Monday, November 26, 2007

Lessons From Kennedy , 44 Years Later....11.26.07


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** Originally Posted 11.24.07 , reposted and moved to Monday Night 11.26.07**
*{Click the Title: This YouTube is called What John F.Kennedy would say to George Bush, it is Profound , it is Disturbing, It must be seen. The Photo is from our Friend in the Northwest, it is JFK at Love Field in Dallas, the Crowds reaching to touch him, to touch Greatness.}*
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" When we got into Office, the thing that surpised me the most, was that things were as bad as we had been saying they were" John F.Kennedy 1962
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Many of us remember Greatness, remember where we were when we heard that the Light had been snuffed out of our Dreams and Hopes. I was merely a child when he died, and I remember it clearly. As we watch all these Democratic Candiates on the Election Trail we find ourselves looking for Greatness, for Hope, for Courage. We find ourselves reflecting on the words of this great leader, the man who was the President that was Destined to greater Greatness. I find myself looking at these Candidates, do they project Strength? Do they speak Bravely of Needed Change? Do they confront The Truth ? Do they Acknowledge that OUR Constitution is In Trouble ? John F. Kennedy would have acknowledged ALL of these issues....he was doing it over 40 years ago, and with the help of YouTube you can still hear his Words, his Wisdom, his ability to Speak the Truth.
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"The Great Enemy of the Truth is often not the Lies, deliberate, contrived, dishonest, but the Myth, persistant, persuasive, and unrealistic. Belief in myths allows the comfort of opinion, without the discomfort of thought."

I think JFK would have realized that Mr.Bush is living a myth, that he is trying to be comfortable with the Mythical False Legacy he has created that has cost millions of lives to be lost and damaged.

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There is a Book on sale at Borders right now, that you need to see, and buy for $4.99, it is called "Remembering Jack", by Jaques Lowe,, It shows John F.Kennedy and Robert F.Kennedy , and the family during those early 1960's, it will remind you of those days, and it also has quotes from the family. Robert F.Kennedy Jr wisely points out that those photos keep his history intact, and help him realize his part of that time in History.

I am asking each of you to take a photo of yourself and write what you would tell President Kennedy today ? And when the Candidates come to your town, think of him and Robert Kennedy as AG, and realize that there would be NO discussions of Torture, and Illegal Spying, and Constitutional Abuses,Gitmo...Ask Brave Questions , Ask Questions that JFK would have asked. This is NOT a time to Show Fear, this is a Time to be Brave, for ALL of us.

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I am a citizen that stood up and blew the whistle on a company that was doing horrible criminal damage to land, soil, animals, water and people. And it was knowing Endangerment to the People of one small County, and the Federal Government was given ALL the Data and Documents of the Damage, and Investigations were opened, and then Mr.Bush came to Power. And my life became Hellish at best. I was put on No Fly LIsts, and Phone Lists,and my mail was disrupted, all because my little Non Profit studied Environmental Health Damage from a Company that was friends with the Bush Family. I was told by a Senator's Office in 2004 to Hush and Keep Quiet because Executive Decisions had been Made. I shipped my belongings across the Country, and when the Pod arrived it had been opened and a Letter was Inside From Homeland Security, saying that it had been checked for Explosives. The Homeland Security Operatives STOLE: my Science Books, Including My Books on Rachel Carson and Madame Curie, and Chemistry, and My Books on Religion and Buddhism, and My Books On the Kennedys, both John F.Kennedy and Robert F.Kennedy. They even Stole My "Profiles In Courage" that John F.Kennedy wrote.

The Line indeed has been crossed when a Patriotic Mom and a Nurse has been labeled as an Enemy and placed On LISTS, and There is indeed Fascism endangering Our Country, over 300,000 people have been labeled like me to spied on at Will in the Name of "Security". More than 80,000 can not fly. Look at your Friends, your neighbors, and tell me, WHO would you put on a List. Who would you think Deserves Less Freedom? The Student next door ? The Lawyer down the Street ? The mom who volunteers for the ACLU ? WHO?

