Well, it appears that Ted Kennedy's recent medical crisis isn't immediately life-threatening, so it's time to put the hagiographies back in storage. The man hasn't died yet, so telling truths about him falls under "kicking a man when he's down," and not "speaking ill of the dead." And as James Carville so eloquently put it, "when your opponent is drowning, throw the son-of-a-bitch an anchor."
It's said that just before you die, your entire life flashes before your eyes. I dunno if that's true, but when I heard reports that Teddy had been rushed to the hospital, his life flashed before my eyes. And it was not a pretty thing.
Ted Kennedy is the closest thing to a true Falstaffian character in American history. He was never intended for the incredibly prominent role history has thrust upon him, and he's borne it up as well as can be expected -- in other words, not well at all.
Old Joe Kennedy (Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.) had a plan for his family all laid out. His first-born son would be the first Catholic president of the United States, with his second son ready to succeed him. The third would be the helper of the older two. To cement the family legacy, he named his first son after himself: Joseph Patrick Kennedy Jr. The second and third sons -- John Fitzgerald and Robert Francis -- were given names to honor Old Joe's patrician father-in-law, John Francis Fitzgerald.
And then came along Teddy. It was obvious that Old Joe didn't expect much from him, because he named him after the family chauffeur (and, it is rumored, Joe's occasional procurer), Edward "Eddie" Moore.
Old Joe's plan hit a few roadblocks. He managed to achieve several prominent government positions, culminating in Ambassador to England -- something that suited the old Irishman just fine. But his respect for Hitler and belief that Nazism would triumph in Europe -- and the US jolly well better get used to that inevitability -- led to his recall.
No matter. He'd laid enough groundwork; now all his boys had to do was grab some respectable wartime records, and they'd be set for politics. So Joe joined the Army Air Force, and Jack the Navy.
Then came major setback #1: Jack was injured and nearly killed in the Pacific. But Joe managed to spin Jack's wartime mishap into a tale of great heroism and courage, and Jack became a genuine war hero. Young Joe, possibly motivated by jealousy of his younger brother's acclaim, volunteered for several highly dangerous missions -- and one of them eventually cost him his life.
After the war, the plan proceeded apace -- with adjustments made, so that Jack would be the first Catholic president, with third son Bobby as his right-hand man.
But what of Teddy? Was there a place for him?
Yes. Some adjustments would have to be made, and he'd have to grow up a bit, but there was room for him in Old Joe's grand scheme.
Unfortunately. Ted's weak character began showing up almost immediately. At Harvard, he was caught paying another student to take a Spanish exam, and he was expelled. Joe arranged for him to serve a stint in the Army (as an enlisted man, not an officer like young Joe or Jack). Rumor has it that Teddy managed to screw that up, too, signing up not for a two-year stint, but four years, and with a strong possibility of going to Korea. Old Joe called in a bunch of favors and got Teddy's term cut back to two years, and arranged for him to spend it assigned to SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) in Paris. (Oh, the burden that must have been.) Then, when he was discharged, he was re-admitted to Harvard and graduated.
In 1960, he helped Jack win the presidency, and saw Bobby be named Attorney General. That left Jack's Senate seat open, and Old Joe wanted him to fill it. Unfortunately, he couldn't find a way to bribe or blackmail his way past the Constitution, and Teddy was two years too young to serve in the Senate. So Old Joe did the next best thing -- he got Jack's college roommate appointed to the seat to "keep it warm" until Ted could turn 30 and run for it directly.
Shortly after getting elected for a full term in 1964, Teddy made what is probably his single greatest contribution to America: he was one of the main backers of the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act. This attempt at immigration "reform" was partly aimed at addressing the problems of illegal immigration -- then, a major concern, as there were an estimated 1,000,000 illegal aliens in the United States. Teddy was abundantly clear about just what the measure would -- and would not -- do:
"First, our cities will not be flooded with a million immigrants annually. Under the proposed bill, the present level of immigration remains substantially the same ... Secondly, the ethnic mix of this country will not be upset ... Contrary to the charges in some quarters, [the bill] will not inundate America with immigrants from any one country or area, or the most populated and deprived nations of Africa and Asia ... In the final analysis, the ethnic pattern of immigration under the proposed measure is not expected to change as sharply as the critics seem to think ... The bill will not flood our cities with immigrants. It will not upset the ethnic mix of our society. It will not relax the standards of admission. It will not cause American workers to lose their jobs."
