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Pat (Kennedy) cites pills in car wreck
Boston Herald ^ | 05/05/06 | Dave Wedge

Posted on 05/05/2006 12:17:31 AM PDT by raccoonradio

WASHINGTON -U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy insisted yesterday that he had consumed “no alcohol” before he slammed his Mustang convertible into a concrete barrier near his office, but a hostess at a popular Capitol Hill watering hole told the Herald she saw him drinking in the hours before the crash.

“He was drinking a little bit,” said the woman, who works at the Hawk & Dove and would not give her name.

Leaving his office late last night, Kennedy refused to say whether he’d been to the Hawk & Dove the night before.

Earlier in the evening, Kennedy issued a statement through his office blaming the accident and strange behavior surrounding it on prescription drugs.

He said he returned to his Capitol Hill home on Wednesday evening after House votes and took “prescribed” amounts of Phenergan and Ambien.

Phenergan is for gastroenteritis, he said. Ambien is a popular sleep medication.

“Sometime around 2:45 a.m., I drove the few blocks to the Capitol Complex believing I needed to vote,” his second statement said. “Apparently, I was disoriented from the medication.”

Questions arose surrounding the wreck amid police reports that Kennedy was “staggering” and appeared intoxicated after nearly hitting a Capitol Police cruiser and then striking the barrier.

The incident became public when the union representing Capitol Police alleged in a publicly released letter that superior officers prevented rank-and-file cops from properly investigating the crash.

The letter from the cops union said police spotted Kennedy’s Mustang swerving with its lights off. The car narrowly missed a cruiser before slamming into a security barricade, according to the letter written by officer Chris Baird, chairman of the department’s union.

The driver exited the vehicle and he was observed to be staggering, Baird’s letter states. The letter also said that Kennedy claimed he was “late to a vote.” The last House vote was taken nearly six hours earlier.

Patrolmen’s union president Lou Cannon told the Associated Press that officers were fuming that police brass intervened and blocked attempts to give Kennedy sobriety tests. “The officers just want to be able to do their jobs,” Cannon said.

Leaving his Capitol Hill office last night, Kennedy told reporters: “I asked for no special treatment.”

After Kennedy responded to the swelling scandal with his first letter, a Herald reporter visisted bars where Kennedy is known to socialize.

A bartender at the Tune Inn, which is next to the Hawk & Dove, also said Kennedy was spotted in the Hawk & Dove Wednesday.

Hawk & Dove manager Edgar Gutierrez said Kennedy is a regular in the bar. Gutierrez said he was working Wednesday night but did not see the congressman.

Kennedy, who has battled booze and drug problems in the past, said in his first statement: “I will fully cooperate with the Capitol Police in whatever investigation they choose to undertake.”

Despite the wreck, Kennedy took part in normal business at the Capitol yesterday and appeared unshaken by the incident as he chatted with other members. But one Rhode Island political insider said there has been talk of Kennedy’s bizarre behavior of late.

“He has looked terrible lately,” the source said. “He’s been acting goofy, kind of zany.”

In addition to seeking substance abuse treatment as a teen, Kennedy has acknowledged being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

A spokeswoman for Kennedy’s father, U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, said the senior Massachusetts senator would have no comment on the matter.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; US: Rhode Island
KEYWORDS: 109th; bostonherald; dwk; kennedys; patches; patrickkennedy; tedkennedy
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>>“I asked for no special treatment."

DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?

1 posted on 05/05/2006 12:17:35 AM PDT by raccoonradio
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To: raccoonradio

Next stop - The Betty Ford Clinic.


2 posted on 05/05/2006 12:19:54 AM PDT by HAL9000 (Get a Mac - The Ultimate FReeping Machine)
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To: raccoonradio

Like father, like son, both Democrat Party scum!!! At least the son has not murdered anyone yet, like his father Ted Kennedy.


3 posted on 05/05/2006 12:20:40 AM PDT by JLAGRAYFOX
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To: raccoonradio

>>strange behavior surrounding it on prescription drugs.

Ah, just like Limbaugh (Talent On Loan From Oxy Contin!)

I heard a report on CBS Radio News (WBZ Boston) that he was said to be "sleep driving". You know, just like sleep walking, only you go out to your green Mustang, start it up, and
head to the House chamber for that important 2:45 am vote.


4 posted on 05/05/2006 12:26:47 AM PDT by raccoonradio
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To: raccoonradio

Continuing adventures of Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy

By Herald staff

March 26, 2000:
A videotape captures Kennedy pushing a 58-year-old airport security guard backward and bumping the metal detector archway at Los Angeles International Airport. The catalyst apparently was that his luggage was too big for carry-on and he was disturbed the guard did not recognize him.

