Kennedy Care? How'd That Work Out For Mary Jo?

Some forty years after Mary Jo Kopechne - and with her, his presidential aspirations, Ted Kennedy is dead, marking the end of an America error era.

Given word of his passing, the Senate, as predicted by Rush Limbaugh, is considering re-naming the health care bill in Ted "The Liberal Liar Lion of the Senate" Kennedy's honor, while also amending it to include mandatory long distance swimming lessons, as well as CPR and breath control classes for all Americans. Apparently one young woman wasn't enough for Teddy. Now he can play a roll in the un-timely demise of more Americans than he could even count.

From his home state, Jules brings word that he won't be down for breakfast. What a shame. I may have given it up, but I still hate to see good Scotch go to waste.

RIP Ted. But let's face it, a model for good health care you never were.

Comments

[Mike2Cents]

You are a class act, Dan.
I'm sure you'll have many takers for the hatefest mat you just rolled out...

[Lala]

Some people deserve to be hated.

[Jon]

Despite his reckless personal life, I liked the policies he stood for, and he was an excellent senator -— may we have many more Massachusetts liberals to take his place.

[JustOneMan]

BREAKING WALL STREET REPORT

The stock of Pernod Ricard - the owner of Chivas Regal, plummeted by 80% on the announcement of Ted Kennedy death. The CFO reported that their sales will be off by more than 50% due to his death. Their latest annual report shows that Kennedy (The Liar of The Senate) was responsible for over 50% of 2008 sales..

Now back to our regular program....

[JeffMA]

I'd like to know why those same people who made, and continue to make, such a big deal of the Chappaquidick incident (for which he was convicted and sentenced, albeit lightly) are not also braying about Laura Bush's (before she was a Bush) killing a 17 year old when she ran a stop sign. She was not even charged with reckless driving at the time.

Here is a man who could have just skidded along, enjoying his family wealth, but he spent his life fighting for issues he deemed important to the average person.

I have been lucky to have this man represent me for the last 40 years I have lived here. Putting aside his specific political views, he compromised and negotiated with all political views and was admired by most of his colleagues in both parties, including Ronald Reagan, his political opposite.

[JustOneMan]

Ummmm.... er.... duh....There was a criminal cover up and Kennedy is a public official?

[Dan Riehl]

Great JeffMA - you appreciated a slovenly drunk write laws that dictate how other people should live, eat, drink, or behave. Such moral clarity you have there, buddy. If Kennedy were a Republican, he never would have had a career in politics at all, despite all of his money.

His liberalism was as much a shield as it was anything else. And he needed plenty of shields this broken man you idolize so much.

[North Dallas Thirty]

I'd like to know why those same people who made, and continue to make, such a big deal of the Chappaquidick incident (for which he was convicted and sentenced, albeit lightly) are not also braying about Laura Bush's (before she was a Bush) killing a 17 year old when she ran a stop sign.

Because they are not required to sugarcoat the behavior of a Kennedy for driving drunk, driving off a bridge, leaving a person in a car to die, then going home and covering up the incident.

Once you take all those into consideration, it seems rather disproportionate to compare the two. But then again, the point here is to cover up for the criminal and reckless behavior of the Obama Party member, which you do admirably.

"Here is a man who could have just skidded along, enjoying his family wealth, but he spent his life fighting for issues he deemed important to the average person."

So to speak. Actually, what he spent his life doing was trying to get working taxpayers to pay for what HE deemed important while skidding along on his family wealth.

Ted Kennedy died a multimillionaire. Considering how he demonized the rich, you have to wonder if he ever intended to live in the hell that he condemned all other multimillionaires to, claiming that they didn't deserve their money, that they were just the beneficiaries of inheritances, and how they deserved to have all their money taken away from them.

[MICHAEL SPENCER]

This was stupid. He made a mistake. Should he be judged by that incident? God is the ultimate judge ( I was so tempted th say judger, like Bush the decider).

I have no problem with discussing his whole life. But bringing up the Mary Jo incident so quickly after his passing shows folks with very little soul.

When these posters pass away, I hope someone goes online and discuss their shortcomings.

