to complete the expedition. This trip charted over 500 miles of the unknown river in 60 days.

Two men did die during this expedition, one from drowning and one was murdered. Roosevelt described the killing in his book, "The murderer had stood to one side of the path and killed his victim, when a dozen paces off, with deliberate and malignant purpose. Then evidently his murderous hatred had at once given way to his innate cowardice; and, perhaps hearing someone coming along the path, he fled in panic terror into the wilderness." This man, Julio, was a member of the expedition and was never captured or heard of again.

Maybe I'm just too critical now; maybe I have lost sight of reality in my old age; or maybe, just maybe, I still like my heroes. I loved the enthusiasm with which Roosevelt lived his life and I believe that it was his infectious taste for adventure that made me want to know more and more about him.

I've read some good books on the life of Roosevelt, such as; Edmund Morris' 'The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt' and more recently 'Theodore Rex'; David McCullough's 'Mornings on Horseback: The Story of an Extraordinary Family, a Vanished Way of Life and the Unique Child Who Became Theodore Roosevelt'; Patricia O'Toole's 'When Trumpets Call: Theodore Roosevelt After the White House'; and finally H.W. Brands' 'TR The Last Romantic'. These books address various stages of Roosevelt's life in varying degrees of coverage and give you a pretty good overall picture of the man. Did I like everything about Teddy Roosevelt? No, but I found him to be one of the most interesting persons who I have ever studied. I would recommend any of these books for all who have a love of history and a respect for true life adventure.

My favorite books on Roosevelt are those written about his South American expedition at the age of 55, which is very similar in age to Ol' Simmons right now, and that may be why I have such an interest in anyone attempting such an endeavor. Roosevelt's own account in 'Through the Brazilian Wilderness', Joseph Ornig's very easy read, 'My Last Chance to be a Boy', and Candice Millard's, 'The River of Doubt', all provide a unique perception of how this trip came to be and how, through all of the dangers they faced, somehow they survived. Why would a man who had accomplished so much in life attempt such a mission at that age? It was TR's unfettered passion for life that drove him to attempt risky and possibly foolhardy endeavors. It was that same passion that made him such an interesting character.

Quite possibly this expedition was foolhardy and should never have been attempted. I'm sure that many of us have thought the same thing about Lewis and Clark, Ernest Shackleton, Sir Robert Falcon Scott and Sir John Franklin. These dangerous adventures, no matter how foolhardy, are exciting and so adventurous that they exude courage, valor and fortitude. I'm sorry to say, but it is hard for me to believe that you could find any of these characteristics in any of our living ex-Presidents. And that is why you shall never see their images carved into a mountain

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I think a better question would be "Why did all of the Democrats vote "YES" on a bill they had not even read?"

I simply cannot wrap my brain around HOW our children and grandchildren are going to pay back the projected $9.6 TRILLION debt that both parties are strapping us with.

We just saw what happens when a credit & housing bubble bursts, what will happen when our government goes broke?

-- Posted by Lil' Hahn on Tue, Mar 24, 2009, at 11:20 AM

http://www.ferrariworld.com/FWorld/fw/in...

It would be like me shopping on the above site, why translate and read it when I know I can't afford to buy one? Perhaps that might explain it? I'm not really sure. The republicans, as well as the democrats, are failing us....

We're financially strapped to crushing debt due to get-it-now-and-pay-for-it-later mentality. From the individual citizen all the way to Washington D.C.

We must change our ways or we as a nation shall perish.

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Tue, Mar 24, 2009, at 5:49 AM

Impressive yes, but the bullet never entered his lung. As a matter of fact, the bullet was left in him for the remainder of his life.

When shot, the bullet hit his eyeglass case, which was made of steel, and also went through the paper on which his speech was written.

-- Posted by simmons on Mon, Mar 23, 2009, at 12:18 PM

I was confused.

It's a trillion dollar stimulus included in a massive $3.55 trillion budget outline for fiscal 2010 with forecasts of a deficit of $1.75 trillion this fiscal year and $1.17 trillion in 2010.

It's much worse than I thought.

And Obama was laughing about it on 60 minutes. Gallows humor he calls it.

....................

What amazed me the most about TR was that he was shot on October 14, 1912 just before giving a speech during his run as "Bull Moose" candidate. Even though the bullet entered his lung, he still gave the speech.

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Mon, Mar 23, 2009, at 7:17 AM

I respectfully have no comment.

-- Posted by oracle granite on Sun, Mar 22, 2009, at 2:13 PM

And I do believe you're right in that Bush did dig a hole and throw us in it. Though now I see your boy is quickly covering us up. Sad thing is, our other option would most likely be doing the same....

As you can see, I'm not too optimistic about any solutions coming out of Washington. So all I hope for anymore is damage control.

