"WORLD HISTORY IS ON THE SIDE OF LIBERTY"

JFK SAYS PATRIOTISM SHOULD BE REFLECTED ON CREATION OF CONFIDENCE 

Los Angeles, California (JFK+50) On November 18, 1961, President John F. Kennedy spoke out against right-wing extremists such as those represented by the John Birch Society* and the Minutemen**.

Speaking at the Hollywood Palladium***, the President said...

"Now we are face to face once again with a period of heightened peril. The risks are great and under the strains...the discordant voices of extremism are heard.  There have always been those fringes of our society who have sought to escape their own responsibility by finding a simple solution, an appealing slogan, or a convenient scapegoat.

Let our patriotism be reflected on the creation of confidence rather than the crusades of suspicion and remember that, however serious the outlook, the one great irreversible trend in world history is on the side of liberty."

*John Birch Society was founded on Dec 9, 1958 by Robert W. Welch, Jr.  It opposed all communist or socialist principles.  In early 1961, the JBS had more than 60,000 members.

**Minutemen believed communists were in the process of taking over America in the early 1960s.  Led by Robert Bolivar DePugh, they physically armed themselves for battle.

***Hollywood Palladium, located on Sunset Boulevard was built in 1940 on the site of the original Paramount Studio Lot.  In 1961, it was the home of the Lawrence Welk Television Show.

Hollywood Palladium

Hollywood, California

Photo by George Louis (1947)

LET OUR PATRIOTISM BE REFLECTED ON THE CREATION OF CONFIDENCE

PRESIDENT KENNEDY SPEAKS OUT AGAINST EXTREMISTS

Los Angeles, California (JFK+50) Fifty-six years ago this evening, November 18, 1961, President John F. Kennedy spoke out against right-wing extremists such as those represented by the John Birch Society* and the Minutemen**.

Speaking at the Hollywood Palladium***, the President said...

"Now we are face to face once again with a period of heightened peril. The risks are great and under the strains...the discordant voices of extremism are heard.

There have always been those fringes of our society who have sought to escape their own responsibility by finding a simple solution, an appealing slogan, or a convenient scapegoat.

They call for a 'man on horseback' because they do not trust the people. They equate the Democratic Party with the welfare state, the welfare state with socialism and socialism with communism."****

"Let our patriotism be reflected on the creation of confidence rather than the crusades of suspicion and remember that, however serious the outlook, the one great irreversible trend in world history is on the side of liberty."

*The John Birch Society was founded on Dec 9, 1958 by Robert W. Welch, Jr.  It opposed all communist or socialist principles.  In early 1961, the JBS had more than 60,000 members.

**The Minutemen believed communists were in the process of taking over America in the early 1960s.  Led by Robert Bolivar DePugh, they physically armed themselves for battle.

***Hollywood Palladium, located on Sunset Boulevard was built in 1940 on the site of the original Paramount Studio Lot.  In 1961, it was the home of the Lawrence Welk Television Show.


****Edward M. Dealey, publisher of the Dallas Morning News, had previously attacked JFK at a White House luncheon for 'riding Caroline's tricycle' instead of being 'a man on horseback.'

Hollywood Palladium

Hollywood, California

Photo by George Louis (1947)

JFK'S VISIT TO TAMPA

November  18, 2013

JFK VISITED TAMPA 50 YEARS AGO TODAY

Tampa, Florida (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy visited Tampa 50 years ago today, November 18, 1963.  

JFK arrived at Al Lopez Field and then embarked on the longest motorcade of his White House years, 28 miles, to the Fort Homer Hesterly Armory.

Upon arrival at the airport just before Noon, JFK said...

"I am proud to come back to this city which...has borne a heavy burden in...keep(ing) this country and the rest of Latin America free."

President Kennedy concluded...

"I believe it is the united will of all of our people protecting the security of the United States and providing an opportunity for our people.  That is what we stand for.  That is what we believe in."

Thurston Clarke writes that the Secret Service had concerns about the Tampa trip because of the large number of Cubans in the city, of both pro and anti-Castro sentiments, and because of information they had obtained about the presence of a "right wing fanatic" named Joseph Milteer.

Clarke says that Agent Floyd Boring talked with the President about the situation on Air Force One before landing...

Mr. Boring said...

