Rip Ted Kennedy

[BrianEtrius]

Senator Ted Kennedy died today, after a battle with brain cancer.

Sad, really sad. Knew it was coming too. If there ever was an old lion of the Senate, it would be Ted.

Shame.

[CassCassXXX]

Yah', so sad the old man with the dark past bit the dust. =\

[dySWN]

In Communist Russia, Mary Jo Kopechne outlives you!

[DiaLady]

At 8/26/09 01:57 AM, dySWN wrote: In Communist Russia, Mary Jo Kopechne outlives you!

SOVIET Russia! Respect your 1980s comedians, sir!

[aviewaskewed]

At 8/26/09 02:00 AM, DiaLady wrote: SOVIET Russia! Respect your 1980s comedians, sir!

Yeah, if you're gonna do schtick over somebody dying, at least get your schtick correct man. So I imagine this should do some interesting things to the democratic hierarchy now with Kennedy gone, and depending on how this winds up (I've heard he was seriously trying to protect the seat from having to be voted upon) it should open up some debates on there being congressional term limits.

[Tri-Nitro-Toluene]

So are there actually any Kennedy's left in main stream politics now ?

[ThePretenders]

At least he didn't go out like his brothers John and Robert. His sister Jean, is the only surviving member of the nine children.

[Korriken]

another scumbag politician who desperately clung to power like a rat clinging to a rock in a raging river long after he should have gave it up and enjoyed life is dead.

of course, this adds ammo to the democrats war machine to pass health care reform. Wonder how long they will wait before trying to pass the "Ted Kennedy Memorial Health Bill" or something like that?

[mikailus]

At 8/26/09 02:00 AM, DiaLady wrote:

At 8/26/09 01:57 AM, dySWN wrote: In Communist Russia, Mary Jo Kopechne outlives you!

SOVIET Russia! Respect your 1980s comedians, sir!

In Soviet Russia, comedy laugh at you!

[Pixmintro]

At 8/26/09 04:58 AM, Tri-Nitro-Toluene wrote: So are there actually any Kennedy's left in main stream politics now ?

Patrick Kennedy, Ted's son.

He's a senator.

[stafffighter]

At 8/26/09 06:19 AM, Korriken wrote: another scumbag politician who desperately clung to power like a rat clinging to a rock in a raging river long after he should have gave it up and enjoyed life is dead.

Ok, I wasn't the guys biggest fan but, seriously? There are career polititions on both sides of the fence.

of course, this adds ammo to the democrats war machine to pass health care reform. Wonder how long they will wait before trying to pass the "Ted Kennedy Memorial Health Bill" or something like that?

A man who remained active into his 70's actually would be a good example for health care. Thanks for that.

[All-American-Badass]

At 8/26/09 04:56 PM, stafffighter wrote:

At 8/26/09 06:19 AM, Korriken wrote: of course, this adds ammo to the democrats war machine to pass health care reform. Wonder how long they will wait before trying to pass the "Ted Kennedy Memorial Health Bill" or something like that?

A man who remained active into his 70's actually would be a good example for health care. Thanks for that.

I'm sure it'll pass much easier now, becuase I'm sure congress would want to respect Ted Kennedy's dying wishes. once they get back into session again after labor day. If the republicans argue against it still, the democrats would have leverage to keep their seats in the 2010 mid-terms.

[TheSavant]

Bleh, Ted Kennedy dying was a shame, being that healthcare reform was always one of his main causes and he won't live to see it passed. But he was an old man, shit happens.

I just hope the damn thing winds up going through, now.

[Jon-86]

He helped the peace process in Ireland, that canny be a bad thing, a like him for that :)

[Proteas]

At 8/26/09 05:52 PM, All-American-Badass wrote: If the republicans argue against it still, the democrats would have leverage to keep their seats in the 2010 mid-terms.

Obama's approval rating is hovering at the 52% mark right now, with Congress hovering somewhere in the mid 30's. Even IF they try to paint the Republicans as assholes for arguing against the universal healthcare bill, the democrats are going to have an uphill battle come the next election if they don't actually start doing something to get those numbers up, as apposed to just running around saying they'll do something.

-------

I feel bad for the guy dying the way he died, as I had a grandparent that suffered from severe neurological problems as a complication of his lung cancer spreading through to his body to his brain. It wasn't a pretty sight, and my heart bleeds for his children and grand children because I know how difficult it is to watch someone fade from existence in such a miserable manner.

But you know how you typically never hear good things about some politicians until after they die? I think it's because you regret not saying something nice about the individual while they were alive... which begs the question; if it takes the man dying in order to get some nice things said about him, did he really accomplish very much in life to be remembered fondly for?

As such, I would consider myself to be a hypocrite at this point if I offered a fond rememberance of Kennedy now that he's gone. I didn't like him in life, and I'm not about to kiss his ass now that he's gone.

[stafffighter]

At 8/26/09 05:52 PM, All-American-Badass wrote:

At 8/26/09 04:56 PM, stafffighter wrote:

I'm sure it'll pass much easier now, becuase I'm sure congress would want to respect Ted Kennedy's dying wishes. once they get back into session again after labor day. If the republicans argue against it still, the democrats would have leverage to keep their seats in the 2010 mid-terms.

How much did the Republicans force through in memoriam to Strom Thurmond?

[X-Gary-Gigax-X]

At 8/26/09 06:52 PM, stafffighter wrote: How much did the Republicans force through in memoriam to Strom Thurmond?

See, I don't even know who that is.

