I have something to say about Ted Kennedy.....

[Wetzelbill]

In light of Senator Kennedy's hospitalization I am going to RP something I wrote about him after he harshly criticized the Iraq War several years ago. -WB

Subject: I have something to say about Ted Kennedy

This is going to be a short story about my feelings about Ted and his family.

Growing up on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana, I listened to the stories my grandfather used to tell me with total veneration. You see, my grandfather, Walter "Blackie" Wetzel was an Indian Liaison in Washington D.C., as well as the former Chairman of the Blackfeet Tribal Council and a former President of the National Congress of American Indians. In the due course of his work, he met and became friends with a great many powerful and interesting people.

Among them were three brothers who went by the surname: "Kennedy"

There I was a young child, wide-eyed and awestruck as my grandfather told me stories and showed me pictures of himself seated, standing nearby or shaking hands with the President of the United States and his prominent brothers. To me, the Kennedy's have been more than a famous name. More than the "First Family of American Politics." More than just my heroes.

They have always seemed like an extension of my family.

Over the years, through the trials and tribulations, I identified with the youngest brother and the only one of the four brothers left. (remember oldest brother Joe Jr.?) I was saddened as Teddy had to endure family scandals, tragic deaths and the constant media attention. The last one left to carry the brunt of everything good and bad.

It cannot be easy to be Ted Kennedy.

I recall one time while reading a book my parents bought regarding the trip JFK took to Montana when he was campaigning for President. There was Ted, bright-faced and smiling in the pictures. Late 20-ish, stuck somewhere between slight maturity and good-natured mischievousness. Enough serious politician to be in on the business side of the campaign trail, but enough daredevil to do something crazy outside of that realm. Somebody told Teddy his brother would get votes if he rode a bronc in a rodeo.

So in that instant, Ted Kennedy launched his short-lived rodeo career.

When informed the horse he rode was named "Sky Rocket," he reportedly quipped afterward:"Pretty soon, I was heading for the sky myself.

Ted Kennedy got bucked off, but nobody ever accused him of not having any sand.

So fast forward to September 2003.

After two years of turmoil, lies, hypocrisy, favors for the rich and a push toward a global empire headed by ideologues who have no business running a country as great as the United States, Ted Kennedy strapped on his boots and spurs for one more ride.

He called the war in Iraq a "fraud" and questioned the political motives behind it. He questioned everything that I have and many others out there have done for the last two years. He spoke the truth for innocent civilians, prone soldiers, and the record droves of war protesters who gathered around the world against these actions. He spoke the truth because America- The Great Ideal- was at risk due to the corruption of a few ignorant, pathetic extremists, who wish to endanger the world for the satisfaction of legacy and fatter bank accounts.

So I remember those stories my grandfather always told me. The vision of Camelot-however naive the notion may be. A time when young men from Boston ushered in an era of change. Before Vietnam and on the cusp of massive civil rights movements. He told me stories of men who a young boy from a poor reservation in Montana could look up to and respect. Who were not perfect, but, somehow, still managed to be both inherently good and larger than life. And if you all have read this far you will understand just what Ted Kennedy, his words and dissent mean to me. In a time when most politicians never stand up for what I believe in, he did something that few others would. This he did despite knowing the hateful repurcussions that would follow from the likes of some of the most cowardly, gutless men who have ever lived. He took that risk because he knew doing so was right.

Nobody ever accused Ted Kennedy of not having any sand.

The same can't be said of the people criticizing him for it.


Here is the original post from 2003:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x412909

[kaiden]

1. Thank you, Wetzelbill. Beautiful.

[Wetzelbill]

2. You're welcome

Glad you enjoyed it. :)

[roguevalley]

43. lovely. I love Ted Kennedy. the kennedys were hope.

[Wetzelbill]

78. yes they were

And, in many ways, they still are. Thanks for reading.

[MannyGoldstein]

3. Perfect.

Thanks.

[Wetzelbill]

5. you're welcome

and thanks for replying.

[Olney Blue]

4. Wonderful! Thank you for this- it was very moving.

[Wetzelbill]

6. I appreciate it, Olney

Thanks for the words and you're welcome too.

[Tippy]

7. Wetzelbill...Thanks for sharing with us......K&R

[Wetzelbill]

10. Happy to do it

Thanks for the K&R.

[Octafish]

8. Thank you for remembering, my Friend.

My son saw me cry for the first time yesterday.

