Nineteen eighty-something: Ted Kennedy gets off his plane at Logan
I often wondered if having two of your siblings assassinated will do that to a guy. Most dudes of that stature would have platoon of bodyguards humping them around all day but Ted for whatever reason didn’t bother. Ted liked to party a lot. He got drunk once drove his car off a bridge. He partied with college punks in Fort Lauderdale
Yea, I liked Ted. But some people didn’t. Like this guy, Howard Phillips head of the Conservative Caucus. “He has been utterly shameless, brazen and indifferent to what should be his internal conscience. People in public life have a responsibility to behave in a certain way that can be respected and emulated by children and ordinary citizens." Fuck Howard Phillips. Or this one: “His incessant pursuit of women reveals”, says writer Suzannah Lessard, "a severe case of arrested development, a kind of narcissistic intemperance." Obviously, a disaffected one-nighter. But that is an awesome compliment just the same. It must also explain how EMK authored, sponsored, and pushed through more sweeping reform and new legislation than any other politician in the last fifty years.
Ted wasn’t as smart as JFK or RFK or probably even family dog but what he lacked brain cells he made up for in staying power. Even a who guy doesn’t have all the answers (or even knows what’s going on half the time) and he’s stinks like an empty whiskey bottle- if he shows up for the fight enough times he’s going to have friends and that’s politics, and that’s my take on Ted Kennedy.
Kruger, I'm going to politely disagree. I think Teddy was pretty smart. I had the pleasure of meeting him on one occasion. He struck me as a down-to-earth (as someone who is otherworldly wealthy and famous can be) and genuine. Moreover, I respect that he was not in the Senate to do what he thought was the right thing, rather than to line his own pockets, make himself more famous or use it as a stepping stone for another job, as most of the other hacks there do. Regardless of whether or not you agree with what he thought was right (hello Klompus) you have to respect his dedication to it.
Posted by: TMan | August 27, 2009 at 03:38 PM
@Tman
I was trying to keep this lite and politics-free. You're not helping. Say something retarded for once.
BTW, has Boston gone into binge mode yet? I should head up there for after-funeral procession blow-out.
Posted by: Mr. Kruger | August 27, 2009 at 04:05 PM
He got drunk once drove his car off a bridge.
Is that all that happened? He didn't leave a woman in the car to drown?
Posted by: Dingo | August 27, 2009 at 06:06 PM
or use it as a stepping stone for another job, as most of the other hacks there do...
Didn't he run for president against Carter?
One of the restaurants in DC where the two would always go had to relocate the bar so that it was closer to their table because the waiters were always having trouble keeping up with their drink orders.
A more cost effective solution would be to hire an extra waiter and dedicate them to the table. No wonder people often complain about the wasteful spending in Washington.
Is that all that happened? He didn't leave a woman in the car to drown?
Spoken like a disaffected one-nighter.
Posted by: Assman | August 27, 2009 at 06:55 PM
@Kruger
"I was trying to keep this lite and politics-free."
Of course. Your quoting (and fucking) of Howard Phillips certainly illustrates that.
"Say something retarded for once."
in response to:
"as someone who is otherworldly wealthy and famous can be) and genuine. Moreover, I respect that he was not in the Senate to do what he thought was the right thing, rather than to line his own pockets, make himself more famous or use it as a stepping stone for another job, as most of the other hacks there do. Regardless of whether or not you agree with what he thought was right (hello Klompus) you have to respect his dedication to it."
I'm not exactly sure what that means amidst the contradiction. But "reading between the lines," it appears Ted Kennedy is being described as genuine and applauded for not using politics for self-interest. That would be the apex of retardation.
@Dingo
"Is that all that happened? He didn't leave a woman in the car to drown?"
Perhaps you're playing Monday morning QB. Maybe she just didn't want to get out of the car. And what did you expect Teddy to do, actually go get help or something? Picky, picky.
Posted by: Jack Klompus | August 28, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Is that all that happened? He didn't leave a woman in the car to drown?
I didn't mean that retarded.
Of course. Your quoting (and fucking) of Howard Phillips certainly illustrates that.
