Sen. Edward M. Kennedy 1932 - 2009
August 26, 2009 3:51 am ET by Karl Frisch
"Ted Kennedy was a true American statesman. The values that he so eloquently and tirelessly championed represent the best of our American ideals. He reached across the aisle to get hard work done but never sacrificed principle. Though he is gone, the dream will forever live on. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Vicki Kennedy, the Senator's family, his loyal staff and the millions of lives he touched throughout his historic life and career." - Eric Burns, President of Media Matters for America
We invite you to post your memories of Sen. Kennedy in the comments section of this post.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy 1932 - 2009
Sen. Kennedy made a difference in the lives of the less fortunate
i wish more public officials had his passion he will be missed
my thoughts and prayers are with Sen Kennedy's family
On a side note, every network right now is providing wall-to-wall coverage on the Senator's death except Fox. What pathetic low-life anti-American scum.
Wait, what am I saying?
438 times combined.
Holy Joe Scarborough (R-FL) just brought it....I'm not kidding.
For my part, I didn't particularly admire Senator Kennedy as a man. Much like President Clinton, I found the human flawed, but the legislator to be admirable. And much like with Presidedent Clinton, I was always amazed that his critics could hate him so much and yet always fail to point to anything substantive to criticize. It was always BS or personal stuff (like Chappaquidick, just as with Monica Lewinksi) rather than legislative or philosphical (which they distorted even when they did delve into this), forgetting of course their own legion of less than morally upstanding citizens on thier side of the aisle.
"Oh, all the comrades that ever I had
are sorry for my going away.
And all the sweethearts that ever I had
would wish me one more day to stay.
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not...
I'll gently rise, and softy call,
Good night, and joy be with you all."
Cheers, Senator.
Ted Kennedy is the last of a legacy and needs to be remembered for the work he did on behalf of minorities and women. Unfortunately, Chappaquidick is a part of his past and a remembrance of his life is incomplete by not mentioning it. But hopefully, people will take this day to primarily show respect for the service he gave to his country.
Online, were all vile. I'll give you that. But let's see what Limbugh, Coulter, Beck, Hannity, O'Rielly, & Savage have to say about Kennedy, and compare it to what Olbermann, Maddow, Schultz, Mathews, Colmes, etc... ever said about Novak, Snow, Helms, Thurmonds, Reagan, Nixon, etc... in the day/week/month following their deaths.
No comparison, dude. Your chosen spokepeople just have no class.
We'll accept your apology after Limbaugh et all get rolling on their "bash Ted Kennedy" kick as their shows come on the air today.
Limbaugh eulogizes Kennedy, "the lion of the Senate ... and we were his prey"
p.s. I'm sure that some things people "say" about him were false, and other things were true.
http://tpmtv.talkingpointsmemo.com/tag/ted%2Bkennedy?id=3285858
Obama expands Warrantless Wiretaps
Specific enough?
You keep up your prattling though. If you tell yourself it didn't happen enough times you'll eventually believe it!
Yes this does disturb me about the Obama administration and should be fought. I was against it when Bush did it and I'am against President Obama continuing it. You see I'am not an authoritarian and I don't blindly follow individuals which allows me to criticize them when they go against the common good. Unlike many on your side that called Bush's policies protecting America and consider any and every policy President Obama proposes as "bad." "...This brief and this case are exclusively the Obama DOJ's, and the ample time that elapsed -- almost three full months -- makes clear that it was fully considered by Obama officials," Greenwald wrote. "Yet they responded exactly as the Bush DOJ would have. This demonstrates that the Obama DOJ plans to invoke the exact radical doctrines of executive secrecy which Bush used -- not only when the Obama DOJ is taking over a case from the Bush DOJ, but even when they are deciding what response should be made in the first instance."
"Everything for which Bush critics excoriated the Bush DOJ -- using an absurdly broad rendition of 'state secrets' to block entire lawsuits from proceeding even where they allege radical lawbreaking by the President and inventing new claims of absolute legal immunity -- are now things the Obama DOJ has left no doubt it intends to embrace itself," he adds.
