Ted Kennedy, in the end the biggest Kennedy of them all

Ted Kennedy was a spoiled rich kid whose mischief ended up killing a girl one night, and only his family’s wealth and connections saved him from prison.

That’s one way to tell the story, and as far as it goes, it’s tragically accurate. That’s also the one-sentence version of a complex life that many of his bitter enemies preferred to tell and would still prefer today, at Kennedy’s passing at the age of 77.

kennedy

But Kennedy, to his credit, refused to let that sentence or that night confine him, and the country is a better place as a result.

In a strange way, the accident on Chappaquiddick may even have magnified Kennedy’s place in the history books. If it prevented him from becoming president, the supposed pinnacle of political achievement, well, presidents come and go. Even while in office, their impact on the country’s course is often exaggerated, and once their term ends, their power ends and they wander off into a long anti-climax.

Chappaquiddick helped ensure that Kennedy’s life played out in the Senate instead, where over the decades he would accumulate power, build relationships and craft legislation that affected millions of his fellow Americans. Today, Barack Obama is vacationing as president on Martha’s Vineyard — the site of Chappaquiddick — in part because at a critical point in the ‘08 campaign, the Kennedy stamp of approval was placed upon him. Just a few days ago, John McCain mused publicly that the current health-care debate would be playing out very differently had Kennedy been around to guide the behind-the-scenes politics.

Kennedy did make one major grab for the presidency, and it was not his finest moment. His behavior in the 1980 presidential primaries, when he tried and failed to unseat Jimmy Carter as the Democratic nominee, was petty and vindictive. But it also reflected who he was: Beneath the glamor and the glitz, the Kennedys played to win, and politics ain’t for the faint-hearted. They may have played games of touch football on the lawn at Hyannisport, but when it came time for politics, they strapped on the helmets and pads and they would hit you hard. The aristocratic, New England veneer could not always disguise the striving of a hard-nosed immigrant clan.

My grandmother, an Irish Catholic herself, for years kept a shrine of sorts on the fireplace mantle for the sainted John Kennedy. And when I was a kid, my dad was stationed for several years at an Air Force base on Cape Cod, not far from the Kennedy compound in Hyannisport. Whenever a dark-windowed limousine was spotted traveling on Route 3, the only highway from Boston onto the Cape, someone would inevitably nod and say, “Must be a Kennedy.” Limousines were much more rare back then, and the only people anyone could conceive of traveling that way were the local aristocracy, the Kennedys.

Years later, early in my journalism travels when I was working at a small newspaper in western Massachusetts, I ended up meeting Kennedy. What I remember most was not the man but the impact he had on other people. It was my first up-close look at the power of charisma. People came from all over the plant and all over town — secretaries, drivers, ad salesmen, even the gruff, cynical printers — they lined the walls of the newsroom in hopes of seeing a Kennedy, and they became giddy in his presence. That taught me something you can’t find in a poli sci textbook.

The most convincing testament to Kennedy’s aura, however, comes from his fellow senators. They’re an egotistical bunch, 100 would-be presidents in waiting, and they’re not easily impressed with each other. But over the past couple of decades, even Kennedy’s most conservative colleagues would speak of him with respect, even reverence. Given enough time, he had grown into himself, and he left a legacy that far outweighs those of the brothers in whose shadow he struggled.

453 comments Add your comment

Doggone/GA

August 26th, 2009
10:12 am

I think we should all be grateful that Jay provides this forum for all the haters to vent their vitriol. I shudder to think how they would get rid of it if they couldn’t do it here.

USinUK

August 26th, 2009
10:12 am

RW –

MJK wasn’t his girlfriend. and that is SUCH a bogus search, it isn’t even funny.

Independent thinker –

“My dad was a hero…served his country in WWII, was faithful to my mother for 66 years, and provided the best he could for someone who barely finished high school in the depression era. That’s a HERO!”

SA-LUTE!! your dad sounds like he was a good man :-)

RW-(the original)

August 26th, 2009
10:13 am

sfb,

I just pasted your claim into google…

“ted kennedy mary jo kopechne murder”

…and got ZERO results. If you did it without parenthesis you got a hit for any link that contained any of those individual words.

