What was Kennedy's finest achievement? Who killed him?
ANACONDA
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John F. Kennedy was assassinated some 39 years ago today, here in Dallas, Texas.
Many people collect coins that commemorate his life.
1) What was Kennedy's finest achievement?
2) I have been intrigued by the fact that he was murdered in broad daylight and yet there are many people who are convinced that Lee H. Oswald either didn't murder him or didn't act alone. What too, are your thoughts on this?
adrian
Many people collect coins that commemorate his life.
1) What was Kennedy's finest achievement?
2) I have been intrigued by the fact that he was murdered in broad daylight and yet there are many people who are convinced that Lee H. Oswald either didn't murder him or didn't act alone. What too, are your thoughts on this?
adrian
0
Comments
Otherwise, all of our nice, pretty coins would be dust, globs of cooled molten metal, or "glow in the dark" disks - the ultimate AT.
Dan
mcinnes@mailclerk.ecok.edu">dmcinnes@mailclerk.ecok.edu
Just my opinion and two-cents (U.S.)
Cheers,
Bob
Tom
Obscurum per obscurius
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
Kennedy was no saint, but he was no fool. No matter how much one may dislike or hate a person, a political philosophy, political party, or just hate because that is their nature - to deny the severity and danger of the Cuban missile crisis is to display gross ignorance of the history of the situation. Its too bad that there are so many people who let their hate and their prejudices blind them so much that they they refuse to view events and people in anything even close to an objective way.
Had Kennedy not handled the crisis with the Soviets, most of us would not be here today.
As for who killed Kennedy, I don't know. Wallstreetman is certainly correct that Johnson hated him and had his own agenda.
Who killed him? The Republicans of course! (Just paraphrasing a neighbor who says Bush had Sen. Wellstone killed to get control of the Senate). They tried to kill him with Marilyn Monroe but that didn't work out so well
my hotels
Cuba Missile Crises notwithstanding, I believe his finest moment was one of personal courage in service to his country on PT-109. I think any president would have arrived at the same result on the missile crises. Not because they are all great but rather because they all have learned to surround themselves with thinkers and statesmen long before arriving in the Oval Office.
The Kennedy half is probably more an expression of the unity Americans almost instantly feel when any significant event interrupts our daily struggles for partisan advantage (i.e. 9/11, Oklahoma City etc.).
that all he had to do was push the button (to start a nuclear WW3) of course that changed shortly thereafter. It would be interesting to hear what his advisors had to say at that time. But for the world, that's how we sound off, "he was such a great leader." Maybe not so then as it is today butwhen the president gets an idea, he needs to pass it along to others to see if it's a bunch of crap or not.
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
I took an Interim course on this very subject in college many years ago so my memory is vague. The course was taught by someone who was on the Warren Commision or present during the hearings ( I remember he was a big shot ) I don't remember details but he convinced us it wasn't Oswald and he seemed to have a pretty good idea who did it.He even had the Zapruder film before it was released for general viewing. I may have this wrong but wasn't it Liddy that was a suspect? If I got that name right did you know they found him and two other guys dressed as hobo's in a train box car right after the assassination? What the hell was he doing dressed as a hobo in a box car at an assassination site? It wasn't Oswald.
Now that I think about it a little more wasn't Warren Commision Watergate? I'm so confused. OK I did take the course, the big shot that taught it didn't think it was Oswald. They did find 3 guys in that box car that shouldn't have been there. Kennedy was glad that he atleast got to nail Marilynn.
As for JFK, he sparked hope, involvement, and optimism in Americans by challenging them to contribute. Most of the programs he championed came to pass only after his death. I believe I remember reading that 90% of his proposed legislation was passed unanimously after his death. He was a young president, and spoke with energy and conviction regarding America's rightful role in world affairs. Programs of his that were implemented after his death include - Peace Corps, the space program, improved race relations, integration (National Guard in Alabama), nuclear test ban treaty, and the withdrawl of our advisors from S.Vietnam (this one didn't happen). Greatest accomplishment, saving his subordinates on PT-109. IMO - John was a man of very large dreams and ambitions, but Robert was a better man. Robert's standoff with big steel and the union as attorney general was probably both he and John's undoing.
and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor
<< <i>Hmmmmm I think if you could ask Kennedy himself he'd say his finest achievement was nailing Marilynn >>
LMAO Jim!