These are not new policies and broadening the legal claims for governmental immunity(which you take as broadening the scope of the spying)are embracing Bush policies. It's wrong headed and bad like I said but lets be frank, while you wrote this post to criticize President Obama when G. Bush was doing it your side called anyone against it as being weak on terrorism or wanting to "coddle" terrorist and not wanting to take the steps to protect America. I'am curious are you against this spying program becuase Obama is doing it or because it's wrong? Did you criicize GB?
"[A] former analyst at the National Security Agency revealed on MSNBC’s “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” that Bush’s National Security Agency “monitored all communications” of Americans and that U.S. news organizations and individual journalists were specifically targeted.
Former analyst Russell Tice told Olbermann that, “The National Security Agency had access to all Americans’ communications—faxes, phone calls, and their computer communications. And it didn’t matter whether you were in Kansas, in the middle of the country, and you never made any foreign communications at all.”
The above article linked among other s to this article which I'll link for all to see and I'll post your reply to a poster who PEGGED what you were doing perfectly. The article:
http://mediamatters.org/columns/200601210001
your post in response to this poster who sited this article;
by Tbone Slickens (January 31, 2009 1:34 pm ET)
Which journalist were spied on? I saw speculation and projection but no hard facts...
Reply Report Abuse
by eweston8542983 (January 31, 2009 8:16 pm ET)
How many need to be spied on for your concern to emerge?
Crooks and Liars, firedoglake, and raw story had columns on it. They indicated that it was widespread, 90% plus of the MSM folk.
Reply Report Abuse
by eweston8542983 (January 31, 2009 8:21 pm ET)
Ferget it, if you didn't look at the links above you're not interested in anything but minimzing the issue.
Reply Report Abuse
by Tbone Slickens (February 01, 2009 11:51 am ET)
The link above did not name names. Where is your link to the far left wing fear, tin-foil hat site?
So despite the aricles listed in the article you couldn't find enough proof this was going on and proceeded to belittle the article about Bush's spying and call names to poster that called you on it. In other words you put your fingers in your ears and closed your eyes and pretended you didn't see. Well i'am glad you opened your eyes but your hyprocrisy is blinding me!
(And I'll bet you a Coke.)
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/08/26/breitbart-kennedy-twitter/
Yup, as expected, the reich have no class!
Yup, the reich is so full of hatred for Kennedy that they couldn't even wait for the body to get cold before they embarked on their hate parade!
Oh, and I've watched O'Reilly for years. There is no honest debate and if differing opinions are given, they are shouted down by O'Reilly. My grown son laughs out loud at O'Reilly . . . he thinks he's a total egocentric jerk, as do I.
He is a demagogue.
He's cut mics maybe "5 or 6" times on his television program; he does that routinely on the radio--well, he hangs up on them there.
And I'm sure you're familiar with this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tJjNVVwRCY
That clip pretty much sums up what this guy is like all the time...when he's not being snide and lying through his teeth that is.
That being said, he might be one of the more "fair" voices on FOX. Compared to Beck or Hannity, he's a regular Walter Cronkite. But compared to anyone on CNN or MSNBC or anywhere else, he's just Bill O'Rielly.
That being said, I don't think anyone should talk ill of people that have just died. There was plenty of time to do that when they were alive.
I see that you provided nothing. As per usual.
Comparing Novak to Kennedy is obtuse at best. Swing and a miss. That is dr matts post, get it?
And BTW, do you know how to search or do you always need someone else to do your work for you?
You are wrong again, as usual.
Let's see what Limbugh, Coulter, Beck, Hannity, O'Rielly, & Savage have to say about Kennedy, and compare it to what Olbermann, Maddow, Schultz, Mathews, Colmes, etc... ever said about Novak, Snow, Helms, Thurmond, Reagan, Nixon, etc... in the day/week/month following their deaths.
No comparison, dude. The right's chosen spokepeople just have no such class.
When Robert Novak died, there were a handful of people on Daily Kos who said something along the lines of, "I'm glad he's dead!", but for as many people saying that, there were twice as many people saying that what they were saying was shameful and had no place being said. The overall tone was "Poor guy. Rest in peace," with very little gloating, and very little "hope he's burning in Hell!" remarks.
