General Discussion

mimi85

(1,805 posts)

54. I don't think Obama

Sat Jun 22, 2013, 03:36 AM

Jun 2013

is trying to compare himself with a Kennedy. JFK was great (although my parents, especially my dad, didn't like the Kennedys at all - this was Orange County), but he certainly was no MLK himself. If Clinton was impeached over something as ridiculous as he was, JFK would've been thrown out of office by today's standards and with the current political environment. I remember some of my teachers crying that day (the day after my bday), which I'm reminded of every year. Some bday present that was!

RFK affected me more as I was married by then and my daughter was born on July 3rd, just a month after his assassination. Young idealist that I was, I was totally devastated. I still am. I actually thought Vietnam would be the last war we would ever be in. Yeah, right.

I'm not sure why Obama is even being brought up in this thread. He will certainly go down in history and not just for being the first black to be elected though that is a VERY big deal. The odds of a black man with a funny name becoming President is something I never thought I'd see in my lifetime. My oldest grandson is biracial and he watched the election returns in 2008 with me and my husband (same guy, imagine that). When I saw the tears welling up in Scott's eyes and knowing of some of the bullshit that he'd been through will be with me until the day I die.

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Was anyone out there alive and aware when JFK, MLK and RFK were shot? [View all] Taverner Jun 2013 OP

I was in elementary school when Kennedy was assassinated. Th1onein Jun 2013 #1

I was also in school. In study hall at the time. I was in the 7 grade (I think). I remember southernyankeebelle Jun 2013 #105

Was a kid then, but certainly aware of the latter two asassinations villager Jun 2013 #2

born in 1956 - all saddened me, but I wasn't specifically aware of why at that age - NRaleighLiberal Jun 2013 #3

I was born in '56 as well. Boomerproud Jun 2013 #19

Me too (born in '56) Freddie Jun 2013 #79

I was born in '58. I remember being kind of worried and scared. HappyMe Jun 2013 #66

I was in third grade when JFK was killed Still Sensible Jun 2013 #4

I was in high school for JFK. madamesilverspurs Jun 2013 #5

That was the end of pretty much everything great about this country. I was in my 20s when shraby Jun 2013 #6

My reaction to John Kennedy's assassination was shock/dis-belief. nevergiveup Jun 2013 #7

2nd grade when JFK was shot-the school crossing guard who told me was thrilled.... Rowdyboy Jun 2013 #8

Loss, Shock, Disappointment Downwinder Jun 2013 #9

Born in 1957, don't remember much about the JFK assination MiniMe Jun 2013 #10

JFK was the most popular president in my lifetime. wtmusic Jun 2013 #11

I always thought so also but rurallib Jun 2013 #114

Sickening shock with all three Warpy Jun 2013 #12

I was in 2nd grade when Kennedy was shot LeftInTX Jun 2013 #13

I remember exactly what I was doing at the moment I learned about each of those deaths struggle4progress Jun 2013 #14

I was 6, second grade, when JFK was shot. HooptieWagon Jun 2013 #15

I remember mick063 Jun 2013 #16

It was devastating! ananda Jun 2013 #17

I was an adult when all three of these great leaders were killed... chillfactor Jun 2013 #18

I cried for days, too, Blue_In_AK Jun 2013 #37

I was in high school in 1963. SheilaT Jun 2013 #20

Thank you for telling your experience. truedelphi Jun 2013 #60

My memories of that time are in black and white, madamesilverspurs Jun 2013 #84

etched in my mind forever will be little John chillfactor Jun 2013 #21

One of many images that affected generations to come Taverner Jun 2013 #98

I remember too well libisnota4letterword Jun 2013 #22

A great post ! kentuck Jun 2013 #32

Wonderful first post. Welcome to DU. It made me think that there are people who have sabrina 1 Jun 2013 #45

Welcome to the DU libisnota4letterword. GREAT first post, reccomended. chknltl Jun 2013 #52

It was a big deal when JFK was shot because I was in a Catholic Elementary... WCGreen Jun 2013 #23

Great sadness with John, disbelief with Martin... Contrary1 Jun 2013 #24

Me too. And, right now, I really feel disappointed in Obama. JDPriestly Jun 2013 #40

I don't think Obama mimi85 Jun 2013 #54

Always favored the book over the movie. Half-Century Man Jun 2013 #51

I believe this world would have been a better place... Contrary1 Jun 2013 #55

I remember it well KT2000 Jun 2013 #25

I graduated from H. S. in 1963. Lugnut Jun 2013 #26

Devastated, elleng Jun 2013 #27

Yes, I was in Europe when JFK was murdered. MADem Jun 2013 #28

When JFK was running for President, I was in the eighth grade... kentuck Jun 2013 #29

Can't say I disagree with your assessments. truedelphi Jun 2013 #62

Write that book! H2O Man Jun 2013 #80

Nov 22, 1963 - noon Chipper Chat Jun 2013 #30

All 3. All were tragic, but Kennedy hit me the hardest. Frustratedlady Jun 2013 #31

JFK, MLK, RFK chessmister Jun 2013 #33

Thank you for your post Taverner Jun 2013 #90

I was delivering the Detroit News when JFK was killed. longship Jun 2013 #34

I was in elementary school. His death & assassination was announced over loudspeakers Honeycombe8 Jun 2013 #35

