I think this is a good comment, but I'm not certain that this is his actual focus here.

Edit:

Note this:

it requires a change in outlook, a change in tactics, a change in missions--by the government, by the people, by every businessman or labor leader, and by every newspaper. 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

So here he is talking directly about the monolithic and ruthless conspiracy that opposes the US AROUND the world, and then goes to describe THAT conspiracy, which is clearly the USSR global operations. They used covert means and infiltration in EVERY country around the world. Every one. He's not talking simply about infiltration inside the USA.

Q's important drop notwithstanding, I think its possible to misread the real meaning and import of this speech by superimposing a preconceived notion on top of it.

But like I said, not a popular opinion.

Edit Edit: It seems pretty clear that JFK is alluding to secret societies here, but that's where the tricky thing is. Is what he describes here about those secret societies, or the soviet conspiracy. Or is it perhaps a comm? a veiled reference? I like questioning what seem like 'obvious' answers...

I think this is a good comment, but I'm not certain that this is his actual focus here.

Edit:

Note this:

it requires a change in outlook, a change in tactics, a change in missions--by the government, by the people, by every businessman or labor leader, and by every newspaper. 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

So here he is talking directly about the monolithic and ruthless conspiracy that opposes the US AROUND the world, and then goes to describe THAT conspiracy, which is clearly the USSR global operations. They used covert means and infiltration in EVERY country around the world. Every one. He's not talking simply about infiltration inside the USA.

Q's important drop notwithstanding, I think its possible to misread the real meaning and import of this speech by superimposing a preconceived notion on top of it.

But like I said, not a popular opinion.

I think this is a good comment, but I'm not certain that this is his actual focus here.