I’d like you to ask your consideration to do something if you are so inclined. I’d like for you to watch a speech over the next couple of days that is famous for an electrifying declaration by President John F Kennedy. Consider watching it with a group of family and friends, and then sharing your reaction with a comment.
The speech by JFK remains one of the greatest by a politician with both heart and vision. Even without the stirring
musical backing, it brings me to tears.
And the rhetorical device of condensing human history to a graspable scale allows us to get a real understanding of the inevitability of human progress and how the astonishing achievements of scientific and artistic advancement mix with human courage and selfless ambition , to keep alive the essential human need to learn. Kennedy’s speech is a necessary reminder of our nation and by extension all humanity, functioning at its best.
When we compare this to the sad spectacle of fear, racism, and unadulterated stupidity that already characterizes the McCarthy Congress, we understand quickly what the coming storm of selfishness , ignorance and indifference has in store for us all.
President Kennedy's speech is as relevant now as it was then, or perhaps even more so, given that we live in a time where science itself is under fire on a level not seen since the Scopes trial. Dr. Anthony Fauci, a man who has devoted his life to the science of saving lives, is pilloried and scorned, with calls to throw him in prison or worse. Vaccines - the single greatest public health triumph since the discovery of germ theory - are excoriated as poison or as a microchip delivery system.
I pray that the continued exploration of space, and of the wonders of our own planet such as the deepest trenches in the ocean, usher in a renaissance of scientific knowledge and a renewed reverence for our place in this unimaginably vast universe. May we be brave enough to continue onward, and wise enough to put our discoveries to their best use for the betterment of all humankind and the little blue ball orbiting the sun that we live on.
Thank you for posting this speech and this incredibly moving article. I have been saying for several years that what the US now needs is another positive defining moment. Not a negative one like 9/11 or 1/6, but a moment of great, defining achievement, like the Panama Canal. We carved through a fucking continent! Or the Moon landing. Or even the Marshall Plan. Moments when we went beyond what is expected or required and achieved true greatness. We are mired in a pit of Fox Noise. THAT, I fear, will keep us from greatness more than any other factor. Anyway, keep writing Steve. Perhaps our leaders will rise.
Listening to JFK's speech again I thought about a conversation with my Grandmother. I asked her, of all that came into existence during her lifetime which one was miraculous.
Flight was her answer.
She was a young single woman when she boarded a ship that could take month's of sailing to reach America from Greece in the early 1920's.
45 years later, she boarded an airplane and crossed the Atlantic in less than 24 hours.
Imagine the hope and courage it took to leave your home with no guarantee America would allow entry while believing you might never see your home again.
Although she isn't famous, or a world record title holder, her generation's hope, curiosity and courage to explore what lies beyond our current grasp is JFK's legacy.
I remember that speech as a small boy. At the time, I remember it confused me because of his references of time through the millennia as in years, months, days and hours... I remember the speech because we only had 1 TV back in the day and turning on the TV was an event and controlled by my parents. Any major announcement or event such as a Presidential speech were always broadcasted by every channel because there were only 3 or 4. In President Kennedy's analogy it was a few seconds ago.
How different and how sad more choices in channels has caused the world to lose it's focus on things that are most important. Namely, watching a Presidential speech with the whole family and discussing it afterwards. I miss those days of yore and long for the dreams of a boy who imagined what a mission to the moon would be like. When we finally landed on the moon in 1969 I was so proud to be an American and realized dreams can come true if you do the hard work to make them a reality.
The JFK video was fantastic - except for the music that drowned him out. I couldn't finish watching it because of that insipid music! For people who have diminished hearing, it's hard work blocking out the dominant sound in order to hear the important stuff.
Great speech by JFK and I'm glad that you discussed Commander Vescovo, his achievements and his discoveries. I had no idea about him or Commander Ernest Evans because in the US we only teach history from the perspective of white men. I would add a caveat to your discussion though. Throughout history, explorers have exploited and killed indigenous peoples and exploited and destroyed their lands. As we explore into space we need to keep this shameful history in mind and not exploit or harm the moons and planets we explore. We also need to do a better job at sharing our findings for the benefit of all.
Those who use words such as Love and Beautiful meaning Suffering, Devastation, Decay, Oblivion will end in the detritus that extinguishes and disappears. They give the true meaning of Love and Beautiful and, especially, Sacrifice, to recorders of History and the writers of the Future, now in the hands of our youngest generation. What these young minds need is Inspiration, and the above is just that.
You write about an America whose history is characterized by innovation and exploration. I believe that where there is diversity of background, there are new ideas and new risk takers. As a nation of immigrants, Native Americans and descendants of enslaved people, Americans have led the world in exploration and technology. We should remember the part of the American character that welcomed immigrants whose contributions have been crucial to our success.
Steve thanks for bringing this speech to the generations who weren’t alive to experience it years ago…I watched it and remember it as if it were yesterday! Heavenly,bless you for touching our souls
The speech by JFK remains one of the greatest by a politician with both heart and vision. Even without the stirring
musical backing, it brings me to tears.