That was my answer, but you beat me to the punch!
I guess I will have to fall back on having littered the diginity of the office of President and set a standard of behavior emulated by nis most ardent worshiper Bill Clinton.
Marlilyn Monroe
<<Who killed him?>>
I think Oswald was involved, but I dont think he was the "lone gunman"
*Sidenote- damnit Jim, always gotta beat me to the jokes!
Re-elect Bush in 2004... Dont let the Socialists brainwash you.
Bush 2004
Jeb 2008
KK 2016
Thousands of dead guys in Chicago woke up crawled to the polls and voted.
I don't think Jesus raised but a couple.
Although he's acclaimed as a national hero for his action in the Cuban missle crisis, let's not forget that after the Cuban missles were disarmed, WE withdrew OUR missels from Turkey as part of a deal he cut with Khruschev. Twowood
Bid responsibly
peacockcoins
Who killed Kennedy?? Any man's story.. Probably the mob because the White House reniged on their deal of calling off Bobby for Illinios and the election.
Isn't the bottom floor of the school book repository a Mortons or something now?
and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor
Kennedy did take a moribund Democratic party and energize it, as well as serve as a symbol for a political agenda that would last for almost two decades - even Richard Nixon's policies on China, and his social agenda were in many ways closer to Kennedy's vision than what was to follow in later years when the Republicans eventually gained control of the White House. Apparently Kennedy at least knew something about the art of discretion - so I would not compare him to Clinton - neither of them were the first or only occupants of the White House to indulge in extramarital exploits. It would appear Kennedy had much better taste than a more contemporary former occupant. Taste, in my humble opinion, counts for something.
If you were nearby, I'd buy you a drink.
and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor
As far as conspiracy theories go, have you seen "Executive Action," or maybe it was "Executive Descision?" In any event I believe there are a very many truths, probably as close to the truth as I will be privy to, in that movie.
All commanders have the right and responsibility for the events that occur during their watch, and, as much as he was despised by many in his cabinet, the resolution of the "missiles in Cuba" is rightfully his legacy to claim.
You know, if you put a great many "leaders" up to the individual scrutiny and mentality of the 21st century, there is plenty to dislike about most of them. Now, if you actually lived and were educated in that era, there are probably things you too could be severely criticized about, using today's standards, morals and particularly today's self serving ideals.
Oh, and nailing MM may have been quite the risk to one's health, so I don't know if that is such a great achievement.
Re-elect Bush in 2004... Dont let the Socialists brainwash you.
Bush 2004
Jeb 2008
KK 2016
How did he neglect this?
Ich ben ein Berliner, speech?
Re-elect Bush in 2004... Dont let the Socialists brainwash you.
Bush 2004
Jeb 2008
KK 2016
As for reading confidential, secret, top secret and other classified material, I would assume that the actual negotiations with the Soviets were available to only a very select few. That kind of material is classified at such a high level with very restricted "eyes only" designations. As a former holder of a security clearance, I know that I am barred, under severe legal penality, form discussing such information, ever, and I would never do so - not even in a speculative manner.
As a CPA with a background in economics, I appreciate Kennedy's understanding of these areas. He reduced tariffs and income taxes under a set of circumstances which had the effects of increasing trade and improved the economy after the recession of 1962.
I agree that his heroism relates to his PT-109 experience, and give him kudos re uniting the country and giving people hope. While this is an intangible, it is not to be underestimated. His spirit of volunteerism, the Peace Corp, improving race relations, and the Space Program will be his legacy.
In terms of rating his Presidency though, I think he was mediocre.
