Hopefully by this weekend, I’ll have another painting and blog segment for you, but this is a quick thing I wanted to share.Yesterday I was sorting through some memorabilia that I’ve kept over the years. George was just one of the magazines I purchased for my clients when I was working. For some unknown reason, when my new George arrived, rather than tossing this one, I took it home and put it in my ‘keep’ box.
I’m sure you know this was a publication that was created by John Kennedy, Jr.
(To the left was the cover for the first publication)
Critics called George "the political magazine for people who don't understand politics", assailing it for "stripping any and all discussion of political issues from its coverage of politics".
But, as we have all learned to well- critics are politically partisan driven creatures in themselves.
As I looked at the cover yesterday, I found the title prophetic and startling. This specific publication was released August, 2000. John Jr. had died in the plane crash exactly one year prior (Aug/1999). Clinton had already been disgraced with his sex scandal. The Bush’s regime was beginning and 9/11 was on the horizon.
So, this August 2000 publication was produced by the people who worked with/for John Jr. It was tribute to President Kennedy and discussed all the presidents that followed him. The magazine’s date of release also commemorated the anniversary of the death of the man we knew as 'John John.'
Interesting, huh?
The magazine ceased publication in early 2001.
The cover made me a bit tearful and all I could think was, ‘We’ve been working on it, John John. We’ve really been working on it.”
______________________
___How does the cover affect you?
31 comments:
The title of your piece says it all. The photos simply highlight the sense of disillusionment. What is really troubling is that so many of our citizens found the conduct of the current administration to be acceptable.
This sense of hope and betterment is an intangible concept, which people either instill or project, or they do not.
I love the picture of Jr, peeking out from under the desk. It made me think of what fun it must have been to play in the white house. I mean can you imagine all the secret hiding places. The mystical passages that would tempt a child's imagination. I know my imagination at that age would have been running rampant at all the possibilities.
Pride comes from within, not without. That is, if it is to be real and useful. I don't wish to offend but we need to look inside for strength of purpose and to reward ourselves. When we idolize others is when we get in trouble.
My first wife made me miserable expecting me to make her happy. I was the only one to learn that only one person can make anyone happy. The same applies to being proud.
Hi Douglas,
Thanks for you comment. I totally agree with you as applied to personal happiness or 'pride'. (I have an ex-husband who held me hostage for all his misery also: i.e. why he’s my ex-husband. We should exchange ex- spouse horror stories another day)
The point here is a prophetic title on George Magazine about social views and government almost a decade ago. This publication was released August of 2000. It’s obvious similarity to this past year’s societal disappointment
with our government are stunning.
Vikki
Hi Eric,
Thanks for your comment. Are you to young to remember the Kennedys? That picture of John under his father’s desk is probably as famous as the one of him saluting at his Dad’s funeral procession. But- I toatlly agree. I fathom the White house has a myriad of places for any kid’s imagination to run wild.
Vikki
Hi Logistician,
Thanks and how eloquent and well said. I so agree. For the first time in many years or society is filled with hope. The sounds of Nay Sayers can barely be heard through the roar of excitement. Doesn't it feel good?
Vikki
Lots of memories there Vikki - even for those on this side of the wold.
Cheers
June in Oz
Yes, I'm a youngster. I don't really remember much about them, and for some reason the Kennedy history has never really caught my attention. Now I have watched with fascination just about every History Channel story on the assignation. Yes the sight of Young John saluting his fathers procession is heart wrenching to say the least.
As to the political question of your post. I hope and pray that we will be moving to more prideful times for our country. I do have high hopes. I think we'll see some interesting changes, and it will be fun to watch.
Hi Eric,
Don't you love the History Channel?
They're doing several segments on Dec. 21, 2012 right now -scary!!
I figured you started early and were a youngster yourself. And I agree. In fact- I don’t think we have any direction we can go but ‘up’ at this point.
When President Kennedy was elected they equated his presidency and family to Camelot. The world was just hypmotized with them. I have heard (more than once) editors state the Osama election as the ‘America‘s Return to Camelot’. I think it would be more clearly stated as ‘America’s Return to Hope.’
Vikki
Hi June,
Thanks for your comment. I think it tore everyone’s heart out (through out the world) when John Jr. died in that plane crash. The Kennedy family had just gone though so much tragedy. (Tantamount to the impact of Princess Dianna‘s death)
But- we go on - because that’s what we have to do and hold the precious memories in our heart.
