Far too much weight is given to JFK's "intentions". The perceived Camelot memorialized (literally) by the President's death carries far too much weight. JFK historically is a Rorschach Test for the power of celebrity on it's viewers, and this documentary of the subject's purity is poor history.
There is no context provided for "our hero" with respect to his plots to assassinate foreign leaders, ties to mob leaders, his womanizing (including potential foreign agents), his dishonesty over his health, the possibility that he abetted election fraud in Illinois, the source of Kennedy wealth (crime),his "arranged" marriage. Should I go on? Yet, we are encouraged to believe that his soaring rhetoric was what would have translated into policy decisions. Where is the commentary on his willingness to circumvent the "advise and consent" process of government? It seems he was better at secrets than governing.
His brief tenure was indeed very sad and left possibilities of accomplishment, but there is as much evidence that he could have overseen some disasters. In fact, I could make a pretty good case that he was Nixonian in many ways. Sadly, it was only his movie star good looks and tragic death that make him iconic. The "fanboy" treatment being perpetuated on new generations is disappointing at best and dishonest at worst.
There is no context provided for "our hero" with respect to his plots to assassinate foreign leaders, ties to mob leaders, his womanizing (including potential foreign agents), his dishonesty over his health, the possibility that he abetted election fraud in Illinois, the source of Kennedy wealth (crime),his "arranged" marriage. Should I go on? Yet, we are encouraged to believe that his soaring rhetoric was what would have translated into policy decisions. Where is the commentary on his willingness to circumvent the "advise and consent" process of government? It seems he was better at secrets than governing.
His brief tenure was indeed very sad and left possibilities of accomplishment, but there is as much evidence that he could have overseen some disasters. In fact, I could make a pretty good case that he was Nixonian in many ways. Sadly, it was only his movie star good looks and tragic death that make him iconic. The "fanboy" treatment being perpetuated on new generations is disappointing at best and dishonest at worst.