"Profiles in Courage " was written before JFK was President, it was written about Eight Great Americans, not just about their Courage, but about their Codes of Honor, their Integrity. And in the 1964 Special Edition, that was stolen from me, was the Famous Dedication written by his brother Robert that said ," This is not just Stories of the Past, but a Book of Hope and Confidence for the Future, What Happens to the Country, to the World, depends on What we do with What Others have Left Us." For many years I have carried that quote and the quote below in my pockets because they give me Strength and Hope.
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"The Chinese use 2 Brush Strokes to write the word "Crisis". One Stroke stands for "Danger", and the other "Opportunity".In a Crisis be aware of the Danger,but recognize the Opportunity. "( April 12,1959) John F.Kennedy spoke these words before he was ever elected President. We are as a Nation at a Moment of Crisis, let us Face the Dangers, and see it as Our Last Great Opportunity to Save Our Country. Start to look at the Candidates and ask Hard Questions And Listen for Courage, Integrity, and Truth. Our Future is in Our Hands.

26 comments:

enigma4ever said...

Tom from the Northwest sent me this wonderful picture...and it is wonderful..and to him I say thank you....it shows us what a Real Leader was , and how Touchable he was for the People...he was not a Bubble President...he was Connected to us....We the People.

I pray that we have That Kind of Leader again...

The Future Was Yesterday said...

JFK was the last great President we had, one who could touch the souls of a nation, and let a nation touch him.
And that's likely why he's dead.

enigma4ever said...

But his words and his inspiration live on each of us...just like MLK and RFK....we are what keeps them alive....you...me ...and my son....

He is only dead to Bushco...not me.

Graeme said...

He did invade South Vietnam

enigma4ever said...

I could be wrong, but the Vietnam Mess was already started when he became president...I will look that up....okay Graeme...but he would not have tortured, or suspended habeus Corpus, or Gitmoed anyone etc...etc etc...and he did use Diplomacy and negogiating skills as needed , when others didn't want to but wanted to bomb...( ie the Cuban Missle Crisis).

Durward Discussion said...

The original involvement in Viet Nam came under Eisenhower. The French were leaving it as a lost cause. The existing governement that they had put in place asked for assistance from the U.S. We sent "advisers" in the interest of fighting "the cold war" and a Communist takeover. That it was the people rebelling against French Colonialism was ignored because of this fear of Chinese & Soviet power supplying the insurgents. Through Kennedy and then Johnson we got dragged further and further into this messy civil war ... Sound familiar?

Kennedy wasn't perfect. He was a very good politician. What he was was the last politician (unless you count Bobby's campaign) was the last politician who could make the nation feel and see a vision for a better future.

D.K. Raed said...

But I think the "advisers" JFK sent to VN totaled less than 2,000? And who knows how differently things there would've turned out since I doubt JFK would've been listening to lying generals the way LBJ did. Recall he was very leery of military advice after Bay of Pigs.

Thank you for this, Enigma! I haven't seen much TV coverage of this sad anniversary this year. It was an awful time. Anyone who was at least 5-yrs old can tell you exactly where they were & what they were doing when they got the news. That's a powerful testimony. I think he was also the last US president so beloved by the most of the world. He had IT.

I don't mind telling you I was the least of elected persons to ride in on his long coattails. I was elected 4th grade class president during the 1960 prez election with this banner: JOHN KENNEDY for U.S. President, and D.K. for Class President! (that always brings a smile to my brain) ...

I couldn't access your JFK video just now. Message said Http error. I'll try again later. I still have an old battered dog-eared Profiles in Courage. Next time I read it, I'll be thinking of yours being confiscated. I sure hope some agent rescued it, took it home for him & family to read.

Durward Discussion said...

Tag your it with the 7 things about me meme if you feel like doing it

Durward Discussion

Beyond the Clintons said...

Thanks for this post–the History Channel also had a great documentary on the Kennedys this weekend. We have to be united (Democrats, Republicans, and Independents) again by a common purpose and a new vision for America in the 21st Century. I believe Obama has the best chance at accomplishing that mission. This election must be about all of us getting involved and realizing that not one of these candidates is perfect, but with our participation in government and their support we can build a consensus for change in America–not a more divided country come next November.

enigma4ever said...