Yea that was a blatant political slight against my conservative brethren. It must be exasperating for them especially when everyone knows what great examples they set for children and "common" people. People like Strom Thurmond, Jesse Helms, Joe McCarthy, and Larry Craig have been done a great disservice by that three-word remark.
Posted by: Mr. Kruger | August 28, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Perhaps you're playing Monday morning QB. Maybe she just didn't want to get out of the car. And what did you expect Teddy to do, actually go get help or something? Picky, picky.
Seriously. Fly your car off a bridge when you're shitfaced, and then tell me if you remember if anyone was in the car when you wake up swimming.
Just reminds me of a situation I was in years ago. Plunk one fucking toddler in a preschool zone when you're loaded on Cisco from the night before, and suddenly you're the bad guy.
RIP Teddy. May your huge chiclet teeth not decay for hundreds of years.
Posted by: Kenny Bania | August 28, 2009 at 05:03 PM
"Yea that was a blatant political slight against my conservative brethren. It must be exasperating for them especially when everyone knows what great examples they set for children and "common" people. People like Strom Thurmond, Jesse Helms, Joe McCarthy, and Larry Craig have been done a great disservice by that three-word remark."
The point wasn't that it was somehow unfair to Republicans. It was the "politics-free" comment that you made right before you went on to getting all over TMan's nuts.
Posted by: Jack Klompus | August 31, 2009 at 07:30 AM
I don't know an awful lot about Teddy Kennedy so here's my take...Dude fucking drove off a bridge, left a girl to drown, didn't call the cops, went back to the fucking party for few more Manhattans while the girl was trapped in a car. Never was investigated. No autopsy. Why was this not a bigger deal? It seems to be just the go-to joke when you hear his name. Is there any sane person that doesn't think he should have spent the rest of his like in jail? Does anyone not see that as a huge black eye to the integrity of our government? Our justice system?
Ted Kennedy being re-elected like 42 times AFTER that happened is unfathomable to me. Spitzer got caught with a hooker and had to step down. TK probably went through 12 of those a week.
Posted by: Art Vandelay | August 31, 2009 at 07:20 PM
Dude fucking drove off a bridge, left a girl to drown, didn't call the cops, went back to the fucking party for few more Manhattans while the girl was trapped in a car.
Really, it happened just like that? You sound like an idiot. I've heard a 100 different variations on this story and they range from the reasonable to the completely absurd. The only thing I'm sure of is that his name got him out of that mess. Just the way Bush got out of a ton of DWI's back in his formative years. Exactly what how and when he did what he did is a mystery to this day. But I guess I should assume you're an expert of Chappaquiddick. You've proved time and again your great investigative skills and relentless pursuit of the details.
Is there any sane person that doesn't think he should have spent the rest of his like in jail? Does anyone not see that as a huge black eye to the integrity of our government? Our justice system?
That's hilarious. I wasn't aware there was a system outside of palm greasing and hush payola.
It was the "politics-free" comment that you made right before you went on to getting all over TMan's nuts.
I went nowhere near Tman's nuts. I was clearly jesting.
Posted by: Mr. Kruger | September 01, 2009 at 12:34 PM
No, I don't claim to know how it happened. He very well may have taken a couple of dives to try to get the door open I suppose. I know he left a body to drown in the ocean without calling the cops.
When Michael Jackson died, all you heard was "how dare people mourn him and remember him for being a great artist...HE WAS A CHILD MOLESTER!!!"
Well, where's the indignation now? I've seen 3 articles suggesting TK was the greatest senator ever since he died. Why is it ethically permissible to suggest such a thing?
Posted by: Art Vandelay | September 01, 2009 at 01:09 PM
Ted Kennedy being re-elected like 42 times AFTER that happened is unfathomable to me. Spitzer got caught with a hooker and had to step down. TK probably went through 12 of those a week.
Hey Vandelay, FYI!
