Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero by Chris Matthews

I just finished reading or, should I say gobbling up, the beautifully written book, Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero by Chris Matthews. There is a lovely short review here and you can order the book from, and read other reviews at, Amazon.com.

There are fascinating details about his life that not many people knew. He was very ill all of his life and he had to battle against his infirmities constantly. His heroism during World War II was not just a single act – it was a series of very brave and intelligent decisions made under terrifying circumstances.

The descriptions of the political strategies and considerations are enlightening. The book gives you a feel for what was this man like. He was different to different people in his life, but he was an enthralling personality to all of them. Many of them said he was the most charming man they had ever met.

He was a serious student of history his whole life and he earned a Pulitzer Prize for his wonderful portrait of political courage, Profiles in Courage which, by the way, I also highly recommend – it has lost none of its currency even though it describes actions taken generations ago.

I highly recommend this book.

Let me know how you enjoyed it.

Some Thoughts on Religion

To All:

* Why not replace all religions with

• The Golden Rule
• Tolerance
• Kindness
• Individual freedom – limited by its not impinging on the freedom of others
• Peaceful conflict resolution
• Everything else is optional

* How would you judge God’s actions, inaction, and laws?
If you say, “that’s beyond human comprehension”, try
saying that to your wife when she discovers that you
put spoiled milk back into the refrigerator!

* What religion would you now be if you were born in India, China, … ?

* Why is God more likely to exist than other mythic figures?

* How’s your success rate with prayer?

* If you really believe prayer works, why not prayer for world peace and health … until it happens?

To Jews and Christians:

* Why did a loving God condemn all of mankind to suffer?

To Christians:

* How would the pope treat Jesus who looks like a hippie, hangs out with low-lifes, and hates clergymen?
* How would Jesus treat the pope who is surrounded by idols, demands obedience to man-made laws, has billions of dollars, and lives in a castle?

To Moslems:

* Where’s your tolerance for others’ beliefs? Even those in your own religion, but a different sect?
How do you justify Sunnis murdering masses of Shia pilgrims visiting a mosque?
* Oh, and BTW, where’s your sense of humor?

To Mormons:

* How can you possibly believe any of that far-out story? Come to think of it, I have the same question for anyone who believes in the Bible!