On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest for the qualities of Courage, Judgement, Integrity and Dedication: Tim Ryan = 10; Val Demings = 10; JD Vance = zero, Hershel Walker = minus 10, etc.
American citizens are we up to the task of saving our Democracy?! "For of those to whom much is given, much is required." Vote like your life depends on it!
Thank you for sharing this powerful ad inspiring speech from 1961, just as you shared the 1940 article about the Nazis around us not too long ago. Both times you have enlightened and energized me, but also frightened me. We have never fully lived up to our high and noble ideals, of course, either individually or collectively, but we still aspired to be such people.
Donald Trump, with notable assistance from Fox News, et al., has poisoned our country to everything, especially objective truth, and miliions upon millions, many of whom are otherwise “normal,” even decent people, have willingly and with gusto drunk every drop of the poisonous Kool-Aid.
God help us, and I mean that literally. I was 8 years old in 1961, and I never thought we would be where we are today.
Isn’t it chilling that such noble ideals are now regarded by every MAGA adherent as quaint, pie in the sky drivel. A great test of virtue is before those voters who appear blind to the stakes, to separate truth from power.
They -will- get the warning telegram, but it’s yet to be seen if they bother to read it before the midterm or if they’ll have to see the aftermath to believe.
We are a different nation from the one in the 60’s and before. We have been seduced by the accumulation of wealth and subsequent lower. We have a mighty professional military the times and technology demand this. It is. It one of farmers taking their musket loader add the mantle above the fireplace and marching off to risk everything in defense of deep and worthwhile principles.
We now have spectaculars: Super bowl, March madness, MMA cage fighting for men and women. More billionaire than we can count but also more people left behind. Win at all costs, “so much winning”.... no faith in democratic principles, fear of a majority that does not look like what many who have come under the spell of racial and ethnic fear. We don’t see opportunities, we only focus on our little piece of the American pie.
We will see if we are up to the task or do we need to have everything our way with no ability to sacrifice for a greater good.
What Putin sees is not the America and Europe of the 40’s but of a world consumed by rampant consumerism, wealth accumulation for personal and excessive power and a world where professional athletes are rewarded in greater ways than great thinkers, teachers and honorable people. 
Bobert said it” we want power” and what will they do with it!?
I think JFK put it quite succinctly. Looking back over the years I've lived, on the democratic side all our presidents excluding Johnson have had those qualities. I exclude Johnson because he started the Vietnam, knowing it was unwinnable so that he wouldn't look weak before congress, therefore he lacked courage and judgement, costing us over 58,000 lives. I know many of you don't feel that way about Johnson, and for some good reasons, but for me being in my early 20s at the time and now reading the name of my best friend's name on the Vietnam memorial, Johnson does in no way measure up. On the Republican side, I think Regan and the Bushes had those qualities, but no others. Today, our current president certainly has those qualities. Trump of course has none of them. Some members of the Supreme Court also lack them. Way too many of our current House and Senate lack them. On The republican side, it seems that only 4 or 5 have what the job requires. No republican candidate for office seem to have any qualities that JFK thinks are required. I'm an optimist, so I am hoping that the voters help us correct our course.
Not to be a stickler, but it was Eisenhower who started the Vietnam War, not LBJ. He did escalate American involvement, but he also negotiated an end to it which Nixon blew up. I think Johnson was great in some respects that cannot be ignored including Title VII and the Voting Rights Act. He was a great President but for Vietnam.
I don't know if this is true, but not long ago, I read that LBJ wanted to pull out of what JFK had started/escalated -- and that JFK's Secretary of Defense (a carry-over into LBJ's tenure) McNamara talked him out of it. LBJ's primary goal was domestic health. Tragic for all.
I don't know if this is true, but not long ago, I read that LBJ wanted to pull out of what JFK had started/escalated -- and that JFK's Secretary of Defense (a carry-over into LBJ's tenure) McNamara talked him out of it. LBJ's primary goal was domestic health. Tragic for all.
Steve, I have never heard that speech before. What an inspiration. It is hard to believe how far our leaders have diverged from the principles J.F.K. aspires to in this speech. Thank you much for sharing it!
