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Myth vs. reality, from one JFK to another

Published Monday, August 23, 2004 by seanlmccarthy | E-mail this post

I visited the John F. Kennedy Library today on the south shores of Boston and couldn't help but be struck by many things; among them, the late president speaking on camera about truth, lies -- and myth superseding both when it comes to politics. You can listen between the lines when rethinking the Kennedys, to be sure. But Kennedy also made me take another look at the sordid "swift boats" debate swirling around John F. Kerry -- the little Kennedy who could, or could not. The electoral jury is still out on that. What remains amazing about politics is how opponents can derail you with lies, repetitive spin and so-called dirty tricks. In 1972, the public shockingly learned too late about how the Nixon re-election crew dismantled the Democrats. In 2004, the tricks have not come clean, though the tricksters are out in the open for all to see. Has the public, or the media, learned anything? Methinks not.