Annotations for JFK

Lyric: 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
Annotation:
In the speech, these lines were used by Kennedy to attack the Soviet Union, but the hypocrisy in the speech is disturbing. The lines today, and even back during the Cold War, are easily applied to the United States. Some examples, both past and present, include MK Ultra (which Muse has referenced in  a past song), the Iraq War, specifically the “Collateral Murder” bit, the 2000 Presidential Election, the hatred of WikiLeaks by many of the major politicians (Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin, Tom Flanagan), the USA PATRIOT Act, PRISM, Iran-Contra, the funding of the Mujahadeen, and the suppression of Nicaraguan, Brazilian, and Iranian citizens' right to choose their own governments and leaders.

Lyric: Its preparations are concealed, not published
 Its mistakes are buried, not headlined
 Its dissenters are silenced, not praised
Annotation:
These lines highlight the fact that it is no longer just the totalitarian communist governments of JFK’s time in his speech that are taking part in these acts of silencing dissent and mistakes. It is instead governments of the developed world,  including the United States and Britain, who continue to do this in today’s world. The  music video includes a shot of whistleblower Edward Snowden’s face, an Anonymous hacker, and Martin Luther King Jr.

