The Kennedy Thread

[VampElvis]

The man should've been in prison not the Senate. I will not mourn him.

 

[SoulManX]

The man should've been in prison not the Senate. I will not mourn him.

DO TELL

 

[Matt]

The first thing Pelosi should do when they get back is change the name of the healthcare bill to the Edward Kennedy Affordable Healthcare Choices for Americans Act.

Am I the only one who doesn't see the big deal? Good people die every day and no one says anything. A murderer (okay, manslaughter-er) died and we should be dedicating bills to him? The fact is, if his name wasn't Kennedy and they weren't Boston royalty he would've spent half his life in prison. Perhaps we should name it the Kopechne Act instead.

 

[Matt]

DO TELL

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chappaquiddick_incident

 

[Schlosser85]

RIP to a great Senator and a great American.

 

[SuBe]

If you can't say anything nice about a Dead Person, don't say anything at all.

I have nothing to say.

 

[Matt]

RIP to a great Senator and a great American.

Great Americans die every day. A great Senator may have died, but a great American did not. A murderer died in the form of Ted Kennedy.

 

[Schlosser85]

Great Americans die every day. A great Senator may have died, but a great American did not. A murderer died in the form of Ted Kennedy.

You've made your point clear. Do you intend to respond to every positive comment someone makes on this thread?

 

[Matt]

Someone ought to be saying it. Or should we just ignore Mary Jo Kopechne and what happened to her and pretend some great, kind, caring man died in order to perserve the Kennedy legacy?

 

[StorminNorman]

Kennedy was an important and fantastic Senator, though a terrible person. Many of American's most influential people were less-than-stellar people though, so I can't be too hard on him for that.

Washington is worse off for this loss.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Kennedy was an important and fantastic Senator, though a terrible person. Many of American's most influential people were less-than-stellar people though, so I can't be too hard on him for that.

Washington is worse off for this loss.

That's how I feel. The man deserves some respect from his death.

 

[Oddzball]

Great Americans die every day. A great Senator may have died, but a great American did not. A murderer died in the form of Ted Kennedy.

You might want to look up how the Commonwealth of Mass. defines murder before tossing off slanders like that. IF the worst allegation the evidence supports is true, he could be guilty of Negligent Homicide (or whatever it's called there).

Now, I realize in the land of "Death Counseling Bills introduced by Republicans" are proof beyond refutation that Barrack Obama wants to murder your mother in the rest home" that all sorts of alleged evidence exists to make the car crash planned with the intent of killing Kopechne.

But let's deal with fact, shall we. I realize this is often a very unusual situation for Republican activists these days, but please try to bear with us.

 

[Matt]

Nice try being as I'm a registered Democrat . Legal and moral definitions of murder are two things, doesn't change the fact that Kennedy is responsible for the death of a woman and in my book that makes him a murderer.

 

[Paradoxium]

The first thing Pelosi should do when they get back is change the name of the healthcare bill to the Edward Kennedy Affordable Healthcare Choices for Americans Act.

Using someone's death for a shameless political power move is ****ing disgusting.

A man's death should be treated as a man's death, and devoid of this type of political ********.

 

[Marx]

PRESIDENT OBAMA issues statement

For five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts.

I valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I've profited as President from his encouragement and wisdom.

An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time.

It's still hard to believe that he served for nearly 50 years.

 

[hitmanyr2k]

I will save my mourning for someone who actually deserves it. Kennedy may have been a good senator (and he was) but suddenly everyone is acting like Kennedy was a saint, and Ol'Teddy was far from.

No one is acting like he was a saint. He was a flawed human being who made mistakes like everyone else. And as flawed as Kennedy was he still did a lot of good for the people of this country. He dedicated his life to helping Americans the way you dedicate your life to this forum. I see no problem in people pointing out the good aspects of his life.

 

[Marx]

JOHN MCCAIN issues statement

My friend, Ted Kennedy, was famous before he was accomplished. But by the end of his life he had become irreplaceable in the institution he loved and in the affections of its members. He grew up in the long shadow of his brothers, but found a way to be useful to his country in ways that will outlast their accomplishments.

Many of his fellow senators, Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives, will note today that Ted was sincerely intent on finding enough common ground among us to make progress on the issues of our day, and toward that end he would work as hard and as modestly as any staffer. Many will recall his convivial nature, his humor, his thoughtfulness.

We will praise as his greatest strength the integrity of his word. When he made a promise to you, he kept it, no matter what.

What is harder for us to express is the emptiness we will feel in the Senate in his absence. Even when we are all crowded in the chamber for a vote, engaged in dozens of separate conversations, it will seem a quiet and less interesting place, in the knowledge that his booming voice, fueled by his passion for his convictions, will never encourage or assail or impress us again.

I will miss him very much.

 

[Matt]

Using someone's death for a shameless political power move is ****ing disgusting.

A man's death should be treated as a man's death, and devoid of this type of political ********.

Agreed. So if I'm not mistaken, there has to be a special election within 6 months to fill the seat, right? Mass. Democrats changed it to keep Romney from being able to pick a successor for Kerry if Kerry had defeated Bush. Still, my money says Kennedy's son, Patrick, who already is in the house will run and win the seat.

