Senator Edward Kennedy died

[Michael]

Edward Kennedy, Senate Stalwart, Dies

Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, a son of one of the most storied families in American politics, a man who knew triumph and tragedy in near-equal measure and who will be remembered as one of the most effective lawmakers in the history of the Senate, died late Tuesday night. He was 77.

The death of Mr. Kennedy, who had been battling brain cancer, was announced Wednesday morning in a statement by the Kennedy family, which was already mourning the death of the senator’s sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver two weeks earlier.

NY Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/us/politics/27kennedy.html?_r=1&hp)

May he rest in peace.

I've never had any kind words for any member of that political family and I don't see any reason to start making up some now.

As far as I'm concerned, Ted Kennedy ought to be remembered as the fellow who inadvertently murdered his girlfriend and managed to get away with it. He should also be remembered for his non-stop backstabbing of Bill Clinton's Presidency. I also consider Ted Kennedy the main man behind the killing of Hillarycare proposal back in 1993 (Ted considered it "his turf" and resented interference). Ted's last act was to bless Obama and stab Hillary in the back during the Democratic primary. At least he was a consistent bastard.

[Americano]

Who inherits his political empire? Joe & Rose must be rolling over in their graves at the thought of no Kennedy in power.

[Zarquon]

May political dynasties die with him and the Bushies.
Ramen.

[Baron Von Esslingen]

When all the Bushes are dead, I'll agree with you.

[dilettante]

May he rest in peace.


Indeed. I hope his family finds some comfort in their time of grief.

I applaud his efforts in the pursuit of civil rights.

[Michael]

Indeed. I hope his family finds some comfort in their time of grief.
Grief yes, but hardly a tragedy or a surprise when a 77 year old man dies.

I applaud his efforts in the pursuit of civil rights.
Well sure, but that's a mighty low bar for a fellow who had his 'bullet-proof safe' Senate seat, in the most liberal state in the nation, handed to him on silver platter.

He would have been an epic failure if he didn't at least support some liberal policy goals.

Overall, I do find the cognitive dissonance on Ted Kennedy to be rather striking. Just about every leftwing blog is falling over themselves posting fawning eulogies about the "Lion of the Senate" and the "Greatest Lawmaker of his generation" and other such silly hyperbole (just like the mainstream media). If that's an honest description of Ted Kennedy, that's a searing indictment of the quality of US Senators.

Btw, it is interesting to peruse the 'comments' threads for such posts - seems that my negative view of this family is apparently in the majority even amongst liberals who read leftwing blogs.

Seeing the left blogosphere getting as overblown and maudlin about Ted Kennedy as the mainstream media is not a good omen at all. This kind focus on emotion and ignoring policy content is what made the mainstream press so irrelevant (and enabled cable and internet to takeover the political side).

[dilettante]

Grief yes, but hardly a tragedy or a surprise when a 77 year old man dies.


Well sure, but that's a mighty low bar for a fellow who had his 'bullet-proof safe' Senate seat, in the most liberal state in the nation, handed to him on silver platter.

He would have been an epic failure if he didn't at least support some liberal policy goals.

Overall, I do find the cognitive dissonance on Ted Kennedy to be rather striking. Just about every leftwing blog is falling over themselves posting fawning eulogies about the "Lion of the Senate" and the "Greatest Lawmaker of his generation" and other such silly hyperbole (just like the mainstream media). If that's an honest description of Ted Kennedy, that's a searing indictment of the quality of US Senators.

Btw, it is interesting to peruse the 'comments' threads for such posts - seems that my negative view of this family is apparently in the majority even amongst liberals who read leftwing blogs.

Seeing the left blogosphere getting as overblown and maudlin about Ted Kennedy as the mainstream media is not a good omen at all. This kind focus on emotion and ignoring policy content is what made the mainstream press so irrelevant (and enabled cable and internet to takeover the political side).

I imagine few people are willing to 'speak ill of the dead' in any widely read publication at this point. I'm not at all surprised that people are focusing on what he did accomplish and largely ignoring what he failed to do. Even most Republicans seem to be either praising Kennedy or keeping quiet, which seems to me a wise and respectful policy for them to take. There's little to gain and much to lose by criticizing the man now.

[Michael]

I imagine few people are willing to 'speak ill of the dead' in any widely read publication at this point. I'm not at all surprised that people are focusing on what he did accomplish and largely ignoring what he failed to do. Even most Republicans seem to be either praising Kennedy or keeping quiet, which seems to me a wise and respectful policy for them to take. There's little to gain and much to lose by criticizing the man now.
I've never been one to believe that when you die, all your mortal sins get washed away and forgotten. That's a delusionary policy that suits the media and politicians (i.e. it is an elite serving convention).

Btw, where did this overblown reputation come from? I say it was manufactured by the media/politicians in the first place. They seem to be the only people who actually seem to believe in it.

[Americano]

I imagine few people are willing to 'speak ill of the dead' in any widely read publication at this point. I'm not at all surprised that people are focusing on what he did accomplish and largely ignoring what he failed to do. Even most Republicans seem to be either praising Kennedy or keeping quiet, which seems to me a wise and respectful policy for them to take. There's little to gain and much to lose by criticizing the man now.

Neither the Catholics or fundies want to ruin his chances of getting in the gates. Politicians are very aware of those sentiments.

