One year and 18 days ago, I published a diary here on DKos about a letter I received from Teddy Kennedy over 35 years ago. While my diary at that time was prompted by John Edward's admissions concerning his marital fidelity, my purpose in writing it was to let everyone know that I personally had proof that at least one person in D.C. had demonstrated real integrity.
That person was Ted Kennedy.
We will miss him.
That diary from August 26, 2008, is below the fold:
I was born in 1961, six months after JFK Jr was born. I do not understand why, but while growing up I was absolutely fascinated by JFK. I would read everything and anything I could get my hands on about him. His picture hung in my bedroom. Kind of strange, I know, but he was my hero when I was a kid.
Then, when I was 11 or 12 years old, the stories started appearing in the newspaper that JFK had an affair with Judith Campbell Exner. Well, to put it mildly, I was devastated and absolutely refused to believe it. Obviously, the newspaper was wrong. How could they print things like that? I was furious.
I was born in 1961, six months after JFK Jr was born. I do not understand why, but while growing up I was absolutely fascinated by JFK. I would read everything and anything I could get my hands on about him. His picture hung in my bedroom. Kind of strange, I know, but he was my hero when I was a kid. Then, when I was 11 or 12 years old, the stories started appearing in the newspaper that JFK had an affair with Judith Campbell Exner. Well, to put it mildly, I was devastated and absolutely refused to believe it. Obviously, the newspaper was wrong. How could they print things like that? I was furious.
But, the stories about JFK's activities kept appearing in the newspaper, day after day it seemed. It was horrible.
Finally, I decided to write Teddy Kennedy and get the truth. He would confirm that it was all crap. So I wrote Teddy a letter, which basically said that I was 11 or 12 years old and a huge fan of JFK. I told him about the newspaper articles I had read and asked: "These stories cannot possibly be true, can they?" I then mailed it to the U.S. Senate.
About a month later, I received a letter from the U.S. Senate. Teddy had written me back. I was so excited! The contents of this letter would put JFK back up on his pedestal, where he belonged.
It wasn’t to be, though.
I read that letter over and over again, but no where did Teddy say the newspaper stories were not true. He did say that it was unfortunate that these allegations were being made because "President Kennedy cannot defend himself," but there was no explicit denial.
I was confused, to say the least, and wondered why JFK’s own brother wouldn’t just come out and say "NO WAY DID THAT HAPPEN!" He didn’t, though, and it struck me hard.
Thinking about it now, it must have been so disappointing for Teddy to get mail with questions like that from 11 or 12 year olds. It would have been so easy for him to deny it; why even bother with it? I was a kid and a denial was exactly what I wanted to hear!
It is now over thirty-five years later and I am reading diaries on Kos about John Edwards. I am not surprised or shocked; the years have taught me that it is folly to put human beings on pedestals. It’s human nature to screw things up and to disappoint people. It’s what we do and we are so good at it. Too good, unfortunately.
Then I remember that letter from Teddy and it finally occurs to me...Teddy didn’t deny it...He didn’t lie to me. And for the first time I appreciate what that letter really meant.
Thank you, Teddy, for reminding me that although we are flawed human beings, every once and awhile we can do the right thing even though it is so much more difficult. And when we do, it almost makes up for the screw-ups.