This was originally posted at my professional writing home. I really want to share it with you, because it does reflect my heart both then, and since. I hope you will visit, and read the entire series of five entries in my personal blog, only because I want (or need) you to honestly understand something of me, my raising, and my life.
If you are willing, follow me just below the squggledoodlethingey fold, and read my words.
Yesterday, Friday November 22, 2013 was a day of remembrance for me; thus no writing. Fifty years ago, on this date in 1963, America lost her Camelot. There was no saving her from it, even as other brothers would try. One, Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy, the Attorney General of the United States of America under his older brother's administration, would mount a Presidential campaign. He would die because of it. Yet, if Camelot could not continue, the legacy of family participation in Public Service to our country would continue for decades, and even to this very day.
Much has been made of the life, and the death of JFK. Even the most cursory glance at the television schedule this week will immediately testify to that truth, both here at home and abroad. Yet, while there are enigmas and dilemmas abundant for a century of research, speculation, publication and dissemination, I feel that something even more significant is being overlooked. Not merely in the past 50 years (historically), but today and perhaps tomorrow as well. Pardon my arrogance, but it is only through the watching, reading, and viewing this week which makes me feel this statement to be much more than true. What I do not yet know is whether or not this perhaps most important reality will be a perpetual one. The reason is a simple one, yet not one whose solution we cannot determine. Therein lies the dilemma, you see.
The solution is entirely up to us, the citizens of the United States, and of the world. It may go without saying (necessarily) that President Kennedy had one over-arching belief, a supreme confidence. In his living, in his speaking, in his writing, and in his Presidency, this belief was central. He believed in us, the American people. Not only was his belief in us strongest in our very best nature, but very outspoken in his understanding and belief in our very worst nature. His conviction was that, no matter what, America was safe for her citizens because OF her citizens. Kennedy had seen the very worst of humankind, even his fellow citizens. His living was the proof we needed during some very difficult times to help us see those times through. He led from, as is the trait of a genuine leader, from the front. We saw him, during our difficult times, like Moses overllooking the Red Sea, compelling his followers forward into, and through the abyss of uncertainty until we again landed on solid ground. That was a position we, the electors gave him. In fact, it was a position we were more than willing to give him. Of all we needed, we needed him to lead. He did, valiantly.
Many loved him. Many despised him. He knew the fullness of both. Yet he did not waver when it came to his faith and belief in us. That was him, the man, the President of the United States of America. That was him, the Father, Husband, friend, colleague, and leader. One need look only to his words, his acts and deeds, and the steps he walked to understand that Kennedy was a believer in citizen, and in citizenship. Yet, I submit that we have failed in the largest part to validate his belief in us, and his trust in the security of freedom both at home and abroad. One need only look at our collective words, and acts, and deeds with an honest, critical eye to know this to be true. As a result, John F. Kennedy truly did die on November 22, 1963. It wasn't necessary then. It isn't necessary now, so why do we continue to act as if it were?
From the very beginning moments of the future of America after Kennedy, we as a nation have betrayed his faith and belief in us. While it is true that we have had some stellar advances in that time, it is much more true that we have had blinding, and in most cases blindingly stupid decisions and choices which belie his faith and belief in us. This is the genesis of the ongoing dilemmas and enigmas which never seem to stop assailing us as a nation. It is our fault, and ours alone. So is the decision to stop the attacks on citizenship, on democracy, and on America.
You see, since the moment that Lee Harvey Oswald successfully completed his second of three sniper shots, we as a people have been mistrusting, misunderstanding, misrepresenting, and misleading our government, and each other. If one were to plot a Cartesian point (x,y) graph across the span of the preceding fifty years of American History, the increase in the negativity of our citizenry against their government (and governance) is patently clear. You must, in order to truly "see" this reality must do one simple, yet simply impossible task. You must set aside your political ideology. This is not an activity for party politics, but for the inquiring mind of a reasonably intelligent citizenry. You can refuse to do so, and nobody much would be either impressed or surprised. That is the absolute foundation of the problem, you see. Within three days, the American people had begun their own series of continuing mistrust and disbelief. It continues to this very day. Rather than spending empty brain power creating an argument to my theory, how about spending some time investigating it's potential integrity and truth?
