The Kennedy brothers have left this world, leaving behind a legacy of their own. The first two brothers died under tragic circumstances. The eldest, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by one, Lee Harvey Oswald, during a motorcade on November 22, 1963 in Dallas, Texas. His younger brother, Senator and President hopeful, Robert F. Kennedy died on June 6, 1968, after being shot by Sirhan Sirhan a Christian-Palestinian American, following a victory speech of the California presidential primary at The Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, in the early morning of June 5. The youngest, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, ‘The Lion of the Senate’, died on August 25, 2009 in Massachusetts, as a result of a malignant brain tumour.
The American people, together with the people of the world, feel that, finally, an extraordinary era has ended on earth.
Though, they are gone, they have left behind quotes, maxims and sayings that have pulled in people’s attractions, influencing them either directly or indirectly. Among the famous ones (from Wikipedia.com) are:
John F. Kennedy
"And so my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country"
"We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard."
“No nation which expects to be the leader of other nations can expect to stay behind in this race for space."
Robert F. Kennedy
"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly."
"Fear not the path of truth for the lack of people walking on it."
"There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were and ask why not."
"What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence or lawlessness; but love and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or they be black."
"The sharpest criticism often goes hand in hand with the deepest idealism and love of country."
"Laws can embody standards; governments can enforce laws — but the final task is not a task for government. It is a task for each and every one of us. Every time we turn our heads the other way when we see the law flouted — when we tolerate what we know to be wrong — when we close our eyes and ears to the corrupt because we are too busy, or too frightened — when we fail to speak up and speak out — we strike a blow against freedom and decency and justice."
"...We must recognize the full human equality of all our people-before God, before the law, and in the councils of government. We must do this, not because it is economically advantageous-although it is; not because the laws of God and man command it-although they do command it; not because people in other lands wish it so. We must do it for the single and fundamental reason that it is the right thing to do.
Edward M. Kennedy
"Our values are tarnished when we allow 12 million human beings to live in the dark shadows of abuse as undocumented immigrants."
"I believe we must not permit the dream of social progress to be shattered by those whose premises have failed."
“For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end. For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.”
"this November, the torch will be passed again to a new generation of Americans. So, with Barack Obama and for you and for me, our country will be committed to his cause. The work begins anew. The hope rises again. And the dream lives on."
(pic:the Kennedy brothers-John, Robert and Edward)
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