Senator Ted Kennedy
My earliest recollection of Ted Kennedy is him in front of cameras trying to explain how he was so very sorry for and had tried so very hard to avert the death of one Mary Jo Kopechne. Yeah, Chappaquiddick. Lots of other things were more interesting to me at that time but one could not avoid the constant news coverage of the accident, his heroic attempt to get help, his admission of fault, his plea deal and his "apology". I felt then, from the beginning, that something was wrong, but it was only after many years when I was able to see the facts of water levels, the time-line, and so forth that I became absolutely convinced that Ted Kennedy was a philanderer who took advantage of a young campaign worker, carelessly (perhaps drunkenly) drove his car into the water and left the woman to die in the rising tidal waters while he went searching for political cover. I know exactly what I think of this man and it is anything but charitable.
Just about a week ago we heard that Ted Kennedy had had a stroke, corrected to a seizure and finally that he had an inoperable, malignant, brain tumor. I have to admit that my first thought was "Why, dear God, was this man not given this 40 years ago?" Since the news of his disease we have been treated to news casts lauding his "service" to his country, we have seen Senator Byrd of West Virginia "sobbing" over his departed friend, and we have heard of his courage in leaving the hospital and getting on his boat to sail in a regatta this weekend. I am not moved. I believe that this man killed an innocent woman and was never called to account for that and that he has worked in opposition to the best interests of this country.
Labels: Culture
