For my friends who enjoy history you will keep in mind that today is the 211th anniversary of Meriweather Lewis pushing off from Pittsburgh Harbor. The expedition was called the Corps of Discovery and was commissioned by President Jefferson.
The goals were simple. After the Louisiana Purchase, Jefferson wanted to find the most practical traveling path across the continent for purposes of commerce. He also wanted to deny the world powers (Europe at the time) the opportunity to make a presence in the New World. A secondary objective of course was to provide a scientific information about the plants and animals encountered on their adventure.
When Jefferson looked out of the White House he saw a vast land of rich resources and able bodied people. They had defeated a world power and earned their own rights to freedom. When President Obama looks out though he seems to see a cup half full. A people unable to life themselves up and a country whose resources are finite. He seems to misunderstand that natural resources are dynamic and not a static asset. He leads from fear whereas President Jefferson seemed to lead his nation from hope.
The second lesson I consider when I think about the Lewis and Clark Expedition is the leadership those two men must have had. Theirs was a three year trip and it was not long before they were abandoning their boat to move cross country - up mountains - and through forests and fields. How hard must it have been to map a continent at that time, much less to lead men, across it.
When I think of today that is the leadership I hope for from my brethren here in the United States. The idea that we can accomplish much if we only go for it. Leadership can come from necessity, but perhaps we as a nation have become too comfortable with our disposable DVD players, our fast food, and our fake money. Exceptional leadership does exist, but I think we need to look for it a little harder.
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