I'm sure Keith & y'all won't object to the temporary displacement of the Countdown diary logo tonight in light of the day's sadness.
Senator Kennedy loved to sail, so I'd like to envision him like this.
I know we all remember with pride & happiness Senator Kennedy's speech in Denver last year. He looked so good & sounded vibrant and ready to help make Barack Obama President of the United States!
I could not find video of Senator Kennedy's beautiful eulogy to JFK, Jr.; if someone does find it, you're welcome to post it. Here is the text of it. Senator Kennedy became the "surrogate father" of John's & Robert's children. Words probably cannot describe the heartbreak felt at his passing.
And, here is the eulogy Senator Kennedy gave for his brother, Robert. How he got through this, I'll never know.
Senator Kennedy seemed bigger than life in so many ways, but I think he'd be one of the first to say that he was a human being. And, much will be remembered & discussed of the tragedies (some of his making) and the triumphs (nearly ALL of his making) in his life over the next days & years. No matter one's "political leanings," Senator Kennedy's impact on American political life & his role in some of the most important legislation over the last 40+ years cannot be denied. VP Joe Biden so eloquently said this morning of his conversation with Senator Kennedy's widow, "He was ready to go, Joe." "But, we were not ready to let him go."
When I woke to this news this morning, I felt a bit of a goul in thinking that maybe - JUST MAYBE - Senator Kennedy's death & the knowledge of his passionate works toward health care reform would light a fire toward civility & passionate enthusiastic action toward meaningful health care reform with some teeth in it. When I saw similar views expressed by other people, I felt a little better. We will roar on; we MUST roar on!
Senator Edward M. Kennedy 1932 – 2009
** American flags are flying at half – staff all over the world; as well they should. Here is the statement from the Kennedy family early today:
We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever...He loved this country and devoted his life to serving it. He always believed that our best days were still ahead, but it’s hard to imagine any of them without him.
Oh my, amen. JKF was Ted’s godfather, too? Huh... Wow, how poignant is it that the Obamas were on Cape Cod when this happened? President Obama is going to speak at Saturday’s funeral. The love & tributes poured in from all sides of the political spectrum. I teared up today at work at VP Biden’s words; he is something. Ted Kennedy was not "groomed" to be the family leader; that role was thrust upon him through tragedy that would’ve knocked out the best of us. Senator Kennedy will lie in repose at the Kennedy Library in Boston. I bet hundreds of thousands of people will view him. The church where Saturday’s funeral will be is the same one he went to every day during his daughter’s battle with cancer. MA law might be changed to put someone in Senator Kennedy’s Senate seat until the special election in January per Senator Kennedy’s wishes. Mike Barnicle thinks Senator Kennedy was able to go sailing as recently as last week – cool! There was a moment of silence at Fenway Park tonight before the Red Sox game. Senator Kennedy is in his home. Senator Kennedy’s grandfather & Boston mayor (Rose’s dad) threw out the first pitch at the first baseball game ever at Fenway Park. Now, THAT’s cool to know! The "Kennedy Compound" might be some sort of historical public place – kind of like Hyde Park for FDR. We suffered another loss today in the passing of Dominick Dunne; I’m so pleased Keith saw fit to mention it. It would’ve been a shame for it to be over – shadowed.
** Health care reform became Senator Kennedy’s passion in 1966 upon learning that Boston residents in public housing had to wait hours & hours for basic care. It is so absolutely incredibly tragic that Senator Kennedy did not survive to see meaningful health care reform in his lifetime after so many battles over so many years with so many Presidents. It will be more tragic if the resulting bill doesn’t TRULY reform. Senator Bernie Sanders must be incredibly sad today. Keith made a fantastic point; so many physical bodies (as in health – wise) were made better by the staggering list of reforms brought about due to Senator Kennedy’s efforts. We still won’t get health care for all people, but we’ll get closer if the legislation isn’t sabotaged.
** Senator Kennedy had been advised not to go to Denver last year. What a shock that he said, in essence, "Spark you!" ;D People were thinking he was going to die out there. People dropped the ball on that score! Senator Kennedy DID have a kidney stone. Hubby had a kidney stone, so I KNOW how painful they are! And, what a speech that was.
** Ken Burns made the film that introduced Senator Kennedy in Denver last year. Senator Kennedy left a message for Ken thanking him for the movie; Ken’s kept that message. I would imagine he will never let it go! He’s having a hard time getting through this. Senator Kennedy’s memoir will be published next month. Ken had some great words for his widow, Vickie. I think it would be wonderful if, should the MA law be changed about his successor, Vickie would be the placeholder for that seat. I’d absolutely understand, though, if she declined. Another possible placeholder that many would be happy with would be Caroline.
** Only 2 men served in the Senate longer than Ted Kennedy – Robert Byrd & Strom Thurmond. And, Keith, a bit of a shame on you for not identifying that "other Senator" who pulled Senator Kennedy from that plane crash! That would be "HOOSIER" BIRCH BAYH! Look at all those GOP Senators who worked closely & steadfastly with Senator Kennedy. There’s another "Hoosier" up there – Dan Quayle. There’s Lawrence O’Donnell. He said Senator Kennedy "...could never be tamed." Senator Kennedy was 1 of only 23 Senators to vote against going to war in Iraq. NPR interviewed Senator Orrin Hatch this afternoon, and he was extremely gracious, funny, and classy. The true meaning of bipartisanship & civil compromise may yet survive with Senator Dodd, who will likely take over Senator Kennedy’s HELP chairmanship, and a few others. Lawrence O’Donnell thinks there may be a sliver of a chance that Senator Hatch may change his tune a little in the health care reform debate in light of Senator Kennedy’s death. We’ll see; many will be watching the behavior of MANY GOPers.
** Many are debating/claiming that Senator Kennedy will cast a longer shadow in history than his older brothers’ shadows. The New York Times, at the time of Senator Kennedy’s first Senate election win, said his win demeaned the Senate! I wonder if they wish they could take THAT back?! Senator Kennedy was proud to shout his "liberal nature" from the rooftops. I just have a feeling that he wouldn’t have enjoyed being President – at all. Keith was on TV in the wee hours this morning? Wow...he’s gotta be tired. What a great Senator Kennedy story from Keith! :D