I agree with you, Janie. The vast majority of Americans were very shocked and grieved by Kennedy's assassination. The mere idea of the president...any president...being assassinated was a total shock to everyone in those prosperous and optimistic times.

The small town I was living in was mostly hard right Republicans who truly hated Kennedy and the Democrats. They were shocked, all right...but some of them could hardly conceal their satisfaction at his demise. I knew people in that town who thought the Congress and federal government were full of secret Communist agents working for the Kremlin and selling out America. I kid you not. It was "Wingnutville", USA.

Upon returning permanently to Canada in 1969 after 10 years living in the vicinity of "Wingnutville", I had tears of relief and joy in my eyes after crossing the Canadian border. I felt like kneeling down and kissing the ground.