Tuesday, April 29, 2025

John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address

Contrast this address with the adversarial-us-against-them-America-First-totalitarian-it's-all-about-me attitude of an *Orange Haired President*. He was able to show concern with all of humanity [non-Americans are also people] while still projecting strength, fortitude and patriotism. Also note the difference in class and dignity between the two Presidents. It was a different era and we get the leaders we deserve וד"ל. This message is much, much closer to the vision of the Neviim. One of world peace and brotherhood meant to help and care for one another - under G-d. Not "we are going to beat China" or "I'm sick of other countries beating us" as if geo-politics is just one big competition. And of course no pot shots at the previous President or his opponents with the accompanying derogatory nicknames. Also - no empty promises he knows he can't keep as opposed to our President who ran on the platform of "I will solve every single problem" which of course he won't and couldn't if he tried.  

In the bedroom both Presidents were the same נואפים - but at least in the public square and as a leader Kennedy projected positivity, hope, dignity, personal responsibility etc. etc. Note that he says not a word about himself but about America and the world. He understood that the office is not about ego and self-aggrandizement.  It makes me sad to think of where we are today that the best we could do is the person who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.