When Walter Cronkite died? The tone in the comments of the right-wing blogs, especially the Free Republic, were jubilant, almost, or vitriolic in the very least. The cries of "traitor!" and so on were running strong, and very few people even bothered with a "Rest in peace" or even a "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all" (which there were a few of on dKos). It was disgusting.
And, to no suprise, O'Racist only covered the so-called negative comments about Snowjob.
There's certainly no monopoly on inappropriate comments made online, and I've been guilty of that myself at times.
But the media spokepeople should represent the BEST of what a given movement has to offer. Internet comments (excepting those on MMFA! LOL) typically represent the worst... of both sides.
http://tsfiles.wordpress.com/2008/07/14/death-of-tony-snow-more-leftist-venom-spills-forth/
The LA Times has a moderated blog which had the following remarks allowed about Tony Snow:
I hope the rest of these criminals die too. Good riddance to a person who contributed to making this world a worse place. – Posted by: Max | July 12, 2008 at 05:58 AM
Its unfortunate he won’t be able to see the damage he helped inflict on this country and the world. I wonder how he likes hell. – Posted by: tedson | July 12, 2008 at 06:27 AM
Was anyone more perfectly named for their job? Tony’s Snow-jobs about Bushian idiocy only helped sink the nation into the hole where we are now. – Posted by: Johnsy | July 12, 2008 at 06:58 AM
Good riddance , we still have a white house full of liars
and American soldiers being slaughtered. if Cheney strokes
then change will begin , as for Bush he is just to stupid
to die and when he dies bury him at home in IRAQ.
- Posted by: slimjim66 | July 12, 2008 at 07:30 AM
This outrage indicates why new legislation should be put in place to require a regular colonoscopy for Snow’s cohorts in propaganda. (Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck etc) Only a careful inspection of their alimentary tracts will prevent their insolent, hatefilled cancer from developing and spreading. – Posted by: Passing LostAnglos | July 12, 2008 at 07:38 AM
The question begs to be asked, is it possible to die when you don’t have a soul.
- Posted by: Chad | July 12, 2008 at 09:38 AM
Oh YES HE WAS A WONDERFUL MAN AND A …..
PUUULLLEEEASE
THIS PERSON HAD A MAJOR PART IN THE MOST EVIL ADMINISTRATION THIS COUNTRY HAS EVER SEEN.
DEATH AND TORTURE, ILLEGAL WARS, WAR CRIMINAL SOLDIERS, GOOD RIDDANCE
CANCER WAS TOO GOOD FOR HIM
HOPE IT WAS PAINFUL.
NOW FOR THE REST OF THIS SCUMMY ADMINISTRATION. COME ON CANCER, DO YOUR GOOD WORK…………
- Posted by: perry | July 12, 2008 at 02:26 PM
I am very tough on Kennedy, but today is not the day for that. R.I.P Sen Kennedy.
Sometimes, fairliberal, you're somewhat amusing as you argue yourself into a corner. Today, you're just being stupid.
I guess that is too complicated for you.
Show me a single MEDIA VOICE from the left that said vile things about Tony Snow or Bob Novak in the WEEK following their death and I'll take it all back.
I'll bet you can't. Becuase Olbermann wouldn't, Maddow wouldn't, Colmes wouldn't, WaPO wouldn't, NYT wouldn't. Basically no voice in the liberal media would sink so low. The absurd comaprison you're making isn't Snow vs. Kennedy, it's LIMBAUGH & Co. vs. some schmuck on the internet.
"That's the difference between liberals and conservatives."
That was in response to this (emphasis mine):
I guess in the future I should check in first to see which set of rules are in place on any given day or thread. It seems the standards vary quite a bit.
Here, on the other hand, the conversation was about the media. That makes a difference in how you understand what is said. "Context". If his quote was all by itself, then it would sound like it was more general.
Eddie explained what he meant, and the context backs it up. Let it go.
I mean: shame on me for assuiming you had the intelligence to make such an difficult inference. Such a leap of logic that it requred.
But then I forgot: You are a conservative. So maybe you DID make the inference, but seeing that I was right, decided to make an argument based on completely irrelevant data, in hopes that you confuse everyone enough to "win." (Won't work. Better con's than you have been doing that for far too long for us to fall for it anymore.)
