RIP Ted Kennedy, we are not to see your like again.
And a lot of the circumstances in 1980 where of Carter's own making. Even then Reagan had to pander to the racists and spread vile rumor about a "October suprise" .
Kennedy might have had it different. He sure as hell would have fought back, tooth and nail.
Kipling217 on
The sky was full of stars, every star an exploding ship. One of ours.
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GoslingLooking Up Soccer In Mongolia Right Now, ProbablyWatertown, WIRegistered Userregular
Was there an entire department at the Times preparing for this man's death?
(probably)
The major papers don't get caught flat-footed on this kind of thing. The more prominent they are, the older they live to, and the more expected the death, the more writer's-magnum-opus the obituary gets.
Gosling on
I have a new soccer blog The Minnow Tank. Reading it psychically kicks Sepp Blatter in the bean bag.
I don't really buy that. Reagan only won by eight points, and Carter was a spectacularly terrible politician considering the level he ascended to.
Sort of more interesting to think about what the result of a Kennedy win in 72 might've been. Watergate never happens, the Great Society keeps chugging along, and nearly an entire generation develops a different view about government.
That is a sweet fantasy. Canada except bigger and richer.
themightypuck on
“Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears.”
― Marcus Aurelius
HakkekageSpace Whore Academysumma cum laudeRegistered Userregular
edited August 2009
Holy shit, I mean, I'd almost even forgotten he'd been sick since his stroke last year. I can't believe he'd held on for this long.
This is really fucking sad. I didn't even have any idea how much he'd done in the Senate and how many bills he pushed through until I read the NYT obit....important ones, too, not just The Rainbows are Pretty Act of 1985. It's jarring to lose someone as effective as that, especially during this time where we're as close to healthcare reform as we've ever been.
I am certain his death will be a huge bludgeon against the opponents of reform, but honestly, I doubt that it will serve to be as potent against the nutters as needed. I mean, Fox need only (and has been) focus on the womanizing, the alcoholism, and Chappaquiddick to lessen the impact and significance of his death after a long (Reaaaally long, considering the severity of the tumor) battle with brain cancer. Which is, of course, deplorable, but this is all that is needed to keep the anti-reformers content with themselves in dismissing just what Teddy's death means.
I was gonna write up a big post about Ted Kennedy and how living in Massachusetts make the Kennedys look like immortal figures, but I decided against it.
Fox will spin this with his letter to try and reverse the special election law that he helped pushed forward as liberal hypocricy.
Honestly, that was pretty bullshit. They pushed the law through to prevent a Republican governor from choosing a replacement were Kerry to have won the presidency, then Kennedy wanted it repealed so a Democratic governor could appoint a replacement in order to maintain the supermajority without a lag period of only 59 senators.
To me, TK is one of those great examples of how you can still change the whole trajectory of your life in your 40s or 50s. And by sticking with it and remaining committed, your mistakes and shortcomings mean less and less.
He may not have deserved his seat early on, but he'd more than earned it by the time he died.
Rest in peace, Senator Kennedy. Sunset of a bygone era.
This made me sadder than I thought possible. For some reason I wasn't even expecting it, despite the fact that it was all but a forgone conclusion. Man.
His son's Congressional office is a few blocks away from me, I may stop by to pay my condolences despite the fact that Pat is in (cough) rehab right now. Any other DC PA'ers planning on doing the same?
Ruined my day completely when I woke up and saw this. He was a truly Great Man. Its a blow not only to his family and his supporters but the country. He made the United States a better place and he stood up for everyone who needed help. He's been demonized by conservatives since the Civil Rights Act and let that identify the true worth of those who still demonize him today.
Ultimately he's irreplaceable. We'll elect a liberal here in Massachusetts to take his seat. If we get really lucky it'll be someone who looks to Teddy's example and has courage and strength of conviction. And he or she might even aspire to someday to be as capable a legislator. But no one could replace the Lion.
Nixon in 72 was much more of a sure thing than Reagan was in 1980.
72 was ridiculous.
Only because he was the incumbent. RFK beats him in 1968 if he wasn't assassinated. Teddy would have beaten Carter and probably Reagan in 76 and 80 if not for you-know-what
His son's Congressional office is a few blocks away from me, I may stop by to pay my condolences despite the fact that Pat is in (cough) rehab right now. Any other DC PA'ers planning on doing the same?
Yeah Pat unfortunately has all his father's faults and few of those attributes that made him Great.
Fox will spin this with his letter to try and reverse the special election law that he helped pushed forward as liberal hypocricy.
Honestly, that was pretty bullshit. They pushed the law through to prevent a Republican governor from choosing a replacement were Kerry to have won the presidency, then Kennedy wanted it repealed so a Democratic governor could appoint a replacement in order to maintain the supermajority without a lag period of only 59 senators.
Indeed, and it's going to bite them in the ass now.