Any President would have done the same re the Cuban missle crisis (some political junkies believe that his ineptitude caused it to happen in the first place, but I don't have the time to look into this myself). You can also 'thank' him re our experience in Vietnam, as he got us more deeply involved over there as a result of the Bay of Pigs fiasco.
Had great taste in women though
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
I'll agree with the cuban missle thing and his taste in women was much better than bill's.
I think Oswald hit the president in the throat. The magic bullet is a bunch of BS. And the head shot that killed him came from the right front. Your head isn't thrown back if your hit from the back. And there was a flash from the front right if I remember the accounts correctly. The warren report was a joke and a coverup. The whole way his autopsy was muddled up shows how deep the coverup was. I don't think we will ever know exactly what all happened that day. And how about all of those people involved some way or another at that time that died in mysterious "accidents" shortly after. The war in Vietnam was making way to much money for some very big people and JFK was going to take us out of that. Nuff said!!
Ich ben ein Berliner, speech?
Yes,He was a jelly doughnut.
<< <i>Any President would have done the same re the Cuban missle crisis (some political junkies believe that his ineptitude caused it to happen in the first place, but I don't have the time to look into this myself). >>
As with most crisis situations, Kennedy must bear some responsibility for the crisis. However to say that anybody would have done the same is both speculation and perhaps shows a naive faith in all leadership that is difficult to accept. There were plenty of high level political and military leaders in the 1950s, 60s and 70s who seriously wanted to "nuke the Soviets". The idea of preemptive stikes abounded, and programs like the fallout shelter and civil defense efforts (really nuclear defense) were very real to those of us who lived through them. As with most dangerous situations, humans have a tendency to look back and see less threat after the fact, than actually existed.
<< <i>You can also 'thank' him re our experience in Vietnam, as he got us more deeply involved over there as a result of the Bay of Pigs fiasco.
>>
This is a gross oversimplification. The Vietnam War, its origins, who was responsible for what, the politics involved, are much too complex to attribute to any one person or president. It is speculation as to whether Kennedy would have gotten the US out of Vietnam or esculated the war, but he certainly wasn't the single cause, or the prime mover for most of the conflict.
Like him, or hate him, I think we all need to ask ourselves on a regular basis, "Why did the Russians feel they would be successful in their attempts to place nuclear weapons 80 miles off of our coastline?" The weakness they saw in that administration led to that crisis. They never anticipated he had the gumption to demand the removal of those weapons and support personel.
Many years later we had a strong President that ran up big deficits spending substantially more money than any prior administration on defense weaponry and huge increases in weapons technology and in doing so forced the Russians to attempt to match the defense spending. President Reagan placed the Soviet Union in the position of bankrupting their government. In an instant, we no longer had the real FEAR of the Great Bear of the North.
I've always felt a great sense of serenity knowing that my sons have never felt the anxiety, or fear, we felt when we had our asses under the school desk, with our heads between our knees and our hands over our heads. (As if that would protect anyone from a nuclear devastation!)
Four or five years ago, a very weak President may have ruined all of that for our country. In one swift stroke of the pen, President Clinton allowed 2 satellite companies to give the Chinese govenment the technology for a guidance system that will allow them to build accurate long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles. Someday soon, we may all live under the fear of a nuclear attack. Weakness in that respected Office has very long-term consequences!
Who had President Kennedy killed? I don't know. However, they MUST have had very strong pull with the US government. Someone had to call off the Secret Service advance recon teams. Someone had to call back the additional Secret Service security forces. Someone had to make sure an autopsy was not performed at the hospital, as required by the laws of the State of Texas. And why in the hell did that body go in the plane in one casket and come off of the plane in another???
