I actually have a positive Kennedy experience to share (hard as it may be). I went to a small Christian school up in the Northern Virginia area...and one of our assignments for Civics class was for us to contact a Senator’s office. I was given Ted Kennedy and of course I moaned and groaned about it. Hey, I might have been only a Sophmore or Junior at the time and wasn’t into politics as much as I am now, but I knew enough to know that Senator Kennedy was one of the “bad guys.”
So imagine my surprise when I got this really great response back from his office thanking me for my interest and it included policy and position papers and some really fantastic shots of the Senator and such. Well that colored me impressed with his staff at least! Only a few Senators responded to the queries my fellow classmates sent out and mine was by far the most comprehensive and it earned me a nice grade for that assignment. :-)
As for the rest of it...
While I think it’s clear that all of us take issue with Senator Kennedy’s political views and affiliations, that’s not what this is about.
This is about a man, a father, a husband, an uncle, a friend to many who received devastating news. I hurt for those close to him during this very trying time and I am ashamed to associate myself with those who take pot shots at someone when they’re down.
Remember how angry we were when the lefty wackos wished Cheney’s heart would give out? How incensed we were? It’s nothing more than extreme hypocrisy for us to do it to one of their icons and then sputter and complain when they wish ill befall one of ours. Frankly I hold our side to a much higher standard of conduct and I’m disappointed when we take a nosedive into the mud and forget what really matters.
I believe that there’s a time and place for politics...and this isn’t it. My best wishes, thoughts and prayers go to the family and friends of Senator Kennedy.
Nice post. When President Reagan died, a brother of mine sent me an email. He was fiendishly happy. Acquaintances of mine were also, and it sickened me. I must say I once “hated” President Reagan too, when I was a liberal. When I read he had Alzheimer’s, I was sad. Deeply sad for a man I by then respected. I was still a liberal in 1994, but I had changed. It is an odd thing to hate someone I don’t know. I tend to love people I know, so why not the same for hate? When Reagan died, I was very, very sad. For many reasons.
I am not a liberal anymore, and have grown in many ways. I still have a ways to go though. I wish Senator Kennedy the best.
Nice post, PowerPro.
I am not a Kennedy supporter, and I do not admire the man. But I wouldn’t wish this diagnosis on anyone (even my ex-husband). I hope and pray that he is kept as comfortable as possible. And I pray that his family and friends find the strength to endure the hard times ahead. This is such very sad news.