Summer 2000:
The Coast Guard removes a former Hub woman from a yacht for her safety after she and Kennedy had some drinks and a tiff. Kennedy had rented the yacht and trashed it, causing $28,000 in damage.

July 2001:
Kennedy makes remarks to the Pawtucket Times about U.S. Rep. Gary Condit of California. Kennedy says he is guilty of cheating on his wife and in the mysterious disappearance of the Washington intern he was having an affair with.

Wednesday, April 12, 2006:
While watching a demonstration of Impact Gel, a shock-absorbing material, Kennedy takes one to the face when a hammer head flies off the handle and hits him in the mouth. He gets six stitches to his bottom lip at Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket and cancels several public appearances.

Saturday, April 15, 2006:
Kennedy tries to turn into a CVS parking lot in Portsmouth, R.I.,, but turns into the vehicle in front of him instead.

Thursday, May 4, 2006:
Kennedy crashes in D.C.


5 posted on 05/05/2006 12:31:13 AM PDT by raccoonradio
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To: raccoonradio

Who ARE the simple assclowns who elect and re-elect this guy???


6 posted on 05/05/2006 12:35:38 AM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: raccoonradio
Boston Globe Headline:

Police Clear Patrick Kennedy in Minor Fender Bender
"There was nothing to it," said Police Chief Wiggum. "Congressman Kennedy escaped the misshap unscathed, thank God."

7 posted on 05/05/2006 12:44:59 AM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: Lancey Howard

Florida voters vacationing in RI?


8 posted on 05/05/2006 12:46:13 AM PDT by ECM (Government is a make-work program for lawyers.)
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To: raccoonradio
If his claim is that it was the prescription pills was the cause of his erratic behavior and the accident then it's still driving under the influence which is a major no-no for us mortals. We'd be in jail not driven home. The standard rules for mortals don't apply to the Kennedy's.
9 posted on 05/05/2006 12:49:45 AM PDT by airedale ( XZ)
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To: raccoonradio
I heard a report on CBS Radio News (WBZ Boston) that he was said to be "sleep driving"

Apparently, he was "sleep drinking" too. And "sleep voting".

10 posted on 05/05/2006 12:50:56 AM PDT by HAL9000 (Get a Mac - The Ultimate FReeping Machine)
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To: raccoonradio

Thank God he wasn't near a canal....


11 posted on 05/05/2006 12:51:03 AM PDT by AngelesCrestHighway
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To: ECM
My bad. I just checked Boston.com and had to scroll around and look real carefully to finally find this, the third story listed under "Nation":

D.C.: Rep. Kennedy, of R.I., crashes car

That's it. That's what the Boston Globe thinks about this story. Almost nothing.

12 posted on 05/05/2006 12:54:35 AM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: raccoonradio

Pat K: I wasn’t boozing...but waitress in Washington bar says he was


13 posted on 05/05/2006 1:54:35 AM PDT by Panerai
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To: raccoonradio

ping


14 posted on 05/05/2006 2:12:05 AM PDT by SR 50 (Larry)
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To: HAL9000

He was actually "sleep drinking". I am awaiting the story line from the Kennedy Clan's useful idiots of the press this morning: Tom Oliphant, Katie Couric, the whole gang. It will go something like "the awful curse that stalks the Kennedy family has struck yet again . . .".


15 posted on 05/05/2006 2:16:30 AM PDT by laconic
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To: laconic

Ding ding ding! Winner! LOL!


16 posted on 05/05/2006 2:33:42 AM PDT by Solamente (Let all the poisons that lurk in the mud hatch out...)
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To: airedale
"it's still driving under the influence"

Indeed. Here in Texas it's called "driving while impaired" and the punishment is just as serious as DUI.

17 posted on 05/05/2006 2:46:16 AM PDT by Proud_texan (I'm gonna break my rusty cage and run)
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To: Proud_texan

My guess is that Cynthia McKinney could not be happier.


18 posted on 05/05/2006 2:50:27 AM PDT by babaloo
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To: Proud_texan
"driving while impaired"

That's right, Patrick. Read the label on the product. I bet it says, "Don't drive while taking this medication." What, you were too loaded to read it?

19 posted on 05/05/2006 3:02:19 AM PDT by Right Wing Assault ("..this administration is planning a 'Right Wing Assault' on values and ideals.." - John Kerry)
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To: raccoonradio

Come on, it's NOTHING like Rush's problem. That's a cheap shot on a good man that admitted he had a problem and has taken steps to correct it. OxyContin...I've had em and been there too. Back pain is a misery.


20 posted on 05/05/2006 3:14:21 AM PDT by GRRRRR (Time to change the TAG...any suggestions?)
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To: raccoonradio

"I am late for a vote!"