By the time of the release of the Warren Commission Report, the path down the rabbit hole was complete. One person, Mark Levin has been making a buck on the fear of Americans from that day to this. He was wrong in 1963, and 1964, and every year since. He is wrong today. But he does have a few hugely successful products that just keeps on giving: doubt; mistrust.
Voice.
From the ride to Parkland Hospital, through Vietnam and beyond, even unto this very day, politicians and political entities (on both sides of the political aisle) have employed the strongest emotional tactic of all to enable those who believe power is for sale to the highest bidder. Sadly, yet predictably, the price has been constantly rising, with power going ever-upward to the more and more affluent among us. First, those circles who found the affluence of the Kennedys, and their ilk not only admirable but achievable hung to the Hyannis clan for all they were worth. Stars of the fear philosophy began carving space for themselves, offering their services to the highest bidder. The problem was the same as for any other Ponzi scheme. It became more and more expensive to first control, then remain in the game. The game has continued unabated since, with fear as the grease, and money as the fuel for the engine of State.
Those raised in, and since Kennedy's Presidency have become so untrusting of their government, and their governance that simple fear ran it's course. Fear has ruled this country since 9/12/11 by the hand of those whose lust for power outstripped the ability of fear itself. That was a wrinkle the power mongers never anticipated. It was the wrinkle that Kennedy depended on. There truly is a limit to the accesses of power, for power's sake alone.
Now, the power brokers arrogantly, visibly, publicly presume that there is no power sufficient to stop them, much less return to the democracy President Kennedy died for.
Kennedy governed in a time when fear was trumped by willful allegiance to the principles and precepts of democracy. It was a learned lesson from since before the days of WW II, and hard earned. Simply one firm connection between Kennedy and his people that was unbreakable, even in death. A bond that could not, regardless of the money spent in the attempt, or the power displayed, be broken between fellow citizens. Kennedy knew that, too. It was where the guiding light came from, after all. We know that President Kennedy witnessed the most horrific mankind had to offer. We seem to have pretty consistently forgotten the other part. President Kennedy saw the very best mankind had to offer, as well. Not only did he see it, he lived it, among the very best citizens of the very best nation in the world. That's what we once were. That's what we used to be, you know. Today, we are anything but.
But that is a choice. We make it, every day. President Kennedy lived, and died believing in our best, even as we together endured the very worst. He told us we could and should deal with the worst by refusing to be anything but the very best. No matter what.
Today, even when we have the living proof of a President who is leading his country to better tomorrows--for everyone--while being vilified, maligned, abused, disrespected, and forsaken by the citizens of that same country, even President Kennedy would call us as citizens again. His legacy is calling to us, and our best potential even as there are so many screaming fear, doubt, and hatred for everything Kennedy stood for, and what we as Americans should be standing for today.
For every one of us, who every day fail to resist the lies of fear and power in that fear, we choose to keep President Kennedy's legacy in a grave. For every one of us who wake up, knowing in spite of the fear screaming around us to believe in the very best we, as Americans have to offer, Kennedy's legacy lives. Sometimes, it even soars above and beyond us.
I believe that makes President Kennedy smile, within his never-ending faith in us. At least, I do sincerely hope so. America is worthy of that President, and this one. America is worthy of our very best citizenship. John F. Kennedy knew that. I know it now. If it be no more than I alone, I will continue to agree with our 35th President, and the legacy he leaves to us all every single day, if we will but listen.
If we do, our most beloved President will be validated, and his legacy will live for the ages. If we do not, the only confirmable fact will be that John Fitzgerald Kennedy truly died that day in Dallas.
That choice is up to us. Right now. We are being called to make it. I know we must. I hope we will. And, I do remain,
In His Care,
Budroe