What was John F. Kennedy referring to when he said “a monolithic and ruthless conspiracy”?
Excerpt
For we are opposed around the world by a monolithic and ruthless conspiracy that relies primarily on covert means for expanding its sphere of influence–on infiltration instead of invasion, on subversion instead of elections, on intimidation instead of free choice, on guerrillas by night instead of armies by day. It is a system which has conscripted vast human and material resources into the building of a tightly knit, highly efficient machine that combines military, diplomatic, intelligence, economic, scientific and political operations.
Its preparations are concealed, not published. Its mistakes are buried, not headlined. Its dissenters are silenced, not praised. No expenditure is questioned, no rumor is printed, no secret is revealed. It conducts the Cold War, in short, with a war-time discipline no democracy would ever hope or wish to match.
Nah man sorry. You’re just wrong in this case. You’re missing the forest for the trees.
Communism was the conspiracy. China. Vietnam. Laos. Cuba. Yemen. Somalia. Congo. Mozambique. Afghanistan. These were the countries succumbing to the worldwide conspiracy he was talking about.
Not to forget that Kennedy increased US involvement in Vietnam to prevent the spread of communism. He sent more troops and military advisers to South Vietnam to fight Ho Chi Minh’s forces. His brother also served under McCarthy as his father was a major ally and raging anti-communist.
Also regarding religion, Kennedy was a devout Catholic, which was a massive issue for him during the election, giving him good reason to try and dissuade people from considering it as an issue for him. Back then Catholics were often questioned on their loyalty, with people concerned that the president would be answerable to the pope. Crazy I know.
You could be right, maybe I’m wrong… but maybe not. About religion, do you not find it odd that every American Pres since Kennedy has been found consulting with the pope concerning how to govern his own country, including those who’ve not been Catholics? Much of the world bows down to the pope and few seem to question it. I’d think atheists and people of other religions, even Protestants really, would kick up a fuss to see their leaders bowing down to this guy, but nope. There’s also the relationship and history between the RCC and Russia (something else I need to read up on).
I don’t find it odd. Even with Vatican II in 1962-65 transforming the role of the pope to a more ecumenical approach, the role is still one of a world leader. It’s similar to how those same politicians consult with the Dalai Lama. There’s realpolitik reasons for political world leaders to be seen consulting them as ‘world leaders’ that have nothing to do with the actual religions.