Don't let them Wellstone us this time - I say politicize the hell out of Kennedy's funeral

[LisaM]

This time do it proudly, and point out that it's appropriate. Teddy would have (IMO) wanted his funeral as a platform for his good works.

[Junkdrawer]

1. Bussed in Anti-Health Care protesters at Kennedy's funeral...

Now there's a happy thought...

[tabbycat31]

10. then they'll be looked at as nutjobs like Fred Phelps and his "church"

[malaise]

17. They won't get near this time

Watch the security.

[Junkdrawer]

18. Bet you the media cameras will give them "equal time"...

Gotta keep the meme that "The people don't want socialized medicine" going...

[ChiciB1]

2. Somehow, I Can See Him SMILING!! If We Only Could!!! n/t

[LisaM]

3. Ahhh, and the theme would be that Teddy WON'T rest in peace

till we accomplish his agenda.

Which I can see Teddy doing.

[onenote]

4. I can't think of a stupider idea

or one that Kennedy himself would find more offensive.

He was renowned for working with, and developing friendships with, those on the other side of the aisle. He co-sponsored numerous bills with repubs. And as in life, his funeral at Arlington National Cemetary will be an event that will cross the aisle. I am fairly certain one or more repub leaders --- probably Hatch -- will speak. The President will be there, not as a representative of the Democratic Party, but as a representative of all Americans.

Read the eulogies that Teddy himself gave for his brother Bobby, or for Corretta Scott King. You'll see someone who knew how to drive home the central point about a life lived well and with good purpose, but without making it "political."

[LisaM]

5. I don't mean get up there and drive a partisan divide

I mean get up there and use it as a proud platform to forward his ideals. I, for one, didn't think there was anything wrong with Wellstone's funeral, till Limbaugh and his ilk started framing the debate. I thought then we should have countered that attack, and I think that a funeral (though of course I am not the Kennedy family and they obviously will do this any old way that they please and think is right) that shouted his ideals from the rooftops would remind me of the Ted Kennedy I remember. Teddy was a barn burner.

[onenote]

8. okay. sorry if I misunderstood your intent

[Mike Daniels]

6. Yep. The hyper-partisans claiming that Repubs will be faking their tributes don't know sh*t

From everything I heard about Kennedy this morning he had many dear friends who were Republicans. He proved that you can disagree with someone politically and still get along with them and socialize with them personally.

It's a lesson that way too many people today on both sides could stand to practice in their own lives.

[lyonn]

7. Would hate to see Hatch speak at the funeral

It's hard to find any sincerity in anything Democratic he speaks of, only self promotion.

[onenote]

9. then I suspect you'll need to leave the room

I would be surprised if he doesn't speak. He and Teddy were close friends, like it or not.

[lyonn]

12. I am confident he will speak!!

He wouldn't miss this moment to be in the limelight........sick

[libodem]

11. Oh, hell, yes!

The best description of the screwing up of the commentary about Wellstone's funeral is in, our guy, Al Frankin's Lying Liars, book. Every Faux commentator and am radio station talker had smack to talk about the little tiny bit of campaign-type of activism at the funeral. That fucking Norm Coleman, couldn't wait to say, how he wasn't going to shoot out of the gait to gravedance, but that is exactly what he did.

Our opposition, is just that. Oppositional/defiant/barricaders. Win/lose, playeres They are not worthy opponents. They are all well dressed and good looking on the outside but cloak and dagger, Orwellian, double-speakers, on the inside.

[stray cat]

13. A man just passed away - not a politician. Honor the man.

[lyonn]

14. Ted's passing is more than my neighbor passing on

He lost 2 siblings during WW2, brother and sister, then lost a brother who was President of this country and another who was a Senator. He then carried the torch for civil rights. He made mistakes. I have no heros, only those I admire in spite of human failings. I am very sad.

Edited for clarification??

[Cha]

15. Whatever happens the corporatemediawhores and the

rwrong are not going to tell America how to think about it.

[jmondine]

16. Using his memory to achieve what he defined as the "cause of my life"

No statue, plaque, memorial, or speech would be a greater honor to his legacy.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

19. It's up to the family, don't you think?

:shrug: