It's high time to give Ted Kennedy the credit he deserves...

[Laura PourMeADrink]

He lost his best friend to a plane crash, a brother to a war and two brothers to assasination. Year after year, day after day, he is mocked, criticized, and joked about. He has all the money anyone could ask for, yet he stays.

Every day in the senate, year after year, he is there. True blue, fighting for the common man.

I think about him just before the travesty they call an election, in 2004. I saw him interviewed and he was just beaming with excitement. He knew Kerry was going to win. He could feel it. Just like us. When reporters asked him about retirement, he replied (paraphrasing), "I have been waiting for this for years, to work with a president, like John. To be in the senate. Oh, the good things we will accomplish together."

Here's to Ted. My democrat hero. From his website on DSM....
<snip>
We never should have gone to war for ideological reasons driven by politics and based on manipulated intelligence. The Downing Street Minutes provide even more proof that this is exactly what happened on Iraq. The Administration’s dishonesty, lack of candor, and lack of planning have brought us to where we are today, with American soldiers dying, Iraqi civilians living in constant fear, and with no clearer picture of our strategy for victory in Iraq than when we started. ”

http://www.tedkennedy.com/downingstreet

[Nikki Stone 1]

1. kick for Kennedy

:kick:

[MichiDem]

2. One thing that I've never understood about Ted

is how he can be such a champion of 'regular' people when he has never been one himself.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

7. That is what makes it so real. His convictions. He could be

smoking a cigar on a yacht in the Greek Isles. Instead he is fighting against all odds to give poor people insurance.

[roguevalley]

44. True. But he was also raised to believe, "That to those to whom

much is given, so then is much expected." Thank his mom.

[FighttheFuture]

10. Pain and hard expierence provide us with opportunity for growth...

Ted Kennedy has had it in spades, and has chosen well. Contrast with G.W.Bush.

It helps if your father has instilled a sense of helping the society that gave you so much, vs. Bush (again) helping yourself to the society that gave you so much.

[burrowowl]

37. Catholic training at the time

on social justice, etc. And the guilt thing on social issues and being told you were 3% of the privilaged in the world (getting an RC education) and man you had better redeem yourselves, the little Lenten cans to put the money you saved for not eating candy to go to the poor, etc.
I remember taking pictures of Bobby and Ethel in Albuquerque, just days before he was killed. I went to 6 am mass at the university Neuman Center, the priest said have you heard, Bob Kennedy has been killed.
I was devastated.

[MadisonProgressive]

35. I think they call it "empathy". Look it up in the dictionary.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

56. So, what are the precoditions for being a champion of regular people?

Having bad credit?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

61. Still waiting for answer. (nt)

[knowbody0]

3. you are so right about Ted

a true patriot who understands the value of our constitution

[babylonsister]

4. Very nice post. And from another

grateful American, thank you Senator Kennedy! :patriot:

[undeterred]

5. Good post- we take Ted Kennedy for granted.

And if we didn't already have him, we'd have to invent him.

[Rainscents]

6. Kick!

I just sent him email!

:kick:

[Laura PourMeADrink]

9. Great idea ! I am going to as well....thanks

[autorank]

8. Cred for Ted: Buddy, you NEVER let us down, you old warhorse!

Teddy Kennedy never dropped the ball, let the torch blacken, let the "money boys" buy him off.

He's been there every step of the way, at our darkest hours and at our triumphs.

Thank you Senator Kennedy, D, MA

:kick: Recommend

Contact the DNC and Give 'em Hell About NOT Acting on Election Fraud

NEW LEADERS FOR A NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY

[Laura PourMeADrink]

13. And he didn't vote for Condi, Bankruptcy, Gonzales or THE WAR

[autorank]

16. Thank you for a reminder we can always use. He's a great Senator

[Pryderi]

65. Let's clone him. :)

[Todd B]

11. Hear, hear!

Hear, hear - he has been outspoken against aggression towards Iraq since day one and a tireless advocate of progressive policies.

I'm glad to have him as my Senator too!

I applaud the man for what his family has gone through, as well.