So which is it? Was it a FAIL in reading comprehension? Or a FAIL in reasoning, becuase your pride wouldn't let you concede the point?
Though what you say about Snow may be correct, not ONE liberal media personality brought it up right after his death. (Nor did they of Novak, Reagan, Nixon, Thourmond, Helms or ideed any others.)
Comments, on a blog, or elsewhere don't really count. Freeper, as bad as their comments are, I look towards the article that they are commenting on. And that column was negative and ridiculous as well.
Fairliberal, or others, can't show us where in the media someone talked bad about Snow or Novak as per recent examples.
We'll see how their lot behanves...
My "friend" is addicted to Fox . . . and Lifetime Movie Network! Seriously.
Nobody on here, I doubt, would say what Kennedy did that night was right. I don't think anyone would defend it. But, really, how many times must a man apologize for something before others can move on?
Also, since the typical criticism of someone from the right about Kennedy is that "he killed someone" tells me that they know nothing about what he's done for his country over the years.
Apparently, not enough. I just believe talking ill of someone the day they died is just in bad taste.
Laura Bush killed someone too. How come we didn't hear about that every single time she opened her mouth? Oh, I know why. Because grown ups forgive, and move on.
Apples & oranges Mag. Senator Kennedy did not report the accident till the following morning. Did not try to get help from a nearby home whose lights were on. Perhaps if he had, Mary Jo Kopechne would have survived the accident.
But today is not the day to dwell on this. While I did not hold Kennedy in high esteem as a legislator or as a man, my sympathies go out to his family just as they would to any family that lost a loved one.
Kennedy attempted to reach Kopechne, but couldn't get to her. He left the scene, most likely due to shock . . . it happens. We had a case where a driver wandered off and was missing for 8 hours. He was found in the middle of a field, leaning against a tree, with no memory of the accident. It happens.
Kennedy left a woman to drown by leaving the scene & not seeking help.. And then didn't report the accident until the next day after consulting with lawyers.
Snoop I think we can both agree Bush & Kennedy were negligent drivers. One went through a Stop sign, one off a bridge. The difference is what occurred in the aftermath of both accidents. Laura Bush didn't take off, either by driving away, or running away on foot. Kennedy left the scene & did not seek help or report the accident till the next morning after consulting with his lawyers.
Off topic but important [well to you & me]...my sweetheart & your good friend Miz Julia is off vacationing in California. Yes Snoop she's just your good friend!!! I know what a hound you are ;-) I wonder if she's off cavorting with the Colonel!?! :-O
That hurts, BTW! ;)
Glad you're back, we need your valued insight around here!
Ted Kennedy was an imperfect man that did alot of good in the world and tried to leave it a better place for those living and yet to be borned. I feel the scorn from many cons on this site has less to do with what happened the night of the accident and more to do with the policies and people he fought for and the side of the aile he stood on .
Damn the writer of "Amazing Grace" was once a captain of a slave trading ship does that deminish the beauty and power of that song?
You are exactly right, and what is rdiculous is the comparison of a 37 year old who had been drinking all day and a 17 year old who had not been. But some are blind to the facts , at least when it is convenient to do so.
...says prime example #1. And I'd further say when it's not convenient too.
In your world those 2 situations are comparable? I wonder what your opinion would be if the 37 year old had been Bush and the 17 year old was Michelle Obama. Somehow I suspect a different opinion.
As a long time reader (but relatively new poster), may I say welcome back?? Your comments have been missed, even by us pinkos :)
And, as I'm sure you know, I generally use that term "pinko" & a few others...like "moonbat" with affection & tongue in cheek. A lot of the Libs here are folks I respect & like very much.
What pathetic low-life anti-American scum.
But I must admit, that is a great discription of yourself, well done.
Meghan Kelly going off on "Where did summer go?" because they were talking about H1N1 at college campuses.
And right at this second. Meghan Kelly talking to a guy named Dave Williams bringing up tea parties while talking about a story about US prisoners getting stimulus checks.
But it's the ONLY topic Fox has covered.