I find myself torn between two possibilities. Was Teddy so stupid that he actually believed that, or was he lying? I find either entirely plausible.
Anyway, let's fast-forward a few years to the incident everyone knows Teddy for: his little adventure in submarine racing in an Oldsmobile. Specifically, his mother's.
If Ted could be considered depressed through much of the 60's, it's more than understandable. Losing his oldest brother in World War II was bad enough. Then his father has a massive stroke and is rendered speechless and utterly infirm. Then his older brother -- the President of the United States -- is assassinated. Then his last brother was also gunned down, while seeking the presidency. So by 1969, Teddy had had his share of problems.
But now it was time for the single biggest screw-up of his life, the one that will most likely be the single thing he is most remembered for: Chappaquiddick.
Teddy was hosting a party on the island off Cape Cod for Kennedy supporters and folks who had worked on Bobby's presidential bid. He left with one of the young ladies, Mary Jo Kopechne, heading for the ferry. He didn't arrive, though; he drove the big Olds right off the bridge, where it flipped over in the water.
Teddy -- despite his bad back from a 1964 plane crash that broke it -- escaped the sinking car and swam for shore. After going back to the party and notifying his lawyers about the crash (who went to the scene and attempted to rescue Mary Jo while Ted watched), he went to an inn, chatted briefly with the clerk (establishing that he was there at 2:25, two hours after the crash) and went to bed. In the morning, he reported the accident to the police -- two hours after the car had been discovered by fishermen, and after the police had already recovered Mary Jo's body.
(An excellent, highly-detailed account of the whole incident can be found here.)
Teddy's presidential possibilities pretty much died with Mary Jo. He ended up pleading guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and had his license suspended for two months. The Kennedy family power couldn't make it all go away, but they did manage to minimize the personal cost to Teddy.
A few months later, Old Joe finally died. He'd lived just long enough to outlive three of his sons, and see his fourth and last son utterly destroy any chance to fulfill Old Joe's dream of a dynasty.
Teddy cruised along for several years, and then in 1980 he figured enough time had passed and he couldn't avoid his "destiny" any longer -- and he ran for president, challenging incumbent Jimmy Carter for the Democratic nomination. He was a long shot to begin with, but he was completely and utterly sunk when CBS's Roger Mudd ambushed him with a truly low-down, deceptive, unfair question: "why do you want to be president?"
Teddy's answer puts Miss South Carolina's infamous ramble to shame:
EDWARD KENNEDY: Well, I'm - were I to make the announcement to run, the reasons that I would run is because I have a great belief in this country that it is - has more natural resources than any nation of the world, has the greatest educated population in the world, the greatest technology of any country in the world, the greatest capacity for innovation in the world and the greatest political system in the world. And yet I see at the current time that most of the industrial nations of the world are exceeding us in terms of productivity or doing better than us in terms of meeting the problems of inflation, that they're dealing with their problems of energy and their problems of unemployment. It just seems to me that this nation can cope and deal with its problems in a way that it has in the past. We're facing complex issues and problems in this nation at this time, but we have faced similar challenges at other times and the energies and the resourcefulness of this nation, I think, should be focused on these problems in a way that brings a sense of restoration in this country by its people to - in dealing with the problems that we face, primarily the issues on the economy, the problems of inflation and the problems of energy and I would basically feel that it's imperative for this country either move forward, but it can't stand still or otherwise it moves backward.
Never in the annals of human history has so little been said at such length by such a large, small man.
In what has to be one of the must humilating moments in political history, Kennedy got his clocked cleaned by a president who would go on to lose 44 of 50 states.
Since Teddy finally got that out of his system, he's been content to just cruise along. He divorced his wife, earned a stupendous reputation as a boozing womanizer, then got remarried (but don't you dare question his status as a good Catholic, and especially don't bring up his staunch opposition to Church doctrine on abortion and birth control!) and focused on being the best darned Senator and family man he can be.
And that latter part has been especially taxing. It seems that the younger generation of Kennedys has largely chosen to follow Ted's example (and who can blame him? At least he's still alive!) and indulge in all sorts of vices and peccadilloes. Like alcoholism. Drug addiction. Drug overdoses. Car crashes that leave a young woman crippled for life. Fireworks mishaps that nearly blow off children's hands. One nephew is a convicted murderer. Another barely escaped a rape conviction from a night out partying with Uncle Ted. Another was caught nailing his underage babysitter.
