Kamala's Cold War speech. Back to the future.
I was twelve years old when JFK made his inaugural address, written by his pal, Ted Sorenson.
The writing contained Sorenson’s flowery, soaring prose that even a 12 year old could appreciate. At its core, however, were the words that reflected the on-going Cold War which frequently turned hot along with the constant threat of global nuclear war.
In that inaugural address on January 20, 1961, Kennedy presented a blueprint upon which the future foreign policy of his administration would later follow and come to represent.
Kennedy warned "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, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
The speech laid out a Kennedy doctrine of aggressive militarism and an interventionist foreign policy.
A dominant premise during the Kennedy years was the need to contain communism at any cost.
JFK’s administration only lasted three years before he was assassinated by one or more shooters in Dallas on November 22, 1963.
Under JFK within a short time we witnessed The Bay of Pigs, a confrontation at the Berlin Wall, a nuclear missile crisis with Cuba and the Soviet Union and escalation of the war in Vietnam.
There was an echo of the Kennedy speech as I listened to Harris’ acceptance of the nomination.
“As commander-in-chief, I will ensure America always has the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world.”
As I listened I thought to myself, “I would prefer universal healthcare.”
The delegates loudly applauded the line.
But apparently Kamala’s kids were not too happy.
Members of Vice President Kamala Harris' family did not applaud a line about her promise to make sure the American military was the 'most lethal' force on the planet.
Harris' stepdaughter Ella Emhoff and her sister Maya did not applaud the line as cameras cut over to her family.
Of course I have no intention of voting for Trump.
But I’m with Ella and Maya.