I remember John F. Kennedy running for president. I was in high school. I asked my dad who he would vote for and it wasn't Kennedy. I felt a little guilty, because had I been old enough , Kennedy surely would have had my vote.
My dad was born in 1885 and his parents moved the family to Eastlake, Alabama in 1886. Eastlake was a promising new town on the outskirts of Birmingham.
Daddy grew up during a time when the Klan ruled everything, not only in the South. One time, in my teens, I asked Daddy if he had belonged to the Klan. He answered this way: "I went to one meeting. When I looked around and saw who else was there, I left." In other words, Daddy knew not to keep bad company.
Daddy told me one time that his brother, George, had disappeared and no one knew what had happened to him. The wife, Eunice, declared that they had been at the dinner table, when someone knocked on their door. George went outside, she said, and there were some men in the front yard. She said George never came back inside. I wanted to know the end of the story, but Daddy could only say that George must have had trouble with the Klan.
I spent many years thinking the evil of the Klan might have disrupted our family. Eventually I learned that Uncle George's wife was an Irish Catholic girl named Eunice O'Hara. They had two sons and a daughter. I also discovered that when Uncle George disappeared, he went to the St. Louis area. He died in 1932 and is buried in the military cemetery there. But Eunice told the children their father was dead. We will never know if George abandoned his family because he was running from the Klan. We do know that his children were unaware that he was alive in St. Louis.
The Klan controlled politics, putting local sheriffs and judges in place. They had no use for foreigners, or Catholics. Perhaps people don't readily recall that John F. Kennedy was Catholic. It was a big deal in 1960 to think that a Catholic might become President of the United States. I think Daddy had some issues with the Catholics. He used do this schtick where he acted like a priest, moving his hand in a cross, intoning, "My dominicka rooster can lick your dominicka rooster." Then he would laugh; I thought he must have been remembering something from long ago.
I believed for a long time that the Klan was an outmoded, almost extinct organization. Now I am not so sure. Their methods seem to apply, most especially regarding suppressing the vote and controlling women.
When JFK was running for President, my father's parents (both born in the 1880-90's) were extremely concerned that the Pope would be running our country. Grandpa was a Lutheran minister and didn't trust JFK one little bit. My father said that they were wrong and was very pro-JFK. So yes, there was tremendous anxiety about having a Catholic president. (Still haven't had a Jewish president -- unlike Ukraine.)
I hear them. Thank you for such a timely post. He was president for 2 months of my life, then taken from us all too quickly. For all his faults, still a shining light for democracy and fair play. I am ready for the final release of the Warren Commission as well. In our local elections, our best and most qualified candidates will have it rough, but we have some who meet these qualifications. There is a woman running in one of our TN congressional races I am supporting who has this spirit and JFK qualifications. Her name is Heidi Campbell for TN 05 District. Hoping against all $$$ that Doc Martin can pull out a surprise win against incumbent BIll Lee for Governor. We have so much work to do in TN. Thank you for another inspiring post!
Normally wouldn’t have mentioned but I was so touched by Steve’s writing about JFK decided to also honor my tender memories of Caroline as my student she was kind,compassionate and holds very special memories in my heart…sweet night
You are an extraordinarily kind person and are appreciated by me Lisa Beardsley! 💜
Also…listening to JFK simply clarifies how empty and impotent today’s Democratic lawmakers are. On one hand they own the moral and patriotic high ground but they have no voice, no charisma, no leadership and no strength. Chuck Schumer. Nice guy. But he has no voice. I like the guy but why the hell is he the Senate Leader? Where are the clear headed voices that reach out to the hearts and minds of ALL Americans?
My first thought was f’n Regan co-opted his speech and second thought was how long until Magots ban all history if they win?
I’ve written 120 letters to voters in AZ. PA. OH. FL. w/ vote forward begging them to vote for democracy.
I’ve donated and donated.
I’ve knocked on doors for my congressman.
If there is more to do -sign me up.
I love "moving my feet for democracy." Thank you!
I’m with you Karen doing same and willing to work to the last second!!!
You are inspiring me to know we are together fighting for our democracy
On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest for the qualities of Courage, Judgement, Integrity and Dedication: Tim Ryan = 10; Val Demings = 10; JD Vance = zero, Hershel Walker = minus 10, etc.
American citizens are we up to the task of saving our Democracy?! "For of those to whom much is given, much is required." Vote like your life depends on it!
Thank you for sharing this powerful ad inspiring speech from 1961, just as you shared the 1940 article about the Nazis around us not too long ago. Both times you have enlightened and energized me, but also frightened me. We have never fully lived up to our high and noble ideals, of course, either individually or collectively, but we still aspired to be such people.
Donald Trump, with notable assistance from Fox News, et al., has poisoned our country to everything, especially objective truth, and miliions upon millions, many of whom are otherwise “normal,” even decent people, have willingly and with gusto drunk every drop of the poisonous Kool-Aid.
God help us, and I mean that literally. I was 8 years old in 1961, and I never thought we would be where we are today.
We as a people are about to make monumental decisions. I just pray we are up to the task.
Isn’t it chilling that such noble ideals are now regarded by every MAGA adherent as quaint, pie in the sky drivel. A great test of virtue is before those voters who appear blind to the stakes, to separate truth from power.
They -will- get the warning telegram, but it’s yet to be seen if they bother to read it before the midterm or if they’ll have to see the aftermath to believe.
We are a different nation from the one in the 60’s and before. We have been seduced by the accumulation of wealth and subsequent lower. We have a mighty professional military the times and technology demand this. It is. It one of farmers taking their musket loader add the mantle above the fireplace and marching off to risk everything in defense of deep and worthwhile principles.
We now have spectaculars: Super bowl, March madness, MMA cage fighting for men and women. More billionaire than we can count but also more people left behind. Win at all costs, “so much winning”.... no faith in democratic principles, fear of a majority that does not look like what many who have come under the spell of racial and ethnic fear. We don’t see opportunities, we only focus on our little piece of the American pie.
We will see if we are up to the task or do we need to have everything our way with no ability to sacrifice for a greater good.
What Putin sees is not the America and Europe of the 40’s but of a world consumed by rampant consumerism, wealth accumulation for personal and excessive power and a world where professional athletes are rewarded in greater ways than great thinkers, teachers and honorable people. 
Bobert said it” we want power” and what will they do with it!?
Bobert is a clueless twit
I was confident that DJT could never become President.
I think JFK put it quite succinctly. Looking back over the years I've lived, on the democratic side all our presidents excluding Johnson have had those qualities. I exclude Johnson because he started the Vietnam, knowing it was unwinnable so that he wouldn't look weak before congress, therefore he lacked courage and judgement, costing us over 58,000 lives. I know many of you don't feel that way about Johnson, and for some good reasons, but for me being in my early 20s at the time and now reading the name of my best friend's name on the Vietnam memorial, Johnson does in no way measure up. On the Republican side, I think Regan and the Bushes had those qualities, but no others. Today, our current president certainly has those qualities. Trump of course has none of them. Some members of the Supreme Court also lack them. Way too many of our current House and Senate lack them. On The republican side, it seems that only 4 or 5 have what the job requires. No republican candidate for office seem to have any qualities that JFK thinks are required. I'm an optimist, so I am hoping that the voters help us correct our course.
Not to be a stickler, but it was Eisenhower who started the Vietnam War, not LBJ. He did escalate American involvement, but he also negotiated an end to it which Nixon blew up. I think Johnson was great in some respects that cannot be ignored including Title VII and the Voting Rights Act. He was a great President but for Vietnam.
I don't know if this is true, but not long ago, I read that LBJ wanted to pull out of what JFK had started/escalated -- and that JFK's Secretary of Defense (a carry-over into LBJ's tenure) McNamara talked him out of it. LBJ's primary goal was domestic health. Tragic for all.
I don't know if this is true, but not long ago, I read that LBJ wanted to pull out of what JFK had started/escalated -- and that JFK's Secretary of Defense (a carry-over into LBJ's tenure) McNamara talked him out of it. LBJ's primary goal was domestic health. Tragic for all.
Steve, I have never heard that speech before. What an inspiration. It is hard to believe how far our leaders have diverged from the principles J.F.K. aspires to in this speech. Thank you much for sharing it!
