Democrats made big news at yesterday's Congressional swearing-in ceremonies. The Secretary of the Senate refused to seat Roland Burris, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevitch's choice to fill President Elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat. At the same time, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was preparing the way for Al Franken to be sworn in as Minnesota's junior senator, despite a new lawsuit by challenger Norm Coleman questioning the state's hand recount procedure.
Outside of the media circus there was a smaller, but no less remarkable, Senate victory. Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who is currently battling a brain tumor, made his way back to Capitol Hill, fulfilling a pledge that he made during the Democratic National Convention this past fall:
"I pledge to you that I will be there next January on the floor of the United States Senate when we begin the great test."
After being sworn into the Senate, he held the Bible at the swearing-in ceremony for his son Patrick, who is a member of the House of Representatives. Kennedy is weak and uses a cane now, and he has obviously lost a lot of weight, but I think he looks better than he has in years.
Conservatives have said a lot of unkind things about Ted Kennedy over the years, much of it deserved, but today we should salute the courage of this old lion as he prepares for what might be his final battle in the arena of public service.
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Ted Kennedy
Comments (29)
I salute his courage. ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by DJ Drummond | January 7, 2009 1:49 PM | Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
I salute his courage.
1. Posted by DJ Drummond | January 7, 2009 1:49 PM |
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 13:49
2. Posted by Ken Hahn | January 7, 2009 1:56 PM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
I salute his courage. He has had his moment. He should just retire now and not do any more damage.
2. Posted by Ken Hahn | January 7, 2009 1:56 PM |
Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 13:56
3. Posted by GarandFan | January 7, 2009 2:18 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Did little Patrick ever get his driver's license back, or is it still suspended?
3. Posted by GarandFan | January 7, 2009 2:18 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 14:18
4. Posted by Pretzel Logic | January 7, 2009 2:23 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Ted looks good. Off the sauce no doubt. Nancy is a scary looking woman. Too many times under the knife.
4. Posted by Pretzel Logic | January 7, 2009 2:23 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 14:23
5. Posted by wolfwalker | January 7, 2009 2:31 PM | Score: 2 (6 votes cast)
today we should salute the courage of this old lion
I decline.
I do not salute traitors.
5. Posted by wolfwalker | January 7, 2009 2:31 PM |
Score: 2 (6 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 14:31
6. Posted by SPURWING PLOVER | January 7, 2009 2:45 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
PATRICK KENNEDY is the idiot who said opposing gun control is insane COMMING FROM ONE OF THE MANY SPOILED KENNEDY BRATS WHO CAN AFFORD HIS OWN ARMED BODYGUARDS, AND CHAPAQUEDIC TED
6. Posted by SPURWING PLOVER | January 7, 2009 2:45 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 14:45
7. Posted by Old Coot | January 7, 2009 2:46 PM | Score: 3 (7 votes cast)
Kennedy is a lying POS whose cowardly actions caused the death of an innocent young girl. You want me to salute that fleck of excrement? You gotta be kidding.
7. Posted by Old Coot | January 7, 2009 2:46 PM |
Score: 3 (7 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 14:46
8. Posted by kevino | January 7, 2009 2:58 PM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
The Distinguished Drunk from Massachusetts.
8. Posted by kevino | January 7, 2009 2:58 PM |
Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 14:58
9. Posted by Mike | January 7, 2009 3:14 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
"Ted looks good. Off the sauce no doubt"
Yes. It's a wonder what proper diet and exercise can do for a person. Too bad it often takes a life-threatening condition to make people change their old habits.
9. Posted by Mike | January 7, 2009 3:14 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 15:14
10. Posted by Clay | January 7, 2009 3:17 PM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
I won't salute the man, but I'll certainly salute his courage. That takes guts, Ted.
Instead of just holding the Bible, I pray he reads it.
10. Posted by Clay | January 7, 2009 3:17 PM |
Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 15:17
11. Posted by WildWillie | January 7, 2009 3:36 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
I do not wish anyone to die and I always pray cancer is wiped out once and for all, but I have nothing good to say about this man, so I will say nothing. ww
11. Posted by WildWillie | January 7, 2009 3:36 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 15:36
12. Posted by LoadTheMule | January 7, 2009 3:44 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
"...but today we should salute the courage of this old lion as he prepares for what might be his final battle in the arena of public service."
No thank you. It doesn't take courage to do what Teddy did (or what Teddy does). It takes the unmitigated gall and hubris of the self-centered and egotistical 'gentry' class who honestly believe there is one set of rules for them and another set for we, the unwashed masses.
I wish Teddy no ill well from the standpoint of his health. I pray for his full recovery. But beyond that--I wouldn't spit in his ass if his guts were one fire.
12. Posted by LoadTheMule | January 7, 2009 3:44 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 15:44
13. Posted by OregonMuse | January 7, 2009 4:01 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Mary Jo Kopechne was unavailable for comment.