[Mike2Cents]

Well, Dan..indeed. Maybe liberals do in fact accept the reality people are human, often flawed, complex, contradictory in many ways. But perhaps we are less focused on all that instead of the work they actually do, and in some cases their very worthy accomplishments.

It can just as easily be suggested that the conservatives demand moral perfection in their reps and too often vote for folks that sell them on that falsity. The push through anti-gay legislation...and then go off an hook up with men. Or perhaps they tour family values as the foundation of America, and then find some hookers and some blow.

Ted K. was indeed a morally flawed man. For you, that's the end of it.
For many it is but one component of a very significant life and body of work.

[Proud Liberal]

another classy post from Danny boy.

[North Dallas Thirty]

"Maybe liberals do in fact accept the reality people are human, often flawed, complex, contradictory in many ways. But perhaps we are less focused on all that instead of the work they actually do, and in some cases their very worthy accomplishments."

Translation: You can be a complete and total hypocrite as long as you're an Obama Party member.

And what makes that statement particularly funny:

"The push through anti-gay legislation...and then go off an hook up with men. Or perhaps they tour family values as the foundation of America, and then find some hookers and some blow."

So what we have here is Obama shill and puppet Mike2Cents stating that liberals do not focus on contradictory behavior, then demonstrating that all he focuses on is contradictory behavior.

Ted Kennedy would have been torn to shreds had he been a Republican, as we see by all the liberal attempts today to crucify Laura Bush. But because Ted Kennedy belonged to the Obama Party, Ted Kennedy is immune from anything of the sort.

[WAHOO WILLIE]

"Well, Dan..indeed. Maybe liberals do in fact accept the reality people are human, often flawed, complex, contradictory in many ways."

The fashionistas say that thigh high boots will be all the rage this fall. Now you know why. Two words for you Mike: BULL SHIT!!!

[WAHOO WILLIE]

"He made a mistake." ??????????????

Really, I had every intention of leaving the Mary Jo parade alone and at least let the body cool off before commenting on the dead,but OMG the BS. An inexperienced driver running a stop sign at 17, sober but not paying attention is a mistake. A grown ass man, getting drunk, cheating on his wife, driving off a bridge leaving a young woman to drown.....then covering it up.....IS HARDLY A FREEKIN' "MISTAKE"

[JeffMA]

No, Ted Kennedy was no saint; and the entire Chappaquiddick affair was certainly a large black mark on his record. Yet you will hardly find, in American politics or amongst the upper 1% income earners, a more dedicated champion of the working class. No, he was not perfect; perhaps he didn't push hard enough for my taste, but he was a gifted legislator, able to forge compromise with conservatives in order to get at least some 'progress' in the direction he wanted to go.

No, he wasn't radical or revolutionary, and he didn't seek to overturn what is still very much an unjust economic and political hierarchy in the U.S. But he came a hell of a lot closer than the vast majority of the conservative, free-market loving elites that generally serve in the Senate to helping alleviate the symptoms of inequality, if not necessarily addressing the source. I, for one, will miss him.

[Wil]

JeffMA

I agree with North Dallas Thirty , Ted Kennedy was just a politician. Honestly, do you really think that he really cared about the average Joe and Jane. Truth be told, he is only interested in himself and his legacy. He never shared the sufferings of the average American due to the laws he helped passed, in fact, he and his family as well as his cronies were known to to be exempted to these same laws. He was an adept politician, I give you that, but a patriot? If the accusations that he tried to made an offer to the then Premier Andropov via the KGB that he was more than willing to help him derail the reelection prospects of then President Reagan in 1984 were valid,then how could he be a patriot when he was more than willing to help the enemy and maintain the status quo or worse . This man deserves nothing but scorn even in death.

[Sarah]

Truly? Some people deserve to be hated?
WWJD?

[WAHOO WILLIE]

".....a more dedicated champion of the working class."

Curious how you would explain that. Because I've yet to see any benefit the "working class" has recieved from any of these rich liberals who empty our pockets to line their own. It's especially ironic considering where Teddy's money came from.....unless of course one considers alcohol to be a boon to the poor and middle class.....

[North Dallas Thirty]

"Truly? Some people deserve to be hated?
WWJD?"

I do so love it when liberals who spit on Christianity, who namecall it as silly superstition, and who call it oppressive and violence-causing then try to ask what Jesus would do.

