Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Takes on Democracy - '04 election related

[kerrygoddess]

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Takes on Democracy
June 25th, 2006 @ 8:07 pm

I have long been an admirer of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. While many in the blogosphere, left and right, are discussing the validity of his recent Rolling Stone article, I simply applaud his willingness to take on an issue that many prefer not to discuss. It’s not about changing the results of an election long past, it’s about fighting for the rights and liberties that everyone in this country should hold dear, no matter what side of the aisle your politics lean.

Ron posted a quick note about the article in today’s NY Times about Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., “Another Kennedy Living Dangerously,” earlier today. Upon reading it myself, I once again affirm why I admire Kennedy so much. In my opinion, Bobby Jr. has always been a man not afraid to step out on a limb, like his father before him, Bobby Jr. believes passionately in making a difference in the world. I am reminded in reading the NY Times piece today of my favorite quote from his father, which epitomizes the legacy Bobby Jr. carries on in his father’s name:

Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance. - Robert F. Kennedy

The NY Times piece notes some responses from Senator Edward M. Kennedy in a phone interview for the article by Times writer, Mark Leibovich.

Senator Kennedy, who like his nephew lost brothers well before their time, said, “I think he feels he has to live for a lot of people who’ve been lost.”

The senator made these remarks in the context of his nephew’s lifestyle and political work. Friends say Mr. Kennedy has undergone a gradual adjustment to his priorities through the Bush years. He has broadened his notion of “what you’re supposed to do.” He has, through his professional life, been identified with the environmental movement.

“Now it’s much more fundamental than protecting the environment for Bobby,” said his friend Laurie David, the liberal advocate and producer of “An Inconvenient Truth,” the Al Gore movie. “He fears that the country is being lost, that democracy is at stake.”

So, do I. The assault on our democracy at the hands of the Bush administration has been one continual progression of tearing down our civil rights and liberties. In his fight to protect the environment and the rights of those harmed by the Bush administration’s assault on the environment, Kennedy has fought to protect the rights of every person in this country in harm’s way of Bush’s destructive environmental policies.

MORE & LINKS - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=3425

[beachmom]

1. Yes, I've been very impressed with RFK, Jr.

I did read that Rolling Stone article on the stolen Election, and as a skeptic, I thought there were certain areas where he really made some valid points. I've also seen him on NOW on PBS talking about the environment. It's great that he is so engaged.

[fedupinBushcountry]

2. President Kennedy and Bobby Kennedy

were my introduction into politics back in the 60's. Both of them made us think about what we as citizens should be doing to keep our country good. To this day I can still remember meeting Bobby Kennedy when I was a freshman in high school, he so inspired the young people as his brother did before him.

I applaud RFK, Jr., the title "Another Kennedy Living Dangerously", it so says how sad journalism is today, yes NY Times he has the cajones to QUESTION and to get ANSWERS, maybe its time that the media started living dangerously too.