Here are some gems from JFK in 1962:
“For the great enemy of truth is very often not the lie–deliberate, contrived and dishonest–but the myth–persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic. Too often we hold fast to the cliches of our forebears. We subject all facts to a prefabricated set of interpretations. We enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.
“The truth about big government is the truth about any other great activity–it is complex. Certainly it is true that size brings dangers- -but it is also true that size can bring benefits… it may be proper for me to note one great and little noticed expansion of government which has brought strength to our whole society– the new role of our Federal Government as the major patron of research in science and in medicine.
Truth, what a novel concept for a politician to contemplate these days. Imagine my surprised to be impressed by the civil, reasonable and high-minded language and tone of a speech by Richard Nixon (not my favorite person!) I listened to a while back. But compared to what passes for speechifying among some of our leaders these days it was amazingly well said.
Here are some gems from JFK in 1962:
“For the great enemy of truth is very often not the lie–deliberate, contrived and dishonest–but the myth–persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic. Too often we hold fast to the cliches of our forebears. We subject all facts to a prefabricated set of interpretations. We enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.
“The truth about big government is the truth about any other great activity–it is complex. Certainly it is true that size brings dangers- -but it is also true that size can bring benefits… it may be proper for me to note one great and little noticed expansion of government which has brought strength to our whole society– the new role of our Federal Government as the major patron of research in science and in medicine.
JFK Yale Commencement Speech 1962
Truth, what a novel concept for a politician to contemplate these days. Imagine my surprised to be impressed by the civil, reasonable and high-minded language and tone of a speech by Richard Nixon (not my favorite person!) I listened to a while back. But compared to what passes for speechifying among some of our leaders these days it was amazingly well said.