Try it again. Not when you can be proven wrong with a channel clicker.
See, I watch all the channels in the morning. I like to see what everybody is saying.
And in your post right below this you mention they were covering it as a breaking news story. So which is it?
And the wonderful thing is, you don't get to decide anyone's afterlife for them. It's a universal law: he who tries to create a hell for someone else will burn with their own emotion.
Christians believe that we are all flawed and we are all sinners, but that we are saved through Christ. Try again.
This opened the flood gates to the third world. Since then, America has paid an incalculable price. Third world people by the tens of millions (legal and illegal) have innundated this country, placing huge burdens on our taxpayers for education, medical care, housing and special social programs, not to mention the erosion of our culture, language and heritage, thus depriving us of our RIGHT to our own country!
We the people NEVER ASKED to be "multi-culturalized", but the likes of Ted Kennedy shoved it down our throats anyway.
I also think that there's a poem on the base of the Statue of Liberty that predates this legislation. You might want to look it up.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2324724/posts
I mean, just that one example of a commentor comparing Kennedy to Hussein says it all really. They've got no respect for their political foes at all.
At least with Reagan, for myself, I respected the man, hates his policies, and didn't say bad things about him when he died. Same for Nixon, and other right wing bastions.
I think one thing lots of people forget about Kennedy was that, even though he was as liberal as they come (thank God for that), he still worked in a bi-partisan manner when he was addressing legislation of great importance, and would try to get others on board with him.
Anyway, he'll be missed.
It's OK to do it to Kennedy because some did it to Snow? No, it's not right in either case. I don't care who you are.
For two I don't think you can find a republican in recent history with Kennedy's record. Much less one who died in harness, working to the end for what he thought important.
Apparently, they forgot that Kennedy was a good catholic. Went to mass, and held up his faith privately, which in their terms, means he's heading to Heaven no doubt, as he has no doubt gone to confession many times over the years, and confessed for his transgressions, and has asked for God's forgiveness.
Of course, there were the cries of, "The MSM attacked Reagan right after he died!!" Showing no examples of this. I seem to remember the MSM only talking about the great things Reagan did after he died, and rightfully so really. When someone dies, we want to remember the good stuff. Heck, they even showed good things about Nixon after he passed.
In some of their comments, they say, things along the lines of, "Well, when Hitler, Mao, and Mussolini died, we talked bad about them, so bad people deserve to be talked badly about..." bearing in mind, the only reason these folks think Kennedy was bad was because he was a democrat.
I tried to watch the coverage of Raygun's death. It was an utter slobber-fest. They were excessively placating him and the radical kkkonservative movement for days. I suppose the teabagging freepers are upset because the librul MSM didn't anoint Ronnie Raygun as "God and Savior of the United States"?
Or that he negotiated with terrorists.
Are you a congressman who has not read the bill. There are about ten pages related to death panels in section 1322 in the house bill(hurts when Palin is right). To be fair its mostly about how to compensate the panels offering "end of life counseling". What is more amazing is you just don't get how evil this is.
This is not about the fact that some people will find themselves terminally ill and that it might be beneficial to plan for this. You might involve your family, your personal attorney or doctors, but why would you involve the enity (be it government or insurance) that would otherwise have to pay for treatment if you don't opt for the $5 hemlock pill. This is about liberty. What consitional provision is there for the government to be counseling folks to kill themselves.
That's because the ONLY difference the PROPOSED bills say is that the government would reimburse the doctor for this counseling session. That's it. Quit fearmongering. It's not good for you nor the country.
And rest assured that if it passes this clown will be at the front line crying about how there wasn't enough time to read a bill they never intended to read.
Hopefully, this country will honor your memory with a full expansion of Medicare very, very soon as my younger sister (37) is at this time suffering the exact same type of brain tumor (since October) and situation as you, only now, as of last week, her husband was told that the insurance will no longer pay for the therapies even though there is at least another year of therapies necessary. But I digress...
Sadly sir, I get the nasty feeling that it will be by the end of today when the right-wing attacks will start on you...
Although, I think I can speak for most of us that come in here.....
That we here at MMfA's blog forum doing our small part in defending that which you valiantly fought for and you.
