TED KENNEDY 1932-2009
The death of Senator Kennedy is the end of our connection to the days of Camalot. Those were the heady years of my young adulthood, (the 1960's). It was a time when there was a struggle for good and progressive change. We all believed it was possible. As history unfolded, it was only partially accomplished. Most faded in their efforts in the face of the tragic deaths of so many of our heroes and more selfish and cynical times. A few continued on to fight the good fight continuing to protest against war and injustice. Others carried on the struggle for progressive change for the good from the inside of government. Senator Kennedy used this avenue to make a difference. With his skills as a communicator and facilitator of the legislative process he made a very large contribution to the United States.
I shall miss his booming voice with the Boston accent. His voice during the Bush Presidency was not heard nearly enough.
I think he was one American politician who knew about and understood Canada. During the day I have heard Ed Broadbent, former head of the New Democratic Party and Brian Mulroney, former head of the Progressive Conservative party, speak of their friendship and admiration of Senator Kennedy. Both noted he admired Canada's universal health care system and thought such a single payer system was the only kind that would see adequate health care as a right for all and not a privilege for those who could afford private coverage. Sadly, it seems the US might soon pass universal health care which falls far short of this ideal.
In a long political career Senator Kennedy's many legislative accomplishments will carry on and remain as a tribute to him and his liberal ideals of government serving the needs of all citizens.
posted by Tossing Pebbles in the Stream @ 8:14 a.m.
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5 Comments:
I've felt so saden by Ted Kennedy's passing. It's complicated: runs back to the whole JFK/RFK/MLK tragedies of the 1960's. But I'm most concerned about who will fill his shoes in our Congress, with regards to working across the aisle, finding solutions, working for the middle class and below, and most of all, working tirelessly for decades to do something about our health care system.
May he rest in peace... and if he can, send someone to help!! =;)
I confess to going around these last two days with a lump in my throat. It really does seem like the end of a generation, doesn't it? And with it, the last gasp of idealism of the 60s.
I was surprised that he lived that long with the life he led ! I remember when he stayed in Brussels with his first wife for a few days in the Hilton, they were drunken from morning till night and made a lot of mess. Then came the scandal of Chappaquicdic (don't know how to spell) and then it became quite calm about him. We didn't hear very much of him a lot thought he had died already.
Ted Kennedy… the end of Camelot. It is interesting what people remember – or what they will remember say, 20 years from now – or IF they will even remember. One person remembers his drunken sprees; another remembers his words of wisdom. Mary Jo Kopechne is buried across from my grandparents, but will the next generation recognize the name on her tomb stone? Ask anyone under 50 about Chappaquiddick and they don’t know if it is a new band, a politician from Alaska, or something new at Taco Bell.
I try to think of all the positive things Ted did, ultimately, of course, far more than his brothers, by virtue of outliving them. He often was a voice in the wilderness, but a powerful voice, and a voice for good. I hope he will be remembered for some of the good and not just the bad stuff, but the bad stuff makes good press, as they say.
I think Teddy grew into his greatness once he realized he would not be the next Kennedy in the White House. Once he no longer tried to fill JFK’s shoes and just wore his own, he became the great man he needed to be. Did he make mistakes? Show me someone who has not. Did he do some good? I think so. He will be missed.
I believe he did great good, but sadly could have done so much more if not for that one BIG mistake he make. I was a young woman when Mary Jo died. I remember crying for her, and had nightmares about her death. I wish him peace.
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