Posted on 05/10/2006 10:25:58 AM PDT by SkyPilot
During a briefing with reporters yesterday, Majority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) said he was aware of Rep. Patrick Kennedy’s (D-R.I,) substance-abuse problem and had “noticed it before.”
In response to a question about the handling of Kennedy’s early-morning car accident by the Capitol Police, Boehner indicated that it would be easier to make a judgment when all of the facts are released. He then elaborated on the question, saying he had known of Kennedy’s problem.
“For those who have been around here, worked here, he has been fighting this disease for a long time, as has been testified to by the articles that are out there,” Boehner said. “And it is a shame, but I am glad he is seeking treatment.”
Robin Costello, a spokeswoman for Kennedy, said she did not know of a specific incident that Boehner could be referring to.
“I’d like to think it’s his way of saying he wishes the congressman well,” she said.
A Boehner spokesman did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Kennedy checked himself into the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., on Friday evening to seek treatment for a prescription-drug addiction.
How about: You would like to ignore the fact that people knew he was drunk on the job.
Gee, how "specific" is last week, Robin?
I think by now a lot of people have noticed Kennedy's problem. Oh yeah, I hear he has a substance abuse problem too.
Hey, he is the representative from Rhode Island, which is merely a lesser valuable Kennedy possession. When someone from Massachutes can explain how Teddy gets elected every time he runs I will begin to understand the utter stupidity of yankees.
I wonder if she wished Rush Limbaugh well. Doubt it.
Maybe he noticed him showing up to vote at 3 AM.
Jeez, Pat Kennedy's problem was the worst kept secret on Capitol Hill. Boehner was being diplomatic.
Reaking of alcohol at breakfast meetings made him sucpicious.
Even the twirp's staffers are in denial.
Has there ever been another politician who accepted his party's endorsement while in a mental institution?
Or at least shouldn't Kennedy be censured for drinking on the job?
A long time ago I knew someone who had attended a private school with a member of the Kennedy family. He described this Kennedy as having a number of substance abuse problems; one that I remember specifically is that he would inject himself with wine. Apparently having an addictive personality runs in the family.
All well and good. And, as much as I despise the Kennedy clan -- one and all. I rank Boehner pretty close thereby.
To coin the old phrase: "WAPOS"!
To think that the GOP has to rely upon this cretin belies belief. His track record is as bad as his ethics.
Flame on -- but, do your homework first. *S*
That's a joke. Congress is populated by practitioners of every vice known to man. Excessive drinking and drinking on the job is par for the course.
Rewriting history to maintain the legacy, IMO.
We have one right here in North Carolina whose stories are legendary, right up to having to be helped from the building to a car by his staff.
LOL..........that's a clue for sure!
"Disease" only applies to "drunk" and "addict". He is still a lying bum, a POS, and a coward.
The Rats are not known for their grasp on reality.
Drug and alcohol addiction is a disease.
He might be an addict, but he doesn't have a disease.
“For those who have been around here, worked here, he has been fighting this disease
Not disease and ADDICTION
Life on the edge. Talk about a job as a javelin catcher.
His previous escapades are well publicized.
Why doesn't the media demand to know why Patrick's father chose to ignore the man's continued downward spiral.
Did he prefer to wait to see if his son ended up killing someone when he drove impaired.
Don't ingest the drugs or alcohol, and voila! The "disease" is miraculously cured. People get addicted to substances and need to beat said addictions. They didn't contract a disease.
And what hole disgorged your sweet self?
Howie Carr was reporting on something he heard from the late Mort Downey, a Kennedy friend, on Monday. Evidently Old Joe Kennedy decided that Jack would get the Senate seat from MA., Bobby from N.Y. and the runt of the litter, Ted, would get "Little Rhodey". With the deaths of Jack and Bobby, MA was left to Ted and ,his "runt of the litter", Patches, inherited Rhode Island.
None dare call it SIN.
If it's "disease" one doesn't have as much control over it, and is viewed as more of a victim. If it's sin one must be held accountable, and must ultimately take responsibility for repentance and change.
[...been fighting this disease]
Are you kidding? The kennedys revel in the effect of booze like Cruise doing a couch jump.
Did he prefer to wait to see if his son ended up killing someone when he drove impaired.
Actually it would seem that Teddy has been mentoring the lad to take over the family business. Car accidents, boat accidents, the wearing of the Kennedy Family neck brace; and the kid goes and wastes all that training and experience on a traffic barrier?
Right. Let's not forget that the esteemed and honorable Barney Franks allowed his male lover to run a male 'escort' service out of his Capotal Hill home. I was a college student in DC 25 years ago when the Dodd/Kennedy duet were busy making waitress sandwiches. A paragon of virtue our Congress is not.
My cousin was a page in the Senate when that story broke. My aunt down here in NC almost had a nervous breakdown!
That is true but there are genetic links to addiction, so some people are born predisposed to it. Brain chemistry and personality have a lot to do with it too.
Another "genetlemen" in the poop-shovelers guild. If the roles were switched, it would have been 24/7 on the alphabet channels.
...and don't forget. We haven't yet had anybody charged in the murder of Chandra Levy.
We never will, IMO. Justice for her murderer will have to come in the next life, not this one.
Alcoholics and addicts are both victims and responsible.
If he noticed it before as the head of the House of Representatives why didn't he insist or at least get him help before this incident. I know that I am obliged to ensure that my Sailors are safe and if need help they will get it. I know that I will get blasted for these statements because he is a democrat and we should not care for them, but if I was in charge of the House, none of the Reps would ever be in this position if I could help it. Let's put it this way, I would do EVERYTHING in my power to solve the problem for every Rep so that at least we could function and get things done for the American people who like the military the public "owns".
Wasn't gluttony one of the seven deadly sins?
Kennedy's staffers are either blind or in denial. I believe the latter since, they wouldn't want to risk their precious jobs. They basically postponed the inevitable. Fortunately he hasn't killed anyone like another Kennedy we all know.
More likely because obvious evidence of the problem is a 24/7 thing, and not a matter of "specific incidents". To those of outside the Capitol, "specific incidents" like the barricade crash get our attention. But to those who work around him on a regular basis, his problem is no doubt just as perennially obvious as the color of his hair.
Yes.
Wow, now they want all the facts to come out before a decision is made. They didn't wait for the facts before Delay, Rush and others were declared guilty.
Yes, we reap what we sow.
It's simple--Ted brings a lot of federal $$ home to Massachussetts. Think in terms of billions.
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