Eminentoes
Teddy Kennedy: History Lessons
A hollow legacy with nowhere to go.
In the wake of the death of Senator Edward Kennedy, many verbal monuments have been erected to his memory. During the days-long outburst of love from a truly grieved national media, we were treated to endless references to his vaunted reputation as "the lion of the Senate," a citation of unknown origin. But I prefer a lesser known but more oxymoronically correct sobriquet; "the conscience of American progressivism." Of course, one of the strangest is the allusion to President Barack Obama as "the last Kennedy brother," a pretty risible statement, even were it not coined by the comical Chris Matthews.
In some ways, though, it's true that there doesn't seem to be a legitimate heir to carry the family torch, such as it has become; it seems the bloom is off the Kennedy wild Irish rose. So perilous is the situation, that the dying Teddy himself was forced to address the looming interregnum. Time will tell whether Democratic attempts to circumvent the law they themselves crafted in 2004 when John F. Kerry's seat was hoped to be vacant will succeed, but this merely points out that the Kennedy cachet may be fading with the public.
But there are no two ways about it: the mainstream media is, and probably always will be, in love with the Kennedy clan in a way that they could never be with another. Long ago dubbed as "American royalty," theirs is a story of which liberal journalists' dreams are made. Unlike the puritanical Adams family which served the nation for nearly two hundred years, the Kennedys made their mark in only one generation, but it was one with which the media is truly and hopelessly infatuated. The Bushes? Hopelessly bland and whitebread, and besides; they are Republicans, certainly not the stuff of mythical legend like Camelot.
And yes, the Kennedy legacy does resemble Camelot; a fictional kingdom in which reside knights in shining armor as well as rogues; but I'll leave it to history to decide which were which. But sadly for some, that Camelot turned out not to be such a congenial spot for happily-ever-aftering for the kingly Kennedys as envisioned by their loyal subjects in the media.
For, while liberals love to cite history, they have a convenient way of forgetting it; especially when it comes to our "royal family." It was King John who submerged this country into the Vietnam War because of his hatred for Communism and who was an enthusiastic tax cutter. And it was his younger sibling, Prince Robert, who wire-tapped Martin Luther King and also famously hounded and prosecuted organized labor thugs. Add to this that JFK was assassinated by a pathetic Communist sympathizer and RFK was gunned down by a PLO supporter because of his support for Israel and you get the picture.
And yet in later years, dauphin-by-default Teddy and his friends cling to Communist regimes, carry big labor in their back pockets, and think anyone who favors tax cuts should be dispatched immediately to hell. And here we must also mention "last brother" Obama, whose buddy Bill Ayers dedicated his Marxist manifesto, "Prairie Fire," to Sirhan Sirhan whom Ayers considered, along with others, a "political prisoner." Needless to say, support for Israel among the last few Kennedy brothers has been, shall we say, scant.
But as often happens, history can be tinged with irony. One of the left's greatest legacies is the notion of entitlement through victimhood. They have, over the years, turned Kennedy's involvement in the death of Mary Jo Kopechne into a tragedy for Teddy himself; as if it were he, and not that poor young girl, whose life ended that night so long ago. But as history has its own sense ironic humor, his post-Chappaquiddick campaign defeat gave us Jimmy Carter on a platter and thus, Ronald Reagan.
And it was another ironic twist of Kennedy history that served to benefit the country in a way not intended by the late senator. We all remember his successful bid to ruin the reputation of Robert Bork; an infamy he would have surely repeated during the Clarence Thomas-Anita Hill hearings, were he not hamstrung by his own involvement with nephew William Kennedy Smith's rape trial.
Will irony and history combine to sound the final death knell to the Kennedy saga? In their best "win one for the Gipper" voices, supporters of the imposition of government-run health care on an increasingly wary nation have issued the clarion call to "win one for Teddy." This tactic recalls the unfortunate Paul Wellstone memorial service's numerous exhortations to "win it for Paul!" Let us hope that the former will turn out as disastrously for liberals as did the latter, as history does tend to repeat itself.
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Marc Jeric| 9.3.09 @ 6:27AM
This piece of immoral s##t left the young girl to die from suffocation while he was curing overnight his drunk in a motel - in order to preserve his political viability. His lawyers brought him a phony neck brace - imagine! Does that remind anyone of that draft-dodging disbarred felon Clinton?
Appleby| 9.3.09 @ 7:15AM
With the end of Ted, I hope we have closed the Ministry of Silly Walks and no longer have to pretend that mutton is in fact lamb. He is answering to a judge now who cannot be bribed, bought or threatened. Cover him now with the mantle of oblivion.
michigander_sandusky| 12.24.09 @ 12:20PM
Well said! "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." (2 Cor. 5:10-11)
Laney B| 9.3.09 @ 7:49AM
With the passing of Teddy Boy, the leftist media will find that there is no replacement part as Americans have grown weary of the celebrity status of politicians. I suspect the media will try to annoint this and that pontifcating liberal, but none will be able to fill the role. This may frustrate the celebrity worshipping media, causing them to try even harder to blame conseratives for all that swings rightward. We should all rejoice that the Kennedy dynasty has ended. Perhaps this heralds a better political climate in which reality replaces hagiography.
