Sen. Ted Kennedy dead at 77

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

You have to wonder how the presidency would have played out if their oldest brother Joe wasn't killed in the war. He was the one everyone had tabbed for future greatness. It sorta just passed to John after that. We'd maybe have had a different JFK and no RFK or Ted.

And therein lies some of the Kennedy mystique. It seems tragedy was inextricably linked to their collective destinies. At times we were more interested in their personal narrative than their politics. But I think John MCain summed it up best today. Teddy was famous before he was accomplished.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Now this explains why he wanted to change back a law he just had passed a few years ago. When there was a rep. as governer he had the law changed that the governer could not pick a replacement for senator that left mid term. Just a few weeks ago he wanted that law changed back now that there is a dem as governer. Sorrry to here abput his death but it comes with mixed emotions and it not because he is liberal its because of what happened that night when he killed that women.

While it may not be an appropriate time to discuss politics, you're 100% correct.

When Kerry ran for President and had a Republican Govn'r in MA (Romney), Sen. Kennedy helped change the rules so Kerry's replacement would not be appointed by a Governor he doesn't agree with, a horrible reason to change a law. Now that there is a Democrat Governor, Deval Patrick, they want to change the rules back just a few years later. Senator Kennedy and many other current politicians have (had) no regard for fairness, the law or the welfare of the people who elect them....everything is about politics and their legacy.

When I heard he was trying to do this last week, I thought correctly "He must be about ready to go", with the additional thought "Maybe there is another Kennedy that he wants to replace himself with".

Many of the Kennedys are worthy of respect for their service to their country, this is one Kennedy who is not. He was in office far past his ability to be effective. When he falsely and irresponsibly accused our troops of running "gulags" while we were at war, I completely lost any possibility of ever respecting the man ever again.

Now I just fear, and predict that the Democrats led by the President will attach his name to any bad healthcare bill...or bill of any kind...so they can push their plans through using the death of one of their own. It would not be the first time they've exploited a death of one of theirs.

[GhettoDogAllStars]

The guy died only several hours ago. Don't you guys have any dignity? Damn.

RIP

[MTK]

Originally Posted by GhettoDogAllStars

The guy died only several hours ago. Don't you guys have any dignity? Damn.

RIP

c'mon you're really not surprised are you?

[SmootSmack]

You're an idiot

Seriously though, let's leave the political vitriol (I don't get to use that word often enough) out of this thread.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

You're an idiot

Seriously though, let's leave the political vitriol (I don't get to use that word often enough) out of this thread.

It's sad that a family lost someone. I sympathize with the family, especially so soon after losing another and the painless losses they've endured over the years.

However, why should we throw away facts and anything negative about someone and blindly praise someone who honestly doesn't deserve the praise?

Honesty is on the road to extinction. It's un-PC to be honest I guess. We just went through this after Micheal Jackson died and we ignored the children's lives he wrecked, now we'll ignore the family this man took a daughter from after a night at the bar.

I'll bow out of this now, let the lovefest resume.

[MTK]

The guy isn't even buried yet... it's simply about showing a little respect is all.

Respect seems to be another concept that is lost on people these days.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

R.I.P. Sen Kennedy. Condolences to his family. He was fortunate to not lose his functionality and quality of life until the very end. I lost my father to a brain tumor several years ago and he was not as fortunate.

[12thMan]

Looks like Kennedy will be buried at Arlington Cementary.

[BringBackJoeT]

Originally Posted by Buster

It's sad that a family lost someone. I sympathize with the family, especially so soon after losing another and the painless losses they've endured over the years.

However, why should we throw away facts and anything negative about someone and blindly praise someone who honestly doesn't deserve the praise?

Honesty is on the road to extinction. It's un-PC to be honest I guess. We just went through this after Micheal Jackson died and we ignored the children's lives he wrecked, now we'll ignore the family this man took a daughter from after a night at the bar.

I'll bow out of this now, let the lovefest resume.

I think that's a little bit dramatic. I will at least say, though, that I'm not sure it's entirely unfair to evaluate what particular events in his life most define his legacy, seeing as how he spent the better part of forty years in a very powerful position, one in which he was able to drive policy in this country. From my own political vantage point, he was a policy hero and I consider his death a great loss to the Senate and country as a whole. However, if we were discussing Richard Nixon's death in its immediate aftermath, I don't think it would be unfair to bring up Watergate, so I think it would be similarly not-unfair to, in a thread on Senator Kennedy upon his death, question the degree to which some of his less-than-stellar personal moments overshadowed his accomplishments.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by Buster

While it may not be an appropriate time to discuss politics, you're 100% correct.

It's is not appropriate so drop it. I'm a democrat, but if this was John McCain passing away (who I actually like), I wouldn't be here discussing politics and bitching about it right after his passing, etc., etc.

This is why I hate posting politics stuff here.

[Trample the Elderly]

The last of the bootlegger's sons dies. I hear Bushmill's stock went down 25%. Last night was a good night for the Republic, another socialist bites the dust. I wish death on no one but I'll not shed a bloody tear for that pompous drunk.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by ghettodogallstars

the guy died only several hours ago. Don't you guys have any dignity? Damn.

Rip

edit

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by BringBackJoeT

I think that's a little bit dramatic. I will at least say, though, that I'm not sure it's entirely unfair to evaluate what particular events in his life most define his legacy, seeing as how he spent the better part of forty years in a very powerful position, one in which he was able to drive policy in this country. From my own political vantage point, he was a policy hero and I consider his death a great loss to the Senate and country as a whole. However, if we were discussing Richard Nixon's death in its immediate aftermath, I don't think it would be unfair to bring up Watergate, so I think it would be similarly not-unfair to, in a thread on Senator Kennedy upon his death, question the degree to which some of his less-than-stellar personal moments overshadowed his accomplishments.

Of course, had this been Nixon, I doubt Buster would have approved of anyone making any negative comment.

Fair points though. It was really Buster's last line that was especially unnecessary in my opinion.

"Now I just fear, and predict that the Democrats led by the President will attach his name to any bad healthcare bill...or bill of any kind...so they can push their plans through using the death of one of their own. It would not be the first time they've exploited a death of one of theirs."

That's really just a 3-0 fastball down the middle to start up another political debate, and fortunately no one is taking him up on it.

Senator Kennedy need not be idealized, or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life...but can we just refrain from turning into every other poltiical thread for at least a little bit?

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Of course, had this been Nixon, I doubt Buster would have approved of anyone making any negative comment.

Fair points though. It was really Buster's last line that was especially unnecessary in my opinion.

"Now I just fear, and predict that the Democrats led by the President will attach his name to any bad healthcare bill...or bill of any kind...so they can push their plans through using the death of one of their own. It would not be the first time they've exploited a death of one of theirs."

That's really just a 3-0 fastball down the middle to start up another political debate, and fortunately no one is taking him up on it.

Senator Kennedy need not be idealized, or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life...but can we just refrain from turning into every other poltiical thread for at least a little bit?

That is kind of tough to do with the time he and his family has spent in office. I went to the health care thread and said that I thought they would change the name of the health care bill like he stated.