Remembering President Kennedy

In your assessment of President John F. Kennedy (“Historians Lost in Mists of Camelot,” Part I, Nov. 21), the historians interviewed say that the seeds of the Vietnam War were planted during Kennedy’s Administration, but certainly not the beginnings of the Civil Rights Act and other social reforms. I find this strangely inconsistent. But let the historians bicker over the relative accomplishments and faults of this one presidency. I want to get to larger matters.

Historians shouldn’t discount the feeling Kennedy gave the post-World War II generation. It’s as tangible as a veto; the Reagan era is proof that a carefully orchestrated style (regardless of substance) can be sold effectively and translated into votes.

The difference for me and millions of others who unabashedly mourn Kennedy’s death is in what our leaders stand for.

Kennedy articulated better than any modern President the need for our people to look to the future and make it work for everyone, for every nation. Leaders should inspire the best in us, and I believe Kennedy tried to do just that (the Peace Corps and our early space program are just two examples).

I prefer J.F.K. and Bobby Kennedy’s message of hope to the hypocritical talk of “values” that shrouds the Reagan-Bush-Dukakis era.

GREGORY LEE

Laguna Hills