On ''Secret Societies'', the Political Elite, the Ability to Foresee, the Dignity and Transparency of the Authorities, and Responsibility for the Culture of Societies during Elections – from the Perspective of the Media

"The whole is always greater than the sum of its parts" (Aristotle)

"The elite are people who can look far ahead and preserve what matters most – HUMAN DIGNITY.' The elite are people distinguished by their life wisdom. WISDOM lies not only in knowledge, because someone may possess great knowledge and yet not be wise. WISDOM is the ability to see reality in its context, as a WHOLE." (Cardinal Liubomyr Husar)

In his 1961 speech, US President John F. Kennedy issued warnings that remain even more relevant in 2026. Just a few months after his inauguration, on 27 April 1961, he warned against the actions of 'secret societies' that were opaque to society, as well as against a 'monolithic and ruthless conspiracy' against democracies on their part.

John F. Kennedy regarded the substitution of transparent and institutionally accountable government procedures and actions with opaque advice, incomprehensible appointments and secret government actions-motivated by influences of 'secret societies' hidden from the public-as perhaps the greatest threat to democracies. He also regarded journalists and the media as responsible for the political culture of societies and for the consequences of electing a genuine, rather than merely decorative, POLITICAL ELITE to power.

Such 'secret societies' can nowadays be referred to as the DEEP STATE. They can take various forms in different countries around the world, such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran or the Federal Security Service (FSB) in Russia. Others may be informal, such as the Ukrainian circle of 'dear friends', or effectively "organised political criminal groups" from the oligarchic-clan inner circle of the government. These entities operate without any transparent or institutionally defined responsibility for their secret advice or their influence on governmental authority (https://youtube.com/watch?v=Zxx1BWXI4AA&si=__ggX2P0cPrXD_jv).

John F. Kennedy's 1961 speech, which remains relevant to this day, has puzzled historians and politicians for decades. US President Kennedy, coming from an influential family, having followed a long path into politics, and possessing access to classified US intelligence, knew a great deal. But, unlike many politicians, he still possessed the Conscience and Honour of a combat officer from the Second World War. It is therefore clear that he wanted to convey his knowledge to the public as early as 1961.

It is also worth comparing Kennedy's warnings with those of another genius of the time – the composer and singer of his own works, John Lennon of the legendary quartet 'The Beatles' – which he made in 1968. These were also warnings from yet another noble-souled aristocrat, but from the world of the arts rather than the military. He was forced to intervene in politics from time to time, also sensing and FORESEEING with the soul of a true Creator of the Beautiful and the Eternal – the danger to all of Humanity ("On the madmen who rule us" https://share.google/noHc3sw4KXtMQZwZm).

Such comparisons are especially useful for us, Ukrainians, in understanding what a genuine POLITICAL ELITE should be. A definition of which was also given by the Ukrainian genius, Cardinal Liubomyr Husar: "The elite are people who can look far ahead and preserve what matters most – HUMAN DIGNITY. The elite are people distinguished by their life wisdom. WISDOM lies not only in knowledge, because someone may possess great knowledge and yet not be wise. WISDOM is the ability to see reality in its context, as a WHOLE."



In other words, the hallmarks of a true ELITE, whom the People should elect to Power, must be qualities demonstrated by their past lives and biographies:

- Wisdom, demonstrated through Words and Deeds;

- A Systematic and Panoramic, rather than a narrow and fragmented, view of the World;

- The ability to Foresee the Future and events that threaten your People, your State and Humanity;

- The courage to publicly Warn others about such dangers, even at the risk of losing personal popularity or being misunderstood;

- The ability, whilst maintaining one's own Dignity, to take Responsibility for the protection of others, regardless of personal risks.



So, John F. Kennedy's speech...

"Ladies and gentlemen:

The very word "secrecy" is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and to secret proceedings. We decided long ago that the dangers of excessive and unwarranted concealment of pertinent facts far outweighed the dangers which are cited to justify it.

Even today, there is little value in insuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not survive with it. And there is very grave danger that an announced need for increased security will be seized upon by those anxious to expand its meaning to the very limits of official censorship and concealment. That I do not intend to permit to the extent that it is in my control.

And no official of my Administration, whether his rank is high or low, civilian or military, should interpret my words here tonight as an excuse to censor the news, to stifle dissent, to cover up our mistakes or to withhold from the press and the public the facts they deserve to know.

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...

... No President should fear public scrutiny of his program. For from that scrutiny comes understanding; and from that understanding comes support or opposition. And both are necessary.

I am not asking your newspapers to support the Administration, but I am asking your help in the tremendous task of informing and alerting the American people. For I have complete confidence in the response and dedication of our citizens whenever they are fully informed.

I not only could not stifle controversy among your readers I welcome it. This Administration intends to be candid about its errors; for as a wise man once said: "An error does not become a mistake until you refuse to correct it."

We intend to accept full responsibility for our errors; and we expect you to point them out when we miss them.

Without debate, without criticism, no Administration and no country can succeed and no republic can survive. That is why the Athenian lawmaker Solon decreed it a crime for any citizen to shrink from controversy.

And that is why our press was protected by the First Amendment the only business in America specifically protected by the Constitution not primarily to amuse and entertain, not to emphasize the trivial and the sentimental, not to simply "give the public what it wants" but to inform, to arouse, to reflect, to state our dangers and our opportunities, to indicate our crises and our choices, to lead, mold, educate and sometimes even anger public opinion.

This means greater coverage and analysis of international news for it is no longer far away and foreign but close at hand and local.

It means greater attention to improved understanding of the news as well as improved transmission. And it means, finally, that government at all levels, must meet its obligation to provide you with the fullest possible information outside the narrowest limits of national security and we intend to do it.

And so it is to the printing press to the recorder of man's deeds, the keeper of his conscience, the courier of his news that we look for strength and assistance, confident that with your help man will be what he was born to be: free and independent.".

(https://www.jfklibrary.org/archives/other-resources/john-f-kennedy-speeches/american-newspaper-publishers-association-19610427).

In conclusion, these words were spoken by the president of a country that was going through the difficult times of the 'Cold War' with the global communist system. Moreover, American society was divided by the war in Vietnam. But for John F. Kennedy, the historical roots and principles of American Democracy-which, incidentally, is a century younger than Ukrainian Cossack democracy-mattered more than personal popularity or the instinct for self-preservation. He felt a sense of unity with the History of the American People and simply continued the historical tradition and legacy of previous leaders of the state, the Founding Fathers of its Democracy, such as Thomas Jefferson, and its followers, such as Eleanor Roosevelt.





Ukrainian version: https://blogs.pravda.com.ua/authors/smeshko/69ab0ba8305f6/

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