Vikki
I understand. My point was that we all too often place all our hopes and dreams in a "leader". That can be dangerous besides being a tad foolish. We don't need someone else to make us proud. We can do that, and we should, by ourselves.
Hi Douglas,
Point taken and I'm in 100% agreement with you. Good government can only provide an opportunity. It's up to every individual to make that work themselves and succeed.
(But I still think it would be fun to exchange ex-spouse horror stories)
Vikki
Interesting exchange. I've spent some time recently teaching all sorts of adult students at a local community college. When I first started, there was quite a bit of discussion about the word "inspire," and what it means.
Malcolm Gladwell, author of "Outliers," and the "Tipping Point," has recently been on a book tour speaking about the importance of what others do around us during our formative years, and what we saw on a regular basis, in terms of how they affect the development and evolution of our attitude and worldview.
When I think back on my past, I am constantly reminded that I always had people around me who made me feel that virtually anything was possible. Some would suggest that individuals have accomplished quite a bit in life. Quite frankly, I can not take credit for much of anything good which I have done, but I do take responsibility for the bad. Virtually everything I saw around me in my formative years was good and positive. None of that was internally generated.
Hi Logistician,
My background was similar. I’m well aware of how fortunate I was to have great parents and such wonderful and positive influences in my life. They set me off running full steam. I never thought there was anything that I couldn’t achieve.
I worked in (what was) a male dominated industry for the better part of my life. Heard a lot of women complain over the years about ‘men holding them down.' Of course I saw some of what they talked about, but I never wasted my time with people like that. The men I chose to work with always supported me and if anything pushed me to shine.
Some may say that’s a matter of luck- but I think your right. It’s a matter of attitude.
Vikki
I think I am beginning to understand why I am drawn to you and to Logistician. I did not come from an upbringing that encouraged me or urged me to excel. Our backgrounds are quite different and, therefore, perhaps our perspectives diverge in detail while our larger views are similar. That affects our ideas on how things might be improved.
You know Vikki, I thought about this concept quite a bit overnight. Yesterday, the Optimizer, one of my colleagues, here at the Institute for Applied Common Sense, attended a workshop with some bif wig educational high mucky mucks, discussing the effect of poverty on the learning environment. We chatted late into the evening about the subjects discussed.
In my youth, I questioned the position of those who spoke of "the system." For many years, I spoke of being personally driven.
What i learned later in life is that all of us assess where we are and what we can accomplish or desire to accomplish within a particular environment, and either act on it, submit, or move on.
The choices are always ours, as adults, but not always the situations. Children don't have those choices or options.
My computer is still in the shop. Consequently, I had to come to the public library once again to use the computer. Saw an unusual sight here in North Carolina on my way here: a top notch runner exercising.
I lived in Los Angeles for roughly 30 years. I always had a top notch gym within blocks of my home, sometimes across the street, and in some instances, within my office or buidling itself. I always had a track (UCLA, USC, or some high school nearby) within walking distance.
No matter how tired I was on a daily basis following work, I would see at least 500-1,000 people working out on my way home, and consequently I was motived to work out. Ran at least 5 miles per day regularly.
Since returning to North Carolina, I rarely see anyone working out. I'm not as motivated. I go up to the local track occasionally now, and I'm the only one there. I never ate fried chicken in California; I eat it regularly here. Ate pork twice a year in California; probably twice a week here.
I'm not blaming anyone. These are all my personal choices. I could run with more frequency like I did in California, and avoid the dangerous foods. Just don't. Not the same environment, and not the same motivations.
Life. There are always things around us which motivate and inspire us, and make us proud.
Hi Reg,
I totally AGREE that environmental or demographic customs are greatly influential in our motivation.…but only to a degree. We repeatedly see to many individuals who come out of depressed environments and excel in life. Where do they get that? What’s their motivation?
We also see people (everyday) -who in their 40’s, 50’s plus- come to the decision to change their life for the better and do so. They run marathons, start a business they always wanted, sail around the world- a myriad of things. (Some even start ‘motivational speaking careers’ after years of being a successful lawyer.)
I think it comes down to the individual making a choice for their own life regardless of peripheral influences or even BECAUSE OF life experiences.
We can choose to be healthy or ignore it. We can choose to work hard or muddle through. We can accept status quo or look for something new. We can be happy or unhappy.
