כח הפרסומת

 

Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy

Inaugural Address of President John F. Kennedy

Washington, D.C.

January 20, 1961

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 self-destruction.

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.

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.

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.

Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.

Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms--and bring 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) let the oppressed go free."

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.

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.

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.

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"--a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself.

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.

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.

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.

Know Thine Enemy

Obama gave a major address to the Turkish parliament when he was President:

"I know there have been difficulties these last few years. I know that the trust that binds the United States and Turkey has been strained, and I know that strain is shared in many places where the Muslim faith is practiced. So let me say this as clearly as I can: The United States is not, and will never be, at war with Islam."

The problem that Islam [at least millions of its practitioners] IS at war with the United States. If only one side is fighting us and the we pledge never to fight back then we are in trouble.

Fortunately for us and the rest of the civilized world - Barack is out at the farm.  

We Impact Each Other

Imagine the brain, that shiny bundle of being, securely housed in a protective skull, hosting conscious thoughts in a pool of subconsciousness. The basic brain ingredients are fat, water, protein, carbohydrates, and salt. Described in this way, the brain sounds like it could be whipped up in a kitchen! However, the brain is unfathomably complex, with the capacity to compute faster than any microprocessor. Our brain is a thought generator, informing ourselves not only about ourselves but also about how we relate to the physical world.

Our thoughts pervade most of our waking consciousness. We tell ourselves a story about what is happening, typically narrated by the sound of our own voice. We think our thoughts are factual. We believe that our perceptions of right and wrong are a shared reality. However, our brains are hardwired to see the world within limitations. We are hardwired to detect patterns, to see in perspective, and we experience only a fraction of the sound and color that exist in nature. Our brains are designed to be deeply connected in rich emotional ways with other humans. Our brains become rewired in the midst of traumatic experiences. Our memories are impermanent and are constantly changing.

Our mind is the voice we hear discussing ourselves, and we can learn to manage thoughts that the brain incessantly generates. In this blog post, we will explore the fascinating dynamics of human influence and how it creates a ripple effect that spreads far beyond our immediate interactions. Therefore, managing your thoughts will have a direct impact on improving the human condition.

My career in psychotherapy has allowed me to listen to the thoughts of thousands of humans. In therapy, clients are encouraged to communicate thought patterns that may have been locked in secrecy. The process of communicating internal content can become cathartic, leading to a feeling of goodness from the act of sharing difficult emotional content. Therapists teach new cognitive skills that may improve the thought quality. For example, it is common to have a patient suffering from anxiety in therapy. In a therapeutic setting, patients can train their minds to replace worried thoughts with confident statements. “When I notice that I am thinking about the future and convincing myself that bad events will occur, I can remind myself that I have come through difficult times before or maybe everything will work out fine.”

When we master these kinds of cognitive skills, our joy and happiness predictably increase.

Not only can we impact the quality of our own thoughts but, because we are connected to other human beings who are affected by us, we can impact the people around us as well. This might be through positive reinforcement, support, inspiration, or from the negative effect of interpersonal conflict. Essentially, every interaction with another person has the potential of creating a ripple effect that can have enormous long-term consequences. As you develop the habit of monitoring your thoughts, pay attention to your impact on others.

“Emotional Contagion” is a term used to communicate our impact on each other; however, the term contagion is used to describe pathogens, creating a negative bias. I prefer “Emotional Transfer” to describe our impact on each other. To understand the power of emotional transfer, you can consider the survival advantage of the interactional circuitry between humans. Sharing group emotions can increase the communication of danger that leads to survival. Hence, our reliance upon information transmitted through worry about a possible threat is common to all social animals⁠: packs, herds, prides, and, in the case of humans, families or other organizational structures. When one member of a group becomes aggressive, frightened, or interested, the others will incorporate the emotion. Our behavior influences how others around us experience their world.