[Wetzelbill]

11. I tried not to think of it

Purposefully, because I'd get sad and he's doing fine now and all, but still, to think that Teddy Kennedy is mortal, that's a shock. I was watching 13 Days a little bit ago too. Tough to get it off your mind. Thanks for replying to this as well as the original!

[Green Mountain Dem]

9. Thanks for posting,,,

that wonderful glimpse of this remarkable family. Our neighbor Ted has always been looked upon as a hero of sorts here in the Green Mtn State.
As an aside..When I was in high school (many yrs ago) I had a very good friend named Bill Wetzel!

[Wetzelbill]

12. That's great!

Yeah every now and then a "Bill Wetzel" will pop up somewhere. I ran into a guy on myspace with the same name, he's a fisherman, leads expeditions or something like that.

Oh yeah, Ted is a big hero in my family. All of the Kennedys are. Thanks for reading my post.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

13. My friend, this is a great story.

Thank you for telling it, and thank you Senator Kennedy for being who you are.

[Wetzelbill]

14. You're welcome

Glad you liked it. I felt compelled to post something, and I remembered this old thing, so I busted it out. :)

[Not Me]

15. My Dad used to say

"No family has given more for the people of this country than the Kennedys, especially given they could have just led successful private lives."

[Wetzelbill]

16. yeah that's a good point

Public life can be rough, especially with a name like that, it's a magnet for criticism and scrutiny.

[peacetalksforall]

17. It was an honor to read your words.

[Wetzelbill]

25. Thank you!

I'm honored that you said that. :)

[peace frog]

18. Thank you for posting this

All too often we read highly critical articles about the Kennedys, to the exclusion of all else, so it's heartening to read a glowing personal account of the brothers. My prayers for Senator Kennedy's speedy recovery.

[Wetzelbill]

26. you're welcome

Thank you for reading it.

[elizfeelinggreat]

19. Lovely memories

of a very strong man. Thanks for sharing.

[Wetzelbill]

27. you're welcome

Happy to do so. :)

[PDJane]

20. Thank you Bill........

I admire the Kennedy family too, warts and all......and I especially love it when Teddy gets up to speak, because I love a righteous rant, and he does them so well.

[Wetzelbill]

29. he's great at the righteous rant for sure

Glad you enjoyed it. :)

[FloridaJudy]

21. What a great post!

Thank you.

[Wetzelbill]

72. Thanks for reading it

and you're welcome. :)

[joanski0]

22. Thank you very much for this post.

I was so very saddened by the news about Senator Kennedy yesterday. Your post brought back many memories of my days working in the Executive Office Building during the Kennedy Administration. Everyone there loved the Kennedys. I even got to ride in the elevator with Bobby. You just can't imagine the gloom and doom there when word came that President Kennedy had been shot. I remember them hauling out the Kennedy things, like his rocking chair.

The Administrative Services Office let us go to whatever the room was and pick up a lot of memorabilia. I got a lot of pictures, including the Mass cards that were handed out at the President's funeral mass. Of course, I've given most of them away to my relatives and best friends by now. I even had a picture of Lyndon Baines Johnson pulling on the ears of those two dogs he had.

:cry:

[Wetzelbill]

30. thank you for sharing your memories too

And you're welcome as well. :)

[babylonsister]

23. Damn, Wetzelbill; now I know why you're running, too. Thanks for this;

you brought tears to my eyes. You moved me, man. :yourock: And so does the great Senator.

[Wetzelbill]

31. I know, some cheap pandering to the liberal base to get some votes

:)

Seriously, you're welcome and I'm glad you liked it. I'm touched that it moved you in that way. :)

[backscatter712]

24. Best wishes for Ted Kennedy!

At least it wasn't a stroke.

Granted, seizures aren't something to scoff at, but here's hoping he continues to get better.

[brook]

28. Thank you for this.

I also admire Ted Kennedy. He's a flawed human being. Like the rest of us. He's different in that he's got the
courage to continue to speak for the voiceless of this country. Most men would fade into the background if they had to weather the repetitive attacks that he has borne over the years.

To me, he's a real hero, forged from real life, not some PR man's invention. Yes. He's got sand.

[Wetzelbill]

32. I admire that he's stuck with it so long

He could have retired long ago, kicked back and reaped millions of dollars. But he's hung tough in the fire, after the deaths of his brothers, his own scandal, his presidential primary loss and on and on and on. I was happy to share and glad that you read and enjoyed it.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[Wetzelbill]

34. I appreciate your words, Mr. Bot

Thanks for the K&R.

