I don't think anyone is missing that, cutesy little jokes like that just don't tend to do well here on HN.

I think possibly lots of people are missing it. How well known is Kennedy's speech for those who weren't alive at the time? And yes it was a joke, but contained within the joke is a pointed commentary.

I think it's one of the most famous quotations in the country (it has it's own wikipedia page[0]), and the reference wasn't exactly subtle. I'm betting most downvoters (myself included) got the reference.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_choose_to_go_to_the_Moon

JFK's moon speech is one of the most famous of all time, especially in the US. Up there with the Gettysburg Address and I Have a Dream.

They are viewed as somewhat missing the point, and so aren't enjoyed.

Sorry, a bit dense maybe, but what's 'oppositized' about it? That looks like a verbatim quote to me.

EDIT: Oh, not your usage! You're suggesting people somehow haven't realised the GP was mis-quoting JFK, I guess? I think it's more likely that everyone reading that GP comment realised, since it was a pretty obvious context for the reference.