Furthermore, in the Bible, those who hate wickedness and lawlesness are praised; indeed, in Psalm 97:10, those who love the Lord are told specifically to hate evil.

Perhaps if you had actually read the Bible, or had more than the usual liberal stereotype of Christianity, you might know that.

[S Denvir]

Classy. Very Christian of you.

[Wil]

JeffMA
Unjust economic and political hierachy? Excuse me . Where can you find anywhere in the world, where a motivated poor man given the right tools and opportunity can become become rich and famous or for a wealthy man who have everything in the world can find himself penniless due to his bad decisions. If you want to talk about unjust political hierarchy, then why is it that most of the political dynasties came from the Democratic party . Names like the Kennedys, the Cuomos and the Daleys among others comes into mind.

There's another word for inequalities, that word is envy. Envy is a bottomless pit that cannot be satisfied because it constantly desires even in things that cannot be changed like accidents of birth , genetics and so forth whereas Greed and Selfishness can be limited by various ways like wealth,law,health,ability and space.

[Patricia]

Wil, Reagan conspired with known enemies of the USA to get elected in the first place (Iran-contra and the selling of weapons to keep American citizens held hostage until after the 1980 election), so as far as I care, anything to remove him from office was patriotic.

[bruce of pomona]

Ted Kennedy, Can't we just name a bridge or lake after him?

[WAHOO WILLIE]

Uh....Reagan was already president when that happened.

[Wil]

Oh please, why would I praise the dead when I scorn him when he was alive . Isn't that hypocritical. Remind me, S Denvir , if Mr Kennedy had shed any tears for those who were aborted, if he had shed any real tears when Mary Jo drowned in that river, if he regretted the lies and personal attacks he placed on Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas. Was he very Christian when he was alive, you tell me , but from where I sit, he only used his religion when it best suited him, to keep himself in power.

[Melissa]

Btw WAHOO WILLIE, doesn't the hypocrisy of receiving support from taxpayers while whining about "rich liberals who empty our pockets" worry you? Even a bit?

[Wil]

Patricia
You have the time line and facts all wrong . The hostage crisis already ended years before the Iran-Contra affair started .

[WAHOO WILLIE]

Explain yourself Melissa

[Wil]

Put it this way Melissa, there's a big difference between receiving temporary support from fellow taxpayers and receiving permanent support from taxpayers. And oh btw, those rich liberals especially those who are in politics, they forget to pay their taxes and they can get away with it with a slap in the wrist unlike us who will pay the full consequences if when we fail to pay our taxes.

[WAHOO WILLIE]

I'm still waiting to see what she is accusing me of

[WVUinMN]

Patricia, you are simply a moron...a stupid, ignorant moron at that.

Ted Kennedy ruined the career of Robert Bork, one of the finest federal Judges to ever serve the US. He lied through his teeth, as demonstrated by this infamous statement he made during the Bork confirmation hearings...

"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, schoolchildren could not be taught about evolution, writers and artists could be censored at the whim of the Government, and the doors of the Federal courts would be shut on the fingers of millions of citizens for whom the judiciary is -- and is often the only -- protector of the individual rights that are the heart of our democracy...."

If ANY Republican Senator had made such an ass of himself as did this bloviating idiot, he RIGHTLY would have been run out of Congress with pitch-forks.

He also disparaged our troops in Iraq, basically stating that our treatment of Iraqi POW's was no different than how Saddam treated his enemies. And he did this during a time of war, when US men and women were in harms way.

Surely, Sen. Kennedy is indeed a hero to you and other leftists. And that alone speaks volumes about what a dreadful lot you and yours have become.

[WAHOO WILLIE]

Guess she just swooped in to cast aspersions on her way to MoveOn....typical

[Lala]

The Kennedys were tightwads. They would buy the cheapest possible ticket on National Airlines to West Palm Beach and then weedle their way into first class.

[SacTownMan]

"Well, Dan..indeed. Maybe liberals do in fact accept the reality people are human, often flawed, complex, contradictory in many ways."

I feel so much better knowing that the whole hopey, changey mantra has filtered down to the Soros underlings!!!

They are always so well balanced, thoughtful and engaging in their posts!!

