A Eulogy for America - The timely words of JFK

 

A Eulogy for America

 

First of all I’d like to ask you if you are one of the countless others out there who are asking themselves:

 

 “What happened to this country since men like Pres. Kennedy graced the White House’s Grand Halls?”

 

… I know I am!

 

Fifty-two years ago is it really not that far back as any good baby boomer will tell you… And last time I looked that generation was still the majority.  So you boomers can type in any time and support me… The world then and the world now are two totally different places.

 

Let me take you back and show you what I mean…and pardon if I interject and fill you in on the whisperings of Wisdom from Our Lord to us.

 

Pres. Kennedy’s January 20, 1961 inaugural address…

 

“Vice President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice President

Nixon, President Truman, Reverend Clergy, fellow citizens: 

 

We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom ­­ symbolizing an end,

as well as a beginning ­­ signifying renewal, as well as change. For I have sworn before you

and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three­ 

quarters ago. 

 

The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all

forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs 

for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe ­­ the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.

 

 “This was a statement of faith I believe Kennedy fully meant. Funny how Obama, in stark contrast, has done all he can to remove that section from his own solemn oath as president?”

 

We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth

from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new

generation of Americans ­­ born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and 

bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow

undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which

we are committed today at home and around the world.

 

“To what rights has this nation always been committed to? I think it boils down to two basic things…The right to avoid unlawful taxation and the right for individuals to practice their faith both publicly and privately.

 

Well they reneged on the taxation part long ago but the faith part has been long in the works…and our faith rights are about to go the same way as our hard earned money.”

 

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any 

burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the 

success of liberty.

 

This much we pledge ­­ and more.

“Those two rights were so important that Americans go to any length to defend them these words were not just for the government officials… but for the common man as well.  It meant that should the government itself go against these rights the people themselves were called upon upholding that pledge.”

 

To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of 

faithful friends. United there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided

there is little we can do ­­ for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split

asunder.

 

“These allies included places like Britain and Israel and others who were our greatest allies that we have recently offended without reason. Kennedy’s next words are chillingly true in today’s government would do well to learn them.”

 

To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one 

form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron

tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always 

hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom ­­ and to remember that, in the 

past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.

 

“Already this pledge has been broken… I call out to the states… hear me!

 

Have you not been handed into the hands of a tyrant?

 

Cower not in your homes!  Take back then what was given rightfully on to you by your forefathers!  Take time to remember what those rights meant to them and should mean to you…are we taking what they fought and died for for granted?”

 

To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of 

mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is 

required ­­ not because the Communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, 

but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the 

few who are rich.

 

“Fifty years ago America was doing good enough financially to think about helping the world’s poor and did so. In contrast today America has never been so poor, so destitute so meaning of missionaries of good Hope.  I guess recently we have found out how well the rich can help themselves.”

 

To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge: to convert our good 

words into good deeds, in a new alliance for progress, to assist free men and free 

governments in casting off the chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot

become the prey of hostile powers. Let all our neighbors know that we shall join with them to

oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas. And let every other power know

that this hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house. 

 

“If I were not a nobody I’d ask a representative of that country if America has kept or indeed broken this pledge as well…”

 

To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an age 

where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace, we renew our 

pledge of support ­­ to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective, to strengthen

its shield of the new and the weak, and to enlarge the area in which its writ may run.

 

Who then you turn to when the UN itself has become a catalyst in the wars we are seeing today? 

 

Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but

a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of 

destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self­destruction.

 

We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt

can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.

 

“This proves that we knew as long as 50 years ago the kind of destruction our adversaries could bring upon us. We shall then that we would not show weakness… sense then all we can do is bow to them.”

 

But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present

course ­­ both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by 

the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror 

that stays the hand of mankind’s final war.

 

“This never-ending game of Russian roulette went on even then… As for today… let’s just say there’s a lot more going over that physical cliff than people first thought.”

 

So let us begin anew ­­ remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and 

sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to

negotiate.

 

“Words to the wise not just to those decision-makers unable to negotiate politely but those of the populace tired of those same ignorant lawmakers walking all over them.  Remember well the meaning of the words “Don’t tread on me!”

 

Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of adding to those problems which

divide us. 

 

Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection

and control of arms bringing the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute  control of all nations. 

 

Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us 

explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and 

encourage the arts and commerce. 

 

Let both sides unite to heed, in all corners of the earth, the command of Isaiah ­­ to ”undo the 

heavy burdens, and [to] let the oppressed go free.”¹ 

 

“This all sounded exactly like the kind of stuff I expect governmental leaders to say and still hear them say today…all but the last part that is. Today’s quite the opposite with the oppressed being imprisoned.  Don’t believe me… Look it up or ask them yourself.”

 

And, if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join

in creating a new endeavor ­­ not a new balance of power, but a new world of law ­­ where 

the strong are just, and the weak secure, and the peace preserved.

 

“America’s beachhead of cooperation dried up long ago and suspicion has run rampant… Those wonderful notions of balance have long been killed and buried.”

 

All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one 

thousand days; nor in the life of this Administration; nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this 

planet. But let us begin. 

 

“How many times have we heard these words and from how many mouths? Yet knowing how long it could take for progress of this magnitude …we never start… we never begin… It all just start seeming like empty promises.”

 

In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our 

course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to

give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call

to service surround the globe.

 

“These words should strike you like cold water… We would do well to remember them and take them to heart.”

 

Now the trumpet summons us again ­­ not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need ­­ not

as a call to battle, though embattled we are ­­ but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight

struggle, year in and year out, ”rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation,”² a struggle against

the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself. 

 

“How prophetic are these words… How clearly the trumpet of our rights sounds as we lift our banner high and again vow to protect that which we hold dear. And now as the battle reaches its dusk humanity needs these words more than ever.”

 

Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and 

West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort? 

 

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of 

defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility ­­ I

welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or 

any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will

light our country and all who serve it. And the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

 

“Today comes a Battle unlike any the world has ever seen with dangers unlike any men have ever experienced.  Losses will be great but while the wall churns and reforms itself in the something new heroes will be born legends made.  For we are living in a time of legends in any one of us can be that hero.”

 

And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do

for your country. 

 

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.

 

“These words never needed any dressing up… And they should be well known to us all.  I think that if these words reform today that they would sound a little more like this “My fellow citizens, ask not what your neighbor can do for you but rather… what you can do for your neighbor.”

 

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.”

¹ Isaiah 58:6 (Holy Bible) 

² Romans 12:12 (Holy Bible)

 

I don’t think I can say enough about this final paragraph…looking upon these words is to see the sorrow of a time dead and past.  This…Is America’s eulogy. ” 

 

Mariea Vox

 

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