[patrice]

12. Thank Goodness for Ted Kennedy.

Where would we be without him?

[shraby]

14. Ted is carrying on family tradition...

Jack and Bobby Kennedy were of the same mold.

[patrice]

49. One of the things I like about them the most is that they seem to

know the difference between "nobles oblige" (sp?) and genuinely felt caring and responsibility for others, unlike some I can think of.

[suziedemocrat]

15. I Love Ted Kennedy!!

I've been paying attention more this year - and he is one of the top 2 or 3 in the Senate - IMO.

[ailsagirl]

18. I hope he remains in the Senate... wasn't there some buzz about

Kennedy's leaving the Senate awhile back? Hope it was just rumor...

I once looked up his voting record and I was blown away because he voted EXACTLY the way I would have on so many important issues: the environment, education, etc. etc. etc.

Thank God for Ted!!

[Hello_Kitty]

17. One of a few, like Kerry, with a sense of noblesse oblige

Some people realize that being born priveleged entails an obligation to make the world a better place not just improve the bank accounts of you and your cronies.

[getmeouttahere]

19. Agreed...keep charging Senator Kennedy!

the guy has seen so much pain, both inside and outside his family, fighting for us. Everybody make a small contribution to his re-election campaign, if for no other reason than to thank him for all he does for us.

[burythehatchet]

20. I hate how he is stigmatized with this alcohol label

he is the most coherent voice out there.

Pres. Ted Kennedy would have been nice

[Laura PourMeADrink]

21. Ya, Who would have thought, back in the 70s and 80s that everything

you did would come back to haunt you. It didn't seem like there were limits on anything. He has turned his life around since then. A story the right wing loves, right? (i.e Rush)

[burythehatchet]

22. yah, while completely ignoring the drunk sleeping in Al Gore's house.

[demwing]

48. Im lost. Please explain? /nt

[burythehatchet]

52. George Bush is a drunk. He is sleeping in Al Gore's house

the white house

[demwing]

53. My slow. Thanks. /nt

[FreedomAngel82]

40. That would be nice

I wish he'd run again. I would LOVE to vote for him and love to vote for a Kennedy since I'm such a youngin (twenty-two).

[Coexist]

23. kick with thanks

he has been a warrior for us for many years...

[tritsofme]

24. I've never gotten over him challenging Carter in 1980

It was a shitty thing to do, and his challenge did nothing but help Reagan.

[LuPeRcALiO]

30. maybe he thought he could do a better job?

I'm just sayin'. . . :shrug:

[tritsofme]

31. It was clear he wouldn't be able to unseat Carter

All it did was assist Reagan.

Reagan even ran disgusting ads under the title "Democrats for Reagan" with Kennedy ranting about how bad Carter was.

[LuPeRcALiO]

36. Carter was tanking pretty badly.

Maybe Teddy was hotdogging, I don't remember that much about it, but it just doesn't seem like his style. More like a lone voice in the wilderness.

But yeah it was long time ago. Anyway he's made up for it in spades.

[stevedeshazer]

32. Jimmy C was screwed anyway, and I'm a fan

Everything fell apart at the end of his administration, but it wasn't all his fault.

I supported Teddy in the 1980 primary, but I voted Jimmy in the general. I don't think it hurt Carter. The Iran hostage crisis and the Arab oil embargo cost JC the 1980 election to the benefit of The Great Sleepinator.

[tritsofme]

33. The primary challenge only emphasized

his supposed weakness, and lack of power in his own party and Washington as well.

It didn't cost him the election, but it sure as hell didn't help.

[stevedeshazer]

34. Fair enough

Long time ago, eh? :)

[bobbieinok]

45. but when RW was beginning to consolidate power....Robertson, Falwell

becoming national figures

[Greybnk48]

25. He's wonderful and always has been

been a fan of his since the 60's and always thought he would have been a great Pres. By the way, he was assassinated by the right too, but he didn't die much to their chagrin. He's weathered repeated maulings and could have just quit and enjoyed his money, but he didn't. Says something about his character I think.