21 posted on 05/05/2006 3:27:07 AM PDT by SkyPilot
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To: airedale

"Patrolmen’s union president Lou Cannon told the Associated Press that officers were fuming that police brass intervened and blocked attempts to give Kennedy sobriety tests."

"Some animals are more equal than others."


22 posted on 05/05/2006 3:30:40 AM PDT by I still care ("Remember... for it is the doom of men that they forget" - Merlin, from Excalibur)
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To: raccoonradio

“Sometime around 2:45 a.m., I drove the few blocks to the Capitol Complex believing I needed to vote,” his second statement said. “Apparently, I was disoriented from the medication.”

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Cynthia should have thought of this defense.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

"Sometime around 9:00 a.m., I walked the few blocks to the Capitol Complex believing I needed to vote,” her second statement said. “Apparently, I was disoriented from the medication, and some white a$$ cracker cop asked me for ID, so I hauled off and attacked him.”


23 posted on 05/05/2006 3:32:16 AM PDT by SkyPilot
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To: GRRRRR

I have the same problem and defended Rush to the hilt. But I am not so sure this problem is not that far removed. Alcohol is legal, and prescription drugs are from a doctor and for pain control.

The thing is, Rush is a talk show host, not our representative in congress. He went for treatment, and like Dubya with the DUI, admitted the problem and did what was necessary to correct it.

This guy is still in damage control mode, and because he is so secretive, nobody really knows what he is hooked on.


24 posted on 05/05/2006 3:35:51 AM PDT by I still care ("Remember... for it is the doom of men that they forget" - Merlin, from Excalibur)
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To: ECM

Careful - most south Florida voters are Rhode Islaner transplants. Please don't confuse them with Floridans.


25 posted on 05/05/2006 3:37:17 AM PDT by WorkerbeeCitizen (I think - therefore I am conservative)
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To: raccoonradio

This drunken punk waits 24 hours to cook up the "Ambien defense"?

Whatever.

More preferential treatment for the Kennedys who, for the most part, demonstrate that they are the worst this society has to offer.


26 posted on 05/05/2006 4:07:36 AM PDT by PBRSTREETGANG
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To: JLAGRAYFOX

"At least the son has not murdered anyone yet, like his father Ted Kennedy."

Just give him time. He won't disappoint.


27 posted on 05/05/2006 4:07:36 AM PDT by babydoll22 (If you stop growing as a person you live in your own private hell.)
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To: raccoonradio
"“Apparently, I was disoriented from the medication.”"

This is very possible. Sleeping pills (plus six or seven martinis) can make one a bit wobbly.
28 posted on 05/05/2006 4:16:57 AM PDT by LIConFem (A fronte praecipitium, a tergo lupi.)
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To: raccoonradio

To paraphrase Hank Williams, Jr.,

"If I get stoned
I'm just carrying on
An old family tradition."


29 posted on 05/05/2006 4:20:30 AM PDT by fredhead (The greatest privilege of citizenship is to be able to freely bear arms under one's country's flag.)
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To: raccoonradio
A hostess at a popular Capitol Hill watering hole told the Herald she saw him drinking in the hours before the crash.

“He was drinking a little bit,” said the woman, who works at the Hawk & Dove and would not give her name.

On the next episode of "Without a Trace"...

30 posted on 05/05/2006 4:21:19 AM PDT by BlessedBeGod (Benedict XVI = Terminator IV)
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To: raccoonradio

Maybe Kennedy was trying to catch a late-night fairy.


31 posted on 05/05/2006 4:21:33 AM PDT by Rockpile
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To: raccoonradio
“Apparently, I was disoriented from the medication.”

Being disoriented from reality is a Kennedy genetic trait!

32 posted on 05/05/2006 4:22:21 AM PDT by ExSES (the "bottom-line")
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To: raccoonradio
“Apparently, I was disoriented from the medication.”

That's not being disoriented. That's hallucinating.

33 posted on 05/05/2006 4:22:52 AM PDT by BlessedBeGod (Benedict XVI = Terminator IV)
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To: JLAGRAYFOX

give him time. Kennedys think they can get away with anything!!!


34 posted on 05/05/2006 4:28:15 AM PDT by pandoraou812 ( barbaric with zero tolerance and dilligaf?)
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To: raccoonradio

Man--I've taken Ambien (very short-term) and within 15 minutes I'm completely snowed! At the hospital, we have to make sure the patient has gone to the bathroom and gotten settled into bed BEFORE we give it, that's how quickly it works.

I couldn't imagine the effects if he was also drinking.


