Branding Columbus

Nobody's Opinion:Today...was the day a man named Christopher Columbus, sailed the Atlantic Ocean WEST from Spain..and at dawn, October 12, 1492, planted his flags on a beach in the Bahamas, claiming the land in the name of the monarch....San Salvador.

He also claimed Cuba and named it Juana. Somebody tell Castro.

Don't ask me why I'm fascinated by men making long trips at sea...but I am. It took old fashion courage...It was the first moon shot so to speak.

Getting to that point took a lot of manipulation, and determination most of us can't even imagine...and they don't teach any of what Columbus had to do just to get to the point where someone would sponsor him the boats to take out into unexplored waters in any American schools, which is sad.

But, there is one thing they could teach all the kids, something that Christopher Columbus, Benjamin Franklin, and Glenn Beck do with great talent--and that is...learn how to self-promote yourself.

Now, it's called...branding. And it's makes the difference in who we remember and who we don't in history. It makes all the difference in the world. Branding is not a new concept, although Oprah Winfrey's boyfriend, Stedman, seems to think he does it best: Yes...he even wrote a book on it.

There is nothing more important to success than that. And promoting yourself takes a big ego, which is why so many people fail. I mean, is Paris Hilton famous because of any talent? No one would pay any attention to her if she wasn't living off the name of Hilton.

Nope, she has "branded" herself. You don't have to be particularly talented to do it...look at Madonna and Lady GaGa.

But, getting back to the men with real talent: Ben Franklin was an expert at branding. He had his face on coffee mugs, flags, pins, statues, paintings, he was everywhere promoting his accomplishments.

It's one of the reasons we don't remember Tesla too well...some genius just remain in their little holes, promoting themselves is just not in their genetic makeup.

Think of Glenn Beck. There isn't a day that goes by that he doesn't promote his book, his concerts, his mission, even his well being.. the man is a master of keeping his brand in front of your face.

And it's not just Glenn, it's all the talk show hosts...they brag about their accomplishments, minute by minute, forever putting themselves in the history books of time. Michael Savage says if you don't toot your own horn...who will?

It's one of the reasons the liberals hate the conservative pundits...they are just better at it. When they get success, they run with it.

It's one of the reasons communism never works. Men want to be remembered...for their achievements alone, not the collective.

Tonight I was reading an old letter that Christopher Columbus wrote to one of his patrons, Lord Raphael Sanchez, the treasurer of Aragon...he was on his way home from his first voyage:

"Thirty-three days after my departure from Gomera, I reached the Indian Sea where I discovered many islands thickly peopled, of which I took possession without resistance in the name of our most illustrious monarch by public proclamation and with unfurled banners."

Does not that deserve an applause?

Remember, he was trying to find a way to India because the Muslims pirates were killing everyone.

He continues to basically tell every little detail of his many findings, always sounding, humble. He did this- he took that island-- he dealt with everyone honestly..(okay, so he stole a few natives here and there) ..on and on...and he continues to tell his patron of all the vast islands he has laid claim to and says:

"But these great and marvelous results are not to be attributed to any merit of mine but to the holy Christian faith and to the piety and religion of our sovereigns." (Good thing he wasn't a Muslim..Think of all those poor naked island women being made to cover themselves up!)

Columbus gives all credit to God, but remember, he insisted that the Queen Isabella give him the title of Admiral before he even went (he was a mapmaker), and that he could keep ten percent of all gold and metal he brought back. And why shouldn't he?

He didn't say, "I do this for free your Majesty, to help the people of Spain."

Lately the schools have been trying to trash him, because they say the Vikings were here first...or maybe it was the Chinese, or the American Indians...or aliens. Instead of teaching the lessons and accomplishments of just one man's life, they just teach at most...a date.

They also never mention that Columbus gave a tenth of this wealth to the poor when he died. He had many a problem like all of us, with dealings, with his men, with the natives, with the monarchs in Europe, things--- haven't changed much.

And tonight, I think of one thing he wrote, that especially makes me laugh:

"As far as I have learned, every man throughout these islands is united to but one wife, with the exceptions of the kings and princes who are allowed to have twenty. The women seen to work more than the men. "

HA! I'll drink to that, and to Columbus Day! Pass the rum, the guy really knew how to live.

Now, if I could just figure out how to brand my nobody self.