Take time to reflect: 40 years ago today, RFK was assassinated

[zulchzulu]

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmc2EzkRDkI

This is the official version of the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, as put forward by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the LA District Attourney's office (LADA).
On 5th June 1968, 12.15am, Senator Robert F. Kennedy was making his way from the ballroom at the Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, to give a press conference, after winning the California Primary. The prearranged route went through a food service pantry. While making his way through this area, a Palastinian Arab, Sirhan Sirhan, stepped forward and fired a .22 revolver at the Senator. Although Sirhan was quickly subdued, Kennedy and five others were wounded, although only Kennedy was fatally wounded. Sirhan was arrested at the scene, charged and convicted of first degree murder. He was to have been executed, but the U.S. Supreme Court voided the constitutionality of the death sentence before the sentence could be carried out. Sirhan has been incarcerated at Corcoran State Prison, California, since then. Under Californian law, he should have been automatically scheduled for release in 1984, but this was not the case.

http://homepages.tcp.co.uk/~dlewis/crime.htm

[Kool Kitty]

1. Bless you, Bobby.

Rest in peace.

[EFerrari]

2. Retrospective today on Amy's show, interview w John Pilger.

Democracy Now! Special: Robert F. Kennedy’s Life and Legacy 40 Years After His Assassination

On June 5, 1968, Kennedy had just won the California Democratic primary, a major boost in his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. Just after midnight, Kennedy addressed supporters at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, in what would be the last moments of his life.

http://www.democracynow.org/2008/6/5/democracy_now_special_robert_f_kennedy

[zulchzulu]

7. Thanks for that link

I will indeed check it out.

[EFerrari]

8. Quite beautiful: Film, audio, interviews.

How the hell do forty years go by so quickly. :)

[Tommy_Carcetti]

3. With all due respect to JFK and Teddy,

I think we lost the greatest of the Kennedy brothers that sad night.

[jwirr]

15. Agree. It is still his autographed photo I have on my wall.

[AndyA]

4. I remember so well where I was when this happened.

I was just a kid. My teen age years were still way off, and politics was a foreign entity to me.

I was visiting my Grandmother in Sullivan, Missouri as I did most summers. We would stay up late and watch old movies on TV together. I really loved the time I spent with her. I remember being terrified at Sorry, Wrong Number the first time I saw it.

I knew RFK was JFKs brother, and I've always admired JFK, Jackie, and RFK, and I remember being upset that yet another Kennedy had been killed.

I loved my summers visiting my Grandmother, and those memories are right up there with my all time favorites, but this is one of the strongest memories I have of those times.

[zulchzulu]

5. More videos...

http://www.maryferrell.org/wiki/index.php/RFK_Video

[EFerrari]

6. Kick

[JPZenger]

9. 3 of Bobby's Kids Write Tributes to their Dad in NY Times Today

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/opinion/05kennedyintro.html?ref=opinion

[JPZenger]

10. Great Documentary: American Experience: RFK

I strongly recommend a PBS documentary about RFK. It is available from netflix, etc. It is "American Experience: RFK"

[JPZenger]

12. More RFK Photos

[zulchzulu]

22. Amazing and sad... n/t

[whatchamacallit]

11. Yesterday, Fresh Air replayed some interviews from the anniversary 10 years ago

I had to choke back tears driving on the freeway.

[virgdem]

13. This is such a sad anniversary..

for me personally, but also for the country as a whole. That moment when I heard the news over the radio in the early morning hours that Bobby had been assassinated is seared into my memory. I was an idealistic 16 year old who was very much looking forward to working for Bobby even though I was several years away from being able to cast a vote. My political idealism was shattered that day, as was the promise of a better future for our country. The hope of what could be, but never was has been a painful legacy for us all.

[pdx_prog]

14. He was a special man....

To me, this was his crowning moment.....it shows exactly what kind of person he was...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCg05pTYt0A&feature=related

[zulchzulu]

16. Indeed...that was an amazing speech in such a sad time

Only a few months later, he was dead.

[JPZenger]

17. RFK's campaign promises

Here's a handout from RFK's 1968 campaign listing his promises:

[JPZenger]

18. at his best in front of a hostile crowd

Bobby was at his best in front of a hostile crowd. In front of an audience of rich white college kids, Bobby was asked about why the US didn't attack North Korea. Bobby said back to him: "Its not too late to enlist."

[zulchzulu]

21. MP3 of that speech

RFK on death of MLK
http://www.freeinfosociety.com/sounds/robertkennedy-deathofmlk.mp3

Ted in eulogy to RFK
http://www.freeinfosociety.com/sounds/edwardkennedy-eulogyforrobert.mp3

[TBF]

19. When Bobby died I was a year old. I don't remember people talking

about him - my first memory of something political was Nixon leaving office. I'm so glad we have Obama taking up the mantle now, motivating people to get involved to change things. Happy to K&R this thread for all the under 40's who really don't know much about Bobby.

[Shakespeare]

20. My favorite RFK pic:

[appleannie1]

23. My brother worked for RFK's campaign in DC

He was supposed to go to California but Bobby asked that he save his leave (he was in the military, stationed in DC) for later since he might need more help then. His last service to RFK was to drive a car in the funeral procession. My brother was a changed person afterward. Not nearly as hopeful for this country or optimistic about the future of it.

[DearAbby]

24. I remember it very well

I was twelve years old, an awkward age, just waiting to turn thirteen in a couple months, I wanted so much to have the magic 'teen' at the end, then I could be official! lol.

It was the same time I became very interested in politics, and Bobby Kennedy was the reason, I today am a life long Democrat. I was so much enamored with his message, his vision for this country.

I still have the Life Magazine from that time. Dated June 21, 1968..whopping 35 cents...inside they profiled the assassin of both Kennedy and King. A horrible time. At the back of the magazine were a few pictures. called FROM THE FAMILY ALBUM. Please excuse the poor quality, they were quickly taken with my cheap digital. But I wanted to share them.


caption: Robert F Kennedy with his niece Caroline age 7, at Hyannis Port in August 1965


Caption: Robert Kennedy and Matthew 7 mos. Hickory Hill


Caption: Robert Kennedy with his son David, then 9, and daughter Mary Courtney 8, at Hickory Hill.

[Butch350]

25. God Bless You Bobby !!

With All My Heart.

[gauguin57]

26. Makes me think of Mary-Chapin Carpenter's "Stones in the Road" song ...

Pertinent lyrics:

When I was ten, my father held me on his shoulders above the crowd
To see a train draped in mourning pass slowly through our town
His widow kneeled with all their children at the sacred burial ground
And the TV glowed that long hot summer with all the cities burning down

And the stones in the road flew out beneath our bicycle tires
Worlds removed from all those fires as we raced each other home

[CesarAugustus2]

27. Last year this same date we paid little attention to RFK's death

I wonder why it's different this year.

[suston96]

28. Watched the movie "Bobby" on Showtime last night. Heart breaking.

Can't believe it's been 40 years.