Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Report: Father’s death led to Patrick Kennedy’s decision
Boston Herald ^ | 2/12/10 | Laura Crimaldi

Posted on 02/12/2010 8:06:52 AM PST by raccoonradio

U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy decided to abandon public office to focus on his personal life and family after watching his father die surrounded by loved ones, the 16-year congressman said in a wide-ranging magazine interview.

Kennedy, who announced his decision not to seek re-election in a two-minute video clip, told Rhode Island Monthly he decided to let go of his House seat at Christmas after spending the fall reflecting on the death of U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.

“It’s pretty simple in this respect: I went through something that caused me a great deal of soul searching and self-reflection,” Kennedy said. “Right now, a personal life is of greater value. Emotional connections that are real and loving and personal just trump everything else.”

Kennedy appears on the cover of the magazine’s March edition. The story’s author, Mark Arsenault, this morning told WPRO-AM host John DiPietro he believes Kennedy wants to have a family.

“That certainly goes into his thinking. He stood around his father’s death bed and there were a lot of people there,” Arsenault said. “He’s 42 years old and never been married and I think at some point he would like to have a family.”

In the interview, Kennedy said he became closer to his brother, Ted Jr., and sister, Kara, during his father’s dying days. He also said he could not imagine dying alone.

“I can’t imagine if I had a year to live and I didn’t have kids. All the legislative accomplishments in the world wouldn’t matter,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy also described the time he spent with his father after his brain cancer diagnosis in May 2008.

“I’ll never forget what he said to me (in late summer, 2008.) He said, ‘Can you stay at the house with me and just clear your schedule,’ ” Kennedy said. “We had a couple of weeks. I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life. His just asking me to be there was the greatest gift he ever gave me in his life.”

Kennedy told the magazine he is not sure what’s next for him, but he wants to model the next chapter of his life after his late aunt, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who founded the Special Olympics. Shriver died shortly before her younger brother, Ted, last August.

“Service is in my future. I know it as fact that service is an essential part to maintaining your sobriety,” he said.

Kennedy added: “There’s a hole in the soul that we all try to fill, sometimes with the wrong things, like booze or drugs. Society would tell us to fill it with consumerism. But its only really filled through love and service, by serving a high purpose. By doing God’s will.”


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: 111th; kennedyfamily; kennedys; patches; patrickkennedy
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-66 next last
To: fatnotlazy
Well, maybe he is, and maybe he isn't. I haven't followed them for years. Most of all, my dislike of his father's behavior has never been vented on the kids. I always felt sorry for them. A lot of love in that family, but a lot of crap, too. Fathers who were profligate, mothers who used booze and drugs to get through it. Had any of those kids had a fighting chance, I'd have tried to give it to them, but that's where I always get stymied. I can't stop it. Carolyn and John — geez! What a nightmare with that stepfather. Then everybody pushing and shoving in that family.

I hope they all give the political arena the finger and go live a nice, fulfilled life somewhere without the microscope. They deserve a life. Everybody pulling at them -- wanting something -- trying to get that boost from the association. It's disgusting.

41 posted on 02/12/2010 8:27:32 AM PST by Constitutions Grandchild
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: raccoonradio

LOL! The fact is that his chance of getting elected is about as good as John-John’s ability to fly under IFR.


42 posted on 02/12/2010 8:27:40 AM PST by isthisnickcool (GIVE ME YOUR MONEY B***!! - President Obama)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: raccoonradio

From Wiki:

