R.I.P. Edward Kennedy (1932-2009)

[stargirl]

I just heard this on the news tonight...

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/...009-08-26.html

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), the last surviving brother in one of America’s most famous political families, died late Tuesday at the age of 77.

The second-most senior member of the Senate, Kennedy played major roles in passing numerous civil rights, disability rights, healthcare and education measures during his long tenure.




The Massachusetts Democrat, who served in the Senate for 46 years and was known as the upper chamber's liberal lion, was diagnosed with brain cancer in May 2008 after suffering a seizure at his home in Hyannis Port.

His diagnosis shocked his fellow senators. Sen. Robert Bryd (D-W.V.) openly wept on the Senate floor the day Kennedy’s cancer was announced.

In a quivering voice, Byrd intoned, “Ted, Ted, my dear friend, I love you. … Thank God for you, Ted, thank God for you.”

Kennedy had brain surgery in June, and, for the most part, remained out of the public spotlight in the following months. His absence, however, was punctuated by several high-profile, and usually highly emotional, appearances.

He first reemerged in July 2008 to cast a key vote to break a Republican filibuster on a Medicare bill and his Senate colleagues greeted him with thunderous applause. After endorsing President Obama early in the 2008 presidential campaign, Kennedy gave a major speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver in August.

He attended Obama’s inauguration in January, but had to leave the post-inauguration luncheon after he suffered a seizure.

Kennedy's absence was acutely evident during the negotiations on healthcare reform. The chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Kennedy entrusted his gavel to Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), one of his closest friends in the upper chamber.

In July, when the HELP Committee passed Kennedy’s bill, Dodd said Kennedy called him “bellowing with joy.”

In August, Kennedy took steps to ensure that Democrats would not be without a vote after his death. He sent a letter his state’s governor and legislative leaders, asking them to change the succession law to ensure Massachusetts has two seats in the Senate.


Massachusetts law calls for a special election to fill the Senate seat Kennedy won in 1962 and held ever since. The state statute requires the governor to call a special election within 145 to 160 days.

Even though he was one of the Democrats’ most famous faces, Kennedy had long relationships, and close friendships, with several senior Republicans in the chamber.

He and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) worked closely for decades, and the two were good friends.

Though he was a political success -- his only defeat came at the hands of incumbent President Jimmy Carter in 1980 presidential nomination battle -- Kennedy was touched by personal tragedies.

His eldest brother, Joseph Kennedy Jr., died in World War II. Two other brothers were assassinated: John in 1963 and Robert in 1968. He also buried three sisters, Kathleen, Rosemary, and Eunice; and three nephews, John Jr., David, and Michael.

Kennedy is survived by his wife Victoria Reggie Kennedy; his children Kara Anne Kennedy, Edward Kennedy Jr. and Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.); sister Jean Kennedy Smith; four grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gosh, I'm at a loss for words right now.

RIP Edward Kennedy, you will never be forgotten...

[johnny139]

Man, how did I not hear about that? Ted Kennedy... I mean, he had cancer, so I think we knew it was coming, but, wow. Another sad day for the Kennedy family - and for New England as a whole, as he's definitely among the most prolific in the political history of Massachusetts.

So, that leaves only one of the siblings, right? So sad, and right after Eunice's passing, too.

[Mr. Wednesday]

Yeah, it's truly a sad loss. RIP Ted Kennedy.

[Mala Loba]

Thank you, Mr. Kennedy. Thank you for all that you did. Even though I was not a resident of your state, I still thought you were awesome, and you stood for everything I believe about the Democratic Party.

[Yash]

Kennedy was my hero.

RIP Ted.

[Jiya]

A great man who did great things for all Americans. RIP Ted Kennedy.

[CaptainHero]

Can't say I am too sad right now, he did infact kill that poor girl all those years back.

[The Wolverine]

Originally Posted by CaptainHero

Can't say I am too sad right now, he did infact kill that poor girl all those years back.

But he was never charged with murder or anything...

[CaptainHero]

Originally Posted by Chibi Goten

But he was never charged with murder or anything...

Doesn't mean he didn't do anything wrong. Look at OJ.

He left that girl in the car to drown, and didn't tell police until the next morning, had he told them right away they might have been able to save her life.

I'm not trying to start a flame war here, it just disgusts me to see people blatently ignoring this terrible event just because the man has passed away.

[wonderfly]

The part from that news article above which struck me the most was this:

The Massachusetts Democrat, who served in the Senate for 46 years

That's just an absurd amount of time to hold the same position in office. I won't talk about his politics here, but I will say that Ted Kennedy is one of the main examples of why I support term limits.