Beyond: First off, I wrote this because we NEED to get to the TRUTH, and find our way to Greatness, again, to the Country we were before Buscho Destroyed it and our reputation. I am sorry, but your "united " dream is not realistic, we have MUCH repair we need to accomplish, BUT we also have to Impeach, Indict, and Imprison the Criminals that Destroyed and Damaged SO MUCH around the World- not just here, there must be JUSTICE, that will not be easily accomplished, especically thanks to the Enablers and Republicans that destroyed this country with their lies and deceptions, and Protectionism of the Criminals in the WH. After WWII those that Helped Hitler faced the Music at the Nuremburg Trials, and I do think that since Crimes against Humanity have occurred Here and Abroad that there must be Accountability.

Now that being said, Obama and Edwards and Kucinich are the ONLY ones that have spoken Honestly and Openly about what has happened to this Country and Our Destroyed System of Justice and the Level of Corruption and Criminal Activity.

I personally Can NOT "Unite" with those that Enabled Crimes....ever.

Jamie: oh dear..a Meme? really....ok I will atleast go look...okay...

DK: the history channel did some coverage as usual, and the usual "Single Bullet " specials...but overall the MSM did nothing..actually PBS did the frigging Queen - go figure...so it was kind of lame...veyr few shows that actually showed JFK speechs or infor about his presidency- the shows mostly focused on his death....grrr...oh well....thanks...for what you said...

Jamie: thank you for explaining the Vietam part- I was still researching so I could give graeme a better answer....but you described it well..thanks..

enigma4ever said...

William: I needed to let you know I do not know you, or recognize you, but the picture that you keep leaving is sweet- the Peace Cat, but sadly something in your picture keeps causing my computer to crash- so I have had to elminate the comment - so sorry...

tom said...

Graeme, loose comment on your part, Jack Kennedy inherited Eisenhower's advisers, and to merely say he invaded SV is to speak without understanding the history of the times,
1) the communists were the enemy, no mistake about that, and NO American president could allow an aggression to go un challenged
2) The Gov. of S. Vietnam asked nay begged for help, they were a corrupt little country,but none the less a country invaded by its neighbor
3) Jack also tried to de-escalate the war there... that is also history
4)This action must be seen in the context of the times, Soviet missiles in CUBA THAT had an impact on JFK and the Country, Soviet control of Eastern Europe, brutal and deadly,
5) Russian slaughter of the Hungarin freedom fighters in 1955
6) Berlin Wall erection
All these things were part of the picture of the times...
TomDem

tom said...

They stole your books
the bastards.....
as for me, I like Edwards best, but he seems to be taking a dark side slide as he is not leading in the polls...
sigh
oh for Howard Dean
but remember the good people of IOWA rejected his truth to power
for the "electable" John Kerry, say what you will about Howard, he NEVER hesitated to defend himself...
Tom

LET'S TALK said...

That was a great video Enigma and it seemed as if President Kennedy could have been talking to the President we have in office now.

Jamie is correct on the history lesson and we know there is not a Republican who has any kind words for any Democratic President, even though they try to compare themselves to Kennedy.

Gryphen said...

Sitting on the floor of the laundromat where my mother worked. That is where I was when the news played over the radio that day.

I was three years old and I had never seen my mother cry that hard before.

landsker said...

Perhaps JFK was actually "of the left", even if he was born to wealth, even if that wealth was that of a crimnal father.
It is said that he was "smoked" by elements within his own CIA, from "the right", who were intent on gaining global supremacy by use of both miltary and covert force.
It hasn`t worked out though, and the American military is tottering and unsure.

The no-fly list? The property searches?
Strength to you!

No nation can thrive at that level of intrusion, it is the basic division of the people into "Overclass" and "Underclass".
As the non-productive overclass increases in size and power, it seems so do the reasons for being "bad citizens".
There is a very sad and despicable part to human nature that gets thrills from wielding power over those less able or fortunate.
What kind of dreams are had by those who earn their living from searching through the lives of others.

America is waking up, and is suddenly realising that they have the most expensive and destructive military in the whole world.
Only the most naive of souls would suggest that it is of a defensive nature.

