John F. Kennedy Quotes
Ich bin ein Berliner. (I am a Berliner.)
Kennedy had gone to West Berlin in the midst of the Cold War and the worst of the Berlin Wall. This quotation was a great example of symbolism in politics. His presence. his delivery of the line in German, the statement identified him personally and the United States with the Berliners who were surrounded by Russian dominated East Germany, endeared him to Berliners, Germans, Europeans and freedom loving people the world over even though he stated no policies, goals, or programs. His identification said it all.
John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963, 35th President of the United States (Democrat, MA), Speech, Berlin, Germany, June 26, 1963
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
A tongue-in-cheek statement made during German reunification debates reflecting his distrust of Germany.
He argued to take every statement or threat of violence against America or Americans made by a foreign leader, even if for local political purposes, as a clear and present danger that requires action, often including force to nullify that country's capability to harm America or to produce a regime change. Many point to Adolf Hitler who had, in Mein Kampf, told the world what he would try and do, and few paid any attention to him. On the other hand, when he was at his most dangerous and planning massive world aggression, his rhetoric was very moderate and peaceful. The vast majority of the foreign leaders who threaten America and her interests, never have acted on those threats. However, one danger is the incitement of others in the country or region who might become a threat to America as an individual or a non state terror group.
The "iron curtain" phrase was used here a few months before Winston Churchill's famous speech using it {411311}. Also, it appears to have been used earlier than that by Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels in Das Reich. And Viscountess Snowden used the phrase in her memoirs of a Past WWI trip to Russia {616546}. It is not known whether Troubridge or Churchill were familiar with those works.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, often referred to by his initials JFK, was an American politician who served as the 35th president of the United States from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. Kennedy served at the height of the Cold War, and the majority of his work as president concerned relations with the Soviet Union and Cuba. A Democrat, Kennedy represented Massachusetts in both houses of the U.S. Congress prior to becoming president.
