Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Senator Ted Kennedy: An American Icon
The news of the death of Ted Kennedy has saddened me more than I thought any public figure's death could. In recent weeks, I have been studying the Kennedy Family more and more, and in particular John, Robert, and Ted. These men fasciante me, and Ted's contributions to our nation are astonishing and epic. No man has made as great an impact on this country in the last century as Ted Kennedy. In his 46 years an a Senator, he has initiated an amazing amount of groundbreaking and society-shaping legislation. Many aspects of our society are the way they are thanks to the contributions of this great man. Some of these bills: the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, the National Cancer Act of 1971, the Federal Election Campaign Act Amendments of 1974, the COBRA Act of 1985, the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Ryan White AIDS Care Act in 1990, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, the Mental Health Parity Act in 1996 and 2008. Kennedy also was against the war in Iraq from the beginning, calling his vote against the war the best he ever cast in the Senate. He was a big supporter of education reform, and health care reforms, including the current push to get a public plan installed. Many Democrats beleive the debate over health care would be different and more successful if Sen. Kennedy had been there over the last few months, and it is sad he will not be around to see the final outcome of this current debate. Finally, Ted was a driving force behind raising the minimum wage above $7 and lowering the voting age to 18. Senator Ted Kennedy was a great, amazing man, and a true hero to myself. If I can ever make 1/100th of the impact that he made, then I will consider myself a success. American politics will never be the same, because of him and without him.
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Speaking of driving force, Mary Jo Kopechne would certainly agree with that. She experienced his driving force partway over the Chappaquiddick bridge. It was a shame she didn’t get out of the car until many hours later when your hero finally decided to report it to the police. I suspect even his healthcare plan wouldn't have saved her at that point. What a fine example of an American hero. It sure makes me proud to have him buried with all the soldiers who gave their lives defending our country. It should be Mary Jo in the national cemetery. Not good old Teddy. See the Wikipedia account of the Chappaquiddick incident to get a warm fuzzy about this fine upstanding citizen.
ReplyDeleteAren’t you glad that he was a member of a rich and politically powerful family like the Kennedy’s? If he hadn’t been, he might have gone to prison for manslaughter or perjury like most poor smuck’s. You just can’t replace friends and relatives with money or political clout (or both as dear Ted had) when it comes to being in tight places. If you want to know how the system works for the rich and powerful, read the article. It makes my head spin.
I’ve heard all the rationalization from Teddy lovers before, but bottom line, he killed a young girl. There were no blood alcohol tests, no autopsy, and no witnesses. How convenient. Almost like some invisible influential force was at work. Just a very bizarre story told by your great American hero with power and money. A man who left the scene of an accident leaving Mary Jo to die a cold and lonely death. What a man you were, Ted! You are certainly a role model for American men everywhere!
Of course, if we are to believe Khalid Sheikh Mohammed betrayed his radical Jihadist cause for chocolate chip cookies, we have to believe Ted’s account of the story. He would certainly have no reason to fabricate the truth. He is a Kennedy. (Put those chocolate chip cookies down, Ted! We don't use enhanced interrogation techniques here in Taxachusetts. We uphold the rule of law.)
Since you say you have studied the Kennedy’s, I am sure you would agree that both his brother John and brother Robert would have been extremely proud of Ted's actions at Chappaquiddick. Especially John having a similar experience in the Pacific ocean with a PT boat during WWII. Read the story of John's heroism compared to that of Teddy at Chappaquiddick. You will notice a striking resemblance to the two episodes. NOT! One was a hero. One was a coward. I'll let you decide which is which.
I just pray that the 1/100 impact you have won't be in a 1967 Olds Delta 88 like your hero. You are correct. American politics won't be the same without good old Teddy. Thank God!