Controversies, campaign and personal

Kennedy has acknowledged being treated for cocaine use during his teenage years, and admitted that he abused drugs and alcohol while he was a student at Providence College.[6] He sought treatment for an OxyContin addiction in 2006.[7]
During Easter weekend in 1991, Kennedy and his father were in Palm Beach, Florida, along with Patrick’s cousin, William Kennedy Smith. At Au Bar, the 23-year-old Patrick met a 27-year-old Testas Restaurant waitress, Michelle Cassone, and Smith met another woman, Patricia Bowman. Both women returned with the Kennedys to the family’s beachfront retreat, where a series of events took place that resulted in Smith being charged with raping Bowman. The prosecution alleged that the three Kennedys collaborated to cover up this alleged crime. In a widely covered trial, Smith was acquitted.[8]
In 2000, Kennedy was accused of pushing a female security guard at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California. City prosecutors ultimately decided not to bring criminal charges against him and he paid an undisclosed civil settlement to the alleged victim almost two years later.[9][verification needed]
Also in 2000, Atlantic Navigation Company of Mystic, Connecticut, claimed that a boat they rented to Kennedy was found abandoned off Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, with US$28,000 worth of damage.[10][verification needed]
That same year, the U.S. Coast Guard was dispatched to Kennedy’s yacht after he and his date became embroiled in an argument on his yacht off Martha’s Vineyard.[11][dead link]
In 2003, Kennedy was criticized for saying “I have never worked a fucking day in my life”, which his staff later claimed was a satirical reference to repeated charges of never having worked.[12]
In 2007, the Kennedy camp stated that they would retain $6,600 in donations from convicted Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu. Kennedy is one of the few Democrats not to return or donate these contributions. This is a controversial action because of the allegation that Hsu had been using his personal funds to unfairly influence Washington.[13]
In February 2007[2], Kennedy was asked to refrain from receiving Holy Communion by his Bishop, Thomas Tobin. Kennedy said the bishop had explained the penalty by telling him “that I am not a good practicing Catholic because of the positions that I’ve taken as a public official,” particularly on abortion.
[edit]Capitol Hill impaired-driving accident
On May 4, 2006, Kennedy crashed his 1997 Ford Mustang convertible into a barricade on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., at 2:45 a.m. A Capitol Police official said the congressman had appeared intoxicated when he crashed his car, but Kennedy claimed that he was merely disoriented from prescription medications Ambien and Phenergan.[dead link][14]. Anonymous sources are alleged to have seen Kennedy drinking at the nearby Hawk & Dove bar prior to the accident.[15][16] Kennedy also stated to officers that he was “late for a vote”. However, the last vote of the night had occurred almost six hours earlier. The standard field sobriety test was not administered, and Kennedy was driven home by an officer.
On May 5, 2006, Kennedy admitted that he had an addiction to prescription medication and announced he would be re-admitting himself to a drug-rehabilitation facility at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota where he has sought treatment for prior addictions.[17] He has stated that he has no recollection of the car crash. On May 8, 2006, Kennedy got a show of support when he was endorsed by the Rhode Island Democratic Party.[18] On June 5, 2006, Kennedy was released from drug rehabilitation.[19]

Kennedy’s written narrative of the motor vehicle accident in April 2006.
After being asked if he expected any special treatment from authorities, Kennedy expressed that he hoped they would treat him as if he “were an African American in Anacostia”.[20] On June 13, 2006, Kennedy made a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to a charge of driving under the influence of prescription drugs.[21] He was sentenced to one-year probation and a fine of $350. Two of the three charges (reckless driving and failure to exhibit a driving permit) were dismissed. He was also ordered to attend a rehabilitation program that includes weekly urine tests, twice-weekly meetings with a probation officer, near-daily Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and a weekly meeting of recovering addicts.[22]
On Friday, June 12, 2009, Kennedy once again announced that he has “checked into a medical facility for treatment”. In a statement to the press, Kennedy said that his recovery is a “lifelong process” and that he will do whatever it takes to preserve his health. “I have decided to temporarily step away from my normal routine to ensure that I am being as vigilant as possible in my recovery,” Kennedy said. He did not disclose where he was being treated.
Kennedy, who has wrestled with alcoholism, bipolar disorder, an addiction to prescription drugs and bouts of binge drinking, has often spoken publicly about his recovery and the importance of removing any stigma associated with mental illnesses. He has been a leading voice in Congress on mental-health issues.
“I hope that in some small way my decision to be proactive and public in my efforts to remain healthy can help remove the stigma that has served as a barrier for many Americans reluctant to get the help they needed,” he said.[23]

___________________________________________________
This may be one of the longest “controversies” sections of a biography on Wiki. I’m not sure I copied all of it, either.


43 posted on 02/12/2010 8:28:00 AM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: raccoonradio

Father’s death lead to decision not to run....

Entirely possible - After Ted died, there is no one remaining in the family with enough power and influence to cover-up Patches’ drinking, drugs and mental illness.


44 posted on 02/12/2010 8:29:11 AM PST by PGR88
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: raccoonradio

With his father’s death he:

1) Inherited a ton of money so why work.

2) Doesn’t have the old man to cover for him in Congress anymore.


45 posted on 02/12/2010 8:30:01 AM PST by HD1200
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Constitutions Grandchild

Your post parallels my sister and my conversation this morning.

IMO Patrick could never please his father....Never the perfect political son...Maybe since there are no more family heads putting pressure on family members (Even VIcky said no to running) Patches will finally find peace and sobriety. At least he went to rehab which is more than you can say for his father.

One of his interest is Autism. Is there a reason?


46 posted on 02/12/2010 8:30:28 AM PST by hoosiermama (ONLY DEAD FISH GO WITH THE FLOW.......I am swimming with Sarahcudah! Sarah has read the tealeaves.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: raccoonradio

I’ll say it did. Daddy is no longer around to fix those little problems Patches seems to keep finding himself in. Plus, he seems to have recently come into a great deal of daddy’s money. No real reason to work any more.