Absolutely I was alive and aware Blue_In_AK Jun 2013 #36

JFK's assassination changed my life. JDPriestly Jun 2013 #38

I've never trusted the official story either, JD. Blue_In_AK Jun 2013 #41

Me too. JDPriestly Jun 2013 #48

Count me in. avaistheone1 Jun 2013 #119

This message was self-deleted by its author PufPuf23 Jun 2013 #39

If we weren't aware before we sure were after the assassinations. Bavorskoami Jun 2013 #42

Three days I will never forget grantcart Jun 2013 #43

I was in Miss Murphy's 3rd Grade Class... GReedDiamond Jun 2013 #44

Yes. Liberal In Texas Jun 2013 #46

JFK, MLK and RFK jimruymen Jun 2013 #47

Aww, can I keep him? What "great lengths" is "smiling" Dem admin going to great lengths to undermine uppityperson Jun 2013 #109

Nightmare times mixed with The Beatles SleeplessinSoCal Jun 2013 #49

JFK, RFK & MLK ReRe Jun 2013 #50

I was born in 1970 and the Tom Clay clip does that for me too Taverner Jun 2013 #91

One of my earliest memories I can attach a date to.. Half-Century Man Jun 2013 #53

I was in college when Bobby & MLK were assassinated..in junior high when JFK was killed SoCalDem Jun 2013 #56

I was nine at the time JFK's assassination ... and my parents hated him.... deurbano Jun 2013 #57

I was 20 when JFK was shot life long demo Jun 2013 #58

I was in high school and college during that time newfie11 Jun 2013 #59

I was 20 when JFK was shot sarge43 Jun 2013 #61

I was a sophomore in high school when JFK was shot. Shrike47 Jun 2013 #63

Yes, all the oft-excoriated Baby Boomers were alive. Now our memories are important? WinkyDink Jun 2013 #64

From the looks of this thread there a many HereSince1628 Jun 2013 #68

Last thing we need in inter-generational division Taverner Jun 2013 #92

in both cases, double traumas carolinayellowdog Jun 2013 #65

I remember those and more. hobbit709 Jun 2013 #67

I think that Kent State was even more BlueToTheBone Jun 2013 #69

I was 13 when jfk was killed . Your post is authentic and how it was for me xiamiam Jun 2013 #73

During my first few demonstrations against the Iraq War BlueToTheBone Jun 2013 #75

My dad was a cop working riot control Taverner Jun 2013 #94

No wonder you had a cloud over your youth BlueToTheBone Jun 2013 #95

Let's just say if they had camera phones back then, entire police forces would have been on trial Taverner Jun 2013 #97

like I said, I lived in Berkely during that period BlueToTheBone Jun 2013 #100

Alive but not old enough to be aware treestar Jun 2013 #70

I was in the 8th grade when President Kennedy was killed.. Punkingal Jun 2013 #71

Alive, yes. Aware? LWolf Jun 2013 #72

Yes and it put the whole nation in shock. No President had been assassinated in anyone's memory Cleita Jun 2013 #74

Was in the 3nd grade when JFK was assassinated CountAllVotes Jun 2013 #76

Wow...that is surreal..."Theme from a Summer Place" Taverner Jun 2013 #96

It scarred me for life that song CountAllVotes Jun 2013 #103

JFK's assassination was profoundly shocking and devastating lunatica Jun 2013 #77

I was a young 23-year-old stay-at-home mom at the time JFK was killed. RebelOne Jun 2013 #78

As a Catholic school child, the JFK assasination was largely MichiganVote Jun 2013 #81

The media never gave MLK the air time needed CountAllVotes Jun 2013 #82

I truly think that Walter Cronkite tried to get people to notice MLK as a citizen MichiganVote Jun 2013 #89

That was when I realized that politics here is just like politics everywhere else. bemildred Jun 2013 #83

I was eight when JFK was murdered. truebluegreen Jun 2013 #85

I was 13 for JFK ballardgirl Jun 2013 #86

I was in college (in Western Massachusetts) when Jack was killed. Demoiselle Jun 2013 #87

One more memory... Demoiselle Jun 2013 #88

I was home on leave when JFK was shot. In college protesting the war when MLK and RFK got shot. Tierra_y_Libertad Jun 2013 #93

We need resolution of JFK's assassination. roamer65 Jun 2013 #99

Agreed. And RFK and MLK. Taverner Jun 2013 #102

Resolve JFK's murder... roamer65 Jun 2013 #110

I actually don't buy a "conspiracy" as much as a confluence of events Taverner Jun 2013 #113

Remember what Jack Ruby said. roamer65 Jun 2013 #117

I was in High School when JFK was assassinated. PDJane Jun 2013 #101

Was an adult with family for all three. northoftheborder Jun 2013 #104

of course! i remember the shock of hearing of jfk's assassination over the intercom ellenfl Jun 2013 #106

I was born on June 5, 1968 arely staircase Jun 2013 #107

I was born 1958. OldEurope Jun 2013 #108

I dimly remember MLK and RFK MadrasT Jun 2013 #111

You are asking how I and my parents felt at three different events. We sat together and watched the jwirr Jun 2013 #112

Freshman at a catholic high school rurallib Jun 2013 #115

I have to add this: Teddy Kennedy's eulogy for Bobby Taverner Jun 2013 #116

The way Ted's voice cracked during that tribute/eulogy CountAllVotes Jun 2013 #118

Teddy was an amazing human Taverner Jun 2013 #120

And yes, those cracks in his voice Taverner Jun 2013 #121