[wphelan]

Some unexpected praise of Kennedy from The Economist.

http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displayStory.cfm?story_id=14327160

I failed to see much that would back up their claim that he was "a hell of senator."

[Michael]

Some unexpected praise of Kennedy from The Economist.

http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displayStory.cfm?story_id=14327160

I failed to see much that would back up their claim that he was "a hell of senator."

I hardly consider that a "puff-piece", though it does have a few kind words for Ted. Apart from the headline, the article isn't particularly flattering - or very long either.

That being said, I'd imagine that the Economist was just trying to be 'decent' about the fellow. They have been trying to build up their American audience for a long time. I'd consider this just some 'bone' thrown to the American partisans.

The Economist normally doesn't have much affinity for celebrity politics or political dynasties - or 'silk-stocking-socialists' which is what Ted definitely was.

[Lasher]

NY Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/us/politics/27kennedy.html?_r=1&hp)

May he rest in peace.

I've never had any kind words for any member of that political family and I don't see any reason to start making up some now.

As far as I'm concerned, Ted Kennedy ought to be remembered as the fellow who inadvertently murdered his girlfriend and managed to get away with it. He should also be remembered for his non-stop backstabbing of Bill Clinton's Presidency. I also consider Ted Kennedy the main man behind the killing of Hillarycare proposal back in 1993 (Ted considered it "his turf" and resented interference). Ted's last act was to bless Obama and stab Hillary in the back during the Democratic primary. At least he was a consistent bastard.
Then are we to infer that you favor the government taking over 17% of the American economy? You must love the way the government mishandles every other endeavor it presumes to manage instead of leaving the business of America to American businesspeople. Say you are more thoughtful than that.

[Lasher]

Who inherits his political empire? Joe & Rose must be rolling over in their graves at the thought of no Kennedy in power.
Kennedy had no "empire" to leave to anyone. The senatorship(s) of Massachusetts, or any other state, are not the personal property of any one man, or any family, they are the property of the people of the United States, may God help it.

[Lasher]

May political dynasties die with him and the Bushies.
Ramen.
What about the Clintons, my friend?

[Lasher]

Indeed. I hope his family finds some comfort in their time of grief.

I applaud his efforts in the pursuit of civil rights.
Well, good for you.

[Lasher]

Grief yes, but hardly a tragedy or a surprise when a 77 year old man dies.


Well sure, but that's a mighty low bar for a fellow who had his 'bullet-proof safe' Senate seat, in the most liberal state in the nation, handed to him on silver platter.

He would have been an epic failure if he didn't at least support some liberal policy goals.

Overall, I do find the cognitive dissonance on Ted Kennedy to be rather striking. Just about every leftwing blog is falling over themselves posting fawning eulogies about the "Lion of the Senate" and the "Greatest Lawmaker of his generation" and other such silly hyperbole (just like the mainstream media). If that's an honest description of Ted Kennedy, that's a searing indictment of the quality of US Senators.

Btw, it is interesting to peruse the 'comments' threads for such posts - seems that my negative view of this family is apparently in the majority even amongst liberals who read leftwing blogs.

Seeing the left blogosphere getting as overblown and maudlin about Ted Kennedy as the mainstream media is not a good omen at all. This kind focus on emotion and ignoring policy content is what made the mainstream press so irrelevant (and enabled cable and internet to takeover the political side).
Crocodile tears.

[Americano]

Crocodile tears.

Any chance of you introducing yourself in that forum and perhaps describing your political stances?

[Zarquon]

Crocodile tears.
and clarify your 'lashing' at everyone; is it for fun or are you really expressing your opinion?

[Michael]

Crocodile tears.
I see no tears in my post, crocodile or otherwise. :shrug:

[Zarquon]

Kennedy Confidant Named to Take Over Senate Seat

Paul G. Kirk Jr., a former Democratic National Committee
chairman and a friend of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, was named
on Thursday as a temporary replacement in the Senate.Source (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/us/politics/25massachusetts.html?hp)
Anyone here read his memoir (http://www.amazon.com/True-Compass-Edward-M-Kennedy/dp/0446539252/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253819526&sr=8-1), sensational stuff, apparently.

[Lasher]

Any chance of you introducing yourself in that forum and perhaps describing your political stances?
To what end, my friend? Are you curious about Lasher personally, or what? Lasher"s "politics" should be apparent to even the dullest among us, shouldn't they?

[Lasher]

and clarify your 'lashing' at everyone; is it for fun or are you really expressing your opinion?
Lasher has no recollection of "lashing" at anyone in this forum at all. Could you point out any post that you believe does so?

[Lasher]

I see no tears in my post, crocodile or otherwise. :shrug:
Lash was referring to your last sentence where you mentioned the "left blogosphere" and the "mainstream media." No offense intended at all.

[Michael]

To what end, my friend? Are you curious about Lasher personally, or what? Lasher"s "politics" should be apparent to even the dullest among us, shouldn't they?

Rightwing atheists aren't all that common.

[Lasher]

Rightwing atheists aren't all that common.
Nor is Lasher, my friend.

[The Drunk Guy]

Nor is Lasher, my friend.
Aww, you like to feel special, don't you? :lol:

[Donkey]

I haven't heard a lot about this guy who's replacing him, but I am pleased with one thing, his age.

He's what, 71?

[Lasher]

Aww, you like to feel special, don't you? :lol:
No, but Lasher does.