[grantcart]

44. the kick is free the rec is going to cost you

[mdmc]

35. The Great Liberal Lion

God Bless Ted Kennedy

[Wetzelbill]

36. Amen to that

Thanks for replying. :)

[Stinky The Clown]

37. Your piece is so full of 'what might have beens'.

It makes me weary to contemplate them ............

K&R

[Wetzelbill]

73. yeah I know

Usually I try not to think of it, but now, I hope that we can capture that sense of "hope" that my grandfather and other relatives all had back then. I think we're on the cusp of something big, of going in the right direction again. Thanks for reading this.

[havocmom]

38. One of my favorite Wetzelbill pieces

Your grandfather was wise to set you toward such heroes. He showed you a path worth taking. He must be glad for the sand you have as you walk your path.

[Wetzelbill]

74. thanks for reading it both times

I hope he is, he passed away about a month and a half after I initially wrote this. He was really happy that I was interested in doing some of the same things he did. :)

[hisownpetard]

39. Greatm post. Thank you!

[Wetzelbill]

75. you're welcome

Than thanks for reading it.

[Muttocracy]

40. thank you - a great post from before I joined so it's nice to have it pointed out! nt

[Wetzelbill]

76. Glad to do it

Thanks for reading.

[Forkboy]

41. So much nicer than what a couple have said about him in GD-P.

K&R

:kick:

[Wetzelbill]

77. yeah, you know

It seems that nobody is exempt from harsh words around here. One of the saddest things about DU, for me, is when somebody is ill or dies, you inevitably see some very distasteful comments about them. Not valid critiques either, just very distasteful stuff. But yes, thanks for reading this, Forkboy.

[madfloridian]

42. Great post. Thank you.

:hi:

[Wetzelbill]

79. you're welcome

Good to pay you back after all of your wonderful work that you're always posting. :)

[grantcart]

45. Christ I hate Posts that make my eyes water up

I rate this as a 3 Kleenix Op you prick

One for Ted

One for the grandfather

and One for the young kid who sponged it all in and gave it back to us

[Wetzelbill]

80. you have to watch out for those onions

I heard that some are so strong that they emanate all the way from the fridge and make you tear up. :)

Thanks for the reading and the rating. I'm moved that it touched you like that. :)

[Diane R]

46. Wonderful post, and a perfect day to bring it back.

[Wetzelbill]

82. Thank you

Yes, I felt compelled to write something, and I knew I had this in reserve so I reposted. Glad you read it.

[defendandprotect]

47. How much better off we would be had the Kennedys and not the Bushes ended up in the White House!!!

And, perhaps, one day we'll know more about what really happened at Chappaquiddick --

For those who don't know, the Nixon White House tapes recorded a very odd comment by John Dean
to President Nixon as he was having Nixon sign some papers -- and if I recall correctly Bob
Haldemann was also present, if not others. At any rate it was something like John Dean saying
to Nixon ... "Wouldn't Ted Kennedy be surprised to know the bear trap he's walking into this
weekend." It was the weekend of Chappaquiddick.

Also, later, E. Howard Hunt showed an unusual interest in Chappaquiddick, but felt the need to
wear a disguise when he visited--!!! Why??

Here are a few articles that mention the tape and the John Dean comments ---

Chappaquiddick was nothing more than an election issue, it had nothing to do with a tragic murder. To quote Richard Nixon directly:

In the short term, I knew that Chappaquiddick would undermine Kennedy's role as a leader of the opposition to the administration's policies. In the longer term, it would be one of his greatest liabilities if he decided to run for President in 1972.
It was clear that the full story of what had happened that night on Chappaquidick had not come out, and I suspected that the press would not try very hard to uncover it. Therefore I told Ehrlichman to have someone investigate the case for us and get the real facts out. "Don't let up on this for a minute," I said. "Just put yourself in their place if something like that happened to us." In fact, our private investigator was unable to turn out anything besides rumors.