Tim| 9.3.09 @ 8:54AM
Will anyone remember Ted in 50 years? Time will tell.
"The cemetaries are full of indispensable men."
Alan Brooks| 9.3.09 @ 9:19AM
If Ted's admirers would just stick to Ted's geniality and his Tip O'Neill "work" ethic, then fine. But he was a role model? what are we? chumps-on-wheels?
Care to bend me over the sofa, big boy?
MOS was 71331| 9.3.09 @ 9:39AM
I was amazed that Chappaquiddick wasn't mentioned in ANY of Sunday's news shows. Teddy's life received only praise, while Miss Kopechne's abandonment and death were ignored. Teddy's conduct at Chappaquiddick summed up his character in a single event.
Some internet comments on Chappaquiddick have dismissed the event as a youthful mistake of Teddy. It's hard to make that case for a person who was thirty-nine when he drove off the bridge.
Michael Tomlinson| 9.3.09 @ 10:59AM
The Kennedy "royal family" needs the guillotine.
Ned| 9.3.09 @ 11:27AM
"youthful mistake" - how old do you have to be to know it's wrong to abandon someone in a sinking car to cover your own fat butt?
Indeed - "summed up his character (or lack thereof) in a single event."
I see the headlines this morning saying that "The Hero" felt remorse for 40 years, and that his own actions were "inexcusable" - having watched the Kennedys these many years, the only "remorse" the SOB had was for his own Presidential plans.
GB| 9.3.09 @ 11:38AM
One thing I can never understand about a large portion of the general public is how they will trust people like Kennedy. When a politician will lie and cheat on his close family members and friends, what do they think he will do to a total strangers like the voters.
Tony in Central PA| 9.3.09 @ 12:47PM
" While the deep concern of a woman bearing an unwanted child merits consideration and sympathy, it is my personal feeling that the legalization of abortion on demand is not in accordance with the value our civilization places on human life. Wanted or unwanted, even at its earliest stages, has certain rights which must be recognized - the right to be born, the right to love, the right to grow old ".
Ted Kennedy, 1971
Steve| 9.3.09 @ 2:11PM
Ted Kennedy was a drunken, homicidal sex maniac. That should be his legacy.
Erica_Brigid| 9.3.09 @ 2:53PM
At the time the story of King Arthur was written, "Camelot" was Celtic slang for "dung heap." In the context of recent US history it still is.
Alan Brooks| 9.3.09 @ 4:02PM
I don't care either way about Ted. He is not foremost in the mind on awaking.
But why are we being played for suckers in having him presented almost as George Washington Kennedy?
Alan Brooks| 9.3.09 @ 4:07PM
...personally, if I don't let my family pull the wool over my eyes with their liberalism, then why should I (or anyone) let WaPo or NYT obituaries do the same?
Martin Luther Kennedy Jr?
Michael L. Hauschild| 9.3.09 @ 5:09PM
Lisa,
"In some ways, though, it's true that there doesn't seem to be a legitimate heir....." Mr. Lord had a solution two days ago. Good gracious don't you read your own publication, Mike asked incredulously.
Alan Brooks| 9.3.09 @ 5:59PM
all Ted's friends haveto say is: Ted was a sweet guy, dedicated to his career, and leave it at that.
But 'the lion of the senate'?
'the lynx of liberalism'?
'the tiger of Chappaquiddick'?
'the puma of politics'?
'that panther of all politicians'?
'the leopard of which legends are made'?
'the coyote of cocaine'?
Bob| 9.3.09 @ 8:02PM
Teddy speaks from the grave!
As I was reading this post, on another screen excerpts from Teddy’s memoirs were being released.
It seems he claims it bothered him his whole life, he did not have an affair with that woman and he made some incredibly bad decisions.
What a vile and despicable putrid festering expression of humanity he was attempting alter his legacy from the grave!
He could not and would not answer in this life for his actions and crime; instead in a self-serving memoir he feigns anguish for his past indiscretion.
I cannot find the words to describe how loathsome he was, this last act at excusing his deplorable criminal behavior and seeking sympathy is low even for him.
Self serving narcissist
evisu jeans| 9.3.09 @ 9:39PM
Some internet comments on Chappaquiddick have dismissed the event as a youthful mistake of Teddy.
Alabodemama| 9.4.09 @ 3:44AM
Bailey Button Ugg Boots
IT is my personal feeling that the legalization of abortion on demand is not in accordance with the value our civilization places on human life.
Richard Baker| 9.4.09 @ 9:22PM
Finally, the male spawn of Joe Kennedy are gone. Good riddance.
reads1| 9.5.09 @ 7:06AM
Not to worry Teddy worshippers, You now have Al Franken in the Senate. An adequate replacement, mouth and all!
AJC| 9.6.09 @ 1:37AM
On the issue concerning President Obama's election, Kennedy did leave us a deep impression.
