Hit the Line Hard: Lessons from Teddy Roosevelt and Renaming the Gulf

Question and Thought for the Day January 29, 2025

Thought of the Day:

“Don’t flinch, don’t foul, hit the line hard.” — Teddy Roosevelt

Question of the Day:

How do you feel about the Gulf of Mexico being renamed the Gulf of America?
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Teddy Roosevelt had a way of cutting through hesitation like a cavalry charge. When he said, “Don’t flinch, don’t foul, hit the line hard,” he wasn’t just talking about football—he was talking about life. About facing challenges head-on, about playing fair but playing to win, and about refusing to back down in the face of resistance. That’s the kind of energy I think about when I hear proposals like renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

Now, I get it—names have power. They tell stories, establish identity, and sometimes, they reflect a shift in who holds influence. But is this one of those shifts worth hitting the line for, or is it a foul in the making?

A Name Change or a Power Play?

At first glance, the idea of calling it the Gulf of America might stir up some patriotic fervor. After all, Americans have a long history of renaming things to fit a changing narrative. But let’s be real—does slapping a new name on it actually change anything? The Gulf of Mexico isn’t just an American body of water. It belongs to multiple nations, cultures, and histories that stretch back centuries. A name change isn’t just a rebranding—it’s a statement.

Would it ruffle diplomatic feathers? Absolutely. Would it actually accomplish anything beyond that? Unclear. If the goal is to assert dominance, I’d argue that dominance is earned through action, not through altering maps.

What’s in a Name?

When Roosevelt talked about hitting the line hard, he wasn’t advocating for symbolic gestures. He was about doing the real work—the kind that actually moves the chains forward. If we want to strengthen our presence in the Gulf, let’s focus on economic, environmental, and military strategy. Let’s invest in energy independence, security, and infrastructure. Let’s be the country that earns the right to put our name on things—not the one that just takes a Sharpie to the globe.

Would changing the name to the Gulf of America make a difference in your life? Or is it just another headline meant to spark outrage or blind patriotism?

Let me know your thoughts—because in the end, the name isn’t as important as the way we hit the line.