 

[Marx]

GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER issues statement

Maria and I are immensely saddened by the passing of Uncle Teddy. He was known to the world as the 'Lion of the Senate', a champion of social justice, and a political icon. Most importantly, he was the rock of our family: a loving husband, father, brother and uncle. He was a man of great faith and character.

MITT ROMNEY issues statement

The last son of Rose Fitzgerald and Joseph Kennedy was granted a much longer life than his brothers, and he filled those years with endeavor and achievement that would have made them proud. In 1994, I joined the long list of those who ran against Ted and came up short. But he was the kind of man you could like even if he was your adversary. I came to admire Ted enormously for his charm and sense of humor — qualities all the more impressive in a man who had known so much loss and sorrow. I will always remember his great personal kindness, and the fighting spirit he brought to every cause he served and every challenge he faced.

MITCH MCCONNELL issues statement

It is with great sadness that Elaine and I note the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy, one of the giants of American political life, a longtime Senate colleague, and a friend.

No one could have known the man without admiring the passion and vigor he poured into a truly momentous life. We send our deepest expressions of sympathy to Vicki, his children, and the entire Kennedy family.

 

[Marx]

DEVAL PATRICK issues statement

One of the Commonwealth's brightest lights went out last night. Ted Kennedy was a compassionate, effective, visionary statesman, family man and friend. Diane and I were blessed by his company, support and many kindnesses, and miss him profoundly. We pray for comfort for his beloved wife and partner Vicki and his entire family.

HARRY REID issues statement

Because of Ted Kennedy, more young children could afford to become healthy. More young adults could afford to become students. More of our oldest citizens and our poorest citizens could get the care they need to live longer, fuller lives. More minorities, women and immigrants could realize the rights our founding documents promised them.

And more Americans could be proud of their country. Ted Kennedy's dream was the one for which the founding fathers fought and for which his brothers sought to realize. The liberal lion's mighty roar may now fall silent, but his dream shall never die.

JOHN KERRY issues statement

We have known for some time that this day was coming, but nothing makes it easier. We have lost a great light in our lives and our politics, and it will never be the same again. Ted Kennedy was such an extraordinary force, yes for the issues he cared about, but more importantly for the humanity and caring in our politics that is at the center of faith and true public service.

No words can ever do justice to this irrepressible, larger than life presence who was simply the best — the best Senator, the best advocate you could ever hope for, the best colleague, and the best person to stand by your side in the toughest of times. He faced the last challenge of his life with the same grace, courage, and determination with which he fought for the causes and principles he held so dear. He taught us how to fight, how to laugh, how to treat each other, and how to turn idealism into action, and in these last fourteen months he taught us much more about how to live life, sailing into the wind one last time. For almost 25 years, I was privileged to serve as his colleague and share his friendship for which I will always be grateful.

Teresa and I send all our love to Vicki, Teddy Jr., Patrick, Kara and their family, and to the entire Kennedy family for whom Teddy was always a rock at times like this. Massachusetts and our entire nation feels their loss and grieves with them.

 

[Hobodeluxe]

So he is to be condemned for surviving an accident?

Some of you people need to quit listening to your lesser angels.

 

[terry78]

RIP to another of the Kennedy clan.

 

[Matt]

Survivng an accident? Please. For even one as partisan as you, that is stretching it. He fled from the scene, by his own account made no attempt to rescue the girl from VERY shallow water, and then did not report it for nine hours. Surviving an accident my ass.

 

[Marx]

FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER issues statement

Senator Kennedy was a passionate voice for the citizens of Massachusetts and an unwavering advocate for the millions of less fortunate in our country. The courage and dignity he exhibited in his fight with cancer was surpassed only by his lifelong commitment and service to his country.

FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH issues statement

Barbara and I were deeply saddened to learn Ted Kennedy lost his valiant battle with cancer. While we didn't see eye-to-eye on many political issues through the years, I always respected his steadfast public service so much so, in fact, that I invited him to my library in 2003 to receive the Bush Award for Excellence in Public Service. Ted Kennedy was a seminal figure in the United States Senate a leader who answered the call to duty for some 47 years, and whose death closes a remarkable chapter in that body's history.

NANCY REAGAN issues statement

Given our political differences, people are sometimes surprised by how close Ronnie and I have been to the Kennedy family. In recent years, Ted and I found our common ground in stem cell research, and I considered him an ally and a dear friend. I will miss him.

FORMER VP AL GORE issues statement

He was a true giant. He was a warm, funny, thoughtful, and generous friend and he was the most effective member of the United States Senate with whom I served. In the grief that Tipper and I share with so many, we know that the legacy of his brilliant work will carry on for decades to come. Ted was a champion for those Americans who had no voice—the sick, the disabled, the poor, the under-privileged—and they could have had no greater friend in the Senate. Now, Ted would want nothing more than for his colleagues to continue his life’s work and to make real his dream of quality health care for all Americans.

Tipper and I send our love and heartfelt condolences to Vicki, his children, and all of his family. The nation and the world will miss him a great deal.

 

[Dr. Evil]

R.I.P. Ted Kennedy.

BTW, isn't his sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver? She hasn't been in good health lately either.