USinUK

August 26th, 2009
10:14 am

doggone – “I think we should all be grateful that Jay provides this forum for all the haters to vent their vitriol. I shudder to think how they would get rid of it if they couldn’t do it here.”

a’splode?

Taxpayer

August 26th, 2009
10:14 am

I tried the gentle approach right before a liberal through his feces at me.

Well, you do seem to have a fetish for urinals.

Gone off the Deep End

August 26th, 2009
10:14 am

No Libs want to talk about what they would say if we found out that Dick Cheney or George W. died today?

Come on!

Doggone/GA

August 26th, 2009
10:15 am

“a’splode?”

No such luck. For some reason shotguns keep coming up before my mental eyes.

RW-(the original)

August 26th, 2009
10:16 am

MJK wasn’t his girlfriend.

Nor was Michael Douglas Laura Welch’s boyfriend and they weren’t even in the same car.

Peadawg

August 26th, 2009
10:18 am

“No Libs want to talk about what they would say if we found out that Dick Cheney or George W. died today?”

You know they’d say something like “R.I.P. but you killed 4000 men in Iraq. I’m glad you’re gone.”

William

August 26th, 2009
10:18 am

Just think Obama will be remembered just like Ted Kennedy! A socialist liar who puts himself and the liberal party before America!

Those who keep saying conservatives are going away must be blogging all day and not watching/reading the news. The democrats are splitting because the American people have dissented against socialist rule. Looks like you are going to lose your seats sooner than I thought

JTK

August 26th, 2009
10:18 am

Another cowardly killer goes to hell. Good riddance, scumbag.

Bosch

August 26th, 2009
10:19 am

ty,

Who said/wrote Kopechne’s death shouldn’t matter?

Mrs. Godzilla

August 26th, 2009
10:20 am

Well, at least there remain some decent Republicans….

Former President George H.W. Bush:

While we didn’t see eye-to-eye on many political issues through the years, I always respected his steadfast public service – so much so, in fact, that I invited him to my library in 2003 to receive the Bush Award for Excellence in Public Service. Ted Kennedy was a seminal figure in the United States Senate – a leader who answered the call to duty for some 47 years, and whose death closes a remarkable chapter in that body’s history.

Former First Lady Nancy Reagan:

I was terribly saddened to hear of the death of Ted Kennedy tonight.
Given our political differences, people are sometimes surprised by how close Ronnie and I have been to the Kennedy family. But Ronnie and Ted could always find common ground, and they had great respect for one another. In recent years, Ted and I found our common ground in stem cell research, and I considered him an ally and a dear friend. I will miss him.

My heart goes out to Vicki and the entire Kennedy family.

Senator Orrin Hatch:

Many have come before, and many will come after, but Ted Kennedy’s name will always be remembered as someone who lived and breathed the United States Senate and the work completed within its chamber. When I first came to the United States Senate I was filled with conservative fire in my belly and an itch to take on any and everyone who stood in my way, including Ted Kennedy. As I began working within the confines of my office I soon found out that while we almost always disagreed on most issues, once in a while we could actually get together and find the common ground, which is essential in passing legislation.

Gone off the Deep End

August 26th, 2009
10:20 am

Peadawg – do you think they would even say RIP? I doubt it.

marie

August 26th, 2009
10:21 am

I am a senior citizen who watched the Kennedy family for decades. They made some terrible mistakes. But I feel as if we (the older citizens who are not wealthly, the poor, the minorities and many more American citizens) have lost a champion for our rights. I have cried. I am in mourning. This family lived lives of service. Some of you will not be able to comprehend this. The Kennedys looked after your rights as well.

El Jefe

August 26th, 2009
10:21 am

Who cares now a days about MJK?

Here was a rich white guy – you know, a capitalist of the first order.

The liberal leanings were just to try an ease the guilt of being rich – poor guy.

I just wonder if the probe to find all the off shore/Swiss secret bank accounts will find any Kennedy money – anyone want to bet?

Gone off the Deep End

August 26th, 2009
10:23 am

Come on Mrs. G! Do you expect anything different from politicians in the public eye? The PR people are all over this.