47 posted on 02/12/2010 8:31:16 AM PST by Buckeye Battle Cry (Enjoy nature - eat meat, wear fur and drive your car!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: raccoonradio
decided to let go of his

Entitlement attitude.

48 posted on 02/12/2010 8:32:42 AM PST by kcvl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: raccoonradio

I smell BS here. By chance are his polls in the dumpster?


49 posted on 02/12/2010 8:32:53 AM PST by KC_Conspirator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Constitutions Grandchild

I trace their woes to the old man, Joe Sr. Not a nice guy at all. Rose should have whacked him with the nearest frying pan, but I guess in those days, there weren’t many options for women who left their husbands. The thing is that all of the Kennedy women continued to put up with bad behavior of their husbands. Perhaps it was because they were Catholic, but it might have been that they wouldn’t know what to do without all that money. They became addicted to the power and prestige.

Guess money doesn’t buy happiness after all.


50 posted on 02/12/2010 8:33:40 AM PST by fatnotlazy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: HD1200

Indeed!

Parody: Patches by Clarence Carter (it’s on youtube):

My father was a drunk old man
I could see him with the Chivas in his hand
He put a blonde in the pond
Didn’t think he did anything wrong

Didn’t spend any time in jail, got re-elected without fail

Oh life’s not easy for a Kennedy
The pills and the booze and the broads, you see
(well, not sure about the broads in Patches’ case)
One night daddy took me to his dyin’ bed, poured himself a Chivas and in tears he said

He said Patches I’m dependin’ on you son
to pull the family through. My son it’s all left up to you

Orig http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2qWcSjM-gA

Patches nickname c)Howie Carr
song parody c) me


51 posted on 02/12/2010 8:33:52 AM PST by raccoonradio
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: hoosiermama

God bless them, heal them and use them to His purpose. There isn’t a mean bone in my body or a hard thought against anyone. More beautiful children, you couldn’t have wished for, but the sin was in that house and, as always, the kids got the brunt of it. Now, be done with it. It’s over.


52 posted on 02/12/2010 8:33:52 AM PST by Constitutions Grandchild
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: raccoonradio

Doesn’t he get to keep all the campaign contributions that were collected but not spent up to this point?

So he’s dropping out because he knows if he spends the millions on an election where he is sure to fail, he’s a loser and broke!


53 posted on 02/12/2010 8:36:31 AM PST by anonsquared (TEA PARTY 2010 - THROW 'EM ALL IN THE HARBOR!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: trisham

After the D.C. incident, it was found out that he had the car crash in R.I. about a month before (see police report, above)


54 posted on 02/12/2010 8:37:35 AM PST by raccoonradio
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: fatnotlazy

The only Kennedy worth admiring was Eunice Shriver. Although she was a liberal like the rest of the clan, she had good morals and instincts about helping people; and she personally developed the Special Olympics for the disabled and mentally challenged (aren’t I PC today?) children.

In fact, Eunice and her husband Sargent Shriver never had any scandals reported about their marriage, unlike every other Kennedy marriage including the in-laws. That may be why their children are the most stable members of the entire group of cousins.


55 posted on 02/12/2010 8:42:58 AM PST by Gumdrop
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: raccoonradio

He means there is no power left for him to draw on.


56 posted on 02/12/2010 8:48:18 AM PST by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: raccoonradio

LOL. The Kennedy PR flacks type up a press release on why Patches isn’t running and The Boston Pravda dutifully prints it.


57 posted on 02/12/2010 9:05:54 AM PST by Opinionated Blowhard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: raccoonradio

Needs more time for drinking and drugging, occasional rehab thrown in so he can start over again.


58 posted on 02/12/2010 9:06:48 AM PST by penowa
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: penowa
As Mark Levin will say:

"God Bless you, AND DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU IN THE ASS YOU JERK! ! !

59 posted on 02/12/2010 9:15:09 AM PST by Huebolt (Democrat = (national socialist) = NAZI)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: Huebolt
I am soliciting contributions through my non-profit corporation for the
Canonization of
St, John of Hyannis and
St. Edward of Chappaquidick

Patches has graciously (and for a mere $650 Thou per annum (although in this case, per anum would be more appropriate)agreed to serve as President and Papal Liaison. I of course, shall hold the posiyion of PayPal Liaison. So send in those contributions.

60 posted on 02/12/2010 9:44:08 AM PST by Kenny Bunk (Go-Go Donofrio. get us that Writ of Quo Warranto!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-66 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson