Senator Ted Kennedy Passes away

OldBuzzard · Aug 26, 2009, 09:43 AM

From ABC News:

Quote:

Sen. Ted Kennedy died shortly before midnight Tuesday at his home in Hyannis Port, Mass., at age 77.

Let's all put partisian politics aside for now and offer our prayers for him and his family in their time of grief.

There are things that I'd like to say, but a poster on a political forum I frequient said it so much better, and I think that it's worth quoting here.

Quote:

Well....for what it's worth I'd like to offer this:
Consider this an informal "Eulegy" for Senator Kennedy.

Tonight we are seeing the passing of an era. It's the end of an era of the old school politics, where debate was filled with fire and passion, and not with theatrics and cheap stunts, and meaningless drivel. Senator Kennedy was a powerhouse, and at the podium, I daresay, could stand toe to toe with the fiercest of opponents, and merit a point.

And many perhaps could attempt to bash his life, or to find fault with him...
But beware, O vulture, who picks at a mans bones--
for you are likewise a frail human, with all the faults and errors and stains that the mortal man must endure, until his own day of reckoning. So perhaps Senator Kennedy had his faults, and unlike most of us, his faults were often public spectacle, yet he weathered them.
Can we say we would do the same?
No, let us just let the sum of his humanity be summed up: he was a man like the rest of us, the good, the bad, and the in between.

And lastly, he ended his life on a victorious note, by correctly backing the candidate that would take the nomination of his party, and witness [and be part of] a victory that was a part of United States history, the first black president of the United States.

So the clouds grow gray, and the rain pours. The day is indeed sad.
Yet the memory of one of the great knights of the Democratic Party won't soon fade away. When we see some younger senator at the podium, filled with fire...we can take a glance backwards and remember the fire and power of the man who often led the Democratic Party into voicing their political views with passion, strength, tenacity, and with dignity.

Sleep well, Senator Kennedy.
you have earned your rest after a long life of serving the people.

signed, *******
longtime political opponent of Senator Kennedy

Tyrsonswood · Aug 26, 2009, 01:57 PM

Well said, Old Buzzard, (even if you are not the author)

We all have known this was coming for some time, but it was still a shock to see it first thing this morning.

R.I.P Mr. Kennedy, Thank you for all you have done to help others.......

Falstaff · Aug 26, 2009, 06:53 PM

The most profound things that Ted Kennedy did is rise up against criticism and achieved a great deal in spite of accusations and rumours indictments and politics to pass over 300 reform measures.
He was as flawed as anyone can be but enjoyed the grudging respect of his adversaries and friends for that matter.

I am not a Kennedy fan, nor am I sympathetic to any extent to his family save for what I would muster for anyone that lost a loved one, he simply was a man, nothing more.
Of his legacy and his accomplishments they should endure as reminder that it is possible to serve the nation in politics and accomplish more than many former presidents combined.
He wrote many of his own speeches, flew his own planes, drove his own cars, and regardless of his character defects, never gave up on his liberal ideals. His speech for his brother Bobby was sad and compelling:

“My brother need not be idealized, or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life; to be remembered simply as a good and decent man, who saw wrong and tried to right it, saw suffering and tried to heal it, saw war and tried to stop it.
Those of us who loved him and who take him to his rest today, pray that what he was to us and what he wished for others will some day come to pass for all the world. As he said many times, in many parts of this nation, to those he touched and who sought to touch him: 'Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not.'
”
Ted Kennedy may have represented what was wrong and right about American Politics, leaving very large shoes to fill.
He can never be replaced, only surpassed.

Aug 26, 2009, 06:53 PM	#3
Falstaff Old Codger Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: USAFA Posts: 19,048 Rep Power: 207	Re: Senator Ted Kennedy Passes away The most profound things that Ted Kennedy did is rise up against criticism and achieved a great deal in spite of accusations and rumours indictments and politics to pass over 300 reform measures. He was as flawed as anyone can be but enjoyed the grudging respect of his adversaries and friends for that matter. I am not a Kennedy fan, nor am I sympathetic to any extent to his family save for what I would muster for anyone that lost a loved one, he simply was a man, nothing more. Of his legacy and his accomplishments they should endure as reminder that it is possible to serve the nation in politics and accomplish more than many former presidents combined. He wrote many of his own speeches, flew his own planes, drove his own cars, and regardless of his character defects, never gave up on his liberal ideals. His speech for his brother Bobby was sad and compelling: “My brother need not be idealized, or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life; to be remembered simply as a good and decent man, who saw wrong and tried to right it, saw suffering and tried to heal it, saw war and tried to stop it. Those of us who loved him and who take him to his rest today, pray that what he was to us and what he wished for others will some day come to pass for all the world. As he said many times, in many parts of this nation, to those he touched and who sought to touch him: 'Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not.' ” Ted Kennedy may have represented what was wrong and right about American Politics, leaving very large shoes to fill. He can never be replaced, only surpassed. __________________ "Inspiration is always a surprising visitor."