"There's not a dimes bit of difference between the republicans and the democrats." - Ralph Nader

By the way, don't read Island of the Day before-huge disappointment. Try The Name of the Rose, or Foucault's Pendulum.

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Sun, Mar 22, 2009, at 12:00 PM

That's the spirit.

After working all day on the 40 acres, burning brush, picking up trash from the ol' homestead gone by, breathing the fresh air, working up a sweat, staying young, and musing on this wonderful gift of life, it's a lot of fun for me to come home and sit down here and read about what miracle the followers of the chosen one are excited about. On second thought, that doesn't happen. So I guess that's why there's so much beating on the dead horse called Bush.

However, back on the 40, a new thought did occur to me since you recently mentioned the great Red Oliphant in one of your blogs... Red is also a West Point graduate, and decorated war hero, as well as being well known for being anti-OBama, so I wondered what would a spread sheet look like of how all the living alumni of West Point voted in the last election. Any info out there on that? Just curious...

If a trillion dollar loan from our grandchildren that most in congress have no knowledge of where the money will be spent, while cutting the military budget 10% makes good sense to you, then no doubt I am misled and confused.

Time will tell. Though I honestly can say I hope you're right.

River of Doubt. What an alluring name for an uncharted river...sounds like the perfect name for a river in Umberto Eco's book, Island of the Day Before.

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Sun, Mar 22, 2009, at 11:12 AM

I really don't care where these blogs take off to and I enjoy all of the comments. I've never been naive enough to think that everyone will agree with everything that I write.

After hacking the ball around The Phil all day, it is wonderful to come home and read about how you have become so misled and confused. ;>)

"I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts." Will Rogers

-- Posted by simmons on Sun, Mar 22, 2009, at 5:26 AM

I would add, so far, it seems , the chosen one does not "listen to reason". He is as one-sided as Bush was. Proof is his refusal to include republican senators in the refinement of the stimulus package. They were totally excluded from negotiations on the proposal. Yet the historic bill was passed without most of congress having read it. And, I would suggest, his reversal on billing the soldiers private insurance companies was do to political fall-out, not the voice of reason.

Both parties are guilty of this mess in which we now find ourselves. And to me, no one is sacred, excused, or entitled to an unchallenged passage.

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Sat, Mar 21, 2009, at 10:55 AM

"Obama's plans are to cut military spending. Not support for our troops."

"... his plan to bill private insurance companies for the treatment of military veterans who have suffered service-connected disabilities and injuries."

I knew I could count on you two to clear this up for me. Now it all makes perfect sense.

Obama is the messiah to many out there. And obviously I am not smart enough to understand his divine plan. I just still see him as another lying, disgusting, self-serving politician.

Bush was a dissapointment at best. Invading Iraq was wrong, in my humble opinion. "Mission accomplished" still pisses me off. The arrogant bas****. G.W.Bush was not my choice for a leader. I do not admire the man. Sure, he did some good things like helping Africa, and maybe keeping us safe from another attack on our soil....but all in all, Bush failed me. Signing on to this bailout/buyout stimulus madness was the dagger that killed any remaining sympathy in me for his position in office.

And my dear friend Keith, you made it clear in your earlier blogs you do not care where the thread takes us. And we all love to bash our political leaders. So no need to apologize-I personally love this debate. Besides, I get a kick out of your ardent support for the chosen one. But if I have offended you, or any other Obama supporters out there, then please, take the advice of the great Miguel Ruiz and not take it personally.

Your friend,

Still paddlin' on the River of Doubt.

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Sat, Mar 21, 2009, at 9:52 AM

Very interesting Mr. Sims! River of Doubt is a great book! And you are so right- at least our current president listens to both sides of an issue and then makes an informed decision! In my opinion, this is what makes a good leader!

-- Posted by weimgirl on Sat, Mar 21, 2009, at 3:53 AM

The following is taken from the statement by Dave Rehbein, National Commander of the American Legion:

'The leader of the nation's largest veterans organization applauded President Obama for dropping his plan to bill private insurance companies for the treatment of military veterans who have suffered service-connected disabilities and injuries.'

"We are glad that President Obama listened to the strong objections raised by The American Legion and veterans everywhere about this unfair plan," said American Legion National Commander David K Rehbein. "We thank the administration for its proposed increase in the VA budget and we are always available to assist by providing guidance to ensure a veterans health care system that is worthy of the heroes that use it."

Following a meeting this afternoon with The American Legion and other veterans service organizations, the White House announced that it will no longer be considering billing insurance companies or veterans for their service-connected disabilities.

"Although we disagreed with the proposal, additional revenue streams are needed by VA," Rehbein said. "I strongly encourage Congress and the administration to allow VA to begin billing Medicare for the treatment of Medicare-eligible nonservice-connected veterans. They paid into Medicare for their entire working careers and should be able to use it in the medical system that was built specifically for them."