I remember John F. Kennedy running for president. I was in high school. I asked my dad who he would vote for and it wasn't Kennedy. I felt a little guilty, because had I been old enough , Kennedy surely would have had my vote.
My dad was born in 1885 and his parents moved the family to Eastlake, Alabama in 1886. Eastlake was a promising new town on the outskirts of Birmingham.
Daddy grew up during a time when the Klan ruled everything, not only in the South. One time, in my teens, I asked Daddy if he had belonged to the Klan. He answered this way: "I went to one meeting. When I looked around and saw who else was there, I left." In other words, Daddy knew not to keep bad company.
Daddy told me one time that his brother, George, had disappeared and no one knew what had happened to him. The wife, Eunice, declared that they had been at the dinner table, when someone knocked on their door. George went outside, she said, and there were some men in the front yard. She said George never came back inside. I wanted to know the end of the story, but Daddy could only say that George must have had trouble with the Klan.
I spent many years thinking the evil of the Klan might have disrupted our family. Eventually I learned that Uncle George's wife was an Irish Catholic girl named Eunice O'Hara. They had two sons and a daughter. I also discovered that when Uncle George disappeared, he went to the St. Louis area. He died in 1932 and is buried in the military cemetery there. But Eunice told the children their father was dead. We will never know if George abandoned his family because he was running from the Klan. We do know that his children were unaware that he was alive in St. Louis.
The Klan controlled politics, putting local sheriffs and judges in place. They had no use for foreigners, or Catholics. Perhaps people don't readily recall that John F. Kennedy was Catholic. It was a big deal in 1960 to think that a Catholic might become President of the United States. I think Daddy had some issues with the Catholics. He used do this schtick where he acted like a priest, moving his hand in a cross, intoning, "My dominicka rooster can lick your dominicka rooster." Then he would laugh; I thought he must have been remembering something from long ago.
I believed for a long time that the Klan was an outmoded, almost extinct organization. Now I am not so sure. Their methods seem to apply, most especially regarding suppressing the vote and controlling women.
As Daddy used to say, "Enough said."
Thank you, Mary, for sharing your truly remarkable family history with us:)
When JFK was running for President, my father's parents (both born in the 1880-90's) were extremely concerned that the Pope would be running our country. Grandpa was a Lutheran minister and didn't trust JFK one little bit. My father said that they were wrong and was very pro-JFK. So yes, there was tremendous anxiety about having a Catholic president. (Still haven't had a Jewish president -- unlike Ukraine.)
SO fascinating! Thank you!
I hear them. Thank you for such a timely post. He was president for 2 months of my life, then taken from us all too quickly. For all his faults, still a shining light for democracy and fair play. I am ready for the final release of the Warren Commission as well. In our local elections, our best and most qualified candidates will have it rough, but we have some who meet these qualifications. There is a woman running in one of our TN congressional races I am supporting who has this spirit and JFK qualifications. Her name is Heidi Campbell for TN 05 District. Hoping against all $$$ that Doc Martin can pull out a surprise win against incumbent BIll Lee for Governor. We have so much work to do in TN. Thank you for another inspiring post!
So powerful and so true.
Clear succinct I would hope someone somewhere on a campaign is drawing on this for their message.
Courage…Integrity…Judgement
Dedication…..As I read Steve’s writing
and then read the comments… you each
Give me HOPE..gratitude & blessings💜
YOU give me HOPE, Marsha, thank you!
Bravo. 👏
Normally wouldn’t have mentioned but I was so touched by Steve’s writing about JFK decided to also honor my tender memories of Caroline as my student she was kind,compassionate and holds very special memories in my heart…sweet night
You are an extraordinarily kind person and are appreciated by me Lisa Beardsley! 💜
Also…listening to JFK simply clarifies how empty and impotent today’s Democratic lawmakers are. On one hand they own the moral and patriotic high ground but they have no voice, no charisma, no leadership and no strength. Chuck Schumer. Nice guy. But he has no voice. I like the guy but why the hell is he the Senate Leader? Where are the clear headed voices that reach out to the hearts and minds of ALL Americans?