Emotions have “negative bias” which causes our brains to prioritize processing ones that skew to what is wrong. This creates hypervigilance where we are on guard for any perceptions of threat. The bias toward possible dangers overshadows the part of our brain that apprehends the beauty of our environment. Negative bias is why loss causes pain disproportionately to the joy of equivalent gain. You will forget most of the meals you have eaten, but you will remember a night that you went unfed. A large monetary bonus will be very pleasant for a short time, but losing a large sum of money can negatively impact someone's mood for months. Having a baby brings short-lived beatific emotions, while losing a child will entail a lifetime of sorrow.

However, positive emotions are more important to long-term well-being compared to the protective factor of worry. Our thoughts affect our feelings and the way we feel influences our behavior. This is a fundamental principle of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. When we pay attention to the thoughts we host, we guide our language to have the best chance at relational success by promoting our best thinking, which, in turn, impacts others.

Humans are inherently social beings, constantly interacting and shaping their understanding of the world. Spoken or written words have a profound impact on those we come into contact with. Our emotions transfer to others which highlights the importance of making efforts to be a positive influence on our family, friends, and coworkers. These interactions have the potential to inspire, motivate, and transform individuals, making social influence an essential aspect of our power.

One of the primary ways in which people influence each other is through verbal or digital communication. Our feedback to others and the way that we treat them shapes their reactions to our influence. What you bring to communication starts a chain of events that impacts your own personal satisfaction, which is typically related to the quality of close relationships.

Deep reflection on our impact on others may lead to a habit of proofreading texts or emails before we send messages. Predicting the impact a communication will have on a reader is part of a successful transmission of digital content. Those who make a positive impact in their communities understand the power of relationships and the importance of building healthy connections. Taking a moment to think about your part in establishing healthy communication is an effective way to achieve your goal of making an extraordinary impact on others. Individuals who develop ways to collaborate in a positive manner have more success in establishing healthy connected relationships. This habit may transform your own thoughts on your ability to steer your future toward security and wellness. Your creation of healthy thoughts will develop into solid relationships that respect the impact of interpersonal communication, and this is a dynamic that I believe is worth constructing and sharing.

Jody Eyre

Normandy Speech: President Reagan's Address Commemorating 40th Anniversary

He was literally crying. 

We don't often see Presidents cry. 

Powerful.

חדשנות

 מאתיים השנים האחרונות מלמדות אותנו שלא הייתה תנועה רוחנית בעלת משמעות, שלא נתקלה בהתנגדות חריפה מצד גישות שמרניות יותר, שלא ראו בעין יפה את החידושים וחששו מהם. בד"כ בין המתנגדים היו ממש גדולי ישראל, ובד"כ חששותיהם לא היו לחלוטין בלתי מוצדקים. זה נכון לגבי הרמח"ל; זה נכון על תנועת החסידות בכלל, ובתוך החסידות לגבי קוצק, ברסלב ועוד; זה נכון ביחס לתנועת המוסר; וזה נכון גם ביחס לגישת תועד"א של הרב הירש והפרישה מן הקהילות בגרמניה.

ההתנגדות של ימינו היא יחסית עדינה. בעבר היה מדובר בחרמות ונידויים, בסיכסוכים עד כדי פירוק משפחות וכו', כידוע. כיום מדובר בפשקוויל בעיתון נידח, בפטפוטים בקווי ניייעס, ובנאומים במסיבות חנוכה...

במבט היסטורי, ההתנגדות מעולם לא הצליחה לעצור שום גישה חדשנית. ייתכן שהיא השפיעה לעיתים לאזן מגמות חדשניות ולגרום שההתפתחות תהיה איטית וזהירה יותר, וייתכן שגם בזה לא הייתה להתנגדות כל הצלחה. הסיבה לחוסר ההצלחה ברורה: אי אפשר להילחם ברעיונות. "אֵין אָדָם שַׁלִּיט בָּרוּחַ לִכְלוֹא אֶת הָרוּחַ". אם יש מי שמביא משמעות רוחנית שמדברת ללבבות של בני אדם, אז הוא מצליח, כי טבעם של בני אדם, ובפרט של בני עלייה, שהם מבקשים להתקדם עוד ועוד ולא לקפוא על השמרים של הישן והמוכר.

Remarks at Memorial Day Ceremonies Honoring an Unknown Serviceman of the Vietnam War