With appreciation,
captfoster2
I'm so sorry. My thoughts are with you and I hope that your sister's family finds a way to get the therapy she needs.
-Gretchen
And since he couldn't define his reasons for running for president, he didn't get the nomination.
In a life full of tragedy you were a light! RIP.
I hope the next generation of Kennedy's carries on your and your brothers and sisters legacy.
His was an imperfect humanity. He was one of the people - a restless soul, on a mission to serve the country and the people he loved. I miss him already.
Rest in peace, brother. We continue in your honor.
Willing to work with the opposition.
I don't think he ever demonized members of that opposition.
He new his limits and worked hard within them.
In a better place I hope, now united with his brothers and other friends who passed on ahead of him.
I worked for his ill-fated campaign in 1980, and had the privilege of seeing him, albeit from a distance when he visited the Indiana University campus.
His death should inspire those Americans who have privilege and take it for granted, filling their lives with empty possessions, to reach out to the dispossessed, and offer a little of themselves to assure a great country for everyone.
PASS THIS HEALTH CARE REFORM BILL.
Call after call about how they are glad to see him go..
I hate these people here with no class... As I wait on the phone to correct these fools.. a guy just said "He did nothing for this country and RIP Mary jo", These fools have no clue as to the History of this GREAT MAN.
I think it is time to Move... Only a Million people in this state.. I think I have found 5 that I like.
"...But even his flaws was instructive...He was a man trying to live right while sometimes doing wrong, a common moral dilemma for most of us...he was a man who was deeply human,deeply flawed and yet truly amazing..." -----Michael Eric Dyson
You've fought the good fight and changed the world for the better making the world a better place to live your rest is well deserved and you will be missed but remembered for ever. Thank You
Yet, I got a drive-by thumbs down. Some people have no class and no shame.
Medic!
Oh, and speaking of healthcare, there's another thing Kennedy almost ruined! I mean, if he'd had his way back in the 60's, and again in the 90's, we'd be on Communist Health Care! It would have destroyed our country if we even came close to that; after all, to pay for such a thing, we'd either have to stop going to war so often, or maybe raise taxes! How can they raise taxes a few percent, when we have so little left after using 20-40% of our income to pay our good capitalist American health insurance companies. That evil man from Massachusetts obviously didn’t understand the American people. I am so glad he’s dead.
He was such a hateful bigot that he used the entire federal government to target blacks and other minorities under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the even more radical Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1982! How could any but the most evil of men support such a thing? If he'd only been like Strom Thurmond or Trent Lott, both of whom knew that the best way to ensure racial equality was to separate ethnic groups, so they wouldn't fight or anything.
And of course, since he never did anything good with his life, we need to focus on his brutal, completely purposeful slaying of someone we wouldn't give a hoot about (and would probably vilify if she was alive, due to her associating with such an arch-socialist), except that she was killed by a liberal, and thus we need to talk about her constantly, 40 years later.
You silly liberals, how can you say he's so great? How can you call him a hero when he was born into the most privileged family in the nation? While most sons of rich families were doing good wholesome things like spreading their parent's wealth around (like the Gipper would have wanted) by buying American boats and eventually losing their parent's fortunes to good honest American loan sharks, he and his brothers were associating with evil communists, like that race-baiting "Reverend" Martin Luther Jr. (who couldn't have had a Doctorate, they don’t give them to commies. Unless, of course those pinkos want to become latte-sipping, elitist professors) and we all know that "Reverend" Luther knew that Islamofacist terrorist Malcom X, so that means that the Kennedy was a terrorist sympathizer with secret ties to Osama Bin Laden back in the 60's! Kennedy did WTC!!11eleventyone!
…Whew, excuse me, it's just that he just ticks me off so when I hear that man called such a hero, when real heroes, like both Bush 41 and Bush 43, who pulled themselves up by their own bootstraps, and did great things for this nation, like helping to destroy Big Government by forcing to it deal with crippling national debt. Go W!
Still, I'm going to show that I'm a good person by saying I'll pray for his blackened soul, and I hope God does what I want Him to do when He judges this terrible sinner in a just and merciful manner by sending him to Hell.