Imagine in 2016, in the midst of a very heated presidential campaign debate, one of the major party contenders dared utter these forbidden words:

I think we have to revitalize our society. I think we have to demonstrate to the people of the world that we are determined in this free country of ours to be first – not first “if” and not first “but” and not first “when” but first.  And when we are strong, and when we are first, then freedom gains. Then the prospects for peace increase. Then the prospects for our security gain. 

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE JOHN F. KENNEDY, “FACE-TO-FACE, NIXON-KENNEDY” VICE PRESIDENT RICHARD M. NIXON AND SENATOR JOHN F. KENNEDY FOURTH JOINT TELEVISION-RADIO BROADCAST, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1960, ORIGINATING ABC, NEW YORK, N.Y., ALL NETWORKS CARRIED

The Best of Charles Burris