Note: With the exception of this Friday's Halloween post, (see my P.S. at the bottom of this post) all of my other posts, between now and election day, (November 4th) are going to be political in nature. Why? Well, as my oldest, college going, vote registering daughter told one of her peers who declared her disinterest in politics by stating, "I don't do politics." ...
... "You may not do politics" replied my daughter, "but politics does you!"
... I don't know about you, but I like to have a say in what is being done to me!
And now for todays post...
47 years ago our nation elected John F. Kennedy as its 35th president, giving hope for a brighter future to millions of Americans. Sadly this dream was never realized due to an act of irrational violence and hatred. Now for many, with this election, we once again have that hope of a brighter and better tomorrow, for all humans everywhere. I pray that this time the hope can live, grow, prosper and spread, so that we may all live in peace one day.
John Lennon, whose life also was tragically cut short by another act of irrational violence and hatred, expressed the vision of a peaceful world more beautifully then anyone else I can think of...
The following words were spoken by Kennedy, and they are as relevant today as when he first spoke them, more then 45 years ago.
- No one has been barred on account of his race from fighting or dying for America, there are no white or colored signs on the foxholes or graveyards of battle.
- When written in Chinese, the word "crisis" is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity.
- The basic problems facing the world today are not susceptible to a military solution.
- We cannot expect that all nations will adopt like systems, for conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth
- If we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.
- Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal.
- Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures.
- We have the power to make this the best generation of mankind in the history of the world or to make it the last.
- Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.
- Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind.
PS. For those of you who do not enjoy the heaviness of this weeks posts, I have decided that in the spirit of childhood innocence and fun I will be posting something lighthearted and halloween-ish on Friday.
10 comments:
I'm liking your political posts & really enjoy reading your thoughts about it all. I was wondering when your election day was. Nov 4th? That day is a much celebrated one here in Austalia. It's Melbourne Cup day. Big horse race that stops the whole nation. Quite trivial in comparison to your event though ;)
Yes, November 4th is the big day. I can barely wait. I am so happy that you like this weeks political posts. I know that by posting all of this I risk losing readership, (which me thinks is already happening based on you are the only one to comment so far!) but I am just having a hard time with not speaking up, especially with so much on the line, (talk about your high stakes horse race!)
Enjoy your Melbourne Cup Day, it sounds like fun. Hope your horse wins!
Beautiful words. And the John Lennon song is one of my favorites. I never tire of hearing it...
I will check your posts daily!! I am so excited about your election and take in everything I can about it.
Let your voice be heard Victoria- in the polls and on your blog. I see another facet of your passions in life- art to family to politics... you give it your all. We're listening!
I am so happy to have found your blog...change is in the air.
such an inspirational post...we need posts like this. thank you for taking the initiative and reminding us that "hope" is all we have...
we are so on the same page...i love that i could read Kennedy's quote about building peace in this context. My son called after he saw Obama's show tonight. He had such pride in his voice. He gushed when he talked...and said he just had to tell someone how I was feeling.
A President who inspires...priceless!
Thanks so much everyone, your words, encouragement and support of my voicing myself politically, all mean a great deal to me.
Jacquie, I watched his show tonight with my one daughter. I know that she realizes she is watching history in the making, and I feel so privileged to be able to share this with her. I welled up with tears several times watching. To have the possibility of having a president who inspires such hope... I have been waiting my whole life for this moment!
i love these posts and am glad you're doing them--these quotes are incredible---hoping to make more heroes in the next 4-8 years--go Barack!
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