[DemoTex]

26. Hill 937 aka Dong Ap Bai (Hamburger Hill).

How bad can it get before outrage rules? Teddy Kennedy was outraged by the egregious battle at that A Shau Valley hell-hill (937 meters). He went on the Senate floor and raised hell about Ap Bai. That invigorated the anti-war movement. The rest is history. Again: Teddy Kennedy. Step-up Senator. Do your party proud. End the war. Quickly, please!

[DearAbby]

27. SALUTE To Ted Kennedy

:applause: A true Patriot. May his dream come true, to work with a President like that of John Kerry, and all the things they would accomplish together!

[LuPeRcALiO]

28. I'm down with that

kick for a real patriot!!!

:kick:

[snot]

29. I agree. I've been hearing more good from him than from many others. nt

[senseandsensibility]

38. I grew up in a repug

family in which he was seen as evil incarnate. But when I see him now with my own eyes, he is great! I am sure he is human and fallible , but at least he is not like *, selling his soul to the highest bidder for material gain.

[FreedomAngel82]

39. I love Teddy

He's such a wonderful person and so full of compassion. :loveya: Definitley one of my favorite Senators.

[SnoopDog]

41. Yes, thank you Senator Kennedy....

Well put LPYBs....

[understandinglife]

42. Yes. Recommeded.

Peace.


www.missionnotaccomplished.us

[wisteria]

43. Thanks for the reminder of what a good person he is.

He sent me an e-mail the other day. I haven't responded yet. I think I'll do that now.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

46. Please tell him thanks and that we love him at DU.

[BigBearJohn]

47. I love that guy! Hip Hip Hooray!

[AX10]

50. Ted Kennedy is one the most Patriotic Americans....

EVER KNOWN!!!

:dem:

[FourStarDemocrat]

51. Ted Kennedy is a great American

Cheers to him, and may he continue what he's doing for a long, long time!

[MH1]

54. Thanks. Great post.

I really like Kennedy too. I guess we'll lose him from the Senate soon, and I'm really going to hate to see that.

And what he said about working with Kerry as pres is almost making me cry...

[TayTay]

55. I saw Sen. Kennedy at the MA Dem convention in May

He is quite the character. He is just a happy guy, and a lots of fun to be with. I am looking forward to volunteering on his re-election campaign next year. Uncle Ted was referred to at the Convention and introduced as 'The Greatest Senator Who Ever Lived." (No argument from MA Dems, btw.)

When Uncle Ted came out the sound system played, "Still the one." They played it again after his wonderful red meat speech and he danced to it. It was a great moment. I love Uncle Teddy, he's been my senator for 42 years. (Sen. Kerry is a mere whelp, he's only been my Senator for 20 years.) Uncle Ted rocks (and his wife Vicki is pretty awesome as well. Smart, smart lady.)

[StopTheMorans]

57. that's "democratic hero"

[Laura PourMeADrink]

dupe

[Laura PourMeADrink]

58. Hmmmmm. He is not a hero that is democratic he is a

hero that is a Democrat. But glad you dropped in to correct me ! :-(

[StopTheMorans]

59. you used it in the wrong sense, the way that Rush always uses it

we do not have "democrat" senators, we have "democratic" senators; just as we do not have "republic" senators, we have "republican" senators. if you're really posting an ode to a true leftie, don't use the language of the righties who think that they are being coy, when they're really just perpetuating ignorance.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

62. Thank you, Mr. Harvard graduate

[StopTheMorans]

64. it doesn't even take an elementary school graduate to use correct grammar

but it is nice to see that you've mastered your elementary school insults :thumbsup:

[Laura PourMeADrink]

67. You are the biggest asshole I have ever come across on DU

Congratulations !!!!

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

63. I believe it was a honest mistake

Post #2 might interest you more OTOH.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

66. Thank you very much ! Wow, I don't know what his problem is

but he is on a mission to criticize my grammar when I would have rather had him agree or disagree on kennedy.

[Skittles]

60. YUP

he could have just been an asshole rich boy but he has worked endlessly for the people. F*** what conservative idiots say about him - I like Ted and I always will.