Obama - Teddy Kennedy

Avi

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[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif]Friend -- Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy. For nearly 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. His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives -- in seniors who know new dignity; in families that know new opportunity; in children who know education's promise; and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just, including me. In the United States Senate, I can think of no one who engendered greater respect or affection from members of both sides of the aisle. His seriousness of purpose was perpetually matched by humility, warmth and good cheer. He battled passionately on the Senate floor for the causes that he held dear, and yet still maintained warm friendships across party lines. And that's one reason he became not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy. I personally 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 benefited as President from his encouragement and wisdom. His fight gave us the opportunity we were denied when his brothers John and Robert were taken from us: the blessing of time to say thank you and goodbye. The outpouring of love, gratitude and fond memories to which we've all borne witness is a testament to the way this singular figure in American history touched so many lives. For America, he was a defender of a dream. For his family, he was a guardian. Our hearts and prayers go out to them today -- to his wonderful wife, Vicki, his children Ted Jr., Patrick and Kara, his grandchildren and his extended family. Today, our country mourns. We say goodbye to a friend and a true leader who challenged us all to live out our noblest values. And we give thanks for his memory, which inspires us still. Sincerely, President Barack Obama[/FONT]
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Sent in an e-mail to me from Barack Obama.

Any comments ?
 
and everyone knows what i think:

http://www.interfaith.org/forum/atheists-smarter-11951-3.html#post211829

to say nothing of the famous p.j. o'rourke quip made in response to sen. kennedy's "where was george?" speech made at the democratic national convention in 1988:

"Where was George? Dry, sober - and home with his wife."

but credit where credit's due - apparently ted kennedy did sterling work in 1971 speaking out against the US government’s opposition to bangladesh’s claim for independence, as well as the nixon administration’s tacit support of the genocide committed by pakistan during the bangladeshi liberation war.

b'shalom

bananabrain
 
If he hadn't been JFK and RFK's brother, we wouldn't be having this conversation.
 
If he hadn't been JFK and RFK's brother, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

The british media pointed out the meritocratic attitude of dynasties in american politics and elsewhere in the culture but credit where credit is due as l believe he did serve for long and well as pointed out in Obama's quote which surely must be stabilising influence in any politics so long as they do the work and effects are shown.
 
Joe Kennedy wanted Teddy to take JFK's place in the senate when John was elected president....but he was only 28, so he had a family friend step in for a year and a half and then relinquish the post while Ted ran against Lodge...once he was 30 and legal...

And we gave the Illinois gov hell for playing games...when games are exactly what is played by folks in power...

The capitol police always kept an eye on Ted when he was in town...
 
And we gave the Illinois gov hell for playing games...when games are exactly what is played by folks in power...

The capitol police always kept an eye on Ted when he was in town...

oh, what games? tell more! are you suggesting he didn't serve well?
 
Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Joseph Kennedy II

Caroline Kennedy

All greats, all young, we will be hearing more from them shortly. :)
 
The british media pointed out the meritocratic attitude of dynasties in american politics and elsewhere in the culture but credit where credit is due as l believe he did serve for long and well as pointed out in Obama's quote which surely must be stabilising influence in any politics so long as they do the work and effects are shown.

Just look at his history. The younger brother of two greats, both destined from the White House. John made it Robert never did. Teddy was the kid brother, in the shadow of these stars.

He was caught cheating at Harvard as a freshman and expelled. Joined the Army as a private. His brothers had done so as officers. This is said to have changed his view, very humbling.

Returned to and graduated from Harvard. Virginia Law School.

Mary Jo Kopechne at Chapaquiddik. This probably cost him the Presidency.

So as CZ said:

If he hadn't been JFK and RFK's brother, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

Right ? No, not the point. We are all fortunate that Teddy was able to make the great comeback. After his marriage to Vicky Reggie his life turned around. He had always been a dedicated Senator. Now he had his personal life in order. He was one of the greatest Senators ever. Health care, gay rights, foreign policy, Bork (Teddy Borked him :)), civil rights, women rights (he was a feminist :)).

A great one !!
 
respectfully disagree....he was one of the annointed...he was above the law and due to his family's issues was granted more leeway than any of us could have been.

It is easy to promote a variety of great things when they have no affect on you and garner the votes to keep you amongst the priviliged.

He played the NIMBY game when they discovered where the best place to put windmills was in sight of his ocean front property...he nixed the idea...didn't want his view spoiled.

Again, I'm sorry not much good to say about self righteous royals that are above the law.... to me it is like the folks that say Hitler built good roads...
 
Why is it that some people appear better dead than alive?
 
respectfully disagree....he was one of the annointed...he was above the law and due to his family's issues was granted more leeway than any of us could have been.
I assume you are talking about Chappaquiddic, if they had proof they would have pressed charges. There were always those jealous of the Kennedy's there ready to go after them

It is easy to promote a variety of great things when they have no affect on you and garner the votes to keep you amongst the priviliged.
The great things he promoted had a great deal of affect on him. He observed his constituents benefit from his legislation. Isn't that the job of any legislator ?


He played the NIMBY game when they discovered where the best place to put windmills was in sight of his ocean front property...he nixed the idea...didn't want his view spoiled.
And I agree with him, Cape Cod and specifically Hyannis is one of the most beautiful places in the country. Why destroy the beauty with a wind farm ? The solution is not rocket science either. Move the wind farm a few miles out into the ocean so no one can see it. Ut oh, they killed the hydrogen program, so there would be no efficient way to store and transport the energy. Great national policy vision on energy :rolleyes:.
 
Moving wind farms to deeper waters and longer transimission lines to the end users makes the construction and maintenance costs and transmission loss enough to be useless.... And the ocean is just as beautiful from whatever coast you are standing at....and to me....windmills slowly turning creating energy other than by coal or oil is downright gorgeous...but that is just me.

Not talking about Chipaquidick....talking about an overall ability to be treated differently than the rest of us. There is no telling how many times the capitol police picked him up drunk and drove him and his car home....I've heard numerous stories. And the little incident in florida, and Chipaquidick are the ones that have happenned to make the papers and are the tip of the iceberg.

My contention is that if every one of us was given that much leeway to be that much of a cad, that much of a f-up and still be givin the prestige, honor and werwithal to pass laws, influence the good etc.... he wouldn't be anything special...thered be a ton like him...but his royal clout allowed this to happen.

Again look what we drove out the Illionois Gov for, supposedly selling the senate seat....where his was given to him on a platter....it waited until he was old enough...just like harvard waited until after his 'probation' for cheating and then brought him back for his degree...

If only we all had that ability (btw am I talking to the same guy who wants gender parity/equality??? does he have no concern for this caste system, and why is he putting this male chauvenist pig that protects the rapist on a pedestal?)
 
why is he putting this male chauvenist pig that protects the rapist on a pedestal?)

Politics is a brutal profession, Wil. I had forgotten some of the antics that "tricky Dick" Nixon played with Teddy during the early '70s. I saw an excerpt on CNN last night, about how during the early period of Watergate, "tricky Dick" tried to blame Teddy for the breakin in. They had some wonderful recordings, in Dick's exact words, of how he wanted to falsify the evidence to blame Teddy for the break. Classic stuff. The abuse happens on both sides. I do not defend either side for unethical behavior.
 
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