Today, Teddy is seen as the "lion" of the Senate, and a champion of liberalism. And now that he's hospitalized with unexplained seizures, there is a huge rush to canonize him, to whitewash his lifetime of reprobation and sweep his multitude of sins under the carpet.
Sorry, but I'll pass.
I don't hate Teddy Kennedy. Part of me wants to, but I find myself more pitying him than hating him. He never had a chance to be his own man; he was shacked into his father's grand plans for over 37 years, never given the chance to find his own way in the world and do what he wanted to. He eventually managed to convince himself that his fate demanded public service, and he's done the best he can (albeit incredibly wrong-headedly and championing so, so many of the wrong causes and ideals, wreaking great harm on the nation in the process), but it's really not his fault that he never grew up and became his own man. Instead, he's now a fat, old, drunken sot who has convinced himself that this was his destiny, that this was the course his life was fated to take, that he has lived his life well and served his nation to his fullest.
I suppose it's never too late to hope for a change of heart, that he might some day realize the tremendous damage he's done to this nation, that he might actually own up for the first time to his own responsibilities and be a man.
But I sure as hell don't bet on it actually happening.
Nor do I expect him to resign his office for reasons of health. Teddy has chosen to make the Senate his life; I strongly suspect he has absolutely no idea what he'd do without his office. He has chosen to define himself as "Senator Kennedy," and the only way he'll ever give up that identity is when he dies.
And at that point, the beatification will commence in full, and literally dozens of buildings, schools, projects and other government projects will be named in his honor.
I intend to call out sick for at least one of those days. My stomach will be in full churn mode.
I might even have to get drunk -- for the first time in my life -- just to get through it all.
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Ted Kennedy
Comments (46)
I am writing in respons... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Mark Giolli | May 19, 2008 8:08 AM | Score: -31 (37 votes cast)
I am writing in response to this article written about Senator Kennedy which was released today on May 19th, 2008. Senator Kennedy has been a champion of all in this country for almost 46 years now, since he was elected United States Senator representing the state of Massachusetts in November of 1962.
This article shows the lack of respect some people have towards a great man of Senator Edward M. Kennedy's fiber. I have noticed this sort of disrespect from conservatives ever since the 1980's, when the right wing started to talk like Jerry Falwell and preach to everyone about how they were the victims of the unjust left, which then led to the conservative factions demoralizing the left wingers and their causes. It does not help now that a cable television channel like Fox Network is so subjective and biased in their reporting that it makes me and others question thier objectivity-which is the basis for good reporting I think. Or have the conservatives and right wingers changed the definition of objectivity or for that matter good reporting?
This article is correct, Ted Kennedy went through some hard times in his life especially in the 1960's. In that decade he lost his father and his two remaining brothers (after losing his oldest brother in 1944 in Europe, as well as his sister Kathleen in 1948), and yet he persevered and tried to help others less fortunate than himself. He could have retired and committed his life to sailing in Cape Cod and eating fine foods at the family home at Hyannis Port,Mass.; but he didn't. The Kennedys are not like that. They persevere and like I said they try to help those less fortunate then themselves. That is admirable, and that is why we hold the Kennedy family in such high esteem.
I suppose the writer of this article Jay Tea does not see these qualities as admirable. Yet he sees the insulting of an icon of American politics as admirable and correct, and gives no credit at all but to say that Senator Kennedy was given a role which he had to live up to- as though he had no choices, and that his father held the strings to his career. I think that is very simplistic and wrong. Many people said the same thing about his older brother Jack. Their father might have given them the avenue to walk on, but they kept on walking on their own.
I have read many books on Senator Kennedy's life, and I suggest Mr. Tea read about the time when Senator Kennedy was recuperating from the plane crash in 1964. Quite revealing indeed, and it will put an end the question of Senator Kennedy's own commitment to being a United States Senator. I am not sure how that can be questioned after almost 50 years.
All this article does is demonstrate to the country how disrespectful and rather cold the right wingers have become in America. I think that is why Senator Kennedy endorsed Barack Obama. He has faith in the belief that Senator Obama can bring together everyone in this country in a sort of cohesive unity which has not been seen since the early 1960's. It has been said that Senator Kennedy has been an encompassing force and figure in this country. That is true. The fact is that his legislation over the last almost 50 years has affected every american now living in one way or another; this fact is significant to his effectiveness and his commitment to legislation, and how he feels about the Senate as a tool to make this country greater. This article questions his character. I am not sure the writer knows the definition of character.
