Did you ever believe that Senator Kennedy would get this great appreciation ...?

[kentuck]

Whenever he passed away? It seemed that it took his death for people to look back at his work and all the stories of compassion. In looking back, they realized, we all realized, what a truly great Senator and great man we had lost. When given the time to reflect on his life, we could see all the legislation that touched almost everyone's lives. And Senator Edward M. Kennedy was the person in the middle of so many important laws that were passed. He had a great impact on our lives and, in death, we can finally appreciate his life and deeds.

[babylonsister]

1. I live in a state of denial. I didn't believe he'd die.

The stories we've heard have been so heart-warming. He did so much, for so many, wanting nothing, including publicity, in return. That is the sign of a truly wonderful person. We should all take a page from his selflessness.

[bobbolink]

6. I kept thinking, hoping,, there would be a miracle.

The alternative seemed so ........bleak.

And, it is.

Bleak.

[babylonsister]

13. I expected him to be wheeled in for the HC vote.

:(

[bobbolink]

18. Exactly. He has triumphed over so much..... I'm still in shock.

:cry:

edited to say: It didn't really hit me until I saw the picture of his draped Senate seat.

Like a stab to the heart.

I'm just grateful that for a while I had C-Span...and got to see him orate. Not to be forgotten!

[roguevalley]

25. I believed it. He was a good man. I knew it because he earned it.

For the boomers among us, this is an awful chunk of our heart cut away. More and more of the old world falls away, the old America.

[NotThisTime]

22. I was in that state of denial, but coming from Mass. I did think he'd get this recognition

But then there are other rabid right wingers from the state who would say otherwise.... I always recognized what he did quietly, reports surfaced now and again, you saw his legislation. Now we know close to the entirety of the man and it's more than even I ever thought it was... just amazing.

[texanwitch]

2. Yes and no.

Senator Kennedy has always been there for so many of us.

I thought I was ready for this day but I am not.

[virgogal]

3. No surprise here.

[EFerrari]

Yes, I did. The anti-Kennedy hate is a rw media product

not to be confused with the millions of people who appreciated him, here and abroad.

[Iris]

14. I think it's deeper than rw media; It's been rampant in the South for many many years

[EFerrari]

16. I don't know very much about the South. Maybe you could say more?

I know my mom was afraid for JFK to go to Dallas and remember her talking about "the South". At 7, it seemed like a scary, faraway land to this San Franciscan. :)

[liberalmuse]

4. Sadly, no.

All I heard growing up concering Senator Kennedy was Chapppaquiddick and how he was a drunken womanizer. I still feel guilty over my childhood perceptions. That being said, I have always loved the Kennedy's, and there is no question that I was born a liberal, even though I was raised in a very conservative belief system. It's sad, but the right wing hate machine really does have an affect on people, especially the young and vulnerable. I really learned to love and appreciate him later on in his life. He was a proud, unrepentant liberal who voted that way. Thank god for him.

[sunnybrook]

5. I am not surprised because of my feelings

I adore Ted Kennedy. But I know how hated he was by wingnuts... truly despised. So I am very happy that the truth of who this wonderful man is, without the media dwelling on the haters, which they usually love to do!

[SeattleGirl]

7. After all he has done for so many people, I am not surprised.

Those who hang on to Chappaquiddick as the measure of the man are those who are deliberately blind to who that man became.

[EFerrari]

8. They're pathetic. Their coke head was AWOL and McSame

crashed more than his share of planes when he wasn't out getting loaded with prostitutes.

Joan miscarried over that accident. I never hear these idiots talking about that loss.

[BooBluePotion]

9. Absolutely and

I would expect no less from every DUer here! We democrats do so much for our neighbors and community without asking for much in return but on occasion we're glad to receive a simple hug.

Don't believe what you hear from freepers about a fellow dem they are serial liars. Everyone should see that now.

And to Teddy,

Baby you're my Uncle too :)

[graywarrior]

10. I think all of us did. It's everyone else who is shocked.

And by everyone else, I mean the press.

[BlooInBloo]

11. Except for the "what a great bipartisan guy" bullshit, it's been a great learning experience...

I love all of the "little" stories about him doing small-but-big personal things for people.

[sandnsea]

12. From the people, yes

from the media, no. I am glad they are being gracious, at least so far. I imagine that will all change on Monday though.

I am overwhelmed at the stories of this man's enormous heart and genorosity of time and spirit. Wouldn't it be great if people like Teddy were our heroes instead of Michael Vick?

[GreenPartyVoter]

15. Not at all surprised. He was the last of the brothers and the final goodbye to memories of Camelot.

And then too, there was his own personality and all the good that he did.

[pitohui]

17. you don't know what you've lost til it's gone

also i noticed that in death he is now an edward instead of teddy :-) that i never predicted

[moondust]

19. It's a lesson for lawmakers who serve special interests rather than the people.

What are your corporate and fatcat masters going to do for you when YOU die, Senator/Congressperson? I suspect they'll toss you in a hole and find a new puppet.

[havocmom]

24. BINGO! The punk ass puppet pols know they will never get that kind of affection

They know they are not PUBLIC SERVANTS. They can act all they want, but they know it's pretend and they are naught but cheap hired hands. Looking at bush today, the reality of real Public Servants v arrogant posers was glaring.

That Kennedy did so much out of view of the lens is his measure. The throngs of loving people along his last routs, the proof of the man.

[quiller4]

20. Not at all surprised but think it has more to do with Teddy, his

relationship politics and his accomplishments than it has to do with his brothers and memories of Camelot.

[KoKo]

23. They were the transition from "old Agrarian America" to new "Immigrant" America

where the NEW IMMIGRANTS could make money...and sort of like the Chicago Mafia the Kennedy Family found their NICHE in the New America. They tried to do some "good." The Chicago Style "Mafia" were the dark force...although it's been said the Kennedy Family tried to work with both the Mafia and the emerging Movie Industry in California along with Wall St. under their Stock Broker father Joseph. JOE of WALL ST. KENNEDY!

It's the end of the "OLD ERA"...who realized what the "NEW ERA" would be up to. It's a sad time because it comes as the death of what many of us hoped and thought was the "REAL AMERICA" ...that NEVER WAS.

For that it's sad and worth a very long and sobering MEMORIAL...to WE ...the PEOPLE...IMHO...whatever.

[KoKo]

21. I thought it would be BIG...because it was End of an Era...like Election of Obama

and for that alone the MSM knew what it meant to the forgotten audience.

[Skittles]

26. yes

I was aware of the great respect he had of all his colleagues and many voters, despite the garbage the rightwing hate media spews