<< <i>Four or five years ago, a very weak President may have ruined all of that for our country. In one swift stroke of the pen, President Clinton allowed 2 satellite companies to give the Chinese government the technology for a guidance system that will allow them to build accurate long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles. >>
I have never understood the love affair that successive administrations have had with Communist China. Here is a regime that is anathema to everything that the United States supposedly stands for, without even the trappings of a democratic form of government. The country is run by a cadre of powerful wealthy elites that has committed every atrocity and abomination imaginable against its citizens. Human rights abuses, torture, executions (murders), selling of weapons and technology to anybody, complete religious intolerance,.... , not to mention that they raise and harvest fur from domestic cats and dogs that are often skinned alive
German Nazism, Stalinist Communism and Chinese Communism are probably the greatest evil regimes of the century, and every president since Nixon has wanted to go to bed with the Chinese Communists. Are all those imports and the supposed economic benefits (like the loss of thousands of US jobs) worth it? If ever there was an example of continued, long term political and economic hypocrisy, it would be in terms of our love affair (I'm not talking about tolerance or normal relations with other foreign states) with Communist China. At the very least, voices should be raised in sorrow and grief for those thousands of poor, innocent, butchered kittens and cats, puppies and dogs.
Chinese Slaughter Cats and Dogs for Fur
I wonder what Kennedy's policy on China was?
I will not purchase Communist Chinese coins or Death Coins!
We'll use our hands and hearts and if we must we'll use our heads.
As far as the assination it was either
A) The mob, appointing Bobby as Attorney General he then vowed to crush the mob, not good after they stole the Illinois vote for him, and they wanted back into Cuba.
C) Castro, not likely, he had little influence outside Cuba.
Most likely Oswald was one shooter, probably Ruby was one too and he was a MADE man. Maybe more too. A Lot of people linked were killed off after that. Possibly a conspiracy between A and B. I was at the assination location years age and one thing for sure, the site was a prime ambush location and his security people must have been on drugs or in on it to let him drive thru there like that.
It was the Navy & Marine Corps Medal, but I still think it was his greatest achievement.
We'll use our hands and hearts and if we must we'll use our heads.
For my generation Kennedy was an inspiration. Not exclusively for his ideas, but his demeanor and physical presence which were animated and human-like. Eisenhower and all the others we had read about in history class were just stogy “old men” by comparison. They seemed about as intriguing as Wall Street brokers. I even tried to imitate his speaking voice to make my friends laugh approvingly...” aahhhhhh let meee saey this aboutt thahhht”.
For years I remained obsessed with finding the truth behind his assassination. Although I have absolutely no way of telling what force or forces were behind the murder, I have come to the conclusion that the important shots all came from behind and were likely all from the Texas Book Depository. Initially, I did not believe in the single bullet theory but after meticulously evaluating frame by frame the release of the Zapruder film on VHS and DVD within the past year, I am convinced that a single bullet accounted for the President’s upper back (lower neck) wound, Connelly’s chest, wrist area and left thigh wounds. In fact all the wounds DO form an essentially straight line and to suggest two shots to account for them would be a major problem. For those of you who get the video please note that Kennedy is seated about one foot higher in the back seat than Connelly in the front who is on a lower jump seat. Additionally, watch how Connelly’s suit puffs out in front, at the chest area, as the bullet hits him from behind. Note that just a fraction of second later he winces and pulls up on his large Stetson hat which he is holding in his right hand, elbow bent, with his right wrist over his left thigh. Additionally, although people have argued that since his head was thrown back, Kennedy’s fatal headshot must have come from the front. Observing the film, frame by frame, it will become obvious that this is not the case. As Kennedy’s head is shot there is a tremendous spraying in front of him of the cerebral contents and the skull clearly opens up in the front with a massive opening. This is a definitely an exit wound. Furthermore, his head does NOT go back but ROTATES to the left (due to the force delivered by the bullet from behind and somewhat to the right) giving the impression, from where Zapruder was standing and filming (in front and to the right), that the head was thrust rearward (by a shot from in front). Therefore, all the relevant shots came from behind. Also they likely originated from a similar or the same location or angle, although I cannot prove this.
Maybe he took his gun to work everyday?
His greatest achievement was being born into one of the greatest bootlegging companies of all time.
I am jealous! My old man was one of his customers.