Posted on 02/28/2008 10:40:49 AM PST by Daniel T. Zanoza
COMMENTARY by DANIEL T. ZANOZA
Perhaps the greatest historic misnomer today regards the presidency of John F. Kennedy. Historic revisionists say Kennedy had a successful administration--even though he had little or no experience in foreign affairs.
In reality, the Kennedy presidency possibly represented the most dangerous period in American history. From its inception, Kennedy quickly learned the world was not a place of cordial state dinners and visions of Camelot.
One of Kennedy's first important duties included a summit meeting held in Europe with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. Kennedy entered the meeting with the rambunctious Communist Party leader with an air of confidence. But the summit meeting turned into a disaster for the 43 year-old President and he left a beaten man who, in the midst of a very hot Cold War, had ratcheted up the possibility for confrontation between the two world powers to the highest level since World War II.
However, Kennedy's inexperience became even more evident during the Bay of Pigs fiasco where the island of Cuba was invaded by CIA-aided Cuban nationals. It was another day of infamy for the United States as Kennedy called off CIA air cover for the pro-American invading Cubans and many of them were captured or killed on beaches just 90 miles from the coast of Florida.
By this time, the Soviet Union knew they were dealing with a political novice. Kennedy might have been well-honed in the skills of America's wheelings and dealings in smoke-filled back rooms, but his acumen regarding the hard real world was grossly lacking and the wrong people knew it. Khrushchev quickly took advantage of Kennedy's naiveté and installed strategic missiles which had the potential of attacking American cities from the island of Cuba. In just two short years, Kennedy's inexperience had put the world on the brink of World War III.
Historians all agree Khrushchev would have never taken such provocative steps if Eisenhower or Truman were still in the White House. But the Soviet Prime Minister saw weakness and he took advantage of it.
There have been many stories on the subject of the Cuban missile crisis. In essence, the situation was resolved because Kennedy agreed to pull American-manned Jupiter missiles out of Greece. In return, Fidel Castro dismantled the missile sites in Cuba and Kennedy was portrayed as a hero to the American public when, in reality, his lack of knowledge regarding foreign affairs could have wiped out mankind.
That is why it is extremely dangerous when some say Barack Hussein Obama's lack of experience will not be a factor in his ability to lead our nation. But, in this case, Obama lacks experience in domestic issues and foreign affairs as well.
It is possible America finds itself in a world that is more dangerous today than the one which met John F. Kennedy in January of 1961 when he took office. China is building up its military at an exponential rate and it still has its sites on Taiwan. Some say the Chinese are waiting for a time to call America's bluff regarding our nation's treaty with Taiwan and when that comes would a Barack Obama have what it takes to deal with the situation? Russia--under Vladimir Putin--is also flexing its muscles and many military experts believe the former Cold War is heating up once again. Then, of course, there is America's war against terror.
These are all daunting challenges waiting to face the next President of the Unites States. Will that man or woman be up to the task? Or will the Unites States essentially roll the dice on its future? Is Barack Obama the answer and, more important, can Americans afford not to ask that question?
Well, today's situation is TOTALLY different! Today, Putin is putting nukes in Serbia.
Let's see how Obama handles that.
Yes, that’s exactly what we can expect.
I would not be surprised if an Obama presidency ended the same way as the JFK presidency did
Obama Served On Board That Funded Pro-Palestinian Group
...The co-founder of the Arab group, Columbia University professor Rashid Khalidi, is a harsh critic of Israel who reportedly worked on behalf of the Palestine Liberation Organization when it was labeled a terror group by the State Department.... Khalidi said he supports Obama for president "because he is the only candidate who has expressed sympathy for the Palestinian cause."
Don’t vote for Obama because he may turn out to be next JFK?
Can any Conseravative come up with one idea that actually hurts Obama?
Tally for today:
His Daughters called Britney and Paris Yuck
He is really a White Man
He might be next JFK
He is smiling in his Somali Elder picture.
OK People, I hate to inform you, we need better ammo than this.
Is that true? Do you have a source or link for this?
No, its not what we can expect. It would be, if the word “nearly” is scratched from the title.
An article was posted earlier stating that he wouldn’t reveal if he wore boxers or briefs. Dang, if that doesn’t sway the election the situation is hopeless. /sarc
In the interest of interparty harmony, I need to make a change...
This time is soooo worth remembering. Instead the Dems and media have always hyped up the "Camelot" theme related to JFK.
But, I remember it all as a very scary time. There was talk everywhere we went about Civil Defense teams, building bomb shelters, protecting yourself from radiation, etc. My parents and neighbors started planning a neighborhood bomb shelter and we were all stocking canned goods, water, bedding, and something to use as toilets (LOL). They continued this for two years. I can still visualize all the cans lined up on our basement shelves where Dad put a sign..."For emergency use only!" We wern't over-reacting, in our community everyone was getting prepared.
If I might add a vanity, I was so overwhelmed with all of this I wrote new words to the song "Every time it rains, it rains Pennies from Heaven," and I will share. This is what I remember from the Kennedy administration, and my parents VOTED for him!
Every time it rains it rains, strontium 90
Don't you know each cloud contains, strontium 90?
You'll find the radiation falling, all over town.
Make sure that your bomb shelter, is under ground.
There was more, but you get the idea...we were very concerned.
'Nuff said.
Cheers!
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