Fortunately, as the common people, we can say what an a$$hole Kennedy was.

RW-(the original)

August 26th, 2009
10:23 am

Then there was Obama’s off prompter message where he said….. We mourn the passing of Senator uh uh uh (looks at his note card) uh Edward Kennedy.

/I’m not even joking

RealityKing

August 26th, 2009
10:24 am

There’s a special place in Hell for corrupt politicians.., just below frivolous lawyers. No opt out options allowed.

USinUK

August 26th, 2009
10:24 am

… in the meantime … a little good news …

Aug. 26 (Bloomberg) — Purchases of new homes in the U.S. jumped more than forecast in July, adding to signs that the economy is rebounding from the worst recession since the 1930s.

Sales increased 9.6 percent, the most since February 2005, to a 433,000 annual pace, figures from the Commerce Department showed today in Washington. The number of houses on the market dropped to the lowest level in 16 years.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601068&sid=a1_oJT6RLu6k

(go! go! go! reduce that inventory!!)

TW

August 26th, 2009
10:25 am

godless heathen

August 26th, 2009
10:25 am

Jay had to make a crack about the poor man’s weight. The “largest” Kennedy.

Dusty

August 26th, 2009
10:25 am

I only hope Sen. Kennedy did not suffer pain in his last days. And I hope he will rest in peace.

I will say that I am glad he is not in the senate anymore. We need more trust in those in Congress.

As to “hate”, it flows both ways in this blog. Neither “side” is innocent. A man is dead. I do not celebrate or flagellate his character. He is now in better hands than mine to write a judgement.

Gone off the Deep End

August 26th, 2009
10:25 am

Taxpayer – that’s quite convenient, isn’t it?

Double standards are a way of life for you idiots.

getalife

August 26th, 2009
10:25 am

I remember Ted screaming on the Senate floor against w’s destruction of our country.

Yeah, he was one of the good guys and helped Obama to become President.

Midori

August 26th, 2009
10:28 am

The Kennedy’s were and are all about national service.

Thank you Ted.

Taxpayer

August 26th, 2009
10:29 am

Damn, I just pasted “ted kennedy mary jo kopechne murder” into Google and got 83.5 million hits. RW must be using Ogle or Oogle or some other fragment of a real search engine.

dw

August 26th, 2009
10:30 am

Mr. Kennedy – The career politician and a good reason for term limits for all politicians at all levels. Now to the eternal scheme – he now faces God, just like we all will. Please note that I did not attempt to say what the “conversation” is or has been or will be.

AmVet

August 26th, 2009
10:31 am

“OMG. Kerry is the senior senator now.”

Karma is sometimes funny, isn’t it?

“Amvet speaks for more of us than you know.”

Thank you, I appreciate the sentiment very much. And I understand it’s intent and your good will. But honestly I speak ONLY for me.

That several of the putrid deigned respond to my observations is interesting.

NRB’s brilliant retort is illustrative. “Not all conservatives are Jesus freaks, you know.” (BTW, does that sentence still work if you drop the word Jesus? ) Had it only happened sooner.

Which brings me to another observation.

How the putrid members of the right wing mob are occasionally hell-bound “non-believers”.

Yet in every imaginable way they follow their Christian masters. Pick a topic and you’ll soon see. They are forever joined at the political, social and philosophical hip with the bible-thumpers and the Abraham crowd of the three religions.

This malevolent ilk is not very far removed from their Islamoterrorist cousins and masked men who cut off others hands or heads for alleged grievances and “crimes”. Granted they have not done any beheadings or tortures, but ONLY because they and their very vengeful and angry god, along with their bloodlusting desire for torture, murders and witch hunts have been rebuked in this secular nation.

And then there’s Gone off the Deep End. So gutless and vapid, he changes names every thirty minutes to hide. Timidly posting from under your bed is interesting Goner, but not terribly useful.

And then surprisingly (not), Mr. First Amendment himself, the White Welcher, simply says STFU.

Another crippled hater.

I am convinced this animus has NOTHING to do with Kennedy. His passing is just a vehicle for this genitally-challenged mob, like that murdrous loon who couldn’t get laid, to vent their pent up and expanding malice.

