May 29 was the birthday of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. I was only nine years old when he was assassinated but he so inspired me by his rhetoric leadership and vision that to this day I yearn for a leader to tell me the truth and call all Americans to service for our country and the world community.
To me, Barack Obama is such a leader. Having suffered through the mangled mutterings of our maniacal moron, GWB, the rhetoric and speeches of Barack Obama inspire all of us to the greater good of our fellow citizens and to mankind. Throughout history, when all seems lost, inspiring leaders do emerge to pull this great nation back on track, to again swear allegiance to our constitution, and to define the true character and responsibility of America and her citizenry to our nation and the world.
I hope that everyone will read this diary and gain a sense of hope and anticipation that all is not lost after the dark days of the evil administration of the Bush- Cheney oil cabal. That we may all smile again this November when we once again turn to a young man of a new generation to lead this nation to live up to the words of the constitution.
Therefore, this diary shall consist of excerpts from Ted Sorensen's book,
Let the word go forth : The speeches,statements and writings of John F. Kennedy
From the introduction in the words of Mr. Sorensen:
John F. Kennedy was so blessed with the gifts of reason, intellect, and vitality that eloquence came naturally to him. He believed in the power of words- both written and spoken- to win votes, to set goals, to change minds, and to move nations. He consistently took care to choose the right words in the right order that would send the right message. He did not regard old fashioned eloquence as unsophisticated or unimportant, nor did he ever rise to speak in public indifferent and unprepared. In the dawn of the television era, his youthful good looks, cool confidence, and strong voice enhanced the inspirational appeal of his words; and his "style" was all-important to the continuing success of his political, legislative, diplomatic, and presidential efforts.
During these last twenty- five years, no other president's words have been so frequently quoted, misquoted, or borrowed without attribution by politicians in both major parties.
There is much more to a man than his speeches. As Lord Roseberry once wrote regarding the oratory of William Pitt: " It is not merely the thing that is said but the man who says it that counts, the character which breathes through the sentences."
The republication here of JFK's words cannot possibly convey in full the energy and vitality of the man, his courage as a leader, or his warmth as a friend. But they can convey his principles and hopes; and those are worth remembering, now and for generations to come.
Through his words, John F. Kennedy lives on.
All of the following quotes are JFK's:
On the uses and limits of power:
We must face the fact that the United States is neither omnipotent nor omniscient- that we are only six percent of the world's population... and that therefore there cannot be an American solution to every world problem
This is no time, in 1962, for rash talk which strengthens the claims of our adversaries. This is no time for confused and intemperate remarks on the part of those who have neither the facts nor the ultimate responsibility. This is the time for a man who talks softly, nut who'll also carry a big stick... those self- appointed generals and admirals who want to send someone else's son to war and who consistently vote against the instruments of peace ought to be kept at home by the voters and replaced in Washington by someone who understands what the twentieth century is all about.
And from remarks prepared for delivery at the Dallas trade mart luncheon which were undelivered on November 22, 1963:
Finally, it should be clear by now that a nation can be no stronger abroad than she is at home.Only an America which practices what it preaches about equal rights and social justice will be respected by those whose choice affects our future. Only an America which has fully educated its citizens is fully capable of tackling the complex problems and perceiving the hidden dangers of the world in which we live. And only an America which is growing and prospering economically can sustain the worldwide defenses of freedom, while demonstrating to all concerned the opportunities of our system and society.
And finally, on the definition of Liberal:
What do our opponents mean when they apply to us the label " Liberal"? If by liberal they mean, as they want people to believe, someone who is soft in his policies abroad, who is against local government, who is unconcerned with the taxpayer's dollar, then then the record of this party and its members demonstrate that we are not that kind of " Liberal ".
but if by liberal they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who cares about the welfare of the people- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties - someone who believes that we can break through the stalemate and suspisions that grip us in our foreign policies abroad, if that is what they mean by " Liberal ", then I'm proud to say that I am a " Liberal "
Happy birthday, Sir. Let us celebrate anew our proud liberal tradition.Obama for President 2008.