Whether it is being fair to immigrants and not being hypocritical, or helping to raise the minimum wage, Senator Kennedy is a hero to all Americans whether they know it or not. His legislation on immigration did not start in the last few years, it started in the 1960's. He is not a "Johnny Come Lately" on social security or health care or minimum wage. These issues are nothing new to Senator Kennedy. And if you do not believe it now, history books many years from now will note his impact on the legislative ventures of his times, and the writings will be very generous. Respectfully, Mark Giolli
1. Posted by Mark Giolli | May 19, 2008 8:08 AM |
Score: -31 (37 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 08:08
2. Posted by Wright | May 19, 2008 8:34 AM | Score: 23 (29 votes cast)
I am pretty much in agreement with this post; one minor correction - I believe that Joseph P Kennedy Jr was a Navy pilot, not AAF as stated.
While Chappaquiddick defines Edward Kennedy for many, and I agree that it certainly shows the man's character (or lack thereof), for me the defining Kennedy moment came in the Robert Bork Supreme Court nomination hearings. His utterly false and reckless character assassination of Judge Bork - "Robert Bork's America is a land in which women would be forced into back-alley abortions, blacks would sit at segregated lunch counters, rogue police could break down citizens' doors in midnight raids, children could not be taught about evolution." - marked a new low in the left's assault on the constitution, and set the tone for the bitter partisan divide that continues, with his active participation, to this day. When you hear the vicious and hateful rhetoric from today's politicians, just say, "Thanks Teddy, for all that."
What a legacy.
2. Posted by Wright | May 19, 2008 8:34 AM |
Score: 23 (29 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 08:34
3. Posted by Beppo | May 19, 2008 9:28 AM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
If you're going to get loaded when Teddy cacks it, make it a good brand of Scotch. It's what he would want.
3. Posted by Beppo | May 19, 2008 9:28 AM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 09:28
4. Posted by Michael | May 19, 2008 9:30 AM | Score: 12 (14 votes cast)
Mark - it is telling that you make no comment on Teddy's criminal or at very least immoral actions(or lack of action) in respects to Mary Jo Kopechne.
4. Posted by Michael | May 19, 2008 9:30 AM |
Score: 12 (14 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 09:30
5. Posted by 914 | May 19, 2008 9:34 AM | Score: 4 (8 votes cast)
Beatitude # 119
I screwed Mary Jo, but I never hurt Her.
R.I.P. jacass
5. Posted by 914 | May 19, 2008 9:34 AM |
Score: 4 (8 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 09:34
6. Posted by WildWillie | May 19, 2008 10:04 AM | Score: 10 (16 votes cast)
Mark, obviously you are a Kennedy "groupie". Talk about the lack of objectivity, you personify it. Even to working in how you hate Fox News. The Kennedy's have been rolling over "everyday" people more then 50 years. Kennedy started the division in this country as an above commenter so ablily pointed out. Kennedy is what is wrong with america, not what is right. Yes, what Kennedy has done does effect everyone, especially working people who pay way to much taxes to pay for the people the can't or won't work for a living. It is always easier to give someone elses money away, but his is locked up in trusts and off shore accounts to minimize his tax burden. How hypocritical, pathetic and expected. Mark, you need to wake up. ww
6. Posted by WildWillie | May 19, 2008 10:04 AM |
Score: 10 (16 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 10:04
7. Posted by Frazetta_girl![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://wizbangblog.com/nav-commenters.gif)
| May 19, 2008 10:19 AM | Score: 5 (13 votes cast)
A well written, concise essay about the pathetic Teddy Kennedy, Jay. Nicely done.
What I find saddest about the Kennedy saga is the next generation of drug abusing, drunk driving, womanizing Kennedy kids. I hope Maria Shriver out in California is raising some good Republican kids. Arnold seems like a dedicated father and family man, so here's hoping he can terminate the curse of the Kennedys.
