Honestly I find it more justified to be pissed off and angry about someone who made policies that killed, abused or exploited several thousand (if not millions) of people than to be pissed off and angry about one terrible personal mistake that killed someone.
Actually in the wiki link you posted Ted Kennedy did tell the Kopechne family that she had died, although he didn't say he was the driver, before he reported it to the authorities. He also plead guilty to the charge of leaving the scene of an accident. He was never convicted or tried for murder. I agree that if his name wasn't "Kennedy" he might not have been elected after that but he was and there is much more to his life than just that one incident.
Doesn't bother me one bit to see people airing their feelings in these threads. These are public figures whom many based or made their careers out of controversial topics and subjects. To expect people to all the sudden drop the entire emotional baggage load and just say "Gee I hope that person is in heaven right now, what a great guy he was" is ridiculous. These people are always sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, mothers and fathers... so yes, it sucks for their families and I feel sorry for their loss, but I'm not going to expect people that I've fought against to all the sudden turn around and wish me well once I'm dead... or forget about the things I've done in my lifetime... we reap what we sow, from womb to tomb... and I'm just fine with that.
This is true to an extent. However, I wouldn't wish death on anyone just because I've disagreed with them and I'd still feel sorrow at their passing. In this case I probably disagreed with the Senator on most issues and resent the fact that he was able to skip serious charges because of his name but I still don't think it should mean that we don't take time to reflect on someone who, misguided though I think he was in his beliefs, fought for what he thought was the best interests of the country. I do notice a lot of people giving him a pass on the whole Kopechne incident by saying his life involved more than that. However, a lot of people here would be doing the same thing Fatty is doing if it were a Republican senator who got away with it. I'm not blaming Fatty either, I knew that issue would come up which is why I put this in the D&D. I agree with Fatty on how horrible it is that he continued to be elected after that. I just don't think that it means that we shouldn't honor someone who fought for many years for what he believed would improve the country.
I wouldn't contend that when a person dies they deserve to be momentarily exonerated of anything suspect they did over the span of their lives. Certainly nobody should feel any obligation to show respect to a person they did not hold in high regard on this Earth for the sake of appearances. I wouldn't say its out of respect for the deceased, but more out of respect for the bereaved. I realize that seems a bit odd being that this is the internet where anonymity is the norm and the bereaved would be unlikely to see any airing of grievances, but I feel it is simply a classy thing to do to at least pay respect for their loss or hold off from making any disparaging remarks until the body is at least cold. It just seems like an ethical thing to do.
To be fair, I always thought he was just an outspoken liberal before. But then I saw all this info. about this case on the 40th anniversary in June, which really made me question a bunch of other stuff. He went to his aides immediately, BTW. The spin went from there. As I said, read up on it, and then ask yourself how in the hell anyone got and maintained an office, much less judged anyone after that. Maybe it's just because I just recently became aware of this incident.
I've been aware of that incident and many other Ted Kennedy incidents that aren't that famous for years. I totally agree that the Kopechne incident is a black mark on his history and is questionable but based on the facts the most that can be concluded is it was an accident that Kennedy dealt with very poorly. That said it happened 40 years ago and since then he has done a lot of other things of consequence, whether good or bad. To make a nod to another thread this would be like saying that we are going to judge GW Bush based solely on what he did while a member of National Guard.
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Also unavailable for comment was Laura Bush's highschool boyfriend, killed in a head-on collision with her car... on prom night... when he was with a different girl. What I mean to say to idiots seeking to review his stain is: [Fat Albert] you are like school in the summer time.[/Fat Albert]
Conservatives don't think this way. They are more concerned about lying about an extra-marital blowjob than killing and displacing millions needlessly in wars. What is even weirder is that a lot of them follow a sect in Christianity that allows them to feel comfortable doing so.
Over/under to when this thread tranforms from Jimbo making outrageous comments to get attention, to Jimbo whining about other posters picking on him by leveling personal insults = Page 6 of the thread.
It was forty years ago, regardless of if he served time or not, it was time to move on 30 years ago. at least 75% of you weren't even born when this happened. should it be forgotten, of course not. but time goes on, even in tragic situations like these
Mmhmm. With you goading the entire way. I commented on something that was absolutely on point to this thread. You can agree or disagree, and state why you feel that way. Posting and hurling personal insults that have nothing to do with the topic is when I can get irritated.
Some years ago before CSPAN, I was in the Senate Chamber and only three, yes, three members were present. Loyd Benson was reading something to the record and Ted Kennedy and another Senator were laughing, I assume at the stories they were telling each other not what Sen Benson was reading. The thing I will never forget is that Ted Kennedy appeared to have a mixed drink, ice and all. Prepare to hear him called the most "important" Kennedy, but don't believe it. He was no JFK either, not even a Robert, but, give him his due, he played a major role in the Congress for many years. JFK was one of a kind, and I really hate how the media fantasizes about any public figure or celebrity that dies. The media seems to pay homage by setting lesser figures over more significant ones. No need to tear down others to give honor to those who deserve it.
Neither could John or Bobby. Nobody is defending or dismissing or forgetting what happened that night. A woman ended up dead not from the hand of God but through the actions of humans. To say the least, Teddy did not acquit himself well and as we see today, that night will always be part of his legacy just as it was always part of his life, no matter how much he drank... but while it is a part, it is not the whole.
You mean, for example, calling an entire state of people "idiots" and "sheep" for deciding to vote for or against someone, based on a topic in which they are substantially more informed than you? Those seem like fairly personal insults and having nothing do with the topic of the thread, which is Kennedy passing away.
