Why TR Claimed the Seas The importance of a strong Navy.

Opinion Journal ^ | 12/18/07 | BRET STEPHENS

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On Dec. 16, 1907, the 16 battleships of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet sailed from Hampton Roads, Va., on a 43,000-mile journey around the world. The occasion was immediately understood as Teddy Roosevelt's way of declaring that the United States, already an economic superpower, was also a military one. Unnoticed by most Americans, this past Sunday marked its centennial.

There is an enduring, bipartisan strain in American politics (think Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich) that wishes to forgo the military role. As wonderfully recounted by Jim Rasenberger in "America 1908," the voyage of the Great White Fleet, as it was popularly known, was energetically opposed by members of Congress, who sought to cut off its funding when it was halfway around the world. Sound familiar? Mark Twain considered the venture as further evidence that TR was "clearly insane . . . and insanest upon war and its supreme glories."

In fact, Roosevelt had sound strategic reasons for putting the fleet to sea. A year earlier, the British had commissioned their revolutionary Dreadnought battleship, setting off an arms race with Germany that helped set Europe on a course to World War I. Labor riots against Japanese immigrants in California had strained relations with Japan, whose dramatic naval victory over Russia at the battle of Tsushima had made the rest of the world keenly aware of this rising Asian power.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Fred Thompson is the 21st Century’s Teddy Roosevelt meets Ronald Reagan! Strong on defense, principled and not afraid to stand up for America!

[Robert A Cook PE]

Seven Seas ping.

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Whatever the procurement problems or tactical issues, a supremely powerful Navy is not a luxury the U.S. can safely dispense with. In September, ships of the People's Liberation Army Navy made their first-ever port calls in Germany, France, Britain and Italy, and Chinese admirals are frequent guests on American warships. "The Chinese Great White Fleet is not too far off on the horizon," says a senior Navy official in a recent conversation.

One hundred years ago, Great Britain was the world's greatest naval power, and had an empire on which the sun never set.

Today, well, we read stories such as:

The Decline of the Royal Navy: Admiral Nelson Must be Turning in His Grave

Cash shortage to keep (Royal) navy in port

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

Ping

[fortheDeclaration]

One hundred years ago, Great Britain was the world's greatest naval power, and had an empire on which the sun never set. Today, well, we read stories such as:

Yes, empires are very costly, as we are learning the hard way.

Old TR would have been considered a Big government Republican and was responsible for a great deal of pro-government legislation.

He also was instrumental in getting Wilson elected, by running as a 3rd Party candidate, splitting the Republican vote.

[GATOR NAVY]

Navy bump.