Needless to say, the truth was damaging to Richard Nixon, because if it wasn't, he would not have to rely on rumors about Chappaquiddick, for political advantage. The truth is, Nixon feared another Kennedy candidacy and Chappaquiddick was Richard Nixon's failed attempt to assassinate yet another political rival.
Howard Hunt and Frank Sturgis were seen in Martha's Vineyard during the weekend that Mary Jo Kopechne died, and it is therefore safe to assume that the intended victim was in fact, Ted Kennedy. Richard Nixon was right, the entire truth was never exposed. If it was, his Watergate burglars would have been charged with murder, for the collateral death of Mary Jo Kopechne.
http://surftofind.com/nixon -- scroll down a bit --

and ---


Daily Sally: My Ted Kennedy Chappaquiddick Story
Johchappaquiddick-story.html - 105k - Cached n Dean: ...if they get those bank records between the start of July of 1969 ... If Kennedy knew the bear trap he was walking into.... --Watergate tape, 3/13/73 ...
http://dailysally.blogspot.com/2006/01/my-ted-kennedy-chappaquiddick-story.html

Was Edward Kennedy Framed at Chappaquiddick? " Friends of the American ...
... of no reason why Ted Kennedy would admit to that if ... The CIA in the assassination Of Robert Kennedy Part2. Was Edward Kennedy Framed at Chappaquiddick? ...
21stcenturycicero.wordpress.com/jfk/was-edward-kennedy-framed-at-chappaquiddick... - 168k - Cached

Ted Kennedy Interview, talks about Iraq war (2007) - Cannabis Culture ...
For our other readers, it is spelt Chappaquiddick ;). Ted Kennedy: ... by mistake) had one of his witnesses shot out from under him, and was framed on ...
This is a video of an interview with Charlie Rose
http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-2486072845054556083&q=edward+kennedy&total=181&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=1

Evidence that Ted Kennedy was Framed by CIA- Chappaquiddick
John Dean summed it up when he said to Richard Nixon as recorded on the White House tapes in 1973: "If Teddy knew the bear trap he was walking into at Chappaquiddick. ...
www.blackopforum.info/index.php?topic=122.0 - 107k - Cached

Keep in mind when you consider the John Dean of today that he was totally on board with corrupt
Nixon administration practices -- including use of the IRS to intimidate "enemies."

[rucognizant]

67. I heard last year..........

from a friend who knew someone at the Chappaquidick house party that night. She said it was a frame job, Mary Jo was placed in the back seat of his car ( asleep? drugged?, drunk?) & he didn't realize she was there until the accident! He came back to the house to get help and was in a state of panic!
Until this person died my friend never told anyone!
That said.Frank Sturgis was a distant relative of mine; skull & bones Yaley, and hanging with that suspicious crowd of elite Dallas, business men in 1962,63. He was going to tell all later on but died mysteriously, at a young age! I think that is from the Unauthorized Biography of GHW Bush, by Tappley. Last time I googled it it was still there, although I hear the PNAC site is gone.
Sorry I don't have time to post links, I'm in the middle of a big job with a deadline. This is after dinner coffee!

[Wetzelbill]

83. so much better it hurts to think about it

Thanks for the links and thanks for reading my post. The John Dean comments are chilling! Wow!

[Wheezy]

48. Nicely said, WB. :)

[Wetzelbill]

84. than you very much, Wheezy

[Time for change]

49. Too bad there aren't more like him in Congress

[Wetzelbill]

85. no kidding

That would be great, the world would be a better place, for sure. Thanks for replying.

[The Wizard]

50. We in the reality based community owe

Ted Kennedy big time for standing up to the Republican jihad propaganda assault on the American people.
History will record Ted Kennedy as a hero and the entire Bush cartel as unelected war criminals and gangsters.
Get well Ted Kennedy; your country still needs you.

[Wetzelbill]

86. I love that

the "reality-based community." That always cracks me up. Yes! Ted will be remembered as a hero for standing up to these guys, for sure. Thanks for the comment.

[annabanana]

51. Kicking for the Massachusetts Liberals. . . . . . n/t

[Wetzelbill]

87. Rock on!

[defendandprotect]

52. TED INTERVIEW with Charlie Rose . . .

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-2486072845054556083&q=edward+kennedy&total=181&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=1

[Wetzelbill]

88. Thank you for the link

I appreciate it!

[NewHampshireDem]

53. Thank you for this, WB

:toast:

[Wetzelbill]

89. You're welcome

Glad to post it and thanks for the beer. :) :beer:

[EFerrari]

54. Every now and then, there appears something so beautiful

that you just have to pay attention to it. :)

[rucognizant]

68. Yes Thank You Bill!

There were a lot of unfavorable, nasty comments on the CNN blog. Made me feel very bad! Ted could have chosen a different life path that would have been a heck of a lot easier!