Run cowards! But you can never hide as I and your god sees clearly your hatred while you shake under your beds and froth madly like the sea along the sand…

Midori

August 26th, 2009
10:31 am

In RW’s defense, Taxpayer, it’s hard to type if you have paws.

Dusty

August 26th, 2009
10:32 am

I only hope that Sen. Kennedy did not suffer pain in his last days. I hope he will rest in peace.

I will say that I am glad he is not in the senate anymore. We need more trust in those in Congress.

As to “hate”, it flows both ways in this blog. Neither “side” is innocent. A man is dead. I do not celebrate or flagellate his character. He is now in better hands than mine to write a judgement.

RW-(the original)

August 26th, 2009
10:33 am

Not in parenthesis you didn’t and without them it’s over 90 million now

Normal

August 26th, 2009
10:33 am

Dusty

August 26th, 2009
10:25 am

At last, a voice of reason. Well done Dusty!

El Jefe

August 26th, 2009
10:34 am

Midori,

I hate to burst your liberal narrow view of him.

He was all about making sure his family was treated like royalty and avoiding the law.

Amazing how Americas Royalty is always a liberal rich guy.

Taxpayer

August 26th, 2009
10:34 am

Gone off the Deep End

August 26th, 2009
10:25 am
Taxpayer – that’s quite convenient, isn’t it?

Double standards are a way of life for you idiots.

Not really, I just don’t care for some idiot’s ‘what if’ scenarios. Let them die and see what the reaction is. No so-called double standard there.

Dusty

August 26th, 2009
10:37 am

I write a very short piece wishing that Kennedy RIP. So it is up for MODERATION. It was already MODERATE. And after all the stuff I’ve been reading here. Well what should I say? What??

Midori

August 26th, 2009
10:37 am

El Jefe,

why don’t you do some research and get back to me?

Normal

August 26th, 2009
10:37 am

Am Vet, Rare form today…Bravo!

jstrick

August 26th, 2009
10:38 am

RIP Ted Kennedy.

Most of the commenters here are disgusting.

dw

August 26th, 2009
10:38 am

To AmVet,

You are rambling. If someone disagrees with you, you automatically call it hate. It’s called a different opinion.

getalife

August 26th, 2009
10:38 am

Dusty

August 26th, 2009
10:38 am

Well, I have tried TWICE to post a short moderate piece and it has been dumped twice. Now what?

Midori

August 26th, 2009
10:39 am

to help you on your way:

Ted Kennedy held his Senate seat for more than four decades. He authored or argued for legislation that ensured a variety of civil rights, increased the minimum wage in 1981, made access to health care easier for the indigent, and funded Meals on Wheels for fixed-income seniors. His other successes include reducing the voting age from 21 to 18, and Title IX, which gave women’s athletics much better funding.

Bosch

August 26th, 2009
10:39 am

Midori!

Paws!!! Good one. You have to admit it RW.

Dusty has good manners.

Anywho…..how many of us “liberals” were celebrating Robert Novak’s death a few days ago?

Celebrating the death of a man is quite low class…….carry on haters.

Dusty

August 26th, 2009
10:39 am

I have tried three times to post here with only a few lines and it has been dumped. WHY?

USinUK

August 26th, 2009
10:39 am

Amazing how Americas Royalty is always a liberal rich guy

interesting point … but who are the “royal” families?? the kennedy clan is a given. but who else? the bush clan – rich, yes … liberal? eeeehhhhh, not so much.

but who else would be considered royalty? for me, the only names I can think of go back to the gilded age – the carnegies, mellons, astors, vanderbilts, flaglers, morgans … rich, yes, but I don’t think they were necessarily liberal, unless you want to define “liberal” as the legacy they left behind (universities, libraries, etc)

Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)

August 26th, 2009
10:40 am

Well, you got to admit our Conservative friends on this blog done us proud with the way they blasted this Kennedy. Every good redneck knows if you’re going to kill a snake in the road you got to run over it and then stop and back over it to be sure it’s dead. I’m awful happy they didn’t let a little thing like somebody dying keep them from doing their job. Excepting mealy-mouthed Sister Dusty. If the best she can do is just say she’s glad he ain’t in the Senate anymore she needs to turn in her voting card and go over to the side of the librul Democrats.

