Ken Burns' documentary, "The Roosevelts" on PBS

[frazzled]

63. Cherry picking is fine...

Though I would disagree that American expansionism (or the so-called "purification" of Democracy) was/is an idea without its attendant downsides. (Ask the Native Americans about that settling of the West.) And we clearly saw the personal and public deficits of TR's character. And if you're saying that Roosevelt's ushering in the era of empire was a marvel of democratic virtue, I'm not sure too many of today's progressives would agree. He also ushered in the era of the imperial presidency. How's that workin' for ya?

As I said, cherry picking the stuff you like is fine, but it's not analysis. And it's not something our progressive left applies to the current president. So while you are extolling the virtues of TR and ignoring all his deficits, today we rail against all the deficits of the PBO and ignore any of his virtues.

It sounds as if you truly worship at the altar of Teddy Roosevelt, buying into all the manly man cult of personality stuff that has grown up around him, especially since the Reagan era (he was Ronny's favorite, too). Me, I'm an Eleanor Roosevelt fan ... now there's someone who put herself on the line with the people. She appears to be something of a footnote in this documentary, however.

Teddy Roosevelt still appears to have been a bit unhinged.