[Wetzelbill]

91. well some people irrationally hate

They just do. Movement Conservatism is very irrational and nasty, I can imagine the awful things some of the most awful of them would say. I admire that Ted has stayed in and fought the good fight for so long, he didn't have to do it. You're welcome, I'm happy you enjoyed it.

[Wetzelbill]

90. wow

I'm honored that you would say that. Thank you very much. :)

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

55. The Kennedys were very inspirational to me

I remember seeing John F. Kennedy when he came to my town in Colorado when I was about 13 years old. His open car stopped right in front of my house (just a few feet away from me) and he stood up and said a few words to the cheering crowd, that lined the street for miles. It was just a few months before he died. I think that if the Kennedys had never entered the political arena, America would have been smaller for it. I can't imagine an America without John, Robert, and Edward.

[Wetzelbill]

92. that's wonderful

Thanks for sharing that. Yeah, I was born after JFK and RFK passed on, so Teddy is the only brother I have any living knowledge of, I couldn't imagine what it would be like as a liberal not having him to look up to.

[yellerpup]

56. Beautiful, Wetzelbill.

I hope you decided to run for office. K&R! :kick:

[Wetzelbill]

93. I probably will at some point

I'd be surprised if I didn't. :) Thanks for reading this.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

57. K&R!

Thanks for this most excellent post.

xoxo
Gilligan

[Wetzelbill]

94. Thanks for replying!

You're welcome, I'm glad you liked it.

[Dystopian]

58. Thank you for sharing your story.....K&R

A beautiful piece of family history. How fortunate you are to have come from a family of wisdom, and I love your words about Ted Kennedy.

peace~

[Wetzelbill]

95. I feel fortunate

Thank you, I'm happy you loved it. :)

[ekwhite]

59. K&R for a great man

May Ted Kennedy recover fully and live for many more years.

[Wetzelbill]

96. right on

and thanks for the k&r.

[muryan]

60. Great post! K&R

[Wetzelbill]

97. thanks for reading it

[dbmk]

61. K&R - Beautiful post

[Wetzelbill]

98. Thanks for reading it

[theFrankFactor]

62. In the Real World

The Kennedy story is in reality riddled with the faults and failings that beset some percentage of every single human being's life and in proportion with the temptations they face. It is with this realization that I can say from my heart that with the loss of each of the Kennedy's, we as American's lost immeasurably. Not saints, not holy men, but if we examine our own lives starkly we would come up short when measured against the best that they have accomplished.

We need you Ted.

-=Frank

[Wetzelbill]

99. well said, Frank

Very flawed, but still great and epic. And we need Ted more than ever. Thanks for replying.

[pnwmom]

63. Strongly recommended. And I hope this magically ends up at the top of

the home page, as the Gore Vidal anti-Kennedy piece somehow did yesterday.

[Wetzelbill]

100. Thank you for reading it

Yeah, I was hoping to do something uplifting. I am tired of negativity and everything. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[pnwmom]

112. Thank you again, Wetzelbill. It IS a very uplifting piece --

both refreshing and needed.

[Radio_Lady]

64. Beautifully composed and recommended! Al and his first wife drove to DC for JFK's funeral ...

they were living in Baltimore at the time.

Peter and I were in NYC in 1963 and I was working for NBC. The news crew spent all night that Friday-Saturday in November cutting and editing film for the special documentary.

When I married Al in Massachusetts in 1973, all of our family had very warm feelings for the Kennedys, even though we are not Irish nor Catholic. People who brought up the Chappaquiddick incident on my radio show were quickly given the brush-off by me and my audience.

My husband's elderly mother once had a problem with something having to do with her status (was it with Social Security??? -- not sure). She wrote a letter to Senator Ted Kennedy and the problem was fixed almost immediately.

When John F. Kennedy, Jr. spoke before the convention of Democrats, we wondered -- what will he do in his life?

Then, when he went down in that small plane, I was so despondent that I had to see a doctor. All of the dreams of a mother wrapped up in her one son and daughter, and now the son was gone.

By the way, what ever happened to all of those photographs you refer to? Do you or someone in your family still have them?

Thank you so much for your thoughts and your writing.

Peace, love and happiness,

Radio Lady Ellen Kimball in Oregon

[Wetzelbill]

101. Thank you for sharing that

Wonderful story too.

