4 thoughts on “Happy 155th Birthday, Theodore!”

  1. Tabi says:

    I am more impressed by TR all the time! I have watched the PBS (Ken Burns) series about the National Parks twice. What I remember most is how much TR had to fight the business interests to preserve lands. If the money-obsessed people of the time had had their way, the Grand Canyon, among many treasures, would be a fully developed business enterprise to make money any way possible; obviously, a totally exploited GC would look very different today. TR had to use his presidential power to just shove his park plans through. Now when I hear people complain about presidential powers overriding the wishes of the business class, I realize it can be a good thing!

    1. Kim says:

      I completely agree; TR is such an inspiration, and thank goodness he was able to do what he did! Speaking of his drive for reform, although in a different arena, the next book on my reading list is Richard Zacks’ Island of Vice: Theodore Roosevelt’s Quest to Clean Up Sin-Loving New York. I’m really looking forward to it! I don’t know much about TR’s brief time as Police Commissioner (beyond what I’ve learnt in connection to The Alienist), and the reviews sound promising.

  2. Tabi says:

    That title immediately reminded me of some recent NYC mayors who received both praise and criticism about their cleanup efforts. As I recall, Mr. Carr was firmly in the camp complaining about too much cleaning. Maybe he believes that TR finished the job?

    1. Kim says:

      Haha, perhaps he does. ;) Although, if I’m to believe the reviews, it sounds as though New Yorkers were as divided on the cleanup then as they are now! I wonder which camp Mr. Carr would have fallen in back in the 1890s?

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