Today is Friday, November 22nd, 2013; Karen's Korner #2700
Wow! Here we are at another mileston - 2700 Karen's Korners! Always a time to celebrate!!
What better way than recall the date when then President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas - fifty years ago!
Most people who were alive at that time can recall where he/she was at that time. I remember that I was in gym class when the word began to filter through the school.
As we wandered the halls, moving from class to class, the normal 'noisy' interchanges, were remarkably quiet. Students moved almost like robots. The 1960 election had been a close one; probably half of the students had families who did or didn't vote for the young president. No matter. We all instinctively knew: this was not the way to resolve any differences or remove someone from office in our United States form of government.
Kennedy was known for a number of quotes in his 'about 1,000 days of office'. Here are a few quotables:
"The American, by nature is optimistic.
He is experimental,
an inventor,
and a builder who builds best
when called upon to build greatly."
*
"The ancient Greek definition of happiness
was the full use of your powers,
along lines of excellence."
*
"The time to repair a roof is when the sun is shining."
*
"There are risks and costs to a program of action.
But they are far less than the long-range risks
and costs of comfortable inaction."
*
"The great French Marshall Lyautey once asked his gardener to plant a tree.
The gardner objected that the tree was slow growing and would not reach maturity for 100 years.
The Marsall replied,
'In that case, there is not time to lose,
plant it this afternoon!'"
*
And of course, his most famous and often quoted:
"And so my fellow Americans,
ask not what your country can do for you;
ask what you can do for your country."
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