Kurt| 9.6.09 @ 5:09PM
Joe made his fortune before we allowed liberty to be stripped from the average Joe. John died an adulterer. Robert's arrogance may have lead to his demise. Teddy, well he served himself to the end under the guise of serving the public, many fell for this, but in reality the lion stripped the very liberty from many that allowed Joe to get the Brothers Kennedy where they got to in life. In death I know they all are getting what they deserve-whatever that may be.
Answers1| 9.7.09 @ 11:05PM
Condolences to the grieving family, but good riddance.
Law Scholar War Machine| 9.8.09 @ 2:26AM
Time will tell whether Democratic attempts to circumvent the law they themselves crafted in 2004 when John F. Kerry's seat was hoped to be vacant will succeed, but this merely points out that the Kennedy cachet may be fading with the public.
Of course it will. Kennedy said no Mormon wierdo is gonna have a say in this shit. He said a non Mormon can, they will jump all over that shit.
Mormons are scary. That's the lesson.
Bert| 9.8.09 @ 2:28AM
Alan Brooks is trolling yet again. Fuck that guy.
Greg Zotta| 9.11.09 @ 2:54AM
Ted Kennedy, Sainthood?
Ted Kennedy was the Patriarch of the Democrat Party. Some Democrats called him the “Lion” of the Senate; unfortunately some of us were his prey. He was the champion of nationalized/socialized medicine. There were tributes to Ted Kennedy, detailing his life’s accomplishments. After all, his name was attached to several hundred pieces of legislation, but what did you expect from a big government socialist.
Just because there are laws on the books does not mean these elitists have to follow them. Look at the tax problems Tim Geithner, Tom Daschle, and Charlie Rangel had, to name a few. If the law affects them they can change it. Like the one Ted got passed in 2004 where the state of Massachusetts needs to have a special election to replace a US senator. Mitt Romney was a Republican Governor at the time, and Democrat Senator John Kerry was running for President. Now, there is a Democrat Governor and Ted wanted to have the law changed where the Democrat Governor could appoint his replacement.
Speaking of accomplishments, I wonder what Mary Jo Kopechne would have accomplished in her life if Ted had not left her in his car to die at Chappaquiddick. She may have found the cure for cancer, but we will never know because this selfish Senator from Massachusetts was so concerned about himself and his career that he left her in the car to die of asphyxiation.
If Ted Kennedy would have reported the accident immediately she may have lived. However, he never reported the incident and in fact the authorities found him the next day on the phone when they were organizing a search party for him.
Not to worry though, he was a member of the “Royal” Kennedy family and it did not hurt his career. He received a citation for leaving the scene of an accident and paid a fine, which was more in line with a parking ticket than vehicular manslaughter and that was the end of it.
Bill Maher states there are a lot of stupid people in America. For once, I have to agree with him, and I would put Maher at the top of the list because I believe he voted for Obama. Then there are the people in Massachusetts who elected and reelected a socialist, elitist, self-centered Senator named Ted Kennedy.
There was reference made about a letter Ted gave to President Obama to give to the Pope and the media was fawning all over it. In it he praises Obama, and why not, he endorsed and supported this radical “community organizer” who wants to transform (change) America. He also wrote he was dying and pats himself on the back for all of his accomplishments.
In the letter he states Obama is a man of deep faith like himself. Let’s see, Obama is for partial birth abortions, infanticide, and attended Rev. Wright’s radical church for twenty years. Oh, has he found a church in Washington D.C. yet?
Also, Obama’s advisor and friend William Ayers, an unrepentant terrorist, praised Sirhan Sirhan (Robert Kennedy’s assassin), in his book.
Ted asks for the Pope’s prayers as his health declines and states that he has been an imperfect human being. He then goes on to state that he has been the champion for the rights of the poor and opened doors of economic opportunity. He’s worked to welcome the immigrant, fight discrimination and expand access to health care and education. He opposed the death penalty and fought to end war. Though he is dying, he is committed to achieving his political cause of his life, which is health care for everyone in the county.
He was a proponent of the poor and is for open borders because he was a big government, socialist and wanted to keep people dependent on the government for votes. What’s more everyone already has access to health care in this country.
What the democrats are proposing is a takeover of the healthcare system in this country to control the populace. The government will have access to your tax returns, medical information, and your bank account. They will control your lives by telling you what you can do, and what you can eat, because it will be tied to healthcare. They will use the IRS to intimidate you into compliance.
The press made reference to the letter from Ted to the Pope, but did not mention another letter that Ted sent to the Soviet Union. In 1983 Senator Ted Kennedy sent a letter to the Comrade Y.V. Andropov, of the Soviet Union undermining what President Ronald Reagan was doing to protect the United States and its allies in Europe from the Soviet Union. I wonder why the press is reluctant to make reference to that letter from selfish Senator Ted. Maybe it’s because they are looking for “Sainthood” for him.
Hopefully, the proposed Government takeover of the healthcare system will die with him. Unfortunately, I believe now there will be a big push by the Democrats to get the legislation passed and put Ted Kennedy’s name on it.
Greg Zotta
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