The Swagger Factor

AMERICA NEEDS A HERO!

This statue of Ronald Reagan was recently unveiled in London. The event was sparsely attended and Margaret Thatcher could not attend being extremely frail. There was a speech; given by Cameron I believe; applauding Reagan's many foreign policy achievements.

I remember hearing one commentator after the 2008 election saying that it is almost always the candidate with the best "swagger factor" who wins the presidential bid. (Good hair doesn't hurt either) "Ronaldus Magnus" certainly had both!

Regrettably Obama did too.

Focusing on the social and political landscape in America I must agree that in spite of the heady issues which face us today, the Swagger Factor is still of great importance to most fickle Americans.

From what I see so far in the Republican stable of contenders; These are a bunch of limp wristed moderate to liberal wimps who waddle into a room or a discussion more than they swagger into it.

There have been exceptions--Cain at times has shown some spine. Ron Paul kicks everyone's butt hard enough to make all of Washington nervous. I still say Bachmann has more cajones than any of the men. Palin has plenty of swagger, but of course still plays the wild card.

But for the most part I see no willingness to FIGHT in these men!

THIS MAN WILL TAKE THE FIGHT TO THE ENEMY--ON THE BATTLEFIELD OR IN THE POLITICAL ARENA!

THIS MAN HAS SWAGGER!

THIS MAN GETS IT1

ALLEN WEST IS A HERO!

And here is the story of one hero that I have been wanting to share for some time with you historians out there.

This man (at 6 ft. 7) certainly had swagger. George Washington had to design and make him his own sword.

As a child Peter Francisco was kidnapped by Somali pirates---YES those pirates. He was sold for ransom and his adopted parents eventually brought him to our shores where; having a swarthy complexion; he was more comfortable living in the company of slaves and lived for the most part in the slave quarters. He was offered a commission in the army by General Washington but remained in the ranks of the regulars, never having obtained true citizenship and freedom due to his upbringing and the fact that he owned no property.

Travis Bowman is a writer and descendant of Peter Francisco.

Peter Francisco - Hercules of the Revolutionary War

Peter Francisco isn’t often mentioned in modern history textbooks, yet he stands among famous people of the Revolutionary War and is considered one of America’s founding fathers. Few know of this Portuguese American’s legendary prowess during the American Revolution, in which he served three tours of duty, fought in five major battles, and was wounded six times, twice escaping death. Five monuments stand up and down the East Coast honoring Peter Francisco, the Hercules of the Revolution. George Washington called Peter Francisco his “One-Man Army” and even had a six-foot broadsword fashioned just for Peter on account of his giant stature. 

Travis Bowman, a 6th generation descendant of Peter Francisco, has written an historical novel about Peter's life entitled Hercules of the Revolution and produced a half-hour documentary The Peter Francisco Story: 10 Things You Never Knew About One of Our Nation’s Founding Fathers.