Let's all sing along shall we??

Kumbaya, my Lord, kumbaya

Kumbaya, the Lord, kumbaya
Kumbaya, my Lord, kumbaya
O Lord, kumbaya!!!

There now don't we all feel better now that the sensitive and compassionate trolls have shown their softer side??

ROTFLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Patricia]

Wil-- Reagan promised the Iranians weapons if they kept the hostages until after the election. Learn your history.

[Evil Red Scandi]

I just loooooove how when you comment on the bad behavior of a progressive they justify it with bad behavior by a conservative. By their logic (and no I'm not actually suggesting this - just making a comparison) we should be able to leave Michelle Obama to drown in a sinking car because, hey, their side had one.

Evil, nasty human beings are evil, nasty human beings regardless of which side of the isle they're on. And some people (especially politicians) are pretty good at hiding exactly how evil they are. The instructive difference between progressives / neo-liberals and conservatives / libertarians is in how they behave when one of their own is exposed. Conservatives are pretty good at policing their own - look at how much support Larry "Wide Stance" Craig, Randy Cunningham, Mark Foley, etc. got when their deeds were brought to light - they were shunned and hung out to dry. Contrast this with how progressives / neolibs will cover ears and scream racism / sexism / pigism when confronted with the deeds of William "Cold Cash" Jefferson, Diane "land deal" Feinstien, and Teddy "Designated Driver" Kennedy.

The real irony is that the people who scream so loudly that they are the voice of women are willing to put everything on the line for the clan of serial molesters and rapists that is the Kennedy Family.

[Patricia]

Clarence Thomas is an imbecile, and Robert Bork a crypto-fascist.

And WVUinMN is a disgusting example of the worst of religion-soaked human stupidity.

[WAHOO WILLIE]

"Wil-- Reagan promised the Iranians weapons if they kept the hostages until after the election. Learn your history."

That's right Wil. The adminsitration started the weapons deal in 1983 hoping to affect the 1980 election......wait a minute. I suppose Patty also believes Oliver North acted alone.

[James]

Given his body of work over 46 years, I see a man who was seeking redemption, for himself and his family, a champion of people of no means for 46 years. That he was imperfect tells us he was quite human.

46 years.

This allowance for redemption used to be an American value. No more.

And not so long as the zealots who control our govt. tell us their idiotic holy books say it's OK to hate. This was not acceptable in the 3rd grade, and it certainly has no place in the public square.

[WAHOO WILLIE]

"Clarence Thomas is an imbecile, and Robert Bork a crypto-fascist."

Wow, it took longer than I thought to turn Patty's reasoned arguments into inaccurate name calling.........

"I just loooooove how when you comment on the bad behavior of a progressive they justify it with bad behavior by a conservative."

Like when cons bring up the grand poobah of the KKK (just wonder where all those bones are buried) the libs start stutterring about Trent Lott.

[Mike2Cents]

"The Kennedys were tightwads. They would buy the cheapest possible ticket on National Airlines to West Palm Beach and then weedle their way into first class."
Horrors!
How can these people live with them selves?

Wahoo...you say B.S. - but I say not B.S.
I'm not a fan, politically speaking, of Reagan or Nixon - but there's much about their lives and stories that I find compelling...even, dare I say, touching (mores so w/ Ron than Rich).
Ted K's life&story is a rich and compelling one, full of peaks and valleys and much in-between.
Most interesting, nobody here knew him at all personally...so there's myth building on both sides.
(Or perhaps 'B.S.' on both sides.)

[James]

By his own admission, Clarence Thomas in his writings speaks often and deeply about an anger that has never abated. Anger thus has no choice but to become rage. Based on his opinions, his seeming disinterest in oral arguments (an essential part of the case record and judicial history), and his performance at his own confirmation hearings, I do not believe him to be qualified to sit on the Court. Anita Hill had no reason to lie, other than the ones put there by the opposition. I watched those hearings closely, a dark chapter in the Senate. And I believe Anita Hill. Rage would blind a man to such an earth-shattering admission.

Robert Bork's notion of majority demographics is now demonstrably lacking, opinions better suited to the 19th century.