Gone off the Deep End

August 26th, 2009
10:41 am

AmwayVet – Yeah, under the bed. Ummm yeah, sure…..

Mark

August 26th, 2009
10:41 am

Ted Kennedy is a study in ironic contrasts. His father was an anti-Semitic, Hitler-sympathizing swindler with designs on being the first Irish-Catholic president but alas the time wasn’t right. He then threw all of his power and wealth behind–in particular, his older sons. For his youngest child (an “oops” baby) whom older brothers never took seriously in their lifetimes, to become “The Liberal Lion” and the final patriarch of the old Kennedy clan is perhaps the greatest irony.

He sinned greatly, he lived largely, and he legislated long and broadly. History will be his judge. Requiescat In Pace.

Jay

August 26th, 2009
10:42 am

They’ve all been published, Dusty. Take a look.

Peadawg

August 26th, 2009
10:42 am

“Most of the commenters here are disgusting.”

What he did to that woman was disgusting.

John

August 26th, 2009
10:42 am

It’s supposed to be poor manners to speak ill of the dead. On the other hand, I was always taught that if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything.

I have nothing good to say about Ted Kennedy. I’m not celebrating his death, and I hope he repented.

AmVet

August 26th, 2009
10:42 am

dw, that you cannot see hatred in MANY of these posts is your failure. Not mine.

Or do you seriously fail to see it?

Yes, it is politically safer to give the detestable a free pass. Or quietly and tacitly approve.

I NEVER will.

Not the hatefully hostile on the right, on the left or in the middle…

Midori

August 26th, 2009
10:42 am

Mark,

that was beautiful.

RW-(the original)

August 26th, 2009
10:42 am

You have to admit it RW. Dusty has good manners.

Bosch,

When have I ever given the impression that I thought Dusty had anything but finest of manners?

Bosch

August 26th, 2009
10:46 am

I had to write a letter to Saxby Chambliss for something work related – I need a shower.

HotPockets

August 26th, 2009
10:46 am

Just an awful man. So selfish. Murderer. Good ridance.

Government Control or No Bill

August 26th, 2009
10:46 am

So Mary Jo has now been beating the crap out of fat Teddy for about 9 hours now.

I wonder if it hurts as much in the afterlife to have your eyes scratched out.

Bosch

August 26th, 2009
10:47 am

RW,

You read that wrong. I was joking around with you about Midori’s paw comment.

And also commenting that Dusty showed class by not hating on the dead Senator.

Or are you messing with me now?

Jake

August 26th, 2009
10:48 am

Mrs. G – How about leaving us with “Thou shalt not kill!” There is nothing honorable or decent in speaking kindly of a murdering piece of scum just because he has died. In fact, much like Teddy himself, it reeks of hypocrisy. When Kennedy was running for POTUS, Winship, the long-time editor of the Boston Globe said he knew a professor at Harvard who had all three brothers as students and observed that not only did Teddy share the family flaw of cowardice, but that he was also far and away the dumbest of the three. His entire life was one big fraud, spinning crap for the ignorant masses to gobble up while he accumulated power and riches, drinking and womanizing his way through life. He was no daisy, no daisy at all.

Taxpayer

August 26th, 2009
10:49 am

I believe that, Paws!!! Good one. You have to admit it RW, was independent of the comment regarding Dusty.

Sandman

August 26th, 2009
10:49 am

A quote from Ted Kennedy (source: Esquire: The Meaning of Life; p. 112; interviewed by Cal Fussman):

“Having a child with cancer reaches to the very depths of your soul. Particularly sincethere is so little you can do, yet certainly more that you can do now than when Teddy had it. We were fortunate to have access to good health care. Secondly, fortunate to have health insurance. Many of the parents I met at the hospital had children who were taking a similar treatment. That treatment was to last for two years. Some parents sold their houses to pay for it. Some could only afford twelve or fourteen months of the treatment. They were asking the doctors: ‘What percent does that reduce my child’s chances of being able to survive?’ So you ask me why I’m for health care. I didn’t need a reason before, but that’s a reason I’ll never forget.”

