Monday, February 7, 2005
Kennedy vs. Kennedy
On January 20, 1961, at his presidential inauguration John F. Kennedy spoke eloquently about his and America's commitment to liberty. Forty-four years later on January 27, 2005, Senator Edward M. Kennedy delivered a prepared speech making it clear he does not share his brother's love of freedom or commitment to its preservation.
George Landrith: Senator Ted Kennedy has spent a lifetime in the shadow of his older brother, John Kennedy. Now we know why. John was a patriot. Teddy is a political hack.
But don't take my word for it. Let's compare their words. John Kennedy said:
"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, in order to assure the survival and success of liberty. This much we pledge -- and more.... United, there is little we cannot do.... Divided, there is little we can do.... In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility -- I welcome it."
Just a few days before the first democratic elections in Iraq, Senator Ted Kennedy said, "The U.S. military presence [in Iraq] has become part of the problem, not part of the solution." He praised other nations of the Middle East for being "independent" -- even though aside from Israel, they are not free and do not hold elections. But he noted that Iraq "is now beginning the 21st Century under American occupation."
John Kennedy would have seen America as a liberator. Ted Kennedy sees America as an occupier.
What a stark comparison! John Kennedy was a defender of freedom. Ted Kennedy embarrassed himself, further stained his family's reputation, and firmly cemented his place among the "blame America first" crowd.
Aljazeera quotes Kennedy arguing that Iraq is clearly another "Vietnam." Every time, someone applies the "Vietnam" label to Iraq, the terrorists take courage. They know that America was not defeated on the battlefields in Vietnam, but on the streets of America as the anti-war crowd broke America's will and vilified American soldiers under the leadership of John Kerry.
Likewise, terrorists understand that they cannot defeat American troops in the streets of Iraq. But terrorists hope they can break America's resolve on our streets at home.
John Kerry and Howard Dean gave the terrorists hope during the presidential elections. Now Ted Kennedy gives them hope. And America's soldiers are left to wonder why a U.S. Senator would talk them, the mission, and their accomplishments down.
What has happened to the Kennedy clan and their slide from American patriot to anti-American political hack is a microcosm of what has been happening to the ever-leftward lurching Democratic Party. If you don't believe me, just ask retired Senator Zell Miller (D-GA).
On January 20, 1961, at his presidential inauguration John F. Kennedy spoke eloquently about his and America's commitment to liberty. Forty-four years later on January 27, 2005, Senator Edward M. Kennedy delivered a prepared speech making it clear he does not share his brother's love of freedom or commitment to its preservation.
George Landrith: Senator Ted Kennedy has spent a lifetime in the shadow of his older brother, John Kennedy. Now we know why. John was a patriot. Teddy is a political hack.
But don't take my word for it. Let's compare their words. John Kennedy said:
"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, in order to assure the survival and success of liberty. This much we pledge -- and more.... United, there is little we cannot do.... Divided, there is little we can do.... In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility -- I welcome it."
Just a few days before the first democratic elections in Iraq, Senator Ted Kennedy said, "The U.S. military presence [in Iraq] has become part of the problem, not part of the solution." He praised other nations of the Middle East for being "independent" -- even though aside from Israel, they are not free and do not hold elections. But he noted that Iraq "is now beginning the 21st Century under American occupation."
John Kennedy would have seen America as a liberator. Ted Kennedy sees America as an occupier.
What a stark comparison! John Kennedy was a defender of freedom. Ted Kennedy embarrassed himself, further stained his family's reputation, and firmly cemented his place among the "blame America first" crowd.
Aljazeera quotes Kennedy arguing that Iraq is clearly another "Vietnam." Every time, someone applies the "Vietnam" label to Iraq, the terrorists take courage. They know that America was not defeated on the battlefields in Vietnam, but on the streets of America as the anti-war crowd broke America's will and vilified American soldiers under the leadership of John Kerry.
Likewise, terrorists understand that they cannot defeat American troops in the streets of Iraq. But terrorists hope they can break America's resolve on our streets at home.
John Kerry and Howard Dean gave the terrorists hope during the presidential elections. Now Ted Kennedy gives them hope. And America's soldiers are left to wonder why a U.S. Senator would talk them, the mission, and their accomplishments down.
What has happened to the Kennedy clan and their slide from American patriot to anti-American political hack is a microcosm of what has been happening to the ever-leftward lurching Democratic Party. If you don't believe me, just ask retired Senator Zell Miller (D-GA).
