JFK Assassination Anniversary

By Douglas V. Gibbs

It has been 47 years since the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. JFK served less than a full term, yet until recently has been one of the more recognizable faces of history. His presidency changed American politics, and our culture, in ways that are still evident to this day.

The last member of the Kennedy family will leave Capitol Hill in January when JFK's nephew Patrick leaves Congress.

I did not know the significance of today until the radio briefly mentioned that today was the anniversary of President Kennedy's death. I wondered how many people actually realized the significance of today. Few newspapers published substantial stories regarding the anniversary of Kennedy's death, for Kennedy's assassination for most Americans of today is history, rather than a memory.

Today's generation is more worried about terrorism, and an intrusive government, than to stop to take a look at history. The most attention Kennedy's assassination gets these days are among the conspiracy theorists who argue over if it was the Russians, or the CIA, and put Lee Harvey Oswald up to it.

Even the kind of politician Kennedy was has been lost. Though a Democrat, John F. Kennedy was a tax-cutter, and a believer in a strong national defense. He was the man that stood toe to toe with the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and once proclaimed that we must, "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."

JFK was also the one who presided over the failed Bay of Pigs, suffered losses when none of the major domestic proposals of his much-heralded "New Frontier" were enacted into law because of his failed relationship with Congress, and he had an unhealthy fascination with Marilyn Monroe that placed his marriage on the rocks.

Kennedy packed into a couple years what it takes most presidents two terms to accomplish in the sense of news and history, but alas, that is what he has become. . . another piece of history, slowly fading from the memories of those who knew of him.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary