Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., offered an optimistic perspective on the Supreme Court’s tariff ruling, arguing the "grizzly" in the Oval Office should view it as a win.… "He believes in being a bear. And he thinks if you’re [going to] be a bear, be a grizzly," Kennedy said of Trump’s aggressive trade strategy.
"Be a grizzly" is far from fantasy. It has a long history. Although reviled as an unfair caricature, the common Indian sound, Ugh, ugh, turns out to be true enough and indeed is actually the Native Americans imitating the grunt of the animal they respected, they venerated, and they… feared the most — the king, so to speak, of the North American wilderness.
It is given a news spirit in the film The Wind and the Lion, just over 50 years old, by none other than Theodore Roosevelt (played by Brian Keith and co-starring Sean Connery).
- Theodore Roosevelt: The American grizzly is a symbol of the American character: strength, intelligence, ferocity. Maybe a little blind and reckless at times... but courageous beyond all doubt. And one other trait that goes with all previous.
- 2nd Reporter: And that, Mr. President?
- Theodore Roosevelt: Loneliness. The American grizzly lives out his life alone. Indomitable, unconquered - but always alone. He has no real allies, only enemies, but none of them as great as he.
- 2nd Reporter: And you feel this might be an American trait?
- Theodore Roosevelt: Certainly. The world will never love us. They respect us - they might even grow to fear us. But they will never love us, for we have too much audacity! And, we're a bit blind and reckless at times too.
- 2nd Reporter: Are you perhaps referring to the situation in Morocco and the Panama Canal[?]
- Theodore Roosevelt: If you say so... The American grizzly embodies the spirit of America. He should be our symbol! Not that ridiculous eagle - he's nothing more than a dandified vulture.
- Theodore Roosevelt: What do I want? I want respect! Respect for human life and respect for American property! And I'm going to send the Atlantic Squadron to Morocco to get that respect.
- John Hay: That's illegal.
- Theodore Roosevelt: Why spoil the beauty of the thing with legality?
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