More Teddy on Immigration

"Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all." — Theodore Roosevelt

You can imagine that if Teddy were alive today he would be thrusting himself into the debate about immigration. He was quite outspoken on the issue 100 years ago.

David Markovitz brings Teddy Back to Life as a Keynote speaker for corporations, associations, academia, military, and other organizations. www.TeddyLeads.com

Contact David at Teddy@TeddyLeads.com or at 714-289-1233

Memorial Day

"We know there are dangers ahead, as we know there are evils to fight and overcome, but we feel to the full the pulse of the prosperity we enjoy. Stout of heart, we see across the dangers the great future that lies beyond, and we rejoice as a giant refreshed, as a strong man girt for the race; and we go down into the arena where nations strive for mastery, our hearts lifted to the faith that to us and our children and our children's children it shall be given to make this Republic the mightiest among the peoples of mankind." -Theodore Roosevelt

David Markovitz brings Teddy Back to Life as a Keynote speaker for corporations, associations, academia, military, and other organizations. www.TeddyLeads.com

Contact David at Teddy@TeddyLeads.com or at 714-289-1233

Teddy on Immigration

One topic dominating the media these days is immigration. Theodore Roosevelt had a lot to say about immigration and was very clear about where he stood.

Here's one quote.

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith, becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American... There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

David Markovitz brings Teddy Back to Life as a Keynote speaker for corporations, associations, academia, military, and other organizations. www.TeddyLeads.com

Contact David at Teddy@TeddyLeads.com or at 714-289-1233.

Teddy and the Panama Canal

The Panama Bulletin newspaper reported on November 7 the following:

"According to television coverage of the State visit by US President George W. Bush, extreme security measures were in place this morning in Panama City. Police and security people blocked access to a mass of streets, causing peak hour traffic jams and making workers arrive late on their jobs because they were surprised on leaving their customary buses and forced to walk. Even the poor street people, such as beggars, were removed from the scene in order to 'sanitize' the view for the visitors."

"It is a great contrast with the visit to Panama of US President Theodore Roosevelt when the Panama Canal was being built, and whom Bush is said to admire. Roosevelt caused a panic when he disappeared from his "handlers" during a visit to Canal works then in progress. He was found seated at the canteen lunch table with black West Indian laborers and explained that he wanted to see how the men on the job were being treated."

Note: Roosevelt visited the Panama Canal zone in November 1906 to review progress on construction of the canal. This trip represented the first trip abroad by a President – one of several Presidential firsts TR amassed during his Presidency. (See the August 23, 2005 post for other Presidential Firsts.)


David Markovitz brings Teddy Back to Life as a Keynote speaker for corporations, associations, academia, military, and other organizations.
www.TeddyLeads.com

Contact David at Teddy@TeddyLeads.com or at 714-289-1233

Teddy becomes President September 14, 1901

September 14, 1901 marks the day President William McKinley died as a result of an assassin's bullet, and Vice-President Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as the 26th President of the United States. Taking over as chief executive under these circumstances was a huge challenge.

Roosevelt was up to this challenge. He immediately brought McKinley's Cabinet together and kept his leadership team in tact. This sent a strong signal to the nation that he was in charge. He was visible and assured the citizens through his words as well as his actions that he would guide this nation through these turbulent times. TR didn't pause. He didn't flinch. He sprang into action at once.

How would you respond in a crisis?
Do you have the courage to take charge?
Are you seen as a Leader by your colleagues, friends, and family?

Reflection: Compare TR's actions 103 years ago to the actions of the Mayor of New Orleans, the Governor of Louisiana, government officials at all levels, and the current President to the crisis brought about by Hurricane Katrina.

David Markovitz brings Teddy Back to Life as a Keynote speaker for corporations, associations, academia, military, and other organizations. www.TeddyLeads.com

Contact David at Teddy@TeddyLeads.com or at 714-289-1233.

A Helping Hand

“There is not a man of us … who does not at times need a helping hand to be stretched out to him, and then shame upon him who will not stretch out the helping hand to his brother.”

Theodore Roosevelt

There are many Americans today in need of a helping hand due to the hurricane Katrina. Those of us blessed to have not been affected should stretch out our helping hands to those in need. Please help in any way you can.

Presidential Firsts

This week marks the anniversary of two Presidential Firsts.

August 22, 1905 marks the day when President Theodore Roosevelt became the first President to ride in an automobile. In fact he was also the first President to purchase his own car. Being an avid horseman, he never understood why cars didn’t avoid holes in the road as his horses did. He first car lasted but a year. He took his mechanic, Frederick Gear, with him to buy his second car. His driving was so poor that eventually his wife Edith forbid him to get behind the wheel.

August 26, 1905 marks the day when TR became the first President to go underwater in a submarine, the USS Plunger. Keep in mind that submarines in 1905 were a far cry from the nuclear powered vessels of today. They were very dangerous and unreliable, and many sailors were afraid to volunteer for submarine duty. Read a fascinating article about Teddy’s harrowing submarine trip – http://www.teddyleads.com/articles.asp.

TR was also the first President to:

• Fly in an aeroplane, in 1910 in St. Louis. Arch Hoxsey was the pilot. Hoxsey died in a plane crash less than a year later.
• Travel outside the US while President. He sailed to Panama on the battleship USS Louisiana to oversee construction of the Panama Canal.
• Have a telephone in his home, Sagamore Hill, in Oyster Bay, New York.
• Invite an African-American to dinner at the White House - Booker T. Washington. He was severly criticized for this audacious act.

TR was not afraid of change. He embraced change and new technology. He led change.

How do you respond to change?
Do you resist change?
Do you fear change?
Do you complain about change?
Or do you embrace change, as Theodore Roosevelt did?

Read the series of Teddy's Tips on Leadership articles. Go to http://www.TeddyLeads.com/articles.asp

David brings Teddy Back to Life as a Keynote speaker for corporations, associations, academia, military, and other organizations. www.TeddyLeads.com

Contact David at Teddy@TeddyLeads.com or at 714-289-1233.