Larry said...

Would Kennedy be able to survive if he were in today's political world?

Unknown said...

"but he would not have tortured, or suspended habeus Corpus, or Gitmoed anyone etc...etc etc...and he did use Diplomacy and negogiating skills as needed , when others didn't want to but wanted to bomb...( ie the Cuban Missle Crisis)."

Totally agree or at least that's how I believe the world remembers JFK.

Gary said...

Great post.

I came of age in America during the 60's and remember those years from a 10 to 20 year old. I was in Grade 7 when the first assassination happened. I remember Dr. King and Bobby as well...

JFK was not perfect - and some policy was misguided (Vietnam and the Bay of Pigs come to mind). But he was a good man, with vision, with courage, with words to inspire, with youth...a man we could use sorely today.

Our Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau was one of these leaders also. He welcomed 10s of thousands of young American men and women to Canada during the Vietnam war, believing we were benefiting by accepted people of principle and courage. Today our government considers US war resisters some sort of traitors.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to see a US President elected based on values, courage, speaking out and captivating the imagination of citizens - to move to something real, honest and just? I'd be tempted to move back!

Gary said...

Just referenced your post and borrowed the clip. Thanks sister.

Fran said...

Great Video clip- and as someone mentioned before, seemed like he was talking to us in the here & now. I took a whistle blowing action many years ago.... I'll tell the story another time. It was a short term job, but it cost me my job. I had no idea you were punished in this way. I'm sure it is a one way deal-- no avenue to appeal. Now we know what to get you for a gift-- Profiles in Courage! So much for Truth, Justice & the American Way, Eh?

enigma4ever said...

Gary: You are welcome to reference , borrow, whatever you need....always..This clip is so good that many should hear JFK's words....and yes, I have a Cousin that moved to Canada thanks to Trudeau....I agree with everything that you said about JFk, he was a Flawed man...and yes he did make errors....and he also recieved poor military advice about Vietnam ( See the Documentary "Fog of War")....but he did try to lead with integrity and courage....

Hillblogger: thank you...

Larry: Would he have survived...that is a good question.....

Lanskr: thank you for your observations...and I hope you are right that people are waking up...I share what has happened to me as a mom, a nurse....and that it can and Does happen to Anyone here...it is Wrong...and not the country I was born to...

Gryphen : I too was three...and I too remember people crying,..but seeing your mom I am sure was a profound moment.....

Let's Talk: everything you said is so true...and dead on...Repugs feel that they do not have to appreciate or acknowledge...

Thomas: thank you so much for your insights and History perspective....and yes, I think different DEMs are trying to highlight issues, and when Edwards attacks and speaks the truth it might seem like it throws his numbers...I often wonder how accurate the polls are...or are they just propaganda...I mean I have never ever been pollled....I just hope people remember what a Real Leader sounds like....

TomCat said...

Correction for Tom: North and South Vietnam were never countries. There was only Vietnam. The distinction between the two was a temporary dividing line between French and Vietnamese forces at the 17th parallel, determined by the Geneva Accords on Vietnam, the peace treaty signed after the French defeat in 1954. After two years, to give French forces time to withdraw, the country was to be reunited with free elections. Because Ho would have undoubtedly won those elections, the Eisenhower administration installed Diem as a puppet in the South and prevented the elections and reunification from taking place. Kennedy's 2,000 advisers were a remnant from the Eisenhower administration, and Kennedy intended to withdraw those, because the Diem government was so corrupt and brutal. I have always wondered to what extent the war profits to be made by escalating the war figured into JFK's assassination.

E4e, you'll find a pleasent surprise waiting for you at my place,

TomCat said...

I got so tied up in history earlier, that I forgot the most important thing.

E4e, I truly admire the courage you displayed to stand by your convictions, despite all that harassment. Bravo!

enigma4ever said...

Tomcat: ahhhh thanks...and thank you for the history earlier- very helpful...oh goody a surprise- lovely....

Fran: it is amazing- it does sound like he is talking right here and now...eerie..

TomCat said...

Well, you've mentioned a couple times that you wanted one. You're most welcome.