Camelot continues: Caroline Kennedy finds her voice for beloved uncle Teddy

NY Daily News ^ | Saturday, August 29th 2009 | David Saltonstall

[presidio9]

The last time many people heard Caroline Kennedy, she was a tentative, tongue-tied U.S. Senate hopeful from New York.

But Friday night - as Kennedy remembered her late uncle at a presidential library in Boston that bears her slain father's name - she was an eloquent, loving niece, and perhaps the last living link to the age of Camelot.

Poised despite her grief, Caroline recalled the many times her uncle offered her words of support - and similar encouragement to his other 27 other nieces and nephews. She recalled on the night he died looking out at the ocean he loved so much.

"I looked up and there was this one star hanging low in the sky that was just bigger than all the rest and brighter than all the rest," she said. "I know it was Jupiter but it was acting a lot like Teddy."

Through tears and laughter, poetry and prose, the family patriarch was remembered as the last son of a storied clan, a loving father and uncle, a sometimes rakish storyteller, and a legislator without peer.

Paul Kirk Jr., a one-time aide, said Kennedy "bore more hurt and heartache than most humans are ever asked to endure," yet still brought "more hope and optimism and joy to more people than we will ever know."

In the crowd were dozens of Kennedy relatives, a family that now has lost its guiding beacon. Last night the torch was held aloft by his nephew, former Rep. Joseph Kennedy (D-Mass.) and his beloved niece, Caroline, both of whom spoke for the family as Kennedy's widow, Victoria, watched from the front row.

Joe Kennedy brought the room to tears by thanking Ted's own children - Patrick, Kara and Teddy Jr. - for sharing their father with cousins who too often were left fatherless.

"The truth is that for so many of us, we just needed someone to hang onto," said Joe. "And Teddy was always there to hang onto."

In a testament to Kennedy's reputation for reaching across the aisle, speakers at Friday night's gathering included Republican Sens. Orrin Hatch and John McCain, the GOP's 2008 presidential nominee.

But the only title that seemed to matter Friday night was friend.

Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) recalled how Kennedy called him after his surgery for prostate cancer earlier this month.

"Well," Kennedy roared, "between going through prostate cancer surgery, or doing town hall meetings [on health care], you made a great choice."

[A_Former_Democrat]

Maybe Sweet Caroline had a chance to rehearse this time.

[Pearls Before Swine]

Caroline for Senator! Caroline! Caroline!

[maggief]

Her daughter found her voice, too.

[Joann37]

She was READING IT!!!! Who wouldn’t look statesmanlike or “senatorial” if the script was right in front of you?

[Anti-Bubba182]

Ya know she did....Ya know she did....Ya know she did....Ya know.Ya know.Ya know.

At least that one won't make the Senate.

[Tarpon]

ya know

It's a sign, don't ya know.

[Cicero]

My first thought, too. Caroline for Senator.

[Obadiah]

...perhaps the last living link to the age of Camelot.

Oh, my gosh. All these 60's hippies just can't stop worshipping themselves.

[cvq3842]

Classy.

[Carley]

And one of her daughters found her middle finger to present to the media.

Class? Not a bit.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

The Kennedy “curse” is 95% self-inflicted. If I spent my life making stupid decisions I’d probably think I was “cursed” as well.

[randog]

....perhaps the last living link to the age of Camelot.

New Englanders just can't get over their love of royalty. They've been pissed off since 1776.

[2Jedismom]

No kidding. I swear I can’t wait for the Beetles to fade away. I’m so sick of ‘em.

I know some freepers love ‘em, and I respect that. But I’ll be glad when finally the majority of people acknowledge that those guys were just messed up.

“Imagine there’s no Beetles”

[presidio9]

Back in the 70's, I was an alter boy. I had a very close relationship with a priest who had taught my father in HS and then lost his sight suddenly. He had to get a special dispensation from the Vatican to use one of the first Walkmen (the thing was the size of a paperback and weighed more than a brick) during mass. My job was to help manage this (and occasionally to record the readings for him). I have known some very famous and powerful people in my life, but I still feel that Monsignor Stan Mattews was the best man I ever got the chance to spend so time with.

What was my point? Back in the 70's Fr. Matthews needed an ok from Pope John Paul II so he could continue to "read" the Gospel. Today, it's no big deal if Princess Caroline drags a telestrator into Mass, as long is it may help her resurrect her political carreer.

[YankeeReb]

She was READING IT!!!! Who wouldn’t look statesmanlike or “senatorial” if the script was right in front of you?

Well despite the array of TelePrompters, BamBam manages to fumble through most speeches.