7. Posted by Frazetta_girl![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://wizbangblog.com/nav-commenters.gif)
| May 19, 2008 10:19 AM |
Score: 5 (13 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 10:19
8. Posted by JFO | May 19, 2008 10:23 AM | Score: -14 (18 votes cast)
Yes, perhaps Arnold the Republican family man can teach his children how to grope every available woman in sight.
8. Posted by JFO | May 19, 2008 10:23 AM |
Score: -14 (18 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 10:23
9. Posted by Jay Tea | May 19, 2008 10:40 AM | Score: 8 (16 votes cast)
Stay classy, JFO.
And Arnold has four children, two of each. I presume, in the spirit of non-discrimination, the daughters should be taught proper groping techniques?
I'm sure you're aware his daughters are 19 and 17, and his sons are 14 and 10? So delighted you're continuing the fine tradition of liberals in using the absolutely non-politically-active children of politicians as legitimate targets for your partisan spewing.
Like I said, JFO... stay classy. Wouldn't change you if I could.
Although, like a diaper, you really do need it...
J.
9. Posted by Jay Tea | May 19, 2008 10:40 AM |
Score: 8 (16 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 10:40
10. Posted by WildWillie | May 19, 2008 10:40 AM | Score: 7 (9 votes cast)
Wizbangers, isn't it nice to have someone like JFO commenting to constantly remind us of how unable the left is to stay focused and comprehend a post. Having a debate with JFO is like JFO taking a knife to a gun fight. He is way out of his league. ww
10. Posted by WildWillie | May 19, 2008 10:40 AM |
Score: 7 (9 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 10:40
11. Posted by JFO | May 19, 2008 10:52 AM | Score: -13 (17 votes cast)
Geez Jay Tea do you even read the comments here? You might try and look at the one right above mine. It was the right winger lady who brought up the issue. Take your blinders off Jay and work on that intellectual honesty mentioned before.
11. Posted by JFO | May 19, 2008 10:52 AM |
Score: -13 (17 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 10:52
12. Posted by jp2 | May 19, 2008 10:57 AM | Score: -14 (18 votes cast)
Always great to get a historical lesson from someone who has a long and clear hatred of their subject.
Stay classy Wizbang.
12. Posted by jp2 | May 19, 2008 10:57 AM |
Score: -14 (18 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 10:57
13. Posted by Eric | May 19, 2008 11:03 AM | Score: 10 (14 votes cast)
Some of my favorite Kennedy moments
Ted Kennedy, 1978:
"The current revival of the HMO movement should come as no surprise. HMOs have proven themselves again and again to be effective and efficient mechanisms for delivering health care of the highest quality. HMOs cut hospital utilization by an average of 20 to 25 percent compared to the fee-for-service sector. They cut the total cost of health care by anywhere from 10 to 30 percent. And they accomplish these savings without compromising the quality of care they provide their members. "
Ted Kennedy, 2001:
"Today, if you have incurable cancer and your best hope of a cure is participation in a clinical trial, your [HMO] plan can deny you access to that trial....
"Today, your doctor can be financially coerced by your HMO into giving you less than optimal care....
"Today, if you need an expensive drug that is not on your plan's list, the [HMO] plan can make you pay for it yourself or go without....
"The list goes on and on....
"It is time to end the abuses of managed care that victimize thousands of patients each day. It is time for doctors and nurses and patients to make medical decisions again, not insurance company accountants. The American people deserve prompt action, and we intend to see that they get it."
Cape Wind:
Big Dig:
Iraq, 2002:
Iraq, 2004:
...America went to war in Iraq because President Bush insisted that nuclear weapons in the hands of Saddam Hussein and his ties to Al Qaeda were too dangerous to ignore...
13. Posted by Eric | May 19, 2008 11:03 AM |
Score: 10 (14 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 11:03
14. Posted by Timmer | May 19, 2008 11:50 AM | Score: -1 (5 votes cast)
Using the name "James Carville" at the beginning of the piece kind of puts a coat of slime on it. Feel like I need a shower and a bar of Lava.
14. Posted by Timmer | May 19, 2008 11:50 AM |
Score: -1 (5 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 11:50
15. Posted by jpm100 | May 19, 2008 12:11 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
I don't want to wish ill on anyone, but when he does pass, they should turn his body to biofuel. At least it would be a useful contribution for a change.
And that stuff would probably burn like nitrous.
15. Posted by jpm100 | May 19, 2008 12:11 PM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 12:11
16. Posted by sshiell | May 19, 2008 12:23 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Good post, J. And you can tell by the responses from such illuminarie as JP2 and JFO.