It is ‘a choice’ and as interchangeable as a light bulb. Dare I say it? You bet! It is all in OUR ATTITUDE.
Vikki
Thank you Douglas.
That’s such an honest introspective comment and makes me a little sad. If they only knew, huh?
Well - I tell you this: In our brief acquaintance, I see someone who is bright, articulate and thinks deeply about the world around him and his experience. You’re an amazing and talented writer. I fathom Logistician Reggie would agree.
Any thing is possible Douglas- especially for you.
Vikki
Hi Vikki,
When the first George magazine was printed, there was so much controversy of why Cindy Crawford, dressed up as George Washington, was chosen to be on the cover. Anyhow, make sure you keep that first issue of George because it's a collector's item now. It might be worth a lot more in another ten years.
And yes, I was very saddened when John JOhn died. So tragic. As tragic as Princess Diana's.
I can't wait to see what you're working on. If I have to guess, I'd say it's a painting of Barack Obama.
Have a great weekend,
Tasha
Hi Tasha,
Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately I didn't save the first George. I'm actually not a 'saver' of things-thus my surprise that I had this one. I think I probably kept it because of all the images they had of the all the presidents in this issue.
'No' Obama paintings for me. He's a cutie and my choice for President, but not for my art. You're just going to have to wait and see.
Vikki
Just looking at the photos connected with this post again, I am also reminded that we can not dismiss the impact of the visual component. There is something about optimism, and something that pessimism that reveal themselves in tone, style, and appearance.
That family had a "look." Some months ago, I suggested, somewhat facetiously, that I could look at politicians on C-Span and almost immediately determine whether they were Republican or Democratic. I do think that there is something to attitude and worldview affecting our appearance, mannerisms, and style. Not suggesting that they can not change during life either.
Have you ever looked at someone and said, "Wow, they've had a tough life," without truly knowing, but simply reading their facial expressions. This Kennedy clan has mastered the art of looking postively forward despite lots of hardship, and I don't think that it is about money. by the way, the patriach, Joe Kennedy, went into depression, to my understanding, following the electro shock treatments to his daughter, which rendered her less than functional.
Interesting Douglas. Thanks. Apart from our somewhat similar youth experiences as far as positive images and influences, Vikki and I also shared the "whatever" of the same fluid cauldron that is Los Angeles for many years. I'm sure that the experience influenced greatly.
Interestingly, the tagline on your blog suggests that you were in a certain state for many years, and that there was then a watershe event, in a relative sense. I strongly suspect that vikki and I "evolved" to where and who we are a tad more gradually. I may be wrong. You've got lots of the ball based on what I see.
Check out the story of the life of the author of Peter Pan.
Hi Logistician,
Absolutely and an excellent observation. How a person presents themselves- has a great impact on how we view them. The Kennedy’s did emanate optimism, happiness and strength at a time when the country needed it. That’s definitely the parallel with the Obama’s and the ‘return to Camelot.’
I hadn’t thought about the older Kennedy daughter in years. I remember reading she was prone to ‘outburst’ and depression. That’s why they had her institutionalized. But it wasn’t electro shock Reg. They gave her a LOBOTOMY and botched it! And yes- they turned her into a blithering idiot and she died months later.
I reference to Joe Kennedy, I fathom the devil just collected his dues on that old bootlegger?
Vikki
Oops. My bad, Vikki, on the lobotomy. Didn't take the time to look it up to be sure and for that I apologize. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
We have ALL made ourselves proud. Or, at least a little more than half of us have - those of us who voted for and elected Obama. I know I feel proud of my fellow voters.
Hi Lou,
You way to dear. Thanks.
Vikki
Honey,
This was my era, my history, my sadness.
There is such a thing as family curse as there is family blessings.
D
Hi Queeny,
My era also. I'll never forget when they asked Teddy to run for president and he graciously declined. More tragedy than any family should have to bare.
Very sad story.
Vikki
Hold on to your horses', I am going to come gallopping in. Here comes' cowgirl!
Hey Elizabethbelhadj,
WE'VE BEEN WONDERING WHERE YOU WERE!
Welcome to my blog- I hope your going to join us at the Artist Challenges also.
http://www.theartistchallenge.com/
Vikki- aka The Pub Wench
Hold on to your horses', I am going to come gallopping in. Here comes' cowgirl !
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