[Patricia]

I quit. It is useless to try to discuss things with someone so oblivious to reality. Why would it be called "Iran-contra" if it didn't involve the Iranian hostages? Who were released on Reagan's INAUGURATION DAY?
Bork is a fascist, and everything TK said about him was true.
Thomass is an idiot and a sexual predator.
WAHOO WILLIE will soon be plonked, I'm guessing.

[Melissa]

Wil:

"And oh btw, those rich liberals especially those who are in politics, they forget to pay their taxes and they can get away with it with a slap in the wrist"

Right on, brother! Acknowledgment of this undeniable fact throws into sharp relief the situation faced by rich conservatives, especially those who are in politics, who invariably go to jail for life when they forget to pay their taxes.

[WAHOO WILLIE]

Sorry Mike, the only "myth" I've mentioned is this: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/JFKkopechne.htm

I dont really care about rumors or what extended family are accused of....They have to answer for that. I care that greed cost an insurance salesman's daughter her life.

[MARIM]

THIS MAN CHEATED ON HIS WIFE FOR YEARS. SHE ENDED UP HURT & DEPENDENT ON ALCOHOL. THIS DIDN'T BOTHER OLE TED. HE KEPT AT IT TO THE END OF THEIR MARRIAGE. HIS WIFE JOAN WAS GORGEOUS & VERY GIFTED. BUT THOSE KENNEDY MEN WERE ALL GREEDY WHEN IT CAME TO CONQUERING ANY WOMAN THEY COULD SUCK IN. ONE OF THOSE WOMEN, GOOD OLD TEDDY LEFT ON THE LAKE BED IN THE BACK SEAT OF HIS CAR IN CHAPPAQUIDDICK WHILE THE SLIME BALL SLIPPED OUT OF THE CAR & SWAM BACK TO HIS HOTEL, MEANWHILE, MARY JO STRUGGLED TO BREATHE IN THE BACK OF THAT CAR. NEXT MORNING THE TEDDY BEAR WAS BACK TO MONKEY BUSINESS AS USUAL. THE GUY DENIED HE WAS THERE AND GOT ONE OF HIS HOMEYS TO LIE FOR HIM. BUT MARY JO WAS DEAD -- & IT DIDN'T SEEM TO BE AS IMPORTANT AS THE KENNEDY REPUTATION. THE OLD MAN WAS A REAL STELLER GUY TOO. HE WAS A CONSTANT CHEAT - ON HIS WIFE ROSE. AND JACK - OH JACK ---- HIS WIFE WAS DESIRED BY MEN ALL OVER THE WORLD -- NOT ENOUGH FOR JFK THOUGH. THEY WERE ALL TAINTED - YOU THINK! BUY HEY THEY SURE KNEW HOW TO USE WORKING STIFFS MONEY TO PAY FOR THEIR CONSTITUENCY. TILL CARTER & OBAMA CAME ALONG THEY WERE THE KINGS OF THE WELFARE STATE -- GET UP OFF YOUR FAT DUFFS LIBERALS & MAKE YOUR OWN LIVING. HAND A MAN A BUCK, HE'LL SIT AROUND & WAIT FOR MORE -- TEACH A MAN HOW TO MAKE AN HONEST BUCK, HE'LL LEARN HOW TO TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF

[Ad rem]

Rush Limbaugh said it best upon the opening of his show.....

"Ted Kennedy was the Lion.........but, we were his prey."

[WAHOO WILLIE]

"I quit."

Buh bye and kisses Patty, dont let that screen door hit you in da arse on the way out.

[James]

Now, do not get me wrong: Joseph and Jack Kennedy are NOT my idea of poster-boys for the modern democratic party. We might recall that reporters did not speak about the womanizing which was off the charts. However, in the months before JKF's death, a sex scandel in the UK brought down the PM because reporters began to forego that unspoken rule.

I think JFK would have been brought down by the same had he not expired. In this, Oswald's idiocy is complete.

But none of this is related to Ted, who I regard as a public servant beset by tragedy both inward and outward, who hung in to the end to fight for those who have nothing. His mark is enduring, and there will never be another like him.

Hang in there, Patricia!

[WAHOO WILLIE]

Jack may have been a cheat but Teddy couldn't even shine his shoes, much less wear them.