Goose!That's me, honeyShow me the way home, honeyRegistered Userregular
edited August 2009
Guys were saying early in the thread that they wondered how Fox News would spin this. I just tuned in and they had their female anchor talking about how if you go to Fox News' website you can see an interactive timeline of Ted Kennedy's life and career and it shows different screens from it including his date of birth, announcing his senate run, being elected, JFK being assassinated, plane crash he hurt his back in, RFK being assassinated, and then the last screen they show before going back to the news desk is "Televised Address" and in the description it says Kennedy delivers a televised address to explain his actions at Chappaquiddick.
Now, maybe I just like to be conspiratorial, but they couldn't have ended their little feature before that screen? They had to end it on that?
Ruined my day completely when I woke up and saw this. He was a truly Great Man. Its a blow not only to his family and his supporters but the country. He made the United States a better place and he stood up for everyone who needed help. He's been demonized by conservatives since the Civil Rights Act and let that identify the true worth of those who still demonize him today.
Ultimately he's irreplaceable. We'll elect a liberal here in Massachusetts to take his seat. If we get really lucky it'll be someone who looks to Teddy's example and has courage and strength of conviction. And he or she might even aspire to someday to be as capable a legislator. But no one could replace the Lion.
Nixon in 72 was much more of a sure thing than Reagan was in 1980.
72 was ridiculous.
Only because he was the incumbent. RFK beats him in 1968 if he wasn't assassinated. Teddy would have beaten Carter and probably Reagan in 76 and 80 if not for you-know-what
His son's Congressional office is a few blocks away from me, I may stop by to pay my condolences despite the fact that Pat is in (cough) rehab right now. Any other DC PA'ers planning on doing the same?
Yeah Pat unfortunately has all his father's faults and few of those attributes that made him Great.
Your comment about the Civil Rights Act reminds me that all the segregationists are still out there.
Barney Frank becomming a US Senator would be awesome, especially since he seems like the kind of guy that sticks to his convictions.
Frank might be too much of a firebrand for the Senate. I think it'll either be a Kennedy (Joe probably) or Delahunt.
Frank will be spun into the seat through use of "Look! He's the first openly gay Senator!" to gather him votes from the rest of the liberals. I tried to vote that idiot out of office in '08 but yeah, this is Mass, I knew it was a losing cause.
Barney Frank becomming a US Senator would be awesome, especially since he seems like the kind of guy that sticks to his convictions.
Frank might be too much of a firebrand for the Senate. I think it'll either be a Kennedy (Joe probably) or Delahunt.
Frank will be spun into the seat through use of "Look! He's the first openly gay Senator!" to gather him votes from the rest of the liberals. I tried to vote that idiot out of office in '08 but yeah, this is Mass, I knew it was a losing cause.
Actually, he'll probably just use footage of that town hall. Seriously, we love it when he does that shit.
Barney Frank becomming a US Senator would be awesome, especially since he seems like the kind of guy that sticks to his convictions.
Frank might be too much of a firebrand for the Senate. I think it'll either be a Kennedy (Joe probably) or Delahunt.
Frank will be spun into the seat through use of "Look! He's the first openly gay Senator!" to gather him votes from the rest of the liberals. I tried to vote that idiot out of office in '08 but yeah, this is Mass, I knew it was a losing cause.
What exactly do you find disagreeable? I say this because he's certainly one of the more well-spoken and fast-witted senators.
He gay? Cool. I just always assumed he was merely incredibly awesome.
Poor Kennedy. If he is anywhere now I hope it's a place where he can meet his family.
Spoilered because OT
New media paradigm: trying to pass reform now would be crass and simplistic, while saying that trying to pass reform would be crass is not crass and simplistic.
Kastanj on
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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HonkHonk is this poster.Registered User, __BANNED USERSregular
edited August 2009
Holy shit it couldn't have been easy for Ted most of his life. I read the article on CNN, was familiar with his name but not his history. Seems like he lost almost everyone in his family. Five or was it six(!!!) plane crashes? Two assassinations, and then some.
Rest in peace mr Kennedy, looks like you were well liked.
Barney Frank becomming a US Senator would be awesome, especially since he seems like the kind of guy that sticks to his convictions.
Frank might be too much of a firebrand for the Senate. I think it'll either be a Kennedy (Joe probably) or Delahunt.
Frank will be spun into the seat through use of "Look! He's the first openly gay Senator!" to gather him votes from the rest of the liberals. I tried to vote that idiot out of office in '08 but yeah, this is Mass, I knew it was a losing cause.
What exactly do you find disagreeable? I say this because he's certainly one of the more well-spoken and fast-witted senators.
Frank is still a little too "out there" and a firebrand to hold onto a Senate seat. He's more of a firebrand than Kennedy, much more. Kennedy generally tended to try to work with Republicans when the opportunity and will was actually there. Frank has no interest in appealing to anyone other than his base. It makes it much hard maintain control in an election for Statewide office than in an individual, more local district where people are more familiar with him.
