[kabar]

Ah, yes, I was waiting for someone to trot out that old meaningless cliche. Hey, I remember where I was and what I was doing when my father died, and when my son was born, and when other significant events happened in my life. I remember where I was and what I was doing when George W. Bush was elected president. I remember where I was and what I was doing the moment I heard Bill Clinton say, "It depends on what the meaning of the word IS, is." That's the way normal human memory works: We more easily remember things that are significant to us, and quickly forget the mundane. Nothing special or magical or Arthurian (as in Camelot) about it.

You made my point except for the references to Clinton and the Bush election. JFK's death became "personal" to all of us who were old enough to remember. There are very few events that have that kind of impact. I gather you were not alive when JFK was killed or you are the greatest political junkie who ever lived. Let's wait another 40 years and see how much you recall about where you were and what you were doing when Clinton uttered his "is" remarks or Bush was elected. The only event that approaches November 22,1963 is 9/11. Take my word for it.

[presidio9]

The only event that approaches November 22,1963 is 9/11. Take my word for it.

Now wait just one God damn minute. Worshipping immoral drug addict presidents is one thing, but are you suggesting that the Kennedy Assassination had more effect on America than 911??? Are you that brain dead?

[Wolfstar]

Kabar: I was in high school when Kennedy was shot. Specifically, I was in English class. Happy now?! John F. Kennedy's death did not become personal to me, nor was I ever enthralled with him, nor did he ever inspire me. Pick a cliche — any cliche that's sprouted about the man over the years, and I can assure you that I was not then nor have I ever been impressed.

As for Clinton's "meaning of the word IS, is," I will never forget it, because it's impact — to me, anyway — was profound. To witness a duly sworn Constitutional chief executive officer and commander-in-chief of the United States so thoroughly debase his office, the laws he was sworn to uphold, and the American people was deeply shocking to me. Equally as, if not more shocking was the fact that the media and his own party defended him, and much, if not the majority of the public just seemed to shrug.

The assassination of any head of state is shocking to the nation in which it occurs — all the more so for us since we are accustomed to stability in our political system. But John F. Kennedy was all that Christopher Hitchens described. It's long, long past time that we took the man down from his entirely undeserved pedestal and see him for what he truly was.

I am sick of the Left defining for me and this nation who is and is not "great." I do not confuse greatness with celebrity, charm, smooth oratory or what some deem to be good looks.

John F. Kennedy was not a great president. He was not a good president. He was not even a mediocre president. He was a lousy president because, like his emulator, Bill Clinton, he put his own hedonistic desires ahead of the best interests of the nation and Constitution he was sworn to protect and uphold.

[liberallarry]

The only event that approaches November 22,1963 is 9/11

To that I must add the death of Roosevelt, and someone even older would append Pearl Harbor. But you're absolutely right. These are the seminal events of current American political life.