March 5, 2009. Associated Press photo.It's hard to know where to begin to talk about a great man like the late Edward Kennedy. He was an advocate for justice, for the poor, for women, for minorities, for gays and lesbians, for healthcare, for freedom of speech, for peace. He was a late-bloomer who chose to be great, and chose to devote his life to making life better for millions of Americans when he could just as easily have lived a private life of privilege. Instead, he was a passionate and tireless voice for those without his privileges. He was not without his flaws but he was someone I will always look up to and respect. He will be missed.
Those of us interested in freedom- including the freedom to read- should take a moment today to reflect on his life and accomplishments.
Those of us interested in freedom- including the freedom to read- should take a moment today to reflect on his life and accomplishments.
11 comments:
I'm actually quite sad about it. He was a very awesome man. Equally as sad as his sister passing away the other week. She too was an awesome advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves. Sad day. :(
He spent his life serving the country to the best of his ability. He was a fighter to the end and he will be missed.
Marie, this is a wonderful post. Ted Kennedy was the face of the Kennedys for me. Not having grown up with Jack and Bobby, the way my mother's generation did, I've always thought of them as sort of mythological figures. But Ted Kennedy was real to me. This country is a better place for having had him, and for having had him for so much longer than we had his brothers. I just hope that his colleagues in the Senate will reflect on his life's work, learn from it, and take up the causes he fought so vigorously for.
Very well said! Beautiful post.
Loved your post; loved the Kennedys. I loved that despite their wealth they really fought hard and did wonderful things to help the working class.
I don't have the same praise as you and your commenters. I am much older than all of your commenters. I grew up knowing about Rose, Joe( the patriach) Robert,Jackie, Ethel, Jack Kennedy, etc. I was four when JFK was assassinated. I don't know how to separate the family to each individual Kennedy. If you want to understand the whole Kennedy clan read about Rose and Joe. I remember Chadiquitick( if I am spelling it right) incident. Ted Kennedy got away with the murder of his girl friend. That was a great scandal that most of us don't forget.
But his sister, Eunice did alot for special education and the mentally retarded. I feel she should be recognized more than him.
This is why this is America and there is freedom of speech. Since you wrote about this there would be people that agree with you and people that don't.
Susan, I'm sorry you feel that way but I think this is one instance where courtesy should trump "freedom of speech". When someone expresses their sadness at the death of another, and their admiration for that person's life- if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
Marie-Well said, this is a man that should be honored for what he achieved in standing for justice and freedom. As you said, he is not without flaws but he should be respected and admired for all that he did well.
Pink, Stacy, Ruth, Katie, Diane and Bonnie- thank you for your kind words :-)
This is such a sad event. He was flawed like all of us, but he strived to be more than his flaws.
I wrote about him and his new autobiography: http://www.examiner.com/x-14902-DC-Literature-Examiner~y2009m8d26-The-passing-of-Senator-Edward-Kennedy-of-Massachusetts
It is an end of an era
thanks Serena :-) great article btw! I can't wait to see True Compass.
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