And the rhetorical device of condensing human history to a graspable scale allows us to get a real understanding of the inevitability of human progress and how the astonishing achievements of scientific and artistic advancement mix with human courage and selfless ambition , to keep alive the essential human need to learn. Kennedy’s speech is a necessary reminder of our nation and by extension all humanity, functioning at its best.
When we compare this to the sad spectacle of fear, racism, and unadulterated stupidity that already characterizes the McCarthy Congress, we understand quickly what the coming storm of selfishness , ignorance and indifference has in store for us all.
President Kennedy's speech is as relevant now as it was then, or perhaps even more so, given that we live in a time where science itself is under fire on a level not seen since the Scopes trial. Dr. Anthony Fauci, a man who has devoted his life to the science of saving lives, is pilloried and scorned, with calls to throw him in prison or worse. Vaccines - the single greatest public health triumph since the discovery of germ theory - are excoriated as poison or as a microchip delivery system.
I pray that the continued exploration of space, and of the wonders of our own planet such as the deepest trenches in the ocean, usher in a renaissance of scientific knowledge and a renewed reverence for our place in this unimaginably vast universe. May we be brave enough to continue onward, and wise enough to put our discoveries to their best use for the betterment of all humankind and the little blue ball orbiting the sun that we live on.
Why stumble blindly when we have history as a hint of where to go? Everyone should be afraid of men who try to turn off that beacon.
Thank you for posting this speech and this incredibly moving article. I have been saying for several years that what the US now needs is another positive defining moment. Not a negative one like 9/11 or 1/6, but a moment of great, defining achievement, like the Panama Canal. We carved through a fucking continent! Or the Moon landing. Or even the Marshall Plan. Moments when we went beyond what is expected or required and achieved true greatness. We are mired in a pit of Fox Noise. THAT, I fear, will keep us from greatness more than any other factor. Anyway, keep writing Steve. Perhaps our leaders will rise.
Listening to JFK's speech again I thought about a conversation with my Grandmother. I asked her, of all that came into existence during her lifetime which one was miraculous.
Flight was her answer.
She was a young single woman when she boarded a ship that could take month's of sailing to reach America from Greece in the early 1920's.
45 years later, she boarded an airplane and crossed the Atlantic in less than 24 hours.
Imagine the hope and courage it took to leave your home with no guarantee America would allow entry while believing you might never see your home again.
Although she isn't famous, or a world record title holder, her generation's hope, curiosity and courage to explore what lies beyond our current grasp is JFK's legacy.
I remember that speech as a small boy. At the time, I remember it confused me because of his references of time through the millennia as in years, months, days and hours... I remember the speech because we only had 1 TV back in the day and turning on the TV was an event and controlled by my parents. Any major announcement or event such as a Presidential speech were always broadcasted by every channel because there were only 3 or 4. In President Kennedy's analogy it was a few seconds ago.
How different and how sad more choices in channels has caused the world to lose it's focus on things that are most important. Namely, watching a Presidential speech with the whole family and discussing it afterwards. I miss those days of yore and long for the dreams of a boy who imagined what a mission to the moon would be like. When we finally landed on the moon in 1969 I was so proud to be an American and realized dreams can come true if you do the hard work to make them a reality.
The JFK video was fantastic - except for the music that drowned him out. I couldn't finish watching it because of that insipid music! For people who have diminished hearing, it's hard work blocking out the dominant sound in order to hear the important stuff.
It is certain that Mr K McCarthy would not find the destroyer captains and crew role models.
Great speech by JFK and I'm glad that you discussed Commander Vescovo, his achievements and his discoveries. I had no idea about him or Commander Ernest Evans because in the US we only teach history from the perspective of white men. I would add a caveat to your discussion though. Throughout history, explorers have exploited and killed indigenous peoples and exploited and destroyed their lands. As we explore into space we need to keep this shameful history in mind and not exploit or harm the moons and planets we explore. We also need to do a better job at sharing our findings for the benefit of all.
Fascinating essay. JFK’s speech is still one of the greatest of all time. The GOAT of speeches.
Those men truly ARE heroes. The sad thing, however, is that the feckless, soulless Kevin McCarthy thinks that he is as well.
Those who use words such as Love and Beautiful meaning Suffering, Devastation, Decay, Oblivion will end in the detritus that extinguishes and disappears. They give the true meaning of Love and Beautiful and, especially, Sacrifice, to recorders of History and the writers of the Future, now in the hands of our youngest generation. What these young minds need is Inspiration, and the above is just that.
You write about an America whose history is characterized by innovation and exploration. I believe that where there is diversity of background, there are new ideas and new risk takers. As a nation of immigrants, Native Americans and descendants of enslaved people, Americans have led the world in exploration and technology. We should remember the part of the American character that welcomed immigrants whose contributions have been crucial to our success.
Steve thanks for bringing this speech to the generations who weren’t alive to experience it years ago…I watched it and remember it as if it were yesterday! Heavenly,bless you for touching our souls
Steve you are such a remarkable patriot
And the esteem I feel for your truth, honest
Reporting and knowledge of history and and present circumstances gives me hope.. your words enlighten my soul and
Feel reassuring.hugs & respect.Marsha ❤️
Done--Thanks! However, I am still not clear why Rice plays Texaszzz