Posted by: Jackie | September 01, 2009 at 01:58 PM
@vandelay
You can't separate the two? If you're looking for role models you might want to put politicians near the bottom of your list. I've also heard plenty of stories where he went way outside his responsibilities to help people who were in dire straits. So, I don't think one event defines someone for their entire life. And this 'leaving people to die' thing you keep throwing out is pretty ill-defined. Apparently, it leaves ones imagination open to all sorts of absurdities.
Posted by: Mr. Kruger | September 01, 2009 at 02:08 PM
"Really, it happened just like that?"
Intent aside and with the exception of him returning to the party for more drinks -- that's pretty much how Ted himself described what happened.
"Just the way Bush..."
And...there it is. Fresh from the panphlet.
"Exactly what how and when he did what he did is a mystery to this day."
What? There's no mystery about what time he walked in to the police station to report what happened, for one.
"I went nowhere near Tman's nuts. I was clearly jesting."
Please. "Ooh, you're not helping. Say something retarded for once. Te-hee"
That's pretty much humming "Midnight Train to Georgia" with a moutful of T-Nads.
Posted by: Jack Klompus | September 01, 2009 at 02:10 PM
with the exception of him returning to the party for more drinks
That's like saying "with the exception of those two jets crashing into the towers, 911 never really happened."
Please. "Ooh, you're not helping. Say something retarded for once. Te-hee"
That's pretty much humming "Midnight Train to Georgia" with a moutful of T-Nads.
Dood, that's some awesome retardedness there.
Posted by: Mr. Kruger | September 01, 2009 at 03:10 PM
That's like saying "with the exception of those two jets crashing into the towers, 911 never really happened."
No it isn't. "Those two jets crashing into the towers" would be equivalent to "leaving a woman in a car to drown and not calling the cops" if we really wanted to follow through on this bad analogy.
Was I misinformed on the going back to the party part? I had read that without ever reading anything to the contrary.
Posted by: Art Vandelay | September 01, 2009 at 03:38 PM
"So, I don't think one event defines someone for their entire life."
Yes! The "Weekend vs. a lifetime" argument. Think about it.
"And this 'leaving people to die' thing you keep throwing out is pretty ill-defined. "
It is? Was she still trapped in the car after he got out? Did she die? Based on his own testimony, do you think he made a reasonable effort to either extract her himself or get immediate help in doing so?
I don't see too many other nuances that could come in to play after that.
"That's like saying "with the exception of those two jets crashing into the towers, 911 never really happened."
Not even close. I wasn't referencing the fact that he returned to the scene of the party. What's disputable is what he did when he got there. Vandelay suggested TK had more drinks. TK says he asked the party's host and his cousin for help and a ride back to the bridge. Hence the "exception."
Posted by: Jack Klompus | September 01, 2009 at 04:32 PM
@Klompus
I knew what you were getting at Klompus. My point is why bother calling the guy a horrible senator over something that was obviously a huge fuck up early in his life unless you're ready to label him an outright ruthless murderer as Van suggests. He grew up a spoiled rich brat who liked to party. (sound familiar). He wasn't a killer. He had the respect of a lot of Republican colleagues some of whom held polar opposite views to his. So why bother? He was a giant in the senate and he worked his ass for it regardless of what you think about his shortcomings, which he readily admitted as you noted.
Posted by: Mr. Kruger | September 01, 2009 at 07:40 PM
"My point is why bother calling the guy a horrible senator over something that was obviously a huge fuck up early in his life'
I missed that. Who said he was a horrible senator because of Chappaquiddick? I'd say he is a man of zero integrity because of it. Or in more general terms, a slimy piece of shit. Which, incidentally, is a quality that makes for a good senator.
"unless you're ready to label him an outright ruthless murderer as Van suggests."
Why does it have to be that polar? It was pretty obvious that reckless driving was involved. Couldn't one accuse him of being a killer in the context of manslaughter?
"He wasn't a killer."
Well, he was never charged with that crime, so there was never an opportunity for such an investigation. He immediately plead guilty to leaving the scene of an accident(!) and got a two-month suspended sentence -- two fuckin' months. He waited until 10 a.m. the next morning to walk into the police station. There was a house less than 100 yards away from the bridge he drove off, yet he walked past that and a whole host of others to return to the cottage where the party was hosted. And yet when he got to the cottage to get his cousin and friend to come help him rescue the girl (allegedly), no one even thought to use the phone in the cottage to make a quick call to police? Then he got on national TV to try and preserve his family name/Senate seat -- talked about how he regretted not calling for help, but he wasn't drinking. Right. All the women at the party were single and all the men in attendance were married. He stayed until about midnight and wasn't drinking? Come on. No autopsy was performed. Then after all the paperwork was complete, he paid the Kopechne family about $100K (1970-ish dollars) so there wouldn't have to be a public lawsuit. Maybe that doesn't make him a killer, but I'd say those actions are the hallmarks of a slimy piece of shit.
"He grew up a spoiled rich brat who liked to party. (sound familiar)."
Frankly I'm surprised you of all people would celebrate the life of this man. Republicans tend to carry the stigma (for good reason) as being wealthy, greedy, privileged, connected, tax-evading, hypocritical and immune to the same law most of us aren't immune to. And yet it's no secret what he has done to keep most of his family fortune from being taxed the same way he has championed for everyone else's. Another example was his pushing for wind-turbine farms -- so long as it is not in his favorite sailing spot in Nantucket Sound. Shit, he was more "Republican" than most Republicans are.
"He had the respect of a lot of Republican colleagues some of whom held polar opposite views to his. So why bother? He was a giant in the senate and he worked his ass for it"
Did he really work his ass off for it? His family legacy didn't kind of pave a nice clean path for him? His brother was President at the time he ran for the Senate. Gee, good thing all that hard work got him past that obstacle...Nonetheless, he was a great politician. Tops among his peers. Admired and respected by both allies and enemies. One of the best ever in Congress. But so what? That's like saying within a circle of con-artists, he was the best hustler for 4 decades. Personally, I don't understand why so many are praising the longevity of his presence in Congress. I think there's something fundamentally wrong with career politicians, no matter which party they are from.
Posted by: Jack Klompus | September 01, 2009 at 09:22 PM
Frankly I'm surprised you of all people would celebrate the life of this man.
Comical. My post wasn't a celebration at all. I was basically rippin on the guy. I called him dumber than a dog. A raging drunk. A paranoid basket case. An uber-adulterator [sic]. When I left out the drowning girl part I was hoping, in vain apparently, that the chappysquidneck thing wouldn't turn into this slobber fest because its so fucking worn through already. How much of it rests on people's impeccable sense of integrity and how much is just sanctimonious drivel.
That said, I recognize the huge impact his efforts have had on ordinary people getting decent health care coverage, education, minimum wage, and equal employment opportunities for minorities all of which make the country a lot more sound and stronger.
Posted by: Mr. Kruger | September 02, 2009 at 09:55 AM
"My post wasn't a celebration at all. I was basically rippin on the guy."
I just re-read it. I'd still say it was far more celebratory than critical. But that's just my interpretation, so agree to disagree.
"that the chappysquidneck thing wouldn't turn into this slobber fest because its so fucking worn through already"
Slobber fest? You mean like the made-for-tv memorial service? The 24-7 documentary coverage? Not everybody remembers him as the common man's crusader, a loyal public servant, a philanthropist, or a dedicated family man. In fact, most people don't remember him that way at all. Most people hear "Ted Kennedy" and they think 3 things: 1. Money 2. Drunk 3. Chappaquiddick. Now that's no accident.
"That said, I recognize the huge impact his efforts have had on ordinary people getting decent health care coverage, education, minimum wage, and equal employment opportunities for minorities"
All impacts have been positive?
Posted by: Jack Klompus | September 02, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Not everybody remembers him as the common man's crusader, a loyal public servant, a philanthropist, or a dedicated family man. In fact, most people don't remember him that way at all.
That's cool, neither do I. My post sums up how I remember him- farcical.
All impacts have been positive?
Pretty much I suspect to some degree.
Posted by: Mr. Kruger | September 02, 2009 at 11:48 AM
He looks very fresh for his age!!!
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