The July 28 letter by Eli Martin Schotz recalls a time when political leadership worked for peace, not just talked about peace. It was a time when diplomacy was a leading edge of our foreign policy and preservation of life was of paramount importance. How far we have fallen!
We now live in an age of a bipartisan foreign policy that has tragically brought us to the potential of nuclear Armageddon. This bipartisan agenda for global dominance since JFK’s time has been characterized by political leadership devoid of wisdom and courage. We are living through the culmination of that process.
JFK brought eloquence to what is basically fundamental to all human life, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” He transitioned from a “warrior” mentality (World War II vet) into an advocate for peace and justice despite knowing the risks he faced. The equivalence of such wisdom and courage is completely absent from our current political class and the world is suffering as a result.
It is time we reconnect the inspiration and courage of JFK with the current overtures for peace and stability as expressed in the May 2026 communique from Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin and China’s Chairman Xi Jinping. As president Kennedy rightly stated in his 1961 inaugural address, “We should never negotiate out of fear, but we should never fear to negotiate.”
It is time to return diplomacy to the world stage and put an end to war and intimidation as a means of addressing global conflict.
John Blumenstiel
Sharon