#johnfkennedy

New York Magazine published a lengthy article about the Kennedy family: their rise, legacy, controversies and behind-the-scenes conflicts within the family. Some quotes:

"Since the election, Schlossberg’s persona has taken a more aggressive and sometimes vulgar turn. He shaved his head and swapped out the ballet clips for 69 jokes and shirtless videos of himself dancing in front of a mirror in his messy bedroom. The effect was suddenly more late-stage Justin Bieber than Camelot."

"A person who has worked with numerous Kennedys over the years described them as more of a “holding company” than a biological family. “There are all kinds of subsidiaries that are oftentimes at odds with each other and competing with each other — and then there are some links,” they said.

"When I spoke to other Kennedys and their friends about Schlossberg, they all thought he was smart and hardworking, but they had no idea what he was trying to do. “I’ve told Jack that what he’s doing is a mistake,” a G3 cousin said. “But it is not my business to tell him how to run his life.”

When we spoke, Schlossberg insisted that he was in control. “It’s not me,” he said of his online persona. “It’s a character based on an algorithm controlled by giant companies. I can talk all I want about something super-serious, and I’ll show you the numbers — it doesn’t work.” Schlossberg insisted that his gonzo posting had a purpose and that he hoped people who were tuning in to see JFK’s grandson be weird online would stick around to hear his political commentary.

He told me he now gets stopped all the time while walking around New York. “They’re not saying, ‘Oh my God, you’re so hot,’” he said. “People are coming up and cheering me on, telling me they love me, thanking me for what I’m doing — saying that it takes real courage.” But he also acknowledged that he has so far been more successful creating a brand for himself than in stopping any of the damage Trump, or his cousin Bobby, was inflicting.

He also told me that, like a proper influencer, he would soon be launching his first product collaboration but would only share a few details. “It will retail for $69.99, I think,” Schlossberg said. “And you will be able to light it on fire.”

"Ted had served as a father figure to more than a dozen nieces and nephews who lost their fathers to assassinations. He planned family trips to Valley Forge and Bunker Hill to reinforce a sense of togetherness while reminding the kids that they had a higher purpose than most families. “Teddy was the central operating principle of their lives,” a person close to several different Kennedy branches told me. “Not just the keeper of the flame but the person who fixed the problems — the person none of them would say ‘no’ to.”

The G4:

As a staunch supporter of right-wing politics, particularly the Reform Party and figures like Nigel Farage, my natural inclination is to align with the Republican Party in the United States. Conservatism, free-market principles, and a strong national identity are values I hold dear, and the modern Republican Party, despite its internal fractures, still embodies many of these ideals. 

However, there is one undeniable truth, even for those of us on the right: John F. Kennedy was arguably the most qualified and capable president the United States has ever had.

Now, before my fellow conservatives scoff at the notion of praising a Democrat, let's take a step back and analyze JFK not through the lens of partisan loyalty, but through merit, leadership, and statesmanship.

A President with Real-World Experience

Unlike many modern politicians who build their careers in the bureaucratic echo chambers of Washington, JFK came from a background that genuinely prepared him for the highest office in the land. His time in the military, particularly as a naval officer during World War II, shaped his resilience, decision-making, and ability to lead under pressure. The famous PT-109 incident, where Kennedy saved his crew after their boat was sunk, showcased his courage and sense of duty qualities sorely lacking in many of today’s career politicians.

Compare this to the political dynasties we see today, where candidates emerge not because of their personal achievements but because of their family name or ideological appeal. JFK may have been born into privilege, but he proved himself through action, not just rhetoric.

A Pragmatist, Not an Ideologue

JFK was a Democrat, yes, but not in the radical progressive sense we see dominating the party today. He was staunchly anti-communist, supported a strong military, and pushed for tax cuts that spurred economic growth positions that would make many modern Republicans nod in agreement. In fact, his economic policies bear more resemblance to those of Ronald Reagan than to those of today’s left-wing Democrats.

