Mullings by Rich Galen | Secret Decoder Ring for September 17, 2001

Ask Not ...

Monday September 17, 2001

TITLE: "Ask Not �" The beginning of the famous quote from the inaugural address of John F. Kennedy. Here is a link to the entire text of Kennedy's inaugural speech.

"� Ask not �" According to Bob Dole's book, "Great Political Wit" the following conversation took place:

Shortly after President Kennedy's famous inauguration in 1961, Nixon and presidential aide Ted Sorenson met. Their conversation turned to Kennedy's inaugural address. "I wish I had said some of those things," Nixon said.
"Which part?" Sorenson asked, justifiably proud of his speechwriting prowess. "That part about 'Ask not what your country can do for you?'"
"No," replied Nixon. "The part that starts, 'I do solemnly swear.'"

"� World War II ..." I believe I invented this, but I might have read it somewhere and forgotten. Before World War II, World War I was known as "The Great War." They didn't know, at the time, they were going to have to number them.

"� one was in Paris, last week �" Here is the note sent to me by Ben Yale who was in Paris.

"� the other was in New York City, last week �" And here is the note sent to me by Bob Owen who is in New York City.

World War II Poster

Mullings' Catchy Caption of the Day:

Band of Brothers.

(AP Photo/ VIctoria Arocho) ____________________________________________________________________________________

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