Last week was the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's commencement address to the graduates of American University. I present an abridged version, as Kennedy is speaking in terms that are relevant not only to America today in the glo...
Last week was the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's commencement address to the graduates of American University. I present an abridged version, as Kennedy is speaking in terms that are relevant not only to America today in the global sense, with respect to wars of mass destruction and planetary climate survival, but to the American polity and the relationships of its people. He speaks of peace and freedom and diversity, tolerance and coexistence; more importantly, he talks about the setting of pragmatic goals and the perseverance needed to attain them. Pushing for LGBT equality, while not in his mind during his life, is part of our mission today, and we have much to learn from his words.I have, therefore, chosen this time and place to discuss a topic on which ignorance too often abounds and the truth too rarely perceived. And that is the most important topic on earth: peace. What kind of peace do I mean and what kind of a peace do we seek? Not a Pax Americana enforced on the world by American weapons of war. Not the peace of the grave or the security of the slave. I am talking about genuine peace, the kind of peace that makes life on earth worth living, and the kind that enables men and nations to grow, and to hope, and build a better life for their children -- not merely peace for Americans but peace for all men and women, not merely peace in our time but peace in all time.More...