13. Posted by OregonMuse | January 7, 2009 4:01 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 16:01
14. Posted by CZ | January 7, 2009 4:19 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
I salute Ted's liver. It lasted a lot longer than his brain did.
14. Posted by CZ | January 7, 2009 4:19 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 16:19
15. Posted by JimK | January 7, 2009 4:25 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
I refuse to salute this lowlife, for so many reasons...the biggest of which is named Mary Jo Kopechne.
Furthermore I call shame upon ANYONE who would salute him for *any* reason. One does not salute criminals and scumbags. Not even under the guise of respecting the opposition.
15. Posted by JimK | January 7, 2009 4:25 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 16:25
16. Posted by JFO | January 7, 2009 4:29 PM | Score: -5 (5 votes cast)
15 comments about a man's illness and the score so far?
11 haters and 4 and a half (wee willie counts as half) gracious folks.
16. Posted by JFO | January 7, 2009 4:29 PM |
Score: -5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 16:29
17. Posted by BlogDog | January 7, 2009 4:40 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
I'll be gracious when I see the grace of apologies for all the nastiness about Tony Snow from the left.
Washington deficits now run (left to right) intellectual, moral, and well, moral again.
17. Posted by BlogDog | January 7, 2009 4:40 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 16:40
18. Posted by GarandFan | January 7, 2009 5:44 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
No JFO, not haters, just people calling a spade and spade. The man got off a 2nd degree murder charge and felony hit and run because of his name. Another got off of jail time because the Kennedy's paid off the family of the paralyzed girl. Some animals are more equal than others.
18. Posted by GarandFan | January 7, 2009 5:44 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 17:44
19. Posted by Bruce Henry | January 7, 2009 6:23 PM | Score: -4 (4 votes cast)
My favorite so far: "I pray for his health...I wouldn't spit on his ass if his guts were on fire."
How very Christian of you, sir.
I'll just bet you pray for Ted Kennedy's health.
Lying AND hypocrisy, in one concise comment.
I believe we have a winner.
19. Posted by Bruce Henry | January 7, 2009 6:23 PM |
Score: -4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 18:23
20. Posted by Bruce Henry | January 7, 2009 6:24 PM | Score: -3 (3 votes cast)
I said "health" and the commenter said "full recovery". My bad.
20. Posted by Bruce Henry | January 7, 2009 6:24 PM |
Score: -3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 18:24
21. Posted by Old Coot | January 7, 2009 8:01 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
I believe we have a winner.
And if the category is "Lying and Hypocrisy", the obvious winner is Teddy Kennedy (D-Chivas) who spent much of his life excelling in both areas.
21. Posted by Old Coot | January 7, 2009 8:01 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 20:01
22. Posted by Arthur | January 7, 2009 8:13 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
> ... but I think he looks better than he has in years.
Wow, you're right. He does look better. But Patrick looks like a loon!
22. Posted by Arthur | January 7, 2009 8:13 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 20:13
23. Posted by MPR | January 7, 2009 11:04 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Not a good thing to say about this man's career. So, I have nothing to say.
23. Posted by MPR | January 7, 2009 11:04 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2009 23:04
24. Posted by RickZ | January 8, 2009 3:09 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Kennedy is weak and uses a cane now, and he has obviously lost a lot of weight, but I think he looks better than he has in years.
Live fast, die young, and leave a good looking corpse. Two out of three is not good enough when it comes to The Swimmer.
24. Posted by RickZ | January 8, 2009 3:09 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on January 8, 2009 03:09
25. Posted by SillyPuddy | January 8, 2009 4:50 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Screw Them him.
25. Posted by SillyPuddy | January 8, 2009 4:50 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on January 8, 2009 04:50
26. Posted by Jason | January 8, 2009 7:23 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Ted should retire posthaste.
26. Posted by Jason | January 8, 2009 7:23 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on January 8, 2009 07:23
27. Posted by mag | January 8, 2009 11:50 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Though I never like or approve of Ted Kennedy, my heart does go out to any human who has to suffer this horrible disease. Whatever anyone thinks of Ted, he is in God's hands now and let Him be the judge.
27. Posted by mag | January 8, 2009 11:50 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on January 8, 2009 11:50
28. Posted by Spurwing Plover | January 8, 2009 2:39 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Have you ever wondered about what D.C. stands for? It means DISTRICT of CRINIMALS
28. Posted by Spurwing Plover | January 8, 2009 2:39 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 8, 2009 14:39
29. Posted by Terri Roeder | January 21, 2009 12:29 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
D,c District of crimenal Yeh and they have all just left DC Bush Cheny rumsfeld
29. Posted by Terri Roeder | January 21, 2009 12:29 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 21, 2009 12:29