Dusty

August 26th, 2009
10:50 am

OK, all is forgiven. I am back in good graces with the “one who checks our lines” (starts with a “M”.)

Thanks to those of you with kind words. That’s nice!!

Captain Underpants

August 26th, 2009
10:51 am

Goodbye Edward Moron Kennedy.

USinUK

August 26th, 2009
10:52 am

“I have tried three times to post here with only a few lines and it has been dumped. WHY?”

dusty – mysterious are the ways of the bot … (although, it seems like your comments that once were lost have now been found)

Taxpayer

August 26th, 2009
10:52 am

Bosch

August 26th, 2009
10:46 am
I had to write a letter to Saxby Chambliss for something work related – I need a shower

You did not have to make contact with that worthless compassionate conservative family valued Republican scum, did you. Perhaps, some melted sugar applied directly to the point of contact will help.

Hef

August 26th, 2009
10:52 am

Was’nt a big fan of Ted K and his life or beliefs,however today is not the day for that. My prayers go out to his family. RIP

The Ghost of Mary Jo

August 26th, 2009
10:53 am

I don’t care how drunk you get me Teddy, we aren’t having intimate relations. I am a respectable girl! Get your hands out of my DRESS!

Mrs. Godzilla

August 26th, 2009
10:53 am

To Jake

With hope

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Goodness…..on a PHD level…really tough…..

RW-(the original)

August 26th, 2009
10:55 am

Or are you messing with me now?

DING DING DING!

Dusty

August 26th, 2009
10:56 am

Again…OK, Jay.. Never believe the M-o-d-e-r-a-t-o-r when it declares its intentions.

I promise to take a deep breath, take a sip of water, and replenish the bird feeder before I SCREAM next time. Thank you.

mr. mike

August 26th, 2009
10:57 am

Enter your comments here
I am, as reported once or twice previously, a retired military historian. Therefore; rather conservative as all might guess; not a particular “fan” of Senator Kennedy. However; also being a US Army veteran(along with AmVet, Normal & I don’t know how many others on thsi blog); the level of vitriol herein is appalling. Whether conservative/liberal; red state/blue state; Dem/Repub; this is all quite unnecessary. As a veteran; I can only hope that a LARGE # of the contributors herein are not at all representative of the majority of good citizens in this great land.
Dusty & Bosch: Kudos for your classy, refined commentary today.

Rose Kennedy

August 26th, 2009
10:57 am

Teddy…how many times have I told you not to drink and drive. You have killed that beautiful young girl. They will probably put you under the jail for this one and I dont blame them. Papa Joe cant help you Teddy…

Soap On A Rope

August 26th, 2009
10:57 am

Hey, Bosch; you said “I need a shower” – are you admitting to being one of the great unwashed? Hahahahahahaha!

El Jefe

August 26th, 2009
10:58 am

USinUK,

Yes, the robber barons did leave a great legacy, public libraries, hospitals, endownments and other great projects. Real terrible folks.

Todays royalty – hmm, let me think – George Soros comes to mind, along with Al Gore. I know Al is a strech, but he insists that he is right and science be damned – kind of kingly.

We also have the Hollywood types that appear to be royal, Streisand pops up quickly along with Oprah.

Think of the people that if you say one negative thing, no matter what the fact or truth is, you will get hammered.

Hmm, Van Jones appears to be one too.

Cheesy

August 26th, 2009
10:58 am

Did you know they’re giving out free pizza to Camaro owners today? Just sayin’…………….

Bobby D

August 26th, 2009
10:59 am

Enter your comments here

Gone off the Deep End

August 26th, 2009
10:59 am

I think it’s fitting that Ted gets second billing to the founder of Papa John’s, for finding his old Camaro. That sums up Kennedy’s legacy right there.

Government Control or No Bill

August 26th, 2009
10:59 am

Teddy understood his place. He understood that he was the runt of the litter (mentally). JFK’s policies would have been considered conservative compared to the socialism that has creeped into the democratic party. Robert was strong and smart and brave and ready to take on the mob/unions. He died for it, but again: while at the time seeming liberal, his stances today would have him on FOX News every night. No modern liberal had the spine of the two real Kennedy Brothers.

