Mourning John F. Kennedy and a Half-Century of Degraded Arts and Culture

And he concluded,

"I look forward to an America which will steadily raise the standards of artistic accomplishment and which will steadily enlarge cultural opportunities for all of our citizens. And I look forward to an America which commands respect throughout the world not only for its strength but for its civilization as well. And I look forward to a world which will be safe not only for democracy and diversity but also for personal distinction."

In 2014, let us consider: How well have we understood, and safeguarded, that eternal flame? Can we look forward with hope; shall we look back with pride?

Gary Corseri has published his work at The Smirking Chimp, Opednews, The New York Times, Village Voice, Counterpunch and hundreds of venues worldwide. He has published novels, collections of poetry and a literary anthology (edited). His dramas have been presented at PBS-Atlanta and elsewhere. He has taught in public schools and prisons and in US and Japanese universities. He has performed his work at the Carter Presidential Library.