I’m new here and have just read these postings. I reacted to lots of things but there are too many to respond to individually, so I’m just gonna talk for a minute. First a couple of reactions, then my thoughts on the importance/unimportance of this event.
Some people seem to think that the time and expense devoted to this search are due to John’s celebraty (sp?). I imagine this is because they live in urban areas where search and rescue teams are not commonly seen. I live in the mountains and can assure you all that if you had the misfortune to make a “total error in judgement” and commit the apparantly unforgivable sin of finding yourself and your family in a life threatening situation…helecopters, climbers, dogs, rangers on horses, etc. would not rest until you were found.
It strikes me that there is an awful lot of misplaced anger out there. In the first place, if you are really angry about hearing so much coverage…why do you direct your anger at John Jr. and the Kennedy clan? I am sure that they would prefer privacy at this time in there lives. I don’t understand how anyone can express anger and hatred in the face of anyone’s misfortune or loss. I realize that some people simply spend their lives angry at everything and others automatically hate anyone with money, looks, power or youth. This is a sad truth that I believe has become a standard in our society.
I was born in 1949 and am plenty old enough to remember John Kennedy’s election as well as his assassination. I remember being struck by John-John’ salute. I didn’t question it’s source…I assumed someone instructed him, though having been raised in a military family, I saw it as a natural and even possibly spontaneous act. Mostly, it was simply touching. As many of you have commented, regardless of political bent, people loved, respected and valued John F. Kennedy. For all the frivolousness (is that a word?) of the 60’s their was much more that was important and had a whole lot to do with insuring a way of life taken granted today. The changes that came out of that time, could only have happened in an environment of hope. Hope is something that people like JFK, RFK, Dr. Martin Luther King, JR., and hundreds of thousands of nameless faces instilled and inspired. The assassasinations of these 3 gentlemen took that hope from many of us. (not because any particular person was gone…that happened over and over on a daily basis) Our hope was taken because, in the middle of all the other horrors of the time, we found that such great leaders could be cut down so brutally. It made many of us question the ability for this society to ever be civilized. (and with all the anger, intolerance and violence today, I’m not convinced it’s not a true assessment.) John-John was so entirely a part of this era, we were there when he was born, we grieved with him at his fathers death, and now we grieve for his.
Some of you spoke of Phil Hartman’s death being sadder. It was equally sad and tragic. But my question is; who are you to make that adjustment, you should be able the understand. If Phil Hartman’s death was of moment to you and you were saddened, then why can’t I be saddened by John Jr.'s? Because you have no interest in him doesn’t make my grieving less real.
To those of you that are angered by his wealth, fame, etc. I can only say, I’m sorry that you allow that jealousy to get in the way of your ability to be compassionate. I am tired of hearing about no one caring about the little guy, the black guy, the poor guy. Because I am white, doesn’t mean I have a wonderful life. My entire life has been tragic; Several people have suggested I write a book to help others. Today, I am disabled and in danger of losing my home because I scrape for every penny. I am not complaining…I am telling you that I know what it is to suffer. I am also telling you that I am a devout, loving, reasonably happy person who still believes in “loving my neighbor”, "helping those less fortunate and in my responsibility to the bigger picture. I care and I am saddened when I watch the local and national news and see: a child down a well halfway across the country, a 9 car pileup on the highway that kills a 9 month old baby and puts the mother in a coma, another drug bust, a discovered meth lab in a home with children. And I am saddened when I log into a chat line and I read postings from people who respond to tagic death with anger and hatred because the victims have money.
P.S. I continue to be amazed that people believe, because a president has the same faults/weaknesses as millions of people everywhere, we are allowed to strip them of all dignity as well as their strengths and gifts. We don’t pay the president enough money to be a God…he just needs to do his job. Perhaps we should take a closer look at multi million dollar moguls and pro athletes if this is the standard we REALLY want to set.
Lew
Ever the optimist.