I was one of the millions of college-aged students who heard and were inspired by President Kennedy's inaugural address. It inspired the Peace Corps internationally, but also a commitment to making America a better place domestically. Sure, neither the speech nor his short administration were perfect, but his vision paved the way for Lyndon Johnson to achieve remarkable civil rights and anti-poverty laws and to move the country forward. We need another of his kind (could be a woman) to inspire, articulate, and lead us in a wholly different direction than we are in at this dreadful time. Up with democracy again!
Kennedy's words brought me to tears. Speaking and acting on behalf of the common good around the world as well as here at home is what real leaders do. In contrast, you could plug the name Trump into every Mad Libs moment in the Loser's speech quoted here, because that's what he really meant:
“From this day forward, DONALD J. TRUMP will flourish and be respected again [sic] all over the world. TRUMP will be the envy of every nation, and I will not allow MYSELF to be taken advantage of any longer. During every single day of the Trump administration, I will, very simply, put ME first.”
Kennedy said things that inspired respect from other world leaders. Trump just demands it from everybody. The difference couldn't be any clearer. How did we become so crass?!
I was a young child when that speech was broadcast to the black and white tv screen in my parents’ living room, but I have heard those words in memory countless times since and they never cease to inspire me—to love of country and service to the world. What, one asks, are young people inspired to today by the words of the current administration? To love of “force and power” as Stephen Miller preaches? To “owning” the half of the populace who voted for someone else? To one day getting the opportunity to enrich yourself to the tune of 1.4 Billion Dollars for the privilege of “serving” as our president? What have we come to in these 65 years and who has taken us there?
Good point: who are the role models for kids these days? Last year, we all saw photos of little girls being inspired by Kamala Harris's campaign. After the loss, the lesson is: "Stay in your lane. Look what can happen to you."
I was one of the millions of college-aged students who heard and were inspired by President Kennedy's inaugural address. It inspired the Peace Corps internationally, but also a commitment to making America a better place domestically. Sure, neither the speech nor his short administration were perfect, but his vision paved the way for Lyndon Johnson to achieve remarkable civil rights and anti-poverty laws and to move the country forward. We need another of his kind (could be a woman) to inspire, articulate, and lead us in a wholly different direction than we are in at this dreadful time. Up with democracy again!
Kennedy's words brought me to tears. Speaking and acting on behalf of the common good around the world as well as here at home is what real leaders do. In contrast, you could plug the name Trump into every Mad Libs moment in the Loser's speech quoted here, because that's what he really meant:
“From this day forward, DONALD J. TRUMP will flourish and be respected again [sic] all over the world. TRUMP will be the envy of every nation, and I will not allow MYSELF to be taken advantage of any longer. During every single day of the Trump administration, I will, very simply, put ME first.”
Kennedy said things that inspired respect from other world leaders. Trump just demands it from everybody. The difference couldn't be any clearer. How did we become so crass?!
I was a young child when that speech was broadcast to the black and white tv screen in my parents’ living room, but I have heard those words in memory countless times since and they never cease to inspire me—to love of country and service to the world. What, one asks, are young people inspired to today by the words of the current administration? To love of “force and power” as Stephen Miller preaches? To “owning” the half of the populace who voted for someone else? To one day getting the opportunity to enrich yourself to the tune of 1.4 Billion Dollars for the privilege of “serving” as our president? What have we come to in these 65 years and who has taken us there?
Good point: who are the role models for kids these days? Last year, we all saw photos of little girls being inspired by Kamala Harris's campaign. After the loss, the lesson is: "Stay in your lane. Look what can happen to you."
What a contrast. We really can and should do better. What can we do now?