Yeah, we still have some of the pictures. My Aunt has quite a few, one of my uncles has a couple too. I would like to get them together and scan them and put them on a myspace or something like that so the family could all have something to share, and others who are interested could get a look as well.

[Brazenly Liberal]

65. Thank you!

I have long been an admirer of Senator Kennedy. Your story is wonderful and confirms what many of us thought of him all along.

As for Camelot, I say don't listen to those folks who are so quick to call it a naive notion. I remember it quite fondly. No, things were not perfect and idyllic, but there was a general air of optimism that we haven't had for some time. Even though some things were actually significantly worse than they are today, there was a sense that we were on the way to better, that things would steadily improve if we worked at it. I could use a little of that sense of possibility right now. It's been a dark 7+ years.

We have a chance to recapture that feeling in November.

[Wetzelbill]

102. you're welcome

Yeah I have since been getting on the hope bandwagon. We need that general optimism again, these times have surely been dark. Thanks for reading and replying. :)

[Omaha Steve]

66. I got to vote in 1980 for Ted in the Ne. primary

I mentioned it to his daughter Kathleen back in March: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=2999271

I too feel close to the first Family.

[Wetzelbill]

104. Thanks for sharing that

That's a great thread too. I wish I could have voted for him, I was like 5 at the time though, haha.

[ClayZ]

69. Thank You! K and R

Great post!

[Wetzelbill]

105. you're welcome, glad you enjoyed it

And thanks for the K&R.

[GCP]

70. I'm proud to have Ted As my Senator

There are advantages to living in 'Taxachusetts'!

[Wetzelbill]

106. so are you saying Ted and John Kerry are better

than my senators, John McCain and Jon Kyl? :) Well at least when I move back to MT I'll have Baucus and Tester, they're pretty solid. :)

Thanks for replying, I'd be proud too. :)

[horseshoecrab]

71. Thank you Wetzelbill

What a beautiful post.

Teddy Kennedy is a giant. A sharp mind with a big heart. He knows what he's been gifted with in this life and knows that it's his duty to use his mind and talents for the good of all. He'll be remembered as a beloved Senator long, long after his detractors have been forgotten in the sands of time.

To me, Ted is the very best argument against term limits ever! May he serve us for many more years!

Thanks again for a wonderful post.

:hug:

horseshoecrab

[Wetzelbill]

107. He really is the last of the true giants

I think. Thanks for replying and you're welcome.

[justinthebull]

81. Fantastic!

Sen. Kennedy is one of mankind's true champions, and your essay is a noble tribute. Thank you for sharing.

[Wetzelbill]

108. Welcome to DU!

You're welcome, I'm glad you liked it.

[EFerrari]

103. Kick with the earworm Old Crusoe inflicted on me because it's too good.

http://www.last.fm/music/The+Amazing+Rhythm+Aces/+videos/+1-Ql_KwPRg17c?b=1

[Wetzelbill]

109. If this is Rick Astley, I will not be pleased

:rofl:

Although a kick is a kick. Thanks!

[EFerrari]

110. LOL

Their first bass player ended up on my doorstep in Boulder Creek, CA before the first album was out. How I ended up with a bass player from Indiana I'll never know. As if we didn't have enough on our hands. lol

[Wetzelbill]

115. oh lord

that is funny. :)

[frogcycle]

111. What an incredibly well written tribute

Thank you for re-posting. I urge you to send it to him. Or some DUer from Mass send to his Senate email.

[Wetzelbill]

116. thank you

and you're welcome. I think I sent this to him back when I first wrote it. I did send him a Get Well Message. Maybe I could resend this link, too.

[scarletwoman]

113. Lovely post. Thank you. k&r (nt)

[Wetzelbill]

117. You're welcome

Thanks for replying. I'm happy you liked it.

[lonestarnot]

114. I shook hands with him at the capital in D.C. when my son and I went there

for the first time for a peace march. He was pissed off as hell after arguing something which we had missed on the floor. Yet he still took the time to shake my hand and act the gentleman that he is. He has giant hands, and a heart that is as big.

[Wetzelbill]

118. I hope I can shake his hand someday too

That's awesome, yeah I heard he is gracious like that. One of my great-aunts said he hugged her a couple times when she met him. :) My great-uncle said she was beaming, lol.

