My favorite speech is John F. Kennedy's 1961 Inaugural Address (you
know, the one in which he says "Ask not what your country can do for
you...") in which he so brilliantly stated what I often regret not
having said once myself when the opportunity presented itself:
"To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we
pledge the loyalty of faithful friends. United, there is little we
cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little
we can do--for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split
asunder. . .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
belaboring those problems which divide us. . .And if a beachhead of
cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join
in creating a new endeavor, 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. . .I do not shrink from this responsibility--I
welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with
any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the
devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and
all who serve it--and the glow from that fire can truly light the
world."
Your gracious overture is well noted and very much appreciated, but it
is, after all, the "thought" that is valued so much more.
Warmest regards;
tutuzdad-ga |