I hated it when John died, but I definitely understood his love of flying. I believe that his disdain for politics stemmed from watching what his uncle had grown to support in the way of radical, marxist socialism/communism.

I’m sure the entire Kennedy clan is heart broken. After all, now who is going to bail them out when they are caught raping young women on the estate?

Rose Kennedy

August 26th, 2009
10:59 am

Teddy, if you continue to behave in such an immoral, stupid and indecent manner you life will be filled with nothing but alcoholic tragedy followed by alcoholic tragedy. Grow up Teddy.

Jake

August 26th, 2009
11:01 am

My sincere thanks for the sentiment Mrs. G. Unfortunately your boy the sham Catholic didn’t practice any of those sermon on the mount virtues and I don’t ascribe to your mysticism. Give me Mother Teresa and I’ll leave you your dead Kennedys.

Joey

August 26th, 2009
11:04 am

Normal;
Your response is that I am reaching.
Yeah, that would be normal for you.

El Jefe

August 26th, 2009
11:05 am

Jake,

What is your “mysticism” ? Even atheists belive in something – usually themselves.

eagle scout

August 26th, 2009
11:06 am

El Jefe you forgot to mention Richard Mellon Scaife, Rupert Murdoch, Sun Myung Moon and a host of other right wing nut jobs who have never done one thing constructive for the U.S.A.

stands for decibels

August 26th, 2009
11:06 am

Not in parenthesis you didn’t and without them it’s over 90 million now

I think you mean quotation marks, not parenthesis, unless your google is different from mine.

And not to belabor this beyond-flogged topic, but I inadvertently (subconsciously?) fed you a hanger over the plate. “Laura Bush Murdered her Boyfriend” happened to be the screen handle of some online loser who cross-posted to Usenet for years; it’d figure that specific phrase turned up a lot of hits.

I could go on more with my original point, which has been utterly lost, about just why it is that our Peadawg wouldn’t have heard about the former First Lady’s accident, but I’ll just say this as food for thought–had a teenaged Michelle Obama (then just Michelle Robinson) run a stop sign and killed a former beau, would there be anyone here who wouldn’t have heard about it by now?

Doggone/GA

August 26th, 2009
11:08 am

“Give me Mother Teresa and I’ll leave you your dead Kennedys.”

I’ll take Ted any day. Yes, Mother Theresa did help the destitute in India, but she did NOTHING to help them better their lot in life. I’ve always been ambivelent about that. What good does it do to be sure someone dies with dignity and gets buried, when you’ve done nothing to help the conditions of their life that made it hell on earth?

Dusty

August 26th, 2009
11:08 am

Is anybody giving out free pizzas for Chevy Cavaliers? Mine deserves one.

TnGelding

August 26th, 2009
11:09 am

Wyld Byll Hyltnyr

August 26th, 2009
10:03 am

Bushes don’t marry “normal” girls. She was society, and that probably worked to her advantage.

Hell is for Haters

August 26th, 2009
11:09 am

Read the Bible, haters.

Bobby D

August 26th, 2009
11:11 am

This is my first visit to the slime pit–and my last. Deliver us all from these self-pitying, spiteful, self-righteous fools who think of themselves as good Americans (well, “think” is a word that does not belong in their lexicon).

Government Control or No Bill

August 26th, 2009
11:11 am

I know the democrats are trying to divert attention away from the takeover of our economy by communist, investigating our CIA and the ever crashing economy, but killing off Teddy?

I think that has gone too far.

Jake

August 26th, 2009
11:11 am

I can’t help it. Whenever I think of Teddy the picture that comes to mind is the one where he is appearing at that sham court, already pre-arranged to only be about leaving the scene of an accident, and that thing had the temerity to wear a cervical collar, months after the murder, just in case he needed a little more sympathy. His hypocrisy knew no bounds.

Normal

August 26th, 2009
11:11 am

Joey, Great come back, kid…jus’ sayin’

AmVet

August 26th, 2009
11:12 am

I too will jump on the “Nice job, Dusty” bandwagon. You go girl. You and I have can and have vehemently disagreed, but I am pledged to doing so civilly.