35 posted on 05/05/2006 4:30:30 AM PDT by Siouxz ( Freepers are the best!!!)
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To: raccoonradio
When cops first approached, he "declared to them he was a Congressman and was late to a vote,"

"Do you know who I am?"

Late Thursday night, Kennedy put out a second statement saying he had taken sleep medication and a prescription anti-nausea drug that can cause drowsiness.

"OH? Well, all-righty then Occifer. Would you believe...."

Kennedy, who has a history of substance abuse and depression,

To paraphrase Dean Wormer, "Drunk, dumb and depressed is no way to go through life son."

The Kennedy clan continues to validate my tagline.

36 posted on 05/05/2006 4:32:58 AM PDT by N. Theknow (Kennedys - Can't drive, can't fly, can't ski, can't skipper a boat - But they know what's best.)
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To: raccoonradio

A real SALUTE to the morons in Rhode Island who could actually voted for this jerk. Saudi's are right. America is collapsing. With these kind in the lead. You'll all be in the WATER. YEAH, don't you know WHO I AM. This works well too in MEXICO.


37 posted on 05/05/2006 4:37:33 AM PDT by rovenstinez
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To: Doctor Raoul

The Hawk & Dove. One of the ones on your list? I'll check momentarily, just for fun.


38 posted on 05/05/2006 4:46:13 AM PDT by FreedomPoster (Guns themselves are fairly robust; their chief enemies are rust and politicians) (NRA)
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To: Siouxz
I couldn't imagine the effects [of taking Ambien]if he was also drinking.

If (big If) he were taking Ambien, he should not have been driving.

39 posted on 05/05/2006 4:46:39 AM PDT by Loyal Buckeye
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To: tgslTakoma; Doctor Raoul

And tgslTakoma was the winner!
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1626993/posts?page=27#27

LOL, nice work, folks.


40 posted on 05/05/2006 4:48:45 AM PDT by FreedomPoster (Guns themselves are fairly robust; their chief enemies are rust and politicians) (NRA)
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To: raccoonradio

The 'Hawk n Dove' is three blocks from the scene of the wreck.
I would guess PK was headed to his office
to sleep it off.


41 posted on 05/05/2006 4:54:03 AM PDT by greasepaint
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To: BlessedBeGod

Best one liner on this whole story.


42 posted on 05/05/2006 5:00:36 AM PDT by Eroteme
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To: raccoonradio
"In addition to seeking substance abuse treatment as a teen, Kennedy has acknowledged being diagnosed with bipolar disorder."

Then why is he only taking Ambien and Phenergan?

43 posted on 05/05/2006 5:09:22 AM PDT by rvoitier ("News is what's suppressed. Everything else is advertising. ")
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To: raccoonradio
Leaving his office late last night, Kennedy refused to say whether he’d been to the Hawk & Dove the night before.

He is refusing to say that because Kennedy doesn't yet know if there are security cameras at this bar that would confirm his presence.

44 posted on 05/05/2006 5:11:25 AM PDT by PJ-Comix (Join the DUmmie FUnnies PING List for the FUNNIEST Blog on the Web)
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To: raccoonradio

Ah yes. The "I wasn't drunk; I was high" defense.


45 posted on 05/05/2006 5:20:48 AM PDT by keats5
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To: Lancey Howard
That's it. That's what the Boston Globe thinks about this story. Almost nothing.

There are no neutral news sources any more. Only DNC-edited major media outlets, or a smaller number of openly conservative outlets, but no one who can be trusted to accurately and fully report the facts of any given issue. You have to read the CNN story, then the NewsMax version, strip away the the hyperbole and infer what's missing from both to get any real sense of what actually happened.

As long as we have the Internet, we can at least piece together the details for ourselves. But too many Americans lack the reading comprehension level to deal with the chore.

46 posted on 05/05/2006 5:27:38 AM PDT by Mr. Jeeves ("When the government is invasive, the people are wanting." -- Tao Te Ching)
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To: keats5
Ah yes. The "I wasn't drunk; I was high" defense.

Catchy. I like it.

47 posted on 05/05/2006 5:31:15 AM PDT by Steel Wolf (- Islam will never survive being laughed at. -)
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To: raccoonradio
Pills. Booze.

Typical fare for the Kennedy's.

48 posted on 05/05/2006 5:32:46 AM PDT by mattdono (Alaska. Gulf.~)
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To: raccoonradio

He was drinking here:

http://www.hawkanddoveonline.com/


49 posted on 05/05/2006 5:33:28 AM PDT by jimbo123
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To: airedale

"The standard rules for mortals don't apply to the Kennedy's."

In case you hadn't noticed, the standard rules for mortals don't apply to any congressman.


50 posted on 05/05/2006 5:36:37 AM PDT by Gone GF
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