‘I don’t think it’s up to us here in the United States, to say that we’re going to destroy all of South Vietnam because we have a commitment there. The commander of the forces at Ben Tre said we have to destroy that city in order to save it. So 38,000 people were wipe out or made refugees? We here in the United States – every human being that’s in this room – we are part of that decision.” RFK as quoted by Annie Shea in KENNEDY GIRL
“What I loved was, Bobby Kennedy was trying to solve problems of unemployment, hunger, too many pesticides, war. Even though his solutions could be considered political, they were aimed at real problems. He wasn’t an institution. He didn’t claim to see into other people’s souls. He didn’t brag that he was at the right hand of God. I was astonished at the volume of letters he received from fans everyday – hundreds. Some of the letters were printed on lined paper, scratched out as if they had been written by people who were just learning to write.” – Annie Shea from KENNEDY GIRL
Letters to RFK from The People
“Dear Bobby, Can you help my dad find a job? No one will hire him because they already have enough janitors.”
“Dear Bobby, a picture of your brother, John F. Kennedy is on our wall, next to the statue of the Virgin Mary. Thank you for caring about all of us. Please come to Watts so we can shake your hand.”
“Dear Mr. Kennedy, if you become President, I heard that there is a chance that I can go to college.” – From KENNEDY GIRL, the novel
“In the past, we have measured our wealth and progress by the wrong standards – air pollution, cigarette advertising, the destruction of the redwoods, the building of jails; all these increase the GNP but in my judgement, they do not make us richer.
“The health of our children, the quality of their education, the intelligence of our public debate, the integrity of our public officials – these and other intangible values are not included in the GNP but they are the truest indicators of wealth and the only true measure of progress in the United States.”
-Annie Shea quoting RFK in KENNEDY GIRL
“Thomas Jefferson once wrote that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing. But if I’m elected President . . . don’t try it.” Bobby was talking to me, I could hear the message through the words to his adoring crowds. When he asked ‘What difference can one individual make?’ I felt he was talking diretly to me, stirring up rebellion in my heart and soul. ” – Annie Shea from KENNEDY GIRL, a new novel by Caitlin Hicks.
