America has changed drastically in a short span of time.
A friend sent me this photo recently of president Obama speaking to a group of 6th grade school children.
So, there he is — surrounded with wiring, speakers, amplifier, teleprompter and presidential podium with the great seal and backed by a well armed Secret Service agent to keep an eye out for any threatening looking kids. The teleprompter is there because you can’t just speak to children informally. Apparently these kids expect a well-prepared message.
. . . . Okay. Now let’s rewind the clock 50 years, back to 1960.
Here’s John F. Kennedy speaking to a small assembly of people in Logan County, West Virginia.
50 years earlier – no one to keep the crowd away – standing on the very top of a kitchen chair – no teleprompter – his back turned on the kid with a gun.
There is no legal warning label on the chair. If you’re not careful you might fall off. Most people know this.
There’s no teleprompter because the man knows what he wants to say and has enough confidence to say it – in his own words.
The kid with the gun can take it to school and show it to others. They won’t lock down the school for 5 hours or arrest him.
Why are we so very different after 50 years ? We are certainly not improved.
Obama Photo from story at News @ Spreadit.org JFK Photo from story at Boston.com
