barbtries a blog: 1963 Commencement

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

1963 Commencement

President John F. Kennedy
June 10, 1963

Some say that it is useless to speak of world peace or
world law or world disarmament - - and that 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. But I also believe that we
must re-examine our own attitude - as individuals and
as a Nation - - for our attitude is as essential as
theirs. And every graduate of this school, every
thoughtful citizen who despairs of war and wishes
to bring peace, should begin by looking inward - -
by examining his own attitude toward the possibilities
of peace, toward the Soviet Union, toward the course
of the Cold War and toward freedom and peace here at home.

First: Let us examine our attitude toward peace itself.
Too many of us think it is impossible. Too many of us
think it is unreal. But that is dangerous, defeatist
belief. It leads to the conclusion that war is inevitable - -
that mankind is doomed - - that we are gripped by forces
we cannot control.

We need not accept that view. Our problems are manmade - -
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.

think about it. Peace. amen

- posted by barbara @ 3/24/2009 06:16:00 AM

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