During the Cuban Missile Crisis my dorm at Ursinus College only had one television. When Kennedy gave his speech to the nation, we all crowded around. We saw no preening, no blaming Eisenhower, no bluster, no self-praise. Here’s part of what he said:
“My fellow citizens, let no one doubt that this is a difficult and dangerous effort on which we have set out. No one can foresee precisely what course it will take or what costs or casualties will be incurred. Many months of sacrifice and self-discipline lie ahead–months in which both our patience and our will will be tested, months in which many threats and denunciations will keep us aware of our dangers.”
His brother Robert later wrote, “President Kennedy wanted people who raised questions, who criticized, on whose judgment he could rely, who presented an intelligent point of view, regardless of their rank or viewpoint.”
Just thought you might like to know what a leader sounds like.
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