Ted Kennedy
Brian Milleville at the Downstate Illinois Advocate has a great piece on Ted Kennedy's passing. He also reminds us of the upcoming Tea Party on September 12th at 2:00 pm.
Brian's piece reminded me of Senator Paul Wellstone's death (in an airplane crash) just before the 2002 election. The funeral service, held less than two weeks before the election (former VP Mondale was placed on the ballot), became a political rally rather than a memorial service. Viewers from across the nation were horrified.
People giving eulogies were actually taunting the Republicans in the crowd. It was a great political show.....except it was supposed to be a funeral.
Mondale went on to lose the election, as the sympathy vote for him, was replaced by a disgusted vote against the Democrats.
Given the anger over nationalized health care, I'm pretty sure the Senator's family does not want to tarnish the Kennedy brand with anything so tawdry. But never underestimate the Democrats ability to shoot themselves in the foot.
Brian's piece reminded me of Senator Paul Wellstone's death (in an airplane crash) just before the 2002 election. The funeral service, held less than two weeks before the election (former VP Mondale was placed on the ballot), became a political rally rather than a memorial service. Viewers from across the nation were horrified.
People giving eulogies were actually taunting the Republicans in the crowd. It was a great political show.....except it was supposed to be a funeral.
Mondale went on to lose the election, as the sympathy vote for him, was replaced by a disgusted vote against the Democrats.
Given the anger over nationalized health care, I'm pretty sure the Senator's family does not want to tarnish the Kennedy brand with anything so tawdry. But never underestimate the Democrats ability to shoot themselves in the foot.
The motorcade is on it's way to Boston to have Kennedy's body lie in state. It's supposed travel by places that were "important" in the Senator's life. My question is will that motorcade be traveling over a certain bridge in Massachusetts?
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Mr. Milleville:
As I agree about the tragic and horrendous death this lady endured, I feel Kennedy had more to do with this case other than having been "knocked out" for over 10 hours after the accident and not remembering anything about her being in the back seat of the car after the party. May I remind you that he did plea guilty to leaving the scene and served a suspended sentence. After the incident, he did ask the electorate if he should resign his office and the constituents said no. But, in this case of your wording, I find it in bad taste that you would refer to the bridge incident after a man who suffered from Brain tumors and was part of a family that held a legacy in the U.S. I would rather think that it would be in your best interest to refrain from this type of hype. Really, it does not matter what side of the aisle you stand. I can assure you that both sides of the aisle will be at that funeral. Remember, even God forgives those who ask for forgiveness! Thank You
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You're right that forgiveness is part of God's grace towards us and we should follow in His example.
The Kennedy legacy, outside JFK, is contained within Massachusetts, DC, and the media. If my comment about the bridge is harsh, I apologize, but if they (mainstream media) are glorifying his life like he is some kind of saint, then the rest of his life should be put into the public eye at the same time. I'm just not charmed by the Kennedy name. Also, I think I showed some restraint because I didn't go into the long list of Kennedy problems with the law or other personal habits which is part of the Kennedy legacy that nobody in the media seems to want to talk about.
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When is enough,enough? It's comments like the one above, & a joke on this same site, about Senator Kennedy while he was on his death bed a couple of weeks ago that are typical of the sad state of our great country. Lets put the partianship aside & get back to getting this country back on the right track. If you aren't willing to be part of the solution, don't be part of the problem.
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I'd like to thank Brian for expressing what many feel but feel restrained from saying because of comments like Charlies. Thanks Brian!
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There have been some interesting pieces written recently regarding the "Kennedy Curse". While the fatal accidents and assasinations certainly fall under this category, the media seems to conveniently use the same excuse to paint the Kennedy's as "victims", for those instances when they are anything but.
The tragedy of the Kennedy dying on the ski slope was of his own making. Playing football (with a water bottle) while going down the ski slopes is horrific. Little reported was the fact that the Kennedy's were warned by the ski patrol and even yelled at by other skiers. But they simply laughed off the idea of having to abide by the rules. That disregard ultimately cost them a life. And I would hardly consider them a victim.
Rarely are drug abusers seen as victims. But when it was a Kennedy, who died of a massive drug overdose - he was cast as a "victim" of the "Kennedy curse".
I think the comments on this board, and in public are the natural reaction to having the media "cram" the Kennedy mythology down America's throat.
They are like most American families. They have their flaws, just like everyone else. It's this attempt to recast them as something they are not that has become abhorent to so many.
They have done remarkable things (Special Olympics), but they've also squandered incredible opportunities with outlandish behavior all conveniently attibuted to the Kennedy Curse.
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The point is, none of this is helping us or the country. Telling jokes about anyone as they are on their deathbed is in bad taste. No matter what you think of them, their family, or their political beliefs. Putting them down before they are even laid to rest is disgusting. I am not defending anything about the Kennedy family. I am saying what are you accomplishing by doing this?
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Charlie, I don't disagree with you. I've tried to provide some insight and perspective on the dangers of a political funeral, while offering insight into what created the Kennedy alure.
My comments regarding the Kennedy Curse were restricted to the comments section. While the media talked about the "curse" very few took the time to disseminate the difference betweeen "bad luck" and "bad choices".
As for helping the country, I think we've highlighted three practical (and low cost solutions) for our health care mess.
1. Incentive program for Medicare Recipients.
2. Minimal payment ($5) by Medicaid recipients when they utilize Emergency Rooms.
3. Some form of tort reform.
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