Jewells of Thought

Do you remember Camelot? No, not the King Arthur and Guinevere Camelot. I am referring to the American version of Camelot. Jacqueline Kennedy either had an epiphany about or just had a female intuition about needing her husband’s mark imprinted on his Country.

The Camelot myth or legendary experience of the Kennedy Presidency is very real. I was not alive, but my parents were. Over the years I have heard over and over again that people remember exactly where they were when they first heard of the assassination. It’s amazing I wasn’t even really thought about as of yet, but his importance to this country does indirectly affect my generation.

In college, I had a very awesome French professor, who has since died. She had a collection of movies that her classes benefited from immensely. One of her classes probably needed a better title than, Nazi’s. We did learn about the man himself and what made him the way he was, but the big take away for me was being introduced to Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Okay so that was a little one of my tangents. The movies Professor Cutchin had us watch, were intriguing to say the least. This movie was made in 1994 depicting 1964, 20 years after they, yes the Nazi’s, won the war. The actual thought of the Nazi’s winning the war gave me nausea while watching the film.

Seriously, I think someone had too much time to think, but it’s pure conjecture what could have occurred, thank goodness. Maybe other factors could have made it much different than even this alternate universe. However, the basis of the movie was that the Germans wanted to deepen their relations with the U. S., which meant accommodating the President. The writers for ‘Fatherland’ decided Jack Kennedy Senior would become the President in this surreal nightmare of a twist in power. Senior, did have aspirations for such a feat.

So back to Camelot, an article was published, on November 10, 2013 in the New York Post, Inventing Camelot: How Jackie Kennedy shaped her husband’s legacy written by James Swanson. Honestly, I didn’t exactly know where the term Camelot and the Kennedy family intersected until now. I have to admit I have also been swept into that vortex. I don’t know which book I got first PT 109 or the Profiles of Courage. Making a mental note to read both books again soon. Probably his biography, but I do have a few books about Kennedy.

As an unapologetic republican for the most part, this must sound a bit topsy turvy. I tell you it’s the historian in me and the whole romanticized Camelot ideal. A non-political Kennedy is in the race for President. That seems like hyperbole especially with his known stances and being a lawyer fighting against the government bureaucracy and the obvious; sharing the same DNA with our 35th President as well as other politicians.

Robert Kennedy, unlike his uncle and father has not shown himself to have had the same hankering for the Oval Office. His announcement was made, because as a dutiful Kennedy, civil service has mattered. RFK Jr, likes to fight for a righteous issue. I have listened to him speaking about big pharma on a conservative show. He has a passionate heart. Do you see such a man with a heart filled like that fighting for the American people currently sitting at the Oval office or rather at Delaware by this time of day.

The unfortunate backlash of announcing, however, must be his family’s chilly response. This is where the differences in his family now versus back in 1960 must sting. The appearance of the Kennedy clan with a young John Kennedy seemed like a cohesive unit all wanting the same thing; for John to win the nomination and the Presidency.

The other benefit from RFK winning the bid is the potential new first lady. How refreshing would it be to see a loving wife who doesn’t have to be the nursemaid for her husband. A woman who see’s the potential for a good laugh, being a comedienne, but being a loving and supportive wife. The way Melania supported Donald; hopefully the press would be more forgiving to her.

The idea of Camelot returning may still be a long shot, but already RFK’s polling numbers look better than some of the republicans who have already made announcements weeks ago.

The nonsensical piece of this for me is that the man in my life hails from Boston. My first impression when we gave the state but not where we lived gave me butterflies. I will never forget that Sunday afternoon we had only been texting for a few days. Then he mentions he’s in fact from Boston of all places. All of my ideas of that centrally historic city came floating to me. Books I have read about the Revolutionary War, and even Dr. Quinn, yes I have the entire series. I ate it up and now a man from that city was texting me. My teenage years were spent daydreaming of going to historic sites from the American Revolution, but never once did I think I could fall for a New Englander from here in Southern Indiana.

Camelot. Maybe the impossible could happen. Would the country accept this nomination when RFK’s family is split over their ideals?