Added: Oct 12, 2008
From: PaddyIrishMan2
Duration: 5:36
President John F. Kennedy's inaugural address, January 20th 1961. Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce. Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah — to "undo the heavy burdens ... and to let the oppressed go free." And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavour, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved. All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin. In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our cause. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe. Now the trumpet summons us again — not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are — but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation" — a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself. Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort? In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility — I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavour will light our country and all who serve it — and the glow from that fire can truly light the world. And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man. Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.
Channel: People
Tags: address fitzgerald inaugural jfk john kennedy president speech
Rating: 4.93 (480 ratings) Views: 148234' favoriteCount='1476 Comments: 344
seveventeen Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - The way Kennedy words this seems to suggest that you're not so much serving the government, but instead that you are giving a hand to your countrymen. Ask not what your country [the government] can do for you, but what you can do for your country [the people].
moutaindew32 Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - Damn, that was a great speech!
virtuousvoice Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - This should be manditory viewing for all of today's left-wing, wack-job "Democrats". JFK would have to be a Republican if he was running in this year's election. "arms we need"...."the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God"..."tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage" Yep, sounds like Kennedy would be a neocon in '08!!
bajyamityan Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - Great!
sugarfreak400 Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - you're a little confused here. first off, he says "NOT as a call to bear arms" before "arms we need". then, the "generosity of the state" sentence is saying that human rights are universal; it's not a government's place to grant them or take them away...as in, no torture, no wiretapping, no discriminating against gay marriage, etc. and as for "tempered by war, disciplined"...i'd say those values are pretty universal. jfk was absolutely a democrat. it's republicans like you who are insane.
sugarfreak400 Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - Were you listening? "Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate." -JFK Inaugural Address part 1. Check your facts.
rhosey001 Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - You are a disrespectful mongrel.
rhosey001 Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - I suspect you are a wannabe in every venture you take.
MartialArtistWannabe Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - Why do you say that? JFK shouldn't even be considered a president of the United States. He wasn't in it long enough, he only won because his criminal father bought it for him, he made so many mistakes (some of which are still topics of discussion, but are NEVER attributes to him), and he really was a sex-addicted pervert.Refute thouse points, and tell me why you people consider him one of the greatest American presidents.
rhosey001 Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - I said that because you are not consistant with your comments. (That would be why I am now responding to this one) I did not say I liked kennedy, you said I did and want me to refute your statement. Now look at what you say here, pay close attention to what you wrote, 1) Kennedy was against going to war in vietnam. 2) There is no evidence to prove ties to mafia, any more than it can be proven that Johnson had him killed which a lot of people believe. 3) Clinton was a Kennedy wannabe.
rhosey001 Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - If that is not enough, you are flat out lying when you state that Clinton presided over the greatest economy in history.Records were shattered on a regular basis under George bush.As a matter of fact even given the problems we are now facing in today's economy, it is stronger than when Clinton left office. Oh and Clinton was/is not a sex adicted pervert?As the late great George Carlin would say. Blow it out your ass, blow it out your ass, blow it out your ass.
virtuousvoice Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - The "arms we need" was his support for a tough foreign policy. JFK ran to the RIGHT of Nixon on communism, etc. The "rights of man..." sounds like individual liberty, which is now the bedrock of the GOP. The term "marriage" is defined by God as between a male and a female, nothing more or less. I do oppose wiretapping/torture as would JFK. I find it hard that JFK would be allowed to be a Dem on account of his foreign policy alone. Btw, I'm a blue-dog Dem/Independent.
SpanishProductions Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - he knew how to talk and motivate and move a lot of people, and that's a gift that only a few people in history had
KelferMookie Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."Beautiful line..
darhein Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - hitler had that talent
frozenstrawbs Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - a mr. jones of sorts
Calvateer Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - Here on earth, God's work must truly be our own. Nice Quote.
SpanishProductions Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - The elected him...
LordMorningStar Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - You know, people like you MartialArtist really piss me off. Here is why - the job of the President is to PRESIDE OVER THE COUNTRY, what difference does it make if he/she likes the color red. Are you retarded? So what if he liked sex? You dont? The person could TALK AND INSPIRE people, his personal preferences are not a part of the job so STFU.
dave98503 Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - boring speech. George Bush could out debate this fool in a heart beat.I just wish George Bush could run again. He has been an inspiration to me these past 8 years. Thank you Bush for 8 wonderful years of service to this nation. Our Grandchildren will one day build the biggest statue of you in your honor 100 years from now and kiss the feet of that statue in gratitude. Thank you so much.
carusoson Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - How was JFK a fool?
mdpk1 Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - Why would you waste your time just to rile everyone up? I mean, what you say must be a joke because no one is that fucking stupid. If not, well now you know what I think of you.
mdpk1 Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - There has never been another JFK.. RFK was as close as it got, and as close as it gets to RFK is Kucinich... I know that's unfortunate these days since people are scared when they see the prospect of change. Everyone wants what Dennis stands for, but they are blinded to see it.. Kennedy sold us dreams and not nightmares.
kidslammer Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - No president can be ideal - but only a fool would mention Bush in the same breath as JFK.. but then such people can't see their own ignorance.
hazyblaze418 Says:
Oct 12, 2008 - In my school we hold an academic olympics where we compete in different subjects in two different high schools and bring back medals. I got picked to do speech. so, i picked this speech and i love it!!! I have to memorize from, "So let us begin anew-" to "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." I'm so excited! I have to capture his accent on this speech. Does anyone have any advice for me?