"We have a very long motorcade, so we're going to have to stick to a tight time schedule.  Two people have made threats against your life and even though we have them in custody, you might want to keep your stops during the motorcade to a minimum."

This was obviously something JFK was not excited to hear.  He responded...

"Floyd, this is a political trip.  If I don't mingle with the people, I couldn't get elected dog catcher."

And again, according to Thurston Clarke, during the motorcade ride when the crowds thickened and Secret Service agents stepped onto JFK's car, the President said to Agent Boring...

"Have the Ivy League charlatans drop back to the follow-up car."

Upon arriving safely at the Armory, JFK spoke to the Florida Chamber of Commerce where he admitted that he was being perceived as anti-business despite the fact that "many businessmen...are prospering as never before during this administration."

JFK added that business profits were at an all time high in the United States..."because the Nation as a whole is prospering."

After his speech, the President held a question and answer period.

The first question, not surprisingly, was this...

"What is your policy toward Cuba?"

JFK answered...

"We have attempted to isolate Cuba in the hope that some day Cuba will be free (but) Mr. Castro still is in control...and...remains a major danger to the United States."

On a much lighter note, the last question put to JFK was...

"Why didn't you bring Caroline?"

The President said...

"Well, she likes it at the White House, but we will get her used to Florida."

Afterwards, JFK spoke to the members of the United Steelworkers Union at Tampa's International Inn and then flew to Miami where he gave another airport address.

It had been a great day, but the President was relieved it was over.  JFK told Dave Powers...

"Thank God nobody wanted to kill me today."


SOURCES

"JFK's Last Hundred Days: The Transformation of a Man and the Emergence of a Great President," by Thurston Clarke, The Penguin Press, New York, 2013.

"Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, 1963," United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1964.

JFK RESPONDS TO ATTACKS FROM RIGHT WING 

Los Angeles, California (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy, who had been attacked for being "soft on communism," spoke out 52 years ago this evening, November 18, 1961, against right-wing extremists such as those represented by the John Birch Society.

The President, speaking at the Hollywood Palladium, said:

"Now we are face to face...with a period of heightened peril.  The risks are great and under the strains...the discordant voices of extremism are heard."

JFK continued...

"There have always been those fringes of our society who have sought to escape their own responsibility by finding a simple solution, an appealing slogan, or a convenient scapegoat.

They call for a 'man on horseback' because they do not trust the people. 

They equate the Democratic Party with the welfare state, the welfare state with socialism and socialism with communism."

President Kennedy was responding specifically to a comment by Edward M. Dealey, publisher of the Dallas Morning News, who had criticized JFK at a White House luncheon for "riding Caroline's tricycle" instead of being 'a man on horseback.'

During the President's speech, a crowd of 3000 pickets were outside the Palladium holding up signs which read: 'UNMUZZLE THE MILITARY' and 'DISARMAMENT IS SUICIDE."

The President concluded his remarks with these words...

"Let our patriotism be reflected on the creation of confidence rather than the crusades of suspicion and remember that, however serious the outlook, the one great irreversible trend in world history is on the side of liberty."

JFK FACES OFF AGAINST RIGHT-WING EXTREMISTS

November  18, 1961

JFK FACES OFF AGAINST RIGHT-WING EXTREMISTS

Los Angeles, California (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy spoke out this evening against right-wing extremists such as those represented by the John Birch Society & the Minutemen.

JFK, speaking at the Hollywood Palladium, said:

"Now we are face to face once again with a period of heightened peril.  The risks are great & under the strains...the discordant voices of extremism are heard."

The President continued...

"There have always been those fringes of our society who have sought to escape their own responsibility by finding a simple solution, an appealing slogan, or a convenient scapegoat.

They call for a 'man on horseback' because they do not trust the people.  They equate the Democratic Party with the welfare state, the welfare state with socialism & socialism with communism."*

While JFK was speaking, a crowd of 3000 pickets were outside the Palladium holding up signs which read: 'Unmuzzle the Military" & "Disarmament is Suicide."

The President concluded his remarks with these words...

"Let our patriotism be reflected on the creation of confidence rather than the crusades of suspicion (&) remember that, however serious the outlook, the one great irreversible trend in world history is on the side of liberty."

*Edward M. Dealey, publisher of the Dallas Morning News, had previously attacked JFK at a White House luncheon for 'riding Caroline's tricycle' instead of being 'a man on horseback.'