And here's a thought that should warm the hackles of any conservative's heart - If Ted Kennedy were not around, John Kerry would become the Senior Senator from Massachussettes.
16. Posted by sshiell | May 19, 2008 12:23 PM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 12:23
17. Posted by max | May 19, 2008 12:37 PM | Score: -12 (12 votes cast)
So Jay uses the fact that Kennedy survived a stroke as an excuse to assassinate his character and busts JFO's chops for making a snarky joke about Ahnold? I'll give you credit, Jay. Your brain can hold an amazing amount of cognitive dissonance.
Stay independent, Jay, you partisan hack, you.
17. Posted by max | May 19, 2008 12:37 PM |
Score: -12 (12 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 12:37
18. Posted by cirby | May 19, 2008 12:50 PM | Score: 9 (11 votes cast)
"So Jay uses the fact that Kennedy survived a stroke as an excuse to assassinate his character"
Kennedy doesn't have any character left to assassinate. He killed it off all by himself back in the 1970s.
They're saying it wasn't a stroke. Apparently, his conscience finally caught up to him all at once...
18. Posted by cirby | May 19, 2008 12:50 PM |
Score: 9 (11 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 12:50
19. Posted by ODA315 | May 19, 2008 12:57 PM | Score: 6 (8 votes cast)
Max
"assassinate his character"???? You gotta be sh&tting us. Maybe we could get comments about Teddy's character from Mary Jo or 3 million of Pol Pot's and Uncle Ho's minnions.
You're right. Shame on Jay.
19. Posted by ODA315 | May 19, 2008 12:57 PM |
Score: 6 (8 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 12:57
20. Posted by infidel![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://wizbangblog.com/nav-commenters.gif)
| May 19, 2008 1:08 PM | Score: 8 (10 votes cast)
Before any moonbats open a vein over a post on their favorite conservative blog let me say Uncle Teddy is in a category all by his pathetic self. There are liberals whose lives were cut short who had personal integrity. Paul Wellstone comes to mind. To the left of middle America but genuine in his beliefs.Then there's The Swimmer.
I suspect when Ted does keel over it'll be because he realised he was a lying murderer who comfortably slept if off KNOWING there was a drowned woman in his car. Maybe that's why, subconciously, he ruined his wife's life, his country's immigration policy, the standards of his guilt ridden constituents and his liver.
Yeah, and his treatment of Robert Bork shows the hubris this walking contemptuous spoiled drunk has lived his life by.
The Mark Foley's of this world resign or are defeated but only Massachusetts would give us Teddy and Barney.
20. Posted by infidel![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://wizbangblog.com/nav-commenters.gif)
| May 19, 2008 1:08 PM |
Score: 8 (10 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 13:08
21. Posted by frank rizzo | May 19, 2008 1:48 PM | Score: -14 (20 votes cast)
Hey JayTea,
I actually thought you were talking about the Bush family, given they made their fortune, by doing business with the nazi's. Certainly it is a family of high expectations where the father took reckless action (George Seniro letting himself get shot down in wwII) while his son was a drunk who did his turn in the guard ran a few business in the ground and is proceeding to ruin this country... Yep, lots of similarities.
21. Posted by frank rizzo | May 19, 2008 1:48 PM |
Score: -14 (20 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 13:48
22. Posted by Bob | May 19, 2008 1:53 PM | Score: -1 (7 votes cast)
Fox News was doing eulogies for Teddy on Saturday afternoon, including praise from Republicans like Trent Lott (not quite effusive as his praise for Senator Thurman). I have no like for Senator K's politics or his personal behavior re: M.J. Kopeckne or his legendary drinking. But it's hard to deny that he has worked hard for his chosen causes in the Senate, he supports lots of worthwhile charities, and he is not as liberal as BH Obama. Further, he inspired the character of Mayor Quimby on The Simpsons, which is probably his most lasting legacy. Anyway, it's bad form to wish your domestic political enemies ill health. While I wish he would retire into deep seclusion, I hope Teddy recovers from his current illness. You'll eventually get the opportunity to bury him - just not right now.
22. Posted by Bob | May 19, 2008 1:53 PM |
Score: -1 (7 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 13:53
23. Posted by ptg | May 19, 2008 2:10 PM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
If you cats can't bring yourselves to hate Teddy K, I'll do it for you.
