You've heard this part:
"And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country."
But have you ever heard the rest?
"My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own."
John F. Kennedy - January 20, 1961
Ooohoo - chills, man!
I have this weird thing where certain dates stick out in my head. I'm weird. I always remember today is the day JFK got killed. It's also the birthday of one of the scariest bosses I've ever had, but that's not important. I've always had this thing for Kennedy - him, his family, that time period. The show I posted about yesterday? Yeah, right there. I usually don't write about politics, because I'm not that smart and don't have the energy or inclination to debate about it here. But isn't it amazing, that innaugurial speech he made way back then before most of us here were even born, how much of it still applies to what we're going through now? The dude was smart. And hot. His wife was the classiest and best-dressed First Lady to ever step foot in the White House. Sorry, Hillary. I know you thought you held that title. You don't.
I don't know where we'd be today had something been different that day. Better, worse, the same? I don't know. All I do know is everytime I see footage from that surreal moment in time, I always get the urge to say watch out, get down - freaking duck! What were you thinking, riding in a convertable, all vulnerable and out in the open like that. And the worst part is, I'm sure we'll never, ever find out the truth behind all of it.
Someone on the radio the other day tried to compare the upcoming administration to that of Kennedy's Camelot. Nice try, fucker. There are the obvious comparisons between two young, attractive, ground-breaking men, but saying something like that is blatant wishful thinking. There are some moments in time so perfect and good they can never be replicated. America during 1961 through 1963 was an optimistic and exciting time. I'd be real curious to hear what Kennedy would have to say about what's going on right now. Sucks we'll never know.
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2 comments:
For me it is always that this person is supposed to be the next "JFK", "Michael Jordan" or "Elvis" and not who they are.
We are quick to annoint royalty status to these people when they haven't done anything of significance. (Not a political statement about our future pesident)
I guess people lack imagination and always have to resort to a comparison to an icon. Bugs me.
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