The public must have faith in its leaders. If they lose hope the power elite lose power. As we are all connected and it is with the consent of the governed that those in power enjoy privilege, regardless of perceived disruption.
I believe Kennedy is speaking about Freemasons as he indicated ‘secret societies’ and many in positions of power have been Freemasons. It is reflective of a parallel governance that is influential and discussions that formulate world power kept via oaths of allegiance. The concealment ensures the public is kept in the dark.
Former US President J F Kennedy raised concerns about tyranny of expanding influence in the form of: infiltration, withholding information, subversion, election tampering, covert operations as a tight operation that undermines democracy and freedoms. Sounds like a covert bullying profile. Yet the US governance has itself undertaken these behaviours as power over has been the goal since the commencement of trade. It is a male game that has mostly excluded women. Women play differently.
I enjoyed Kennedy’s discussion about correcting errors and openness. He espouses debate and criticism no administration or republic can survive. He spoke of the Greek Agora decreed it a crime for any citizen to shrink from controversy and the protection of the First Amendment of the US Constitution. This would celebrate whistle-blowers rather than criminalise them. I contemplate Julian Assange and Edward Snowden here. He indicates to speak to inform, arousing and reflecting. He doesn’t shy away from angering public opinion. He advocated greater coverage and analysis of international news. He indicated attention to improved understanding and transmission of the news. Government at all levels must meet its obligation to provide the public with the fullest possible information outside the narrowest limits of national security. This contrasts to those voices who speak of the trade off of freedoms given national security. This is a false choice.
He advocates for man to be free and independent.
Below are videos from Kennedy who was an example of leadership and values. He offers a warning to humanity, this is still relevant today.
May our universities move out of commercial interests and self interest into a renewable enlightenment.
Peace is the only topic worth discussing if we wish to thrive.
The Full Peace speech transcript is here: https://singjupost.com/full-transcript-president-kennedys-peace-speech-at-american-university-june-10-1963/
Excerpts as follows:
John F Kennedy speaks of the importance of studying history and public affairs. He spoke of an institution of higher learning without bias of colour or creed. Woodrow Wilson said that men coming out of the university should be a man of his nation and a man of his time. He indicated that men and women graduating from the institution will give from their lives, their talents a high measure of public service and support. The university was admired as a place where people who hate ignorance and strive to know truth will strive to make others see.
He speaks of the most important topic on earth, peace. What sort of peace. Not a Pax Americana by weapons of war, not the peace of the grave, or security of the slave. Talking about genuine peace that makes life on earth worth living, the kind that enables men and nations to grow, hope and build a better life for their children. Not merely peace for Americans but peace for all men and women, not merely peace in our time but peace in all time.
I speak of peace because of the new face of war. Total war makes no sense in an age where great powers can maintain large and relatively invulnerable nuclear forces and refuse to surrender without resort to those forces. It makes no sense in a age where a single nuclear weapons contains 10 times the explosive force delivered by ALL the allied air forces in the WWII. It makes no sense in an age when deadly poisons released in an nuclear exchange carried by wind, water, soils and seed to the far corners of the globe and to generations yet unborn.
Today the expenditure of millions every year on weapons acquired to make sure we need use them is essential to the keeping of peace. Acquisition of idle stockpiles can only destroy and never create is not the only much less the most efficient means of ensuring peace. I speak of peace therefore is necessary rational end of rational men. I realised the pursuit of peace is not as dramatic as the pursuit of war, frequently the words of the pursuers fall on deaf ears. We have no more urgent task. Some say it is useless to speak of peace, or world law or world disarmament or it will be useless until the leaders of the Soviet Union adopt a more enlightened attitude, I hope they do. I believe we can help them do it. I also believe we must re-examine our own attitudes as individuals, and as a nation. For our attitude is as essential as theirs. Every graduate, thoughtful citizen who despairs of war and wishes to bring peace should begin by looking inward, examining his own attitude towards the possibilities of peace, towards the Soviet Union, towards course of Cold War, towards freedom and peace here at home. Examine our attitude towards peace itself. Too many think it is impossible, it is unreal that is a dangerous defeatist belief. It leads to conclusion that war is inevitable, that mankind is doomed that we are gripped by forces we can’t control. We need not accept that view. Our problems are man-made. Therefore, they can be solved by man and man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings, man’s reason and spirit have often solved the seemingly unsolvable and we believe they can do it again. I am not referring to the absolute infinite concept of universal peace and goodwill, of which some fantasies and fanatics dream. I do not deny value of hopes and dreams but merely invite discouragement and incredulity by making that our only and immediate goal. Let’s us focus instead on a more practical attainable peace…