Having said that, his family has my sympathy, as do the people of Massachusetts, (who seemed to love him. They must have, as much as they re-elected him).

[blazecat]

Sad.....

[krazymed]

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/art...y_Tributes.php

Following the death of Senator Edward ‘Ted' Kennedy (D-Mass.) late Tuesday night (Aug. 25), television news organizations are prepping a number of specials and documentaries to celebrate and remember the life of the "Liberal Lion."
CBS News will mark the passing of Kennedy with a primetime special Aug. 26. Ted Kennedy, The Last Brother will look at the legacy of the long-time senator and patriarch of the famous political dynasty. The one-hour special will air at 8 ET.
ABC News will present Remembering Ted Kennedy at 10 p.m., anchored by World News' Charles Gibson from Hyannis Port, Mass.
NBC will present a one hour NBC Nightly News anchored by Brian Williams from Hyannis Port at 6:30 p.m..
In an unusual move, CNN will present a replay of the HBO documentary Teddy: In His Own Words from 7-9 p.m., hosted by Campbell Brown.
MSNBC will present The Kennedy Brothers: A Hardball Documentary at 11 p.m. The special, announced last week, had been scheduled to run Aug. 27, but was rescheduled following Kennedy's death. Chris Matthews will host.

Obvious note, Fox News has nothing planned. My guess is because Kennedy was a Democrat. And unlike the last time they decided not to air a Democrat on primetime TV (a Presidential address), they don't have American Idol as an excuse. A Bones repeat isn't exactly going to do any damage.

[CaptainHero]

Originally Posted by krazymed

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/art...y_Tributes.php

Obvious note, Fox News has nothing planned. My guess is because Kennedy was a Democrat. And unlike the last time they decided not to air a Democrat on primetime TV (a Presidential address), they don't have American Idol as an excuse. A Bones repeat isn't exactly going to do any damage.

I hate when people act like Fox News is the only news network that favors a political side. Let's not forget the days when Clinton was in office and CNN was the "Clinton News Network". Plus Teddy wasn't that great of a guy, he practically murdered somebody, I don't see why he deserves all these glowing tribute specials.

[wonderfly]

I'm trying to leave aside the political spectrum of this, I merely wish to compare news coverage:

Was there any announced "specials" and "tributes" on the news channels when Strom Thurmond died? For that matter, are they going to do this many specials for Robert Byrd or Ted Stevens when they pass away?

EDIT: Frankly, all 3 individuals named above, (the longest running Democrat and Republican senators) only further to cement my position on the need for term limits...

[GWOtaku]

There's a bias because he's a Kennedy. Of course, to be fair, he also had brain cancer and his condition was ongoing for quite awhile.

I think the "Camelot" concept is absurd, but he was a significant politician and I think we can all agree that it's a terrible way to go. RIP, and cancer can go to hell.

[Mesousa]

So, only one Kennedy is left?

That's pretty sad...

[krazymed]

That's where I was going. I think I would more annoyed if the last Kennedy goes (Jean Smith), and then Fox was the only network not to air a tribute to all of the Kennedys. Maybe Fox has something planned for a little later, I don't know.

And at least Fox is funny. It took me years to even glance at CNN after the Clinton absurdity.

[defunctzombie]

Sad. Someone like Ted Kennedy doesn't come around often. He was a great politician and served the people well for all the years they elected him for.

[Light Lucario]

I heard about this last night. My parents were totally shocked by the news. It is sad and I feel bad for the Kennedy family since they have experienced great losses many times before. Rest in peace, Ted Kennedy. I hope that he is at peace and his family and friends can get through this emotionally painful time.

[BrendaBat]

*GAG* If I hear one more news anchor talk about Chappaquiddick as if KENNEDY was the victim and not the girl he killed I'm going to punch my TV screen!
"Oh, poor Teddy. He didn't get to inherit the White House just because he got into a little car accident. Who cares about the bimbo who drowned!? Her family wasn't even rich or politically connected, so she doesn't matter! What REALLY matters is bringing back Camelot no matter what and Mary Jo ruined it for us! Boo Hoo!!"

Originally posted by krazymed
Obvious note, Fox News has nothing planned. My guess is because Kennedy was a Democrat. And unlike the last time they decided not to air a Democrat on primetime TV (a Presidential address), they don't have American Idol as an excuse. A Bones repeat isn't exactly going to do any damage.

You're confusing Fox News with Fox Entertainment. They're owned by the same corporation; but Fox News has no control over what Fox Entertainment does and vice versa. And, FYI, last night all the Fox News programming was pre-empted the second Kennedy died and, when I tuned in this afternoon, they were still repeating the same details about his death (and whitewashing his sordid life) over and over and over just like every other news network.