"THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT" (1983)

I love him most for the way he challenged us. He challenged us as individuals with: "ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country". I hope we can return to his ideal of self-sufficiency and service to nation. And he challenged us as a nation with: "We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard...". I hope we can return to a national sense of greatness through wonder and innovation, science and hard work. These two challenges are lost on both political parties today. They fail to challenge us as individuals, and fail to challenge the nation to greatness.

Walt-We tend to forget that these men were people, and had flaws, just like the rest of us. However, Kennedy was one of those rare, amazing leaders that due to overwhelming charisma, leadership and personal value, inspired us. I'd put "Teddy", Lincoln and Washington in the same sphere.

Where I believe we "reach too far" is in making comparisons with other politicians over single point issues...Yes, Kennedy challenged the status-quo, championed civil rights, and espoused new technologies. He also loved the United States, made that "real" by serving in combat when he easily could've avoided it, vehemently opposed Communism, and told our enemies in no unquestioned terms that the inevitable consequence of testing our resolve was nuclear holocaust.

He was the unashamed and wealthy son of Irish-Catholic immigrants who made their fortune by maximizing the opportunity American had to offer-and who encouraged others they could share in it. He was a man of many private flaws, whose public image lionized tradition and family. He understood the fallacy of true Socialism...but opposed the gradual corruption of the basis of the Constitution.

Respect him? You bet your sweet ass I do.