Tag Archives: John F. Kennedy

November 2, 2020 · 3:52 pm

Worcester Telegram & Gazette oped: John F. Kennedy’s Campaign Inspiration is Joe Biden’s Too

Joe Biden is right when he says this election is “about your family” and the hardships that many are facing during this pandemic. Trump may have shrugged off Biden’s remarks during their last debate, but the truth is a lot of families are struggling in hunger.

Feeding America says “an additional 17 million people could be food insecure in 2020 as a result of this crisis, bringing the total up to 54 million people.”

Biden wants to expand the SNAP food stamp program to give impoverished families more purchasing power at grocery stores. Foodbanks are desperate for this support because they are overwhelmed with demand following layoffs due to coronavirus-related closings. Nutrition programs are to be increased for low-income families under the Biden plan.

See my full commentary in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette

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October 31, 2018 · 6:14 pm

JFK’s Humanitarian Halloween

When Halloween came around in 1960 John F. Kennedy, while campaigning for president, came across a unique trick or treat event. This ghoulish party was not about collecting candy but instead raising money for the UN agency fighting child hunger and disease-UNICEF.

JFK loved it! Kennedy remarked at a shopping plaza in Willow Grove where the UNICEF party took place, “I think that is in the best tradition of this country’s humane and sympathetic effort.” Kennedy continued speaking about fighting hunger and disease in his short speech.

In fact, when JFK became president he even issued a statement from the White House in support of Halloween trick or treat for UNICEF. Kennedy said “UNICEF has caught the imagination of our people–especially our nation’s children whose Halloween collections have become a symbol of concern and an expression of tangible aid.”

See my full commentary at The History News Network:

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May 19, 2017 · 2:48 pm

We Should Be Dealing with the North Korean Threat the JFK Way

Nuclear-armed North Korea’s latest missile test shows the growing threat to South Korea, Japan and even the United States. The rogue nation may gain the capability of reaching the U.S. with a nuclear missile.

There is also fear North Korea may soon conduct its sixth nuclear test explosion. Senator John McCain says the Korea standoff is “like a Cuban missile crisis in slow motion.”

See my column at the History News Network

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March 23, 2017 · 3:00 am

We’re in a Global Hunger Crisis. Solution? Take JFK’s Approach

The U.S. government’s global famine warning system has sounded the alarm on hunger. As a result of conflict and drought “70 million people, across 45 countries, will require emergency food assistance this year.”

Four countries (South Sudan, Yemen, Nigeria, Somalia) are in the gravest danger of famine.

As the Trump administration gets underway, they are suddenly faced with a world hunger crisis that is “unprecedented in recent decades.” How will they respond to the biggest foreign policy emergency of their first year?

See my full article at The History News Network:

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June 29, 2015 · 12:08 am

President Kennedy announces the UN World Food Program to fight global hunger

President Kennedy, at a press conference in April of 1961, announcing the creation of the UN World Food Program to fight hunger. See the video at YouTube.

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June 28, 2015 · 11:59 pm

Video: President Kennedy Signs the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

President John F. Kennedy signing the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in 1963. The treaty banned nuclear testing in the atmosphere, underwater and outerspace. Underground testing would continue but the treaty was a first step toward the not yet achieved goal of ending all nuclear testing. See the video on YouTube.

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January 29, 2015 · 4:51 am

Video: President Kennedy’s speech on world hunger

President John F. Kennedy’s speech on hunger at the World Food Congress in 1963. See the video on YouTube.

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January 18, 2015 · 12:08 am

Video: President Kennedy on Nuclear Test Ban-1963 press conference

President John F. Kennedy answers questions about the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty at a press conference on August 20, 1963. See the video on YouTube.

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January 13, 2015 · 12:06 pm

Video: From the Cuban Missile Crisis to the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

A short video about the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 and the aftermath, which included negotiations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union to end nuclear weapons testing. See the video on YouTube.

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October 25, 2014 · 11:50 pm

New Senate must finish what Ike, JFK started

We’ll have a new Senate soon. We don’t know exactly who yet, but one mission regardless should be the same: The Senate must finish what Ike and JFK started: ending nuclear weapons testing.

Read the commentary at The Hill:

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