Anyway, to the main subject, I just saw this on the news when I got up this morning. I did not expect this so soon. Kennedy really was one of the last of dying breed of politicians. A twentieth and twenty-first century political icon has been lost and will be missed.
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And a lot of the circumstances in 1980 where of Carter's own making. Even then Reagan had to pander to the racists and spread vile rumor about a "October suprise" .
Kennedy might have had it different. He sure as hell would have fought back, tooth and nail.
That is a sweet fantasy. Canada except bigger and richer.
― Marcus Aurelius
Path of Exile: themightypuck
This is really fucking sad. I didn't even have any idea how much he'd done in the Senate and how many bills he pushed through until I read the NYT obit....important ones, too, not just The Rainbows are Pretty Act of 1985. It's jarring to lose someone as effective as that, especially during this time where we're as close to healthcare reform as we've ever been.
I am certain his death will be a huge bludgeon against the opponents of reform, but honestly, I doubt that it will serve to be as potent against the nutters as needed. I mean, Fox need only (and has been) focus on the womanizing, the alcoholism, and Chappaquiddick to lessen the impact and significance of his death after a long (Reaaaally long, considering the severity of the tumor) battle with brain cancer. Which is, of course, deplorable, but this is all that is needed to keep the anti-reformers content with themselves in dismissing just what Teddy's death means.
He will be missed
NNID: Hakkekage
72 was ridiculous.
He was an incumbent. Before Carter you had to go to Hoover and the depression for a one term president.
― Marcus Aurelius
Path of Exile: themightypuck
They tried to bury us. They didn't know that we were seeds. 2018 Midterms. Get your shit together.
I think Ted Kennedy's career speaks for itself.
Day to the date of his apperance in the Democratic Convention.
Wow. At least he got a last dance.
― Marcus Aurelius
Path of Exile: themightypuck
Thank you for linking that AH.
MWO: Adamski
He may not have deserved his seat early on, but he'd more than earned it by the time he died.
This made me sadder than I thought possible. For some reason I wasn't even expecting it, despite the fact that it was all but a forgone conclusion. Man.
His son's Congressional office is a few blocks away from me, I may stop by to pay my condolences despite the fact that Pat is in (cough) rehab right now. Any other DC PA'ers planning on doing the same?
Ouch.
That's way worse than the 'lolbama death panels couldn't get Ted' joke I was gonna force.
Ultimately he's irreplaceable. We'll elect a liberal here in Massachusetts to take his seat. If we get really lucky it'll be someone who looks to Teddy's example and has courage and strength of conviction. And he or she might even aspire to someday to be as capable a legislator. But no one could replace the Lion.
Only because he was the incumbent. RFK beats him in 1968 if he wasn't assassinated. Teddy would have beaten Carter and probably Reagan in 76 and 80 if not for you-know-what Yeah Pat unfortunately has all his father's faults and few of those attributes that made him Great.
QEDMF xbl: PantsB G+
He was just a Kennedy in the Senate to me.
Indeed, and it's going to bite them in the ass now.
Now, maybe I just like to be conspiratorial, but they couldn't have ended their little feature before that screen? They had to end it on that?
MWO: Adamski
Frank might be too much of a firebrand for the Senate. I think it'll either be a Kennedy (Joe probably) or Delahunt.
QEDMF xbl: PantsB G+
Kennedy was a firebrand, so shouldn't be a problem.
Your comment about the Civil Rights Act reminds me that all the segregationists are still out there.
If Joe Kennedy comes back, the Repubs will go nuts, especially if he gives a shoutout to Venezuela. We should do it.
Hell, I would pay anything to see a Barney Frank/ Joe Kennedy administration.
Frank will be spun into the seat through use of "Look! He's the first openly gay Senator!" to gather him votes from the rest of the liberals. I tried to vote that idiot out of office in '08 but yeah, this is Mass, I knew it was a losing cause.
Actually, he'll probably just use footage of that town hall. Seriously, we love it when he does that shit.
What exactly do you find disagreeable? I say this because he's certainly one of the more well-spoken and fast-witted senators.
Poor Kennedy. If he is anywhere now I hope it's a place where he can meet his family.
Spoilered because OT
Rest in peace mr Kennedy, looks like you were well liked.
Frank is still a little too "out there" and a firebrand to hold onto a Senate seat. He's more of a firebrand than Kennedy, much more. Kennedy generally tended to try to work with Republicans when the opportunity and will was actually there. Frank has no interest in appealing to anyone other than his base. It makes it much hard maintain control in an election for Statewide office than in an individual, more local district where people are more familiar with him.
Anyway, to the main subject, I just saw this on the news when I got up this morning. I did not expect this so soon. Kennedy really was one of the last of dying breed of politicians. A twentieth and twenty-first century political icon has been lost and will be missed.