[rcrngroup]

Paul Kirk Jr., a one-time aide, said Kennedy "bore more hurt and heartache than most humans are ever asked to endure

Hey Paul Kirk Jr, I think you meant to say that Ted Kennedy "CAUSED more hurt & heartache than most humans will cause in their lifetimes..." aka killing Mary Jo Kopechne, enabling the abortion & murder of 55 million babies, destroying our immigration system, and a drunken, lewd, slobbering fool. Yah, Ted Kennedy was a piece of sh_t work all right!

[maggief]

Right. Did you notice how the MSM picked up on that gesture? *crickets*

(Remember the furor over Jenna sticking out her tongue?)

[Charles Martel]

"I looked up and there was this one star hanging low in the sky that was just bigger than all the rest and brighter than all the rest," she said. "I know it was Jupiter but it was acting a lot like Teddy."

Teddy, the Gas Giant.

Yep, that sounds about right.

[GeronL]

So “Camelot” is just another name for the curtain that shields leftists from the truth and responsibilities for their action?

[Puppage]

"I looked up and there was this one star hanging low in the sky that was just bigger than all the rest and brighter than all the rest," she said. "I know it was Jupiter but it was acting a lot like Teddy."

Oh, FOR THE LOVE!

[mdmathis6]

I have a middle finger to present to the media as well!

[HIDEK6]

Poised despite her grief,

Give

me

a

break.

[presidio9]

New Englanders just can't get over their love of royalty. They've been pissed off since 1776.

It is only fair to point out that Bostonians were the first Americans to rise up against the Monarchy. However, you are correct that the British evacuated from Boston on St. Patrick's day of that year and Massachusettes has contributed very little else to this country ever since.

[angcat]

I hate them also. I also hate the fact that Paul hangs out at Yankee Stadium. Go back to London, since when is he a Yankee fan!

[massgopguy]

“Camelot, ‘tis a silly place.”

[OpeEdMunkey]

"bore more hurt and heartache than most humans are ever asked to endure,"

Much of which he brought on himself - and the occasional innocent bystander.

[pgkdan]

As they say...blood will tell. Classless, stupid and pampered.

[OpeEdMunkey]

She was READING IT!!!! Who wouldn’t look statesmanlike or “senatorial” if the script was right in front of you?

Well, if it's good enough for the president...

[Charles Martel]

I swear I can’t wait for the Beetles to fade away. I’m so sick of ‘em.

Wait.... what?

[Condor51]

"I looked up and there was this one star hanging low in the sky that was just bigger than all the rest and brighter than all the rest," she said. "I knew it was really Lucifer as it was acting a lot like Teddy."

There fixed it.

[OpeEdMunkey]

to the age of Camelot.

A sound bite created by a quick thinking Jackie Kennedy and passed to journalist and family friend Theodore H. White. Who proceeded to cement the legend in place with is Life magazine article.

And if I remember correctly, Camelot was hauled down by infidelity and jealousy.

[OpeEdMunkey]

And one of her daughters found her middle finger to present to the media.

Yeah. Who knows where that finger has been.

[randog]

I’ve read that only 20% of the colonists were in favor of the “uprising”. Methinks the other 80% have never forgiven themselves for letting it happen.

[OpeEdMunkey]

Back in the 70's, I was an alter boy. I had a very close relationship with a priest...

Definitely not the best of opening lines. You must not be from Mass.

[swain_forkbeard]

Rubber Soul and Revolver are pretty hip albums. But I guess they’re by those other Beatles - the ones spelled with an ‘A’.

[a fool in paradise]

Kennedy "bore more hurt and heartache than most humans are ever asked to endure," yet still brought "more hope and optimism and joy to more people than we will ever know."

Socialist revisionist history at its most cliche.

[swain_forkbeard]

A timeless classic, for sure.

[a fool in paradise]

Ted Kennedy was the Paris Hilton, Lindey Lohan... of the political world.

[a fool in paradise]

I heard it was 30% for, 30% against, and the rest were “moderates” who didn’t care what system of government they lived under.

[N. Theknow]

Caroline is just another item usually found in the Camelot.

A camel chip.

[GVnana]

Where’s the barf alert?

[Beelzebubba]

“...perhaps the last living link to the age of Camelot”

---

And what would Camelot be without “The Lady in the Lake”?

[a fool in paradise]

11 kids, “I have to push the pram a lot...”

[Carley]

She was addressing the FOX reporter

[mdmathis6]

Many media folks got that shot...I don’t think one could prove it was directed solely at the fox crew!

[Uncle Hal]

This fawning over the Kennedy's makes me sick. I cannot take it anymore. The MSM just cannot stop.

[lady lawyer]

Every bit of “hope and optimism and joy” supposedly delivered by Kennedy was paid for with other people’s money.

[a fool in paradise]

Well Ted is dead and he fought hard for the estate tax. Can we the people take his estate yet?

[a fool in paradise]

They will do the same when Dan Ratherbiased passes on.