I think it is a little premature to suggest that our President is stupid after putting up with so much stupidity for 8 years. Unlike the previous administration, this President is willing to listen to reason. The former arrogant and obnoxious group that has led this country almost to ruin would never have considered that they were wrong, even to this day they refuse to admit that any of this mess was their doing. I'm still trying to get my head around how and why we elected him twice.

This was a blog on TR, but I opened it up with my comments on former Presidents. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that and I'm sorry if I offended the remaining Bush admirers out there. I guess I was pretty sure that after the hole he dug and threw us in that there weren't any left.

-- Posted by simmons on Sat, Mar 21, 2009, at 3:17 AM

Obama's plans are to cut military spending. Not support for our troops. Remember Halliburton? Obama is not asking our wounded soldiers to pay their expenses. He is asking the people that insured them to help. Is that stupid? Isn't AIG getting "stimulus" support? The VA helps many veterans. Volunteers are an integral part of VA's quality care. They will always be there.

The "stimulus plan" is an attempt to get our country out of a mess. Wouldn't it be best to give it a chance? Or would it be better to support Rush Limbaugh and hope it fails?

Obama is basically doing the same thing that F.D.R. did in a similar situation. Is F.D.R. considered stupid?

This is a blog about Teddy Roosevelt. It would be nice if he was here to take a big stick to this country's greedy bankers!!!

-- Posted by Wiglund on Fri, Mar 20, 2009, at 11:09 PM

I'm trying to get my head around leadership that wants to spend a trillion dollars on "stimulus" yet at the very same time requests a 10% cut from the military budget( amazingly while we are fighting wars on two fronts ), and , extraordinarily , part of that cut comes from making wounded soldiers pay their own medical expenses. But I can't. I think this is the dumbest thing I have ever heard a politician try to do in my entire life in America. Bush was full of what most politicians are full of,that's for sure. But Obama's stupidity has now become legend.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20090316/pl...

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Fri, Mar 20, 2009, at 4:26 PM

The ordinance failed in the 2008 election. A comment in a letter to the editor of the SF Chronicle stated, "Sewage treatment plants perform a valuable public service. As a result, it does not make sense to name one after George W. Bush."

According to the coroner's report TR died of a coronary embolism, but Brand suggested in TR: The Last Romantic, "His malady...was almost certainly related to persistent infections that had dogged him since his Amazon trip. Quite likely he harbored parasites that were undetectable by contemporary medical tests."

-- Posted by simmons on Fri, Mar 20, 2009, at 3:58 PM

Did San Francisco ever succeed in naming that waste water treatment plant the "George W. Bush Sewage Treatment Plant?" A fitting reminder of what the man was full of ...

Good story. The malaria that Teddy caught on that trip probably ended up shortening his life, too, as he never quite recovered from it.

-- Posted by Lil' Hahn on Fri, Mar 20, 2009, at 1:10 PM

Didn't read the Blog. I just checked in to see Wigland's rating of it. Nice Job, Wigland!

-- Posted by BloomburgBanter on Thu, Mar 19, 2009, at 6:18 PM

I guess the most appropriate comment would be, "Bully to you, Ol' Simmons!".

-- Posted by Caleb&Cody'sGrandpa on Thu, Mar 19, 2009, at 1:11 PM

Bush provided us with abundant fodder to laugh and cry about, yet his time has passed.

Obama & co. now have the stage, so with all his problems of getting nominees appointed, and his historic budget of stimulus,pork,and undeserved bonuses- I think it's time to poke a little fun at his stupidity. And now he wants wounded soldiers to pay for their medical care? Or did he do another reversal on that idea? Obama is proving himself to be the kind of leader we feared Sarah Palin would be-inept.

I would like to see the great "rough-rider" return and let loose on Washington with his big stick to bring about some change we can really believe in.

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Thu, Mar 19, 2009, at 6:03 AM

Any read on TR is informative...

Just prior to that expidition I beleive TR made campainge stops along the Milwalkee Road between Terre Haute and Bedford--- I know he stopped here in Lewis because I was photo's.

and maybe you should resubmit the frist part of the blog for the April 1 paper. I will admit I thought it real for a while :( Im slipping.

-- Posted by silerCityDude on Wed, Mar 18, 2009, at 11:08 PM

Good read.

Not the best I've read. But one of the better ones.

I was told last night not to just jump out there and say it is the best.

What is sad is that I'm sure there are people out there that read the first part of the blog and thought it was not a joke.

The way to make the first part believable is to include Bill Clinton in the expedition.

-- Posted by Wiglund on Wed, Mar 18, 2009, at 8:43 PM