[lonestarnot]

119. He was too pissed for hugging that day. He'd had a neck full of those piglicons

and their nutfuckery for the day I'm sure.

[Wetzelbill]

120. I bet

It has to be tough to deal with those ignorant wretches all the time. I about blow my top just reading and watching the news.

[Hekate]

121. Thanks so much for that. Mr. H and I watched Ted K give his endorsement to Obama & wept....

We both broke down and cried. Just when you think it's all politics ... This was such a beautiful and heartfelt gesture on Ted Kennedy's part.

Heartfelt thanks from us, just two people far away from Washington DC, for Ted Kennedy's life's work. A full and speedy recovery to him.

Hekate

[Wetzelbill]

122. you're welcome and thanks for reading it

[NanceGreggs]

123. ...

... :applause:

[Wetzelbill]

126. so I'm thinking you approve.

:) Thanks Nance!

[NanceGreggs]

127. Beautifully written piece ...

... I had nothing to add, except my applause.

Well said, well done.

[xxqqqzme]

124. That piece deserves to be re-posted.

I have great respect for Ted Kennedy. I love listening to him. Oh, that we had 60 more like him in the Senate.

[Wetzelbill]

125. That would be nice

If we only had that many more. :) Even a few more would be great. Thanks for reading this.

[Wetzelbill]

128. I will shamelessly kick this and add a bit of insight into the writing of this piece...

Notice I use the word "sand." From the time I first watched "Gangs of New York" in December 2002, in which Daniel Day-Lewis's character "Bill The Butcher" uses the word "sand" I went through about a yearlong phase were I always said it.

Note this is from September 2003, so I was in my "sand" phase. There you all go. :)

[hfojvt]

129. Not having any sand?

Who talks that way?

the words to my school song go

"we'll back you to stand
'gainst the best in the land
for we know you have sand ..."

Words that made every student say "we know you have sand? :wtf:"

I am just kinda surprised that nobody reading your piece got to that line and said :wtf:

I sorta grew up with this media idea of Teddy Kennedy as some drunken buffoon. This Massachusetts radical type who lost to Carter in the primary when I was barely paying attention to politics.

Then about ten years ago I was at my parents watching CNN and the Republicans in Congress were proposing some nonsense that CNN was talking about. Upon hearing it I kinda shouted at the TV that it was BS and why. Then CNN showed a clip of Ted Kennedy saying almost exactly what I said, so I shouted "thank you, Ted Kennedy". I noticed that many times in the 1990s and since. Quite often, Ted Kennedy speaks for me, says the thinks that I want somebody to say. Takes the stands that I want somebody to take. I appreciate that.

[Wetzelbill]

130. it's an old school figure of speech.

Sort of like guts or balls.

[liberal N proud]

131. Great story

This is what American history is made of only to be scarred by the likes of bu$h and his minions

Thanks for sharing

[Wetzelbill]

132. Happy to do so

You're welcome and thank you for reading it.

[myrna minx]

133. Beautiful essay.

Thank you. K&R

[Wetzelbill]

135. you're welcome, myrna

You're always a big supporter, thanks. :)

[Midlodemocrat]

134. Beautifully said, Wetzelbill.

Ted Kennedy is a hero to many. :thumbsup:

[Wetzelbill]

136. Indeed he is

Glad you liked it. :)

[WillyT]

137. Thank You For That !!! - K & R !!!

That was absolutely wonderful.

Wetzelbill... I actually got within a foot or two of shaking Bobby's hand. He was murdered a couple days later, and the pain has never truly left me.

I wrote a piece here at DU about one of his sons, David (now gone), that I met through my sister and knew for a short while. I plan to RP that here around June 6th. I'd like to share it with you now.

Link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1365948

Peace.

:hi:

[Wetzelbill]

138. Thank you for sharing!

I'll bookmark it and read it a little later. I'll get back to you on it. Glad you liked my post and thanks for the k&r.

[Radio_Lady]

139. UPDATE: Wetzelbill, your history is even more poignant today.

Al just told me about Ted Kennedy's diagnosis. I am just devistated.

The husband of a high school friend, as well as her father, had this same disease at the SAME time several years ago. The woman was tending her husband in Georgia, and her father in New York. She had to shuttle back and forth and wonder if her life would ever be the same.

Mercifully, it was only a few months before both men passed away.

I'm thinking about her today.

"Out, out, brief candle..."

Radio Lady in Oregon

[malaise]

140. Great post

Thank you.