23. Posted by ptg | May 19, 2008 2:10 PM |
Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 14:10
24. Posted by jhow66 | May 19, 2008 3:15 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
One word about Teddie--PUKE!!
24. Posted by jhow66 | May 19, 2008 3:15 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 15:15
25. Posted by Jay Tea | May 19, 2008 4:55 PM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
Max, I've never concealed my disdain for the Senior Senator from the Bay State. For me to change that now would be hypocrisy.
And I did NOT condemn JFO for his attack on Schwarzenegger. Arnold's a big guy; he can take it. I called him out on using Arnold's CHILDREN as a method of attack.
Other than that, your comment is truly valued and appreciated.
Um... did your comment have anything in it besides that?
J.
25. Posted by Jay Tea | May 19, 2008 4:55 PM |
Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 16:55
26. Posted by Dodo David | May 19, 2008 4:55 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
It looks like Frank Rizzo (Post #21) is also guilty of bringing a knife to a gun fight.
Notice that he didn't try to refute anything that Jay said about Kennedy. Instead, he changed the subject.
26. Posted by Dodo David | May 19, 2008 4:55 PM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 16:55
27. Posted by marc | May 19, 2008 5:35 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
"He is not a "Johnny Come Lately" on social security or health care or minimum wage."
He wasn't a "johnny come lately" on leaving a girl to die in his personal transportation either.
27. Posted by marc | May 19, 2008 5:35 PM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 17:35
28. Posted by Master Shake | May 19, 2008 5:42 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
It's not fair to accuse the lefty trolls of bringing a knife to a gun-fight. Everyone knows they don't let patients at the Femtoencephally Research Institute have sharp objects....
28. Posted by Master Shake | May 19, 2008 5:42 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 17:42
29. Posted by HughS | May 19, 2008 6:02 PM | Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
Frank #21
Congratulations! That post belongs in the Wizbang Hall of Fame.
These are such gems:
I actually thought you were talking about the Bush family, given they made their fortune, by doing business with the nazi's...perhaps old Joe Kennedy made the introduction for them, given his well known support of Hitler. You did read Jay's post didn't you?
Certainly it is a family of high expectations where the father took reckless action (George Seniro letting himself get shot down in wwII) while his son was a drunk .....ya think? Even Mary Mapes would struggle with that assertion. Was W in the bottle when GHWB was shot down in the Pacific? Come on, you can tell us. Your Bill Burkett, right?
who did his turn in the guard ran a few business in the ground ....repeating those popular KOS talking points again, Barney, err, I mean Frank? Are you talking about Harken Energy and the Texas Rangers ball club? I sure wish I could have been in on those deals that were run into the ground.
29. Posted by HughS | May 19, 2008 6:02 PM |
Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 18:02
30. Posted by max | May 19, 2008 6:07 PM | Score: -8 (8 votes cast)
Jay, we're all painfully aware of your obsessive hatred of Ted Kennedy. I don't question that, only the timing of this particular diatribe.
Yeah, JFO mentioned Arnolds kids, but Arnold was the obvious target of the joke.
As for your appreciation of the rest of my comment, does that mean you are finally owning your partisanship and ditching the disingenuous "independent" label?
30. Posted by max | May 19, 2008 6:07 PM |
Score: -8 (8 votes cast)
Posted on May 19, 2008 18:07
31. Posted by JFO | May 19, 2008 6:17 PM | Score: -9 (13 votes cast)
Jay Tea you are too funny. You write an entire paragraph gratuitously sliming just about every known relative of Kennedy and then you get your panties in a wad when I make a snarky comment about Arnold teaching his children bad habits.
Was there some point to bringing Kennedy's family into your diatribe of hatred? How does it support your post? What does it offer the reader about Ted Kennedy other than gratuitous vomiting of your venom about the family? Ever have an alcoholic in your family Jay Tea? Ever have someone with an addiction or mental health problem in your family? Or are you just a smug, morally superior, pure as the driven snow right winger?
You can't help yourself can you? You hate him and them and apparently any and all things and people of Massachusetts which is evident from the numerous diatribes you treat the readers to. And you have the stones to criticize my one liner which was in response to the ass ahead of me who was extolling Arnold's Republican family values?
31. Posted by JFO | May 19, 2008 6:17 PM |
