Mysteries To Befuddle Us

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Apparently, one of the great mysteries of the 20th Century is "who really wrote JFK's famous "ask not what your country can do for you..." speech. I'll give you a few options. Was it:

a) John F. Kennedy himself
b) Theodore Sorensen, his chief speech writer
c) Something he overheard his janitor saying while cleaning the Presidential Bathroom
d) None of the above

If you guessed c) or d), you would be wrong, although, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the janitor did say to Kennedy, "Our goal is not the victory of might, but the vindication of right", while freshening up the toilet bowl.

Guessing b) would put you in range, but not quite, according to author Thurston Clarke. Mr Clarke has written a book called "Ask Not", which delves into the mystery of who actually wrote that famous speech. He would have you believe that a) is the correct answer. The drama of the story behind the speech will probably be revealed in some multi-million dollar, star-studded Hollywood blockbuster production. Oh, and sorry for the spoiler.

Other mysteries of the 20th Century include:
- What really happened aboard Apollo 13?
- What really happened aboard the Titanic?
- What is really in Area 51?
- What really happened to Amelia Earhardt?
- Who killed: JFK, The Red Barron, Marylin Monroe, Azaria Chamberlain, Jimmy Hoffa...

Well, we all know the answer to these questions: just watch the movie.

So many things seem to be mysterious about the 20th Century, it makes me wonder how much we were actually paying attention.

But now that we are in the 21st Century, it is time to start over and create new mysteries to befuddle pundits for years to come. And we have already got a doozy on our hands.

It seems that the biggest mystery of the 21st Century is currently being acted out. On the eve of Annapolis, I am yet to hear one convincing argument as to why Israel should negotiate anything with Fatah, who has no control over itself, let alone the "Palestinian People". I am yet to hear one logical point of view detailing how, given recent history, surrendering part of our capital city to the Arabs will bring Israeli citizens a moment of peace. I am yet to hear how experiences with past agreements and the disastrous consequences of the expulsion from Gaza on Southern Israel has proved that giving land to these terrorists will bring peace.

My prediction is that one of the biggest mysteries of the 21st Century will be: why Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was hell-bent on plunging his country towards suicide.

I hope I'll still be around to watch the movie.

Comments

  1. AnonymousNovember 27, 2007 at 5:32 PM

    To me the greater mystery is why/how Olmert is still PM

    ReplyDelete
  2. GooGl(e)itchNovember 27, 2007 at 5:56 PM

    It goes without saying that, while I could tell you the answer to any and all of these mysteries, I would have to kill you,

    ReplyDelete

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