[Ericho]

I'm surprised I haven't heard about this, but at least this Kennedy died from natural causes. May he rest in peace.

[Kogey]

Tonights the night that we got the truck. Were goin downtown gonna beat up drunks!

[Korriken]

At 8/26/09 04:56 PM, stafffighter wrote:

Ok, I wasn't the guys biggest fan but, seriously? There are career polititions on both sides of the fence.

and they're all scumbags. it comes with the territory.

[Korriken]

What's really rubbing me the wrong way is they're going to bury him in Arlington! I didn't know career politicians got to rest in the same ground as war heroes... til today anyway.

that's a bitchslap across the side of the head of every person who died for their country... in my opinion anyway.Yet another shining example of why I call career politicians "piece of shit scumbags" on BOTH sides of the aisle.

[Dawnslayer]

At 8/26/09 06:19 AM, Korriken wrote: an anti-liberal hate rant that had nothing to contribute to the topic.

Seven posts before the hating ensued. I think that's a new record.

But in all seriousness, I think we've lost a great advocate for the everyman. Whether you agree with his policies or not, I believe he had the best interests of the people of the United States at heart, and there is no denying he went above and beyond his duties as a Senator in an effort to make it happen. Mr. Kennedy, I tip my hat to you.

[Korriken]

At 8/26/09 08:31 PM, Dawnslayer wrote:

At 8/26/09 06:19 AM, Korriken wrote:

But in all seriousness, I think we've lost a great advocate for the everyman. Whether you agree with his policies or not, I believe he had the best interests of the people of the United States at heart, and there is no denying he went above and beyond his duties as a Senator in an effort to make it happen. Mr. Kennedy, I tip my hat to you.

heh. right. it may just be the cynical prick inside me coming out, but I just can't imagine career politicians caring much about the little guy, especially ones born into wealth, living in luxury, never having to labor in a factory, or flip a burger for a buck and groomed from birth to be a politician. They can't know what the average person has to endure, much like a person who has never been homeless before doesn't know what its like to be homeless.

[Proteas]

At 8/26/09 08:30 PM, Korriken wrote: What's really rubbing me the wrong way is they're going to bury him in Arlington! I didn't know career politicians got to rest in the same ground as war heroes... til today anyway.

John and Robert both got that honor... $10 says he's getting it because of his last name.

[fli]

At 8/26/09 07:06 PM, X-Gary-Gigax-X wrote:

At 8/26/09 06:52 PM, stafffighter wrote: How much did the Republicans force through in memoriam to Strom Thurmond?

See, I don't even know who that is.

Oh. My. God.
You don't know who Strom Thurmond was?
He was the White guy who voted anti-Black laws in (or tried to maintain them, at least)-- whilst sending money to his Black (or Mullato) daughter.

[Korriken]

At 8/26/09 09:15 PM, Proteas wrote:

John and Robert both got that honor... $10 says he's getting it because of his last name.

I'll see that $10 and raise you $90.

It adds a whole new meaning to the term "American Royalty" doesn't it? Of course, looking at the Kennedy family, there's not that much left to them. I always thought it was interesting how the Kennedys got rich.

[Dawnslayer]

At 8/26/09 09:08 PM, Korriken wrote: it may just be the cynical prick inside me coming out, but I just can't imagine career politicians caring much about the little guy, especially ones born into wealth, living in luxury, never having to labor in a factory, or flip a burger for a buck and groomed from birth to be a politician. They can't know what the average person has to endure, much like a person who has never been homeless before doesn't know what its like to be homeless.

True, perhaps; but one can still envision the situation. And while that is nowhere near experiencing it for yourself, it can still give you an impression of what that life would be like. Also, I don't know much about Hyannis Port, but I got the impression it was a small place when the Kennedys grew up there, and they weren't necessarily "removed" from the hardhsips of the common man. (Correct me if I'm wrong.)

Even barring that, Ted had problems of his own - and I'm not talking about Chappaquiddick. He bore witness to a lot of health complications in his family both physical and mental, including his own. Being from an affluent family, the Kennedys were well covered; but I think Ted looked at the things that happened to his family, tried to envision those hardships without that money, and didn't like what he saw. He was a major advocate for universal health care, because, I think, he understood that the worst can happen when you least expect it, and you can't afford to be unprepared. He also spoke on behalf of the disabled, and was a proponent of equal opportunity; such social reforms may have happened without his involvement, but as I understand it, he played a vital role in seeing them through to their enactment.

So I don't think it's entirely fair to depict him as just a "career politician" from a wealthy family, true though it may be. I think Ted recognized the struggles of America's less fortunate, and I think he did all in his power to ensure society was as fair and just to them as possible.

But all that's just my opinion.

[Dawnslayer]

Excuse the double post, but I'm noticing the Arlington thing still circling about. I'd like to inform/remind the users here that Ted did serve in the military. It wasn't distinguished service by any stretch, and he never had to fight a war, but he did serve. And regardless of your opinion as to whether burying him at Arlington is justified, I want to ensure that this is understood to be a factor.

[Ericho]

Hey, it made Wikipedia's latest news headline! I hope this mourning is as bad (if not worse) than Michael Jackson's.

[Proteas]

At 8/26/09 10:21 PM, Dawnslayer wrote: And regardless of your opinion as to whether burying him at Arlington is justified, I want to ensure that this is understood to be a factor.

So when George W. Bush kicks the bucket and is buried at Arlington for his work in the airforce, is anyone going to feel the same way about it as they did with Ted Kennedy?