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Editorial -- 7/19/1999
Like many of you, I awoke Saturday to the disturbing news that yet another Kennedy tragedy was unfolding. I was visiting my family on the East Coast, whom I haven't seen since Christmas, but the weekend activities were centered around the news as we waited with fading hope for the good news that was not to come.
John F. Kennedy, Jr. had just come into his own the last few years. After dabbling in the law, he had found his life's calling as a magazine publisher. George seemed to have turned the corner toward success, quite an accomplishment in today's print market. This newfound career was enhanced by his finding Carolyn Bessette; their marriage seemed to be what most of us can only dream of.
Our hearts must go out to the Kennedy family and friends as they must endure the loss of yet another far ahead of his time, and his cherished wife. But perhaps, even more so to the Bessettes, who have lost two wonderful daughters. I cannot fathom the pain that they must feel.
Others have discussed the incalculable potential of this couple for making the world a better place. And let us not forget Lauren, who was a star in her own right, out of the public eye.
If you did not catch Douglas Brinkley's editorial in the Monday New York Times,you missed great piece of writing. I would like to share the first paragraph with you:
"There comes a time in every generation when the light of youth flickers out, when some tragic accident unearths buried anxieties about the senselessness of death and the brutality of living. It's as if suddenly, an entire generation's optimism is deflated, and all that is left is the limp reality of growing old."
If there is any lesson to be learned from this tragedy (and this is based on speculation regarding the cause of the loss of life), it is that we should err on the side of caution. Too many people have been killed by overconfidence in fast cars and airplanes, from James Dean to John Denver. This occurs not only with famous people, but also with average folks who achieve a certain level of success in life. I know, and I'm sure you do also, people who are learning to fly fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, and who celebrate a big raise by going from a Honda to a Corvette. Often, they learn their lesson from a speeding ticket or non-fatal accident. Sometimes, they are not so lucky. Maybe a better example is drinking and driving, thinking that we can handle 200 horsepower after 5 or 6 beers. Test your reaction time (safely!) at home and see if you are still so confident.
If you are ever in a situation involving such a judgement call, please think of your family and friends before you decide to see just how fast you can take that hairpin turn or fly under marginal conditions. Perhaps then some good would have come from the loss of these three magnificent human beings.