As I was using stumbleupon I came across a speech,I have chills, my hair is on end.
President John F Kennedy’s inaugural address is one of the most poignant & well known of the 20th century. By reading it, you realize in these troubled times generations before us there were more common goals than you could imagine As he was sworn to be the president, on January 21st 1961, the world seemed to be, or would shortly thereafter be seen as on the brink of complete destruction.
The signs are there, but is it destruction? One quote that rang true was towards the end; it is why recently I realized I was meant to be born in this life, which I had not felt like before.
“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”
It may seem ironic, considering the timing of Vietnam, in my opinion when the country really started to go to shit. But during these troubled times, the aftermath of WWII a war against human rights, freedom & deadly tyranny shook up the world. We realized we had to come together…fight for freedom. We went about it the wrong way, & this is the result…
“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.” – JFK
Oddly, but not surprising to those who know me well, another quote just came to mind. Obviously to be interpreted in a different fashion…
“…in the light of Voldemort’s return, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. Lord Voldemort’s gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.” – Albus Dumbledore (JK Rowling)
In fact, having reread the Harry Potter novels an embarrassing amount of times, I have become familiar with all the underlying themes & symbolism. Particularly the the 5th, as the Ministry continues to lie, arrest innocent victims for their own means, and begin controlling the media & covering up the truth. They portray the two main protagonists, who know the dangers their country is about to face, as evil as crazy, deluded, paranoid. Somehow, reading that almost ten years ago didn’t resonate with me like it does now.
This thanksgiving I am grateful for my freedom of speech in this blog. I’m greatful for the air I breathe, the light of fire I stare into, the earth we share & the water that gives life. I am thankful for my family & the friends that stood by me at my darkest hours and essentially saved my life.
I am thankful for whatever unnamed beautiful, spiritual force, whether it be a god or simply energy, the pure joy I believe could await us in our final death & throughout life.
Happy Thanksgiving America! x
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