Unlike the irrationally enraged and intellectually AWOL here who constantly attack personally and insult unprovokedly. And as evidenced by the plethora of minthropic rantings this morning, the list of these emboldened virtual personaes and sociopathic sophists is not short.

Gone off the Deep End, do tell me, how many monikers have you used in the past four weeks? Or four months?

Or is that classified information for the vacuous and assorted teenage mall rats only?

Remember the five rules of dodgeball, Goner: dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge.

But it isn’t gonna help you much. Your vapidity is as obvious as a babboons hind end…

“Amazing how Americas Royalty is always a liberal rich guy.”

???????????

BEYOND myopic.

We just endured 12 out of the past 20 years of a family that arguably steered the USS Uncle Sam towards the rocks and the deranged and forgetful yutzes actually think and write that?

Cowboy-politician
Suckin’ up to the aristocracy
Not even sure if you like democracy
Tryin’ to establish an american royalty, a personal dynasty

From Day Job 1.0

And the neo-conned paroxysm continues…

El Jefe

August 26th, 2009
11:12 am

eagle scout,

I do not see them in the same league.

Rupert Murdoch is not a conservative, but instead a left leaning capitalist provide thousands of jobs around the world.

Richard Mellon Scaife – same here – I do not think of publishers as very kingly, just job creators.

Sun Myung Moon my be a king in his ownmind or his devoted followers, again not much here to be considered royal.

Not your best try – just empty bleating.

Oh Boy

August 26th, 2009
11:12 am

Things that make a person think WTF!!

English:
LUKE 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning falling from the heavens.

Aramaic (the most ancient form of Hebrew)

Baraq (baw-rak’) – A primitive root; to lighten (lightning – cast forth.
Baraq (baw-rawk;) Lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword – bright, glitter (-ing sword), lightning.

English:
Isaiah 14:12-19 – (14:14) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

Aramaic:

Bamah (bam-maw’) From an unused root (meaning to be high); an elevation – height, high place, wave.

Waw or Vau is the 6th letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Translated into either “U” or “O”. WAW (U or O) is used as a conjunction to join concepts together. So to join the phrase “Lightning from Heaven or the Heights” we get Baraq “O” Bam-Maw or Baraq “U” Bam-Maw

Satan in Hebrew is Satan, a direct translation.

English:
LUKE 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning falling from the heavens.

If spoken by a Jewish Rabi today, in Hebrew, he would say these words “ And I saw Satan as Baraq O Bam-maw”

Did Jesus reveal to us the name of the AntiChrist?

Taxpayer

August 26th, 2009
11:13 am

USinUK

August 26th, 2009
11:13 am

Jefe –

“Todays royalty – hmm, let me think – George Soros comes to mind, along with Al Gore. I know Al is a strech, but he insists that he is right and science be damned – kind of kingly.”

George Soros ??? I would bet that most people couldn’t pick him out in a crowd of 1. I mean, I know he’s the right’s favorite bugaboo, but “royalty” (in the same sense as the Kennedys) is a HUGE stretch

The Gores, I might give you – following in his dad’s footsteps and all.

The Clintons.

But Hollywood royalty is, again, something different than the Kennedys. I know that people like to endow Babs with power, but I think that “american royalty” is a stretch. Oprah is a powerhouse, definitely …

I guess, when I think if American royalty, I’m thinking about more than 1 person – something that extends outward to siblings and goes across generations.

The Johnsons … the Hersheys … heck, the Heinzes …

Rev. Right

August 26th, 2009
11:14 am

The sad thing is that most of the people posting here I assume are adults.

it is also sad that this it what passes as rational debate in this country.

the right wing southern christian conservative will cause the demise of this country with their vitriolic and terroristic demeanor is frightening.

The Ajc should ban some of these lowlifes this is truly reprehensible

Government Control or No Bill

August 26th, 2009
11:14 am

Hell is for Haters

Do we really need to read the whole bible?

How about if we just remember how liberals treated anything conservative for the past 9 years?