Excerpts from JFK's Inaugural Speech

Watch the movie JFK. When JFK died, the intelligence community overthrew the citizen control of the United States Federal Government. The vision of peace proposed by JFK threatened those who sought control through FEAR and violence.

"The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe--the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans--born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.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, to assure the survival and the success of liberty."

"Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction. We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed. But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course - both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that stays the hand of mankind’s final war. So let us begin anew - remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.
Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belabouring those problems which divide us. Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms - and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations. Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce. Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah - to “undo the heavy burdens -. and to let the oppressed go free.”
And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavour, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved. All this will not be finished in the first 100 days. Nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. BUT LET US BEGIN."

For All Humanity

"I emphatically declare that today's world, more than ever before, longs for just and righteous people with love for all humanity; and above all longs for the perfect righteous human being and the real savior who has been promised to all peoples and who will establish justice, peace and brotherhood on the planet." -You may be surprised to learn who said this. It was President Mahmoud Ahmadinejead of Iran. I would be pleased if the United States began diplomatic relations with his country before we begin another war. Other bloggers have denounced his speech at the UN General Assembly where he criticized the UN for being dominated by the United States. However, the UN is dominated by the US. It has been since its creation. The precedent has been clear from the cover up of the US invasion of Guatemala to modern day, US representatives have done more to undermine the credibility of the UN than help it. The current ambassador is no exception if you look into the facts. In any case, I too long for just and righteous people with love for all humanity. Yet, I don't long for the creation of nuclear tension.

Al-Jazeera English

The popular Middle East news channel launched an English format station yesterday. The station is already carried on Skyy Satellite in the UK. Originally it was going to be named Al-Jazeera International but the name was changed the day before its launch. It will be interesting to see if any cable providers or satellite providers in the US pick up this channel. An increase in the information channels between the West and East is very important for the prospects of democracy and self-governance. For too long the relationship between our regions of the world has been defined by prejudices, assumptions, and misperception. Also, a large majority of the information has been controlled, published (propagandized) or censored by the government. Hopefully this new channel will reach US televisions so that we can incorporate more information into our own mindsets. (As if there isn't enough competing information already!!)

A Sense of Justice?

It worries me that Saddam Hussein has been sentenced to death. The main reason I am troubled is that this decision will severely damage the perception of democratic justice within the Middle East. Already one of the largest obstacles to functioning democracy in the Muslim world is the apparent discrepancy between democratic political justice and religious law, sharia. Now, a verdict has been given after a trial in which multiple judges sat behind the gavel. I sincerely believe that this trial should have been declared a mistrial. With the apparent revolving door of judges and attorneys, the trial was an apparent media circus. All of this was televised on Iraqi television, as Saddam ridiculed and undermined the judges, even accusing them of being puppets of the colonizers. The appeal process will last until January, but will justice ever be done?