50 years ago

bruno

bruno

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It was 50 years ago tomorrow (Nov 22d) that JFK was assassinated in Dallas. It truly was one of those moments that will forever be a line in the sands of US History- before and after moments. Kennedy's legacy is pretty mixed- he was no saint and in many ways was not particularly effective in getting his programs enacted. And yet- every time I listen or read his his inaugural speech, I am truly moved- he describes an America as I would like to see it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLmiOEk59n8

Some of the more memorable lines from that speech:
...And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe–the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.
We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans–born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage–and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty....
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...So let us begin anew–remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate....
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All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.
In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.
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Talk is cheap (unless you're voting). I'll agree Kennedy's speeches motivated people. I think, though, the thoughts were often (but not always) misguided. The Kennedy's are a family that has captured New England. Why, I will never know.
 
I won't comment on the politics, but certainly portions of his speeches were quite inspiring and moving. We recently had a thread about the Gettysburg address and I remember commenting that I had to memorize it for the hundredth anniversary. I had to memorize portions of Kennedy's inaugural as well and was well served in doing so. Like Lincoln a hundred years earlier, he died at the perfect time and in the perfect way to be well remembered.
 
It must have been very sad for the country. Aside from the politics or tabloids, Kennedy showed amazing leadership and made great decisions during the Cuban Missile Crisis. I always wonder what any other man or woman would have done during those days of October in his position. I sometimes wonder where the world would be today.
 
NorwichDad said:
It must have been very sad for the country. Aside from the politics or tabloids, Kennedy showed amazing leadership and made great decisions during the Cuban Missile Crisis. I always wonder what any other man or woman would have done during those days of October in his position. I sometimes wonder where the world would be today.
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Hopefully not abandon people during the Bay of Pigs?
 
The concluding paragraph of the last speech that he was scheduled to give in Dallas is again pretty moving:
"We, in this country, in this generation, are — by destiny rather than by choice — the watchmen on the walls of world freedom. We ask, therefore, that we may be worthy of our power and responsibility, that we may exercise our strength with wisdom and restraint, and that we may achieve in our time and for all time the ancient vision of “peace on earth, good will toward men.” That must always be our goal, and the righteousness of our cause must always underlie our strength. For as was written long ago: “except the Lord keep the city, the watchmen waketh but in vain.”
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Psalm 127
 
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