[PhiPsiRuss]

JFK was a grossly overrated president. Historians were initially enamored with him, but as his record is dispationately examined, his stature has dropped down to that of a mediocre president. What is particularly disturbing about JFK is that he lost the 1960 election. His dad "bought" Illinois and West Virginia for JFK by paying for the electoral fraud that gave Kennedy the victory.

Culturally, he is considered one of the graetest presidents. Why? Because of the way his legacy is portrayed in popular culture by various media outlets. He had a pretty and stylish wife, and a cute family. He also banged Marilyn Monroe from here to high heaven. Unfortunately, having a picture-perfect family and screwing Ms. Monroe does make for the execution of good policy.

Lets look at his record. H e really only did one positive thing for which he deserves credit; the space program. He doesn't really deserve that much credit for handling the Cuban Missile because evidence suggests that Nixon would have handled it in a similar fashion. What makes JFK's handling so much more dramatic is that JFK surrounded himself with people that made the crisis more likely, and the eventual conflict resolution less likely than what Nixon would have done.

Take a look at what JFK did on the Civil Rights front; just about nothing.

Other foreign policy; Bay of Pigs, Vietnam.

The fascination with JFK is, for all practical purposes, a creation of Hollywood and has little to do with his actual, and mediocre legacy.

On a side note, I'm ashamed that his son was a Phi Psi. JFK Jr.'s arrogance as a pilot was a contributing factor to the homocide of his wife and sister-in-law.

The one encouraging thing about his legacy, and about living in an open society, is that with enough time, history usually gets it right. Truman was considered a mediocre president for some time after his presidency. Mark my words, of the 5 post WWII 20th century Democratic presidents, Truman will go down as, by far, the best. LBJ, like Nixon (a Republican) will remain an enigma as both an astonishly effective president, and a man who committed enourmous damage to his nation. Carter was flat out pathetic as a president, although a terrific human being. Clinton's legacy is dropping faster than an anchor thrown off a ship. JFK is finally, and correctly, being seen a s largely ineffectual; great for Hollywood, but not so hot for America.