His approach to the Cold War was another mark of his pragmatism. Instead of blindly capitulating to Soviet pressure or overreacting with reckless aggression, Kennedy took a calculated stance that balanced deterrence with diplomacy. His handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis remains one of the greatest demonstrations of presidential leadership in history.

A Leader Who Inspired a Nation

One of the greatest failings of modern political leaders, particularly in America, is their inability to unite and inspire their nation. Kennedy, however, had that rare ability to make people believe in something bigger than themselves. His speeches weren’t just empty words they were calls to action. “Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country” is a sentiment that conservatives, especially those who champion personal responsibility and national pride, can respect.

Contrast this with the modern left’s obsession with victimhood and entitlement, and you see just how different JFK was from today’s Democrats. His vision was one of strength, optimism, and American exceptionalism values that, ironically, align more with the modern right than the radical left.

The Tragic Loss of Leadership

One can only wonder what America and indeed the world—would look like had Kennedy not been assassinated. Would he have continued to steer the country away from the bureaucratic stagnation that followed in the decades after? Would he have resisted the extreme leftward shift of his party? We will never know.

What is certain, however, is that John F. Kennedy was a leader of rare ability. His blend of real-world experience, economic pragmatism, and nationalistic spirit set him apart from most presidents before and after him.

A interesting photo series which shows the past and the future of US Naval Warfare on one photograph. Visible are the aircraft carriers USS "Nimitz" (CVN-68) and the USS "John F. Kennedy" (CV-67) (The latter one is visible on just one of the photos together with the "Nimitz") during Operations in the Mediterranean in early 1987. At that time, the USS "Nimitz" and the other carriers of it`s class were the non plus ultra of US Naval Warfare. Gigantic, nuclear powered vessels, fully packed with state of the art technology and a air group which consisted over 70 aircraft. Just one of these ships was a powerful and strong signal of force and much more as a "just" a Naval asset. It was a political tool. Every aggressor knew pretty well what it meant if a US carrier appeared off coast of their country.

The "John F. Kennedy", which was the one and only vessel of its class, was of course not less powerful and still a large vessel. But its capabilties were limited. The carrier was in fact nothing more as a heavily modified conventional powered "Kitty Hawk" class vessel and even with constant modernization efforts less powerful as the modern and nuclear powered "Nimitz" class carriers. Which not made it less useful of course. It even remained in active service until 2007, nearly 40 years of US Navy service, which is pretty impressive. But the future were nuclear powered carriers.

At the time the photos were made, the USS "Nimitz" was part of Carrier Group 8, which operated in January and February 1987 in the Mediterranean also as part of several NATO exercises in the region. The core of each Carrier Group were of course the carriers, but much more important were all the escort ships. No matter if replenishment vessels, guided missile cruisers, submarines or destroyers. Some of these assets are also visible on the photos.

All of the photos show a replenishment oiler on the right side of the "Nimitz", the USS "Kalamazoo", a tanker of the "Wichtia" class. And yes, if you ask yourself now why a nuclear powered carrier like the "Nimitz" needed a tanker, well such vessels also carried fuel for aircraft or ammunition. Both essential for carrier operations.

On nearly all photos the guided missile cruiser USS "Josephus Daniels" (CG-27 - You can recognize it on the photos as the vessel with the hull number 27) also accompanied the "Nimitz" on it`s deployment in early 1987. The "Josephus Daniels" was mainly responsible for air defense duties among the Carrier Group and armed with RIM-2 "Terrier" SAM systems.

One photo shows also the guided missile destroyer USS "Richard E. Byrd" (DDG-23 - You can recognize it as the vessel with the hull number 23) nearby the "Nimitz". Similar to the "Josephus Daniels", also the "Richard E. Byrd" was mainly responsible for air defense, armed with a variety of naval SAM systems like the RIM-24 and RIM-66 , but also the capability to launch anti ship missiles like the RGM-84 "Harpoon".

Go back in time to the early 1960s and explore the life and legacy of President John F. Kennedy at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum.