Preserve, Protect And Defend

Today, there is plenty of buzz about Obama working his hope and change on our nuclear weapons and defense policies. One weapons expert observes that Obama's goal appears to be "a world without American nuclear weapons."

As a patriotic American, I really need a refreshing change of pace from this disturbing, if not pathological thinking. Other presidents from the Democratic Party have maintained a far more realistic attitude in order to protect us and the beacon that is the Constitution of the United States of America. One of them was John F. Kennedy. In his thousand days in office, he delivered several memorable speeches, and more than some presidents did in three thousand days. Take these next few minutes to read - or listen to - his inaugural address where he weaves a compelling policy of idealism and realpolitik in a dangerous world. It's hard to believe that fifty years have passed since that bitterly cold day in January 1961. The time may have passed, but the dangers have